Just me?

[suburbanreuben]

I've got some sympathy with the OPs point: there is something troubling about a world where ordinary things become highly valued, especially where that high value makes it likely that they won't be used as intended.

It's not "ordinary" though, is it?
It was wierd when it was made; people probably pointed and laughed.
It certainly isn't ordinary now.

 

[silverclaws]

It is just a pity human life is valued so low, people are killed for far less, but I suppose that is the point, life can be recreated, rare objects can't, so less value is put on life.

 

[doctor-bond]

It's not "ordinary" though, is it?
It was wierd when it was made; people probably pointed and laughed.
It certainly isn't ordinary now.

It's a bicycle. Anything over and above that fact is a floating value that has been added by force of collective opinion. I happen to agree with the collective opinion that it is a very fine and historically interesting bicycle: but it's a bike nonetheless.

If it it get's put in a museum or hung on a wall, it ceases to function as a bike and is fundamentally useless. In just the same way, if an international bank bought a Van Gogh painting and locked it in a safe as an investment, it would cease to have any meaning as a work of art.

 

[doctor-bond]

its just collateral
its asigned a value , then keeps or grows the value

a bit like those cooks q/r's or such like that you have in that special drawer in the shed

But what a strange world where it's become normal to hoarde devices that secure bike wheels to bike frames in order to become wealthier!

Seems mad to me: I've sunk most of my wealth into rare tulips, and as a hedge, I've started to stockpile peppercorns. Gotta think smarter ....

 

[john]

The Dutch tried Tulips in the past, it went badly for them > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip_mania . Take heed the lessons that history gives us

 

[suburbanreuben]

So, would Jama be OK with the "value" of this bike if the buyer used it regularly, or is he worried because a mere bike can be worth this amount, and never used again?

It would be interesting to see if there's any correlation between various peoples (not necessarily Jama's) views on this bike and their membership of Retrobike's resident Profit Police Squad

 

[doctor-bond]

The Dutch tried Tulips in the past, it went badly for them > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip_mania . Take heed the lessons that history gives us

Aaargh! If it wasn't for those pesky Dutchmen I'd be a millionaire. Nevermind. I've heard about this company in the South Seas that is selling shares. I'll buy into that big style - it looks like dead cert. And if that doesn't work I can always trade some Credit Default Swaps: what could go wrong there!

 

[john]

The Dutch tried Tulips in the past, it went badly for them > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip_mania . Take heed the lessons that history gives us

Aaargh! If it wasn't for those pesky Dutchmen I'd be a millionaire. Nevermind. I've heard about this company in the South Seas that is selling shares. I'll buy into that big style - it looks like dead cert. And if that doesn't work I can always trade some Credit Default Swaps: what could go wrong there!

Reckon the South Sea Company sounds a good bet.

 

[jamabikes]

I guess I'm just worried that retro biking will evolve into people buying and selling bikes as a commodity rather than because they want to ride old bikes. I have bought and sold stuff in the past, even making a profit now and then but only to keep bikes out on the trails.

 

[hamster]

People grow up, some end up rich. They try to recapture their youth. They'll spend big money to do so. Bikes, boats, guitars, women, whatever.

It's the way the world is, the next generation will probably spend loads to own an original iPhone or something that just looks like so much old crap today.

In the words of Reggie Perrin: 'Invest in Grot!'