Anyone else made a lifestyle out of craigslisting/ebaying? (claim thread)

I'm kind of a freak when it comes to craigslist/ebay flipping, and now im wondering if theres others out there (i think there are, there has to be!). check it:

I wanted to get into mountain biking back about 2 years ago, so i bought a GT Saddleback on craigslist for $60. I beat the shit out of it on the trails, but learned a lot of great mechanic skills fixing it back up. i was ready for a better bike in about 2 months (of hard riding), so i sold it back on craigslist...for $120. this is when i knew i was on to something.

raw profit: 2months of fun + $60

Upgraded to a Cannondale f900 with hydraulic discs. thing was freakin sweet. it was $300. I rode it hard. hit my first drops, took some big falls. learned a ton more about bike mechanics. sold it in summer 2010 for $610 on ebay.

raw profit: 1 year of fun + $310

Picked up a Fuji Supreme from the free section. got $100 velocity fixed/free wheelset with some nice tires included on craigslist. picked up a KMC chain for $10, chopped the bars, and had a baller fixed gear. ripped it hard on the streets of nyc for 1.5 years, just sold it to some hipster for $420

raw profit: 1.5 years of fun + $310

This ones complex. Needed a roadie, picked up a nice trek 1000 for $350. came with speedplay pedals and shimano shoes (used once), and mad other accessories. Used the shoes for a year till i upgraded to sidis, then gave them to my sister. I still use the pedals/clips on my current setup (you'll hear about it later), and still use all the tools and accessories. Sold the bike for $400

raw profit: 4 months of fun on trek 1000 + 2 years(and counting) of sick speedplay pedals and other tools + shoes for me and sister + $50

Found ultegra brifters on craigslist for $40. originally was going to put these on my current roadie, but decided to sell. sold them immediately on ebay for $160

raw profit: $120 (sorry no fun on this one!)

Went to the philly outlets looking for a new oakley jacket. Found the perfect tiger camo goose down puffer, and almost shit myself when i saw the price tag of $35. I asked if they had any more in the back, telling them i'd buy every single one. they only had one, it was size xl. put the xl on ebay when i got home. someone bought it that week for $80.

raw profit: free oakley puffer for mad fun in the deeps + $10

Wanted to get into DJing since i saw the doubles at my local mountain bike park. Picked up a 24" for 120 thinking this was what i wanted for jumping. while it was fun for campus cruising, it sucked for jumping. i traded it on craigslist for a PS3. sold that ps3 on ebay for $210.

raw profit: 1mo fun campus cruising + fun intro to jumping + $90

was at the sierra trading post outlet during vaca this winter (sick place if youre in tahoe) and saw some px12Ti's on the clearance rack for $45. knew i had to have em. was gonna put them on my new bibbys but suprise, i found a better deal on some jesters. sold em on ebay for $150

raw profit: $105 (sorry no fun on this one either)


overall profits shown from these few stories: 2+ years of endless of FUN! + $1035 + sick oakley puffer + speedplay pedals + bike shoes



I have TONS and TONS of other stories like this(i know i've moved 22 bikes through the house in the past 2 years!), im just going off the dome right now cuz its late night and im bored. id really like to make a flippers cult and talk to other people who do this too. As you can imagine, i have mad toys right now that i got for cheap on craigslist and could go for much much more money. just look at this thread I made a while back.

https://newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/546292/ that guy now has gold braided Jagwire cables, odi lockons, raceXlite tubeless rear (it was already tubeless on the front, new tires, eggbeater pedals, and selle san marco saddle, all from the clearance section of pricepoint, or craigslist.

Ive also got an absolute beauty of a roadie, a 2003 Bianchi Giro, upgraded to racelite wheelset and carbon post, jag cables and stella wrap on the bars. thing retailed at $1499 without the upgrades, im in $350 at this point.

I dont think what i do is at all immoral (i know the subject would likely come up) cuz i always put having fun over making money. if i would have lost all $300 on my f900, i wouldnt have minded, i still had a year of damn good times with it. but hell, if i can throw it on ebay and make coin, well why not? Also, i always do everything i can to be sure my goods arent stolen. cuz thats absolutely immoral.

I have a ton more flips that arent as impressive, but basically craigslist has allowed me to always keep my head above water cash wise. i think of something i love, do what i love, then figure out how to cash out (usually to upgrade) later. its the basic market principle of inflows>outflows.

does anyone else do this, or am i a wizard?



sparknotes: none. if you dont wanna read, i dont care.

/claim.