eBay and Craigslist finds

^ I imagine he spends a lot of time in the pub boasting about the killing he's making flogging old bikes to mugs.

Not wholly defending him, but I bought my Eddy Merckx extra corsa from him couple of years ago for £250 and picked it up from him. Nice guy sat in his garden drinking tea and talking bikes and his sons aim to be a pro rider.
He gets his stuff from Holland from bike shops from old racers from the 80's 90's that trade in their racers for Dutchie style bikes.

His prices have gone up a lot since then mind.

I too know this chap and have been 'round his place many a time and he's always been good to me, so much so that he even let's me rummage around his garden and basement for any bits i desire 'till the cows come home.

It's true that he does want your dosh but then that's why you're potentially doing business with him in the first place.

How Silly Suffolk summed him up is indeed the impression he gives off but if you know your stuff and stand firm you'll come away with no worse a deal than from anywhere else these days in my opinion.

As for his prices going up most people are jacking theirs up as well and it's not just in the used bike parts world either, anything old and quality seems to cost a mint these days.

However there is one rude, old curmudgeon out there that leaves a sour taste in the mouth but that's another story...