can anyone make a living with this hobby?

TyDow · #1 01-11-2009, 10:42 PM

hello everyone,

i am starting to hate my job. at first i was hoping to sell at least one bike month for extra cash. now i am wondering if i can make enough money to live on with this hobby. your thoughts? they certainly do get a lot of attention.

thanks in advance

ty

Large Filipino · #2 01-12-2009, 12:25 AM

No.

.............

Bikeguy Joe · #3 01-12-2009, 06:24 AM

Ty,

It depends on what you call "a living". If I could sell one bike a month @ 500 dollars, minus the cost of the kit and a cheap bicycle, I would still not quite make it.

If I could sell two bikes a month for 500 dollars I would be fine....but most people would not be able to pay their rent with that kind of money.

The problem where I live is weather and location. I live very far out in the ''middle of nowhere"....and people don't buy these things from your front yard here in the winter.

If you lived in a metropolitan area, where the weather was good year 'round, and could sell a couple or four a month, AND you didn't have a lot of bills, you certainly could do it.

Retmachinist · #4 01-12-2009, 06:50 AM

I was thinking about building them to sell, since I am now retired and have plenty of time. I got to thinking about the legal problems I would probably run into. Has anyone researched this?

John

Bikeguy Joe · #5 01-12-2009, 06:53 AM

Have them sign a waiver.

Sell "As is, but in good demonstrated condition". Have them sign the "as-is" agreement and the waiver.

Retmachinist · #6 01-12-2009, 07:42 AM

Joe, That is an excellent idea to have a waiver! You need to make sure it is bullet proof before they sign it. I had a guy call here just fishing for a way to sue me if I built him a bike. It is really sad that there are people out there like that! I was just talking to Jim (Creative Eng.) about this. Some real weirdo's off of craigslist.

John

**Dan** · #7 01-12-2009, 08:16 AM

Your question made me curious. I sell a bike here and there but don't rely on it. Scooter sales went up 23% last year (source; Hartford Courant) So half wondered about opening a scooter, MAB kit and ultra light transportation store. Would be a huge undertaking even if only with an online storefront. Not to mention a large investment.

Exposure and liability could be lessoned by forming a Limited Liability Company. (I thought the last C was for corporation Limited liability company - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ) Article about a guy who set one up near you. Setting up a LLC in Wisconsin : Bia Securities

Kinda went off on a tangent there, didn't I? snork.

Most dealers will give you a break on kits if you buy in volume so you could test the waters before any big investment.

One thing I can tell you from personal experience is if you hate your job, have to fix it and be happy! Find some thing you love to do and you will never work another day.

Bikeguy Joe · #8 01-12-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retmachinist

Some real weirdo's off of craigslist.

John

That would be the understatement of the day fo'sho'.

Creative Engineering · #9 01-12-2009, 04:34 PM

It is sad; you have to be careful...there are people who will answer an AD with no intention of buying what you are selling, they're just coming to case your house. It happens all the time, and with a bad economy I'm afraid it will only get worse.

The best option, the one I use, is to simply get the word out when talking to people during the day. It won't be long and business will be good.

I had no reservations what-so-ever about building a bike for my customers' wife. He owns motorcycles, he has a shop and knows how to maintain things. I gave him a basic primer on MB's and everything is cool. His wife loves it and all is well. Word of mouth may not be the fastest way to the finish line, but I know I will be building another one for a customer soon...And it won't be some idiot who is trying to find a lawsuit. If you sense anything, anything at all that is fishy...decline. A motorbike must be combined with good common sense and mechanical aptitude. Unfortunately both are severely lacking in the public at large.

Jim

Spunout · #10 01-12-2009, 04:52 PM

ive been doing this for 8 months, and i'm only averaging 3 bikes per month.

i ride everywhere (yes even in winter snowstorms), i hand out business cards, i advertize on forums, my website isnt great but its decent, i talk to a zillion curious people, my bikes look cool, my prices are affordable, and i'm only averaging 3 bikes per month.

as far as craigslist.... when i lived in tucson, thats how i pimped them.
BUT i NEVER brought them to the house...always met at a circle K, and didnt let them take the bikes for test-beatings. (used the insurance liability excuse) i started it up and rode up and down the street for them.
that way, they cant just get on and never come back. and they cant wreck it and say 'no thanks. i'm not buying a broken bike'. or sue.