Gumtree

[john_p]

It seems ads go up and disappear quite quick, is that because people move fast when they see a bike they want?

Why does nobody put the frame size on (or is that a good way of filtering out what's nicked.. along with the ones with missing wheels, or "scratches on the frame")

Seems to be more movement than eBay anyway, anyone succesfully bought a bike from there?

[Gnarlybluesurf]

It really annoys me the number of stolen bikes on gumtree and the fact that gumtree seem to do nothing about it. I have reported several really dodgey bikes and their sellers only to find the add is taken off for an hour then put back on.

I have bought bikes from there and it's been fine BUT you have to be very careful. I have also seen bike pictures from very nice bikes sold on ebay copied and pasted into a gumtree add at a ridiculously low price in a different bit of the country thus obvoiusly fake... I am aware of people having being mugged when turning up for a bike and there was the guy that was stabbed and killed when he turned up to buy a car in East london not too long ago.

Personally I think you can often tell by the way the add is written (i.e. spelling, grammar, size, ammount of information and I always avoid selling cos I have now got a moped). As with everything rule of thumb is if the amazing bike and the "init" boy selling it don't seem to match... it's for a good reason.

Gumtree advise never take money or valuables with you to buy and meet somewhere really public.. not a side alley! You get a pretty good idea of what they are like after a couple of conversations on the phone. Beware of people using several numbers to contact you too.

I always start by asking them about "is the bike still for sale?"... if they answer which one, they are more likely to be a dealer of bikes. Also put their phone number into Gumtree search, you often find several bikes with the same story...

There are many better places to buy bikes online than gumtree and ebay but sometimes they are convenient due to the location.

Bottom line is it's often easier and cheaper in the longterm to buy the bike new and build up a relationship with your local bike shop as unless you're comfortable with bike maintenence you could be buying something that needs a lot of work.

[Gnarlybluesurf]

Bianchi 928 Carbon Dura Ace Compact- Size Large 1800 New Must Go Today
£250

http://www.gumtree.com/london/87/62026487.html

[BatterseaV8]

I bought this last night: http://www.gumtree.com/london/14/61996514.html

It took me all weekend calling different adds on gumtree to find a bike one guy several different bikes under different names just never turned up (after the second time I called him and realised that it was a bit dodgy I just reported the ads and didn't bother)

Though the chap I bought this bike from last night was great, had the receipt and was as genuine as you can be just did my first London commute this morning!

[Gooby]

Gumtree and ebay are a hub for stolen bikes - police believe that stolen bikes are disposed of either by quick sale down the pub, whole thing on Ebay / Gumtree or broken as parts and stolen on ebay / gumtree.

[MATRS]

Bought a Cotic Soul frame for my wife last month via Gumtree, sure enough its not arrived trying to claim my cash back via PayPal as the seller is now avoiding me, ended up getting her a Charge Duster from Wiggle.

[walm]

I echo everything from Gnarly...
But I bought an absolute peach of a bike from Gumtree from a totally normal bloke.
Very surprising to be honest.
He also couldn't believe it when I simply handed him the asking amount of cash.

He actually played down how long he had owned the bike because he was so embarrassed that his wife was making him get rid of it. Said it was 6 months old but his receipt said only 4 months old. Fine by me.

Rules of thumb:
Anything being sold in E1 - nicked.
No size - nicked.
Ridiculous discount (>50% off new for nearly new) - nicked.
Cut and paste description from manufacturers site and no other info - nicked.

[RV8]

I wanted a subway hybrid I saw on gumtree the bike was sold within hours of going up. I sold a car on there and recently bought some other stuff I'd seen. It's a good site but beware of con artists / email scammers getting in contact if you advertise.

[john_p]

Reckon this one is nicked?

http://www.gumtree.com/london/98/62083698.html

(Specialized Sirrus Comp missing one/two wheels)

Advert said:

1 week old then weel got nic so top top bike need go good home in shop 899.99 so get bike before its go

£250

[fido]

Gooby said:

Gumtree and ebay are a hub for stolen bikes - police believe that stolen bikes are disposed of either by quick sale down the pub, whole thing on Ebay / Gumtree or broken as parts and stolen on ebay / gumtree.

Yep, definitely the place for stolen gear. {Groan}

[fergus]

john_p said:

Reckon this one is nicked?

http://www.gumtree.com/london/98/62083698.html

(Specialized Sirrus Comp missing one/two wheels)

Advert said:

1 week old then weel got nic so top top bike need go good home in shop 899.99 so get bike before its go

£250

Even if it wasn't nicked, would you really want to deal with the f.uckwit who wrote that?

[effkay]

Having just got carried away on Gumtree (looking at TVRs), I spotted this:

http://www.gumtree.com/london/43/60732143.html

A Cerbera for £5,074??? I wish!

[Martyn-123]

This would appear to be a problem,

Can i suggest that if you are ever unfortunate to have something stolen then list the same item as a saved search on ebay. Should the thief then list it on ebay for sale you will get a email from ebay confirming item listed. You then simply bid away and make sure you win, arrange to pay in cash on collection and once you get there and you recognise it's yours you know who to call.

I know of a incident where somebody had some property stolen that was recognised as it was painted a unique colour and this worked a treat,


Regards,


Martyn......

Edited by Martyn-123 on Tuesday 13th July 16:57