Buying off Ebay - what to check?
Discussion
As part of my hunt for a new old bike, I've found one in budget on Ebay, within a reasonable distance.
I asked him if he has the original receipt and for the frame number, he says no receipt as it was passed on from his brother, but that the original shop sticker is still on it. With the frame number, can I check it out on the stolen bike register, or should I play safe and walk away, as my immediate thought is to do?
I asked him if he has the original receipt and for the frame number, he says no receipt as it was passed on from his brother, but that the original shop sticker is still on it. With the frame number, can I check it out on the stolen bike register, or should I play safe and walk away, as my immediate thought is to do?
if its not that far away, if its the bike you want and its unlikely that another will come up for sale again, why not just go look at it.... suss out the seller when you are there, ask him loads of questins about where it was used, why he has it, upgrades, find out if he has actually ridden it etc and then make a decision. you could always put in a good offer in person and he might cancel the auction?
pablo said:
if its not that far away, if its the bike you want and its unlikely that another will come up for sale again, why not just go look at it.... suss out the seller when you are there, ask him loads of questins about where it was used, why he has it, upgrades, find out if he has actually ridden it etc and then make a decision. you could always put in a good offer in person and he might cancel the auction?
I think I'll do that, ta chap.boobles said:
So because he hasn't got the original reciept, you automatically assume that it's stolen?
With all due respect, if you are that concerned, go buy a brand new one.
I've never bought a second hand bike, and it's a not inconsiderable amount of money that I'm looking to spend. It's not "oh my God, its clearly stolen", it's "are there any more ways I can check that it isn't?". With all due respect, if you are that concerned, go buy a brand new one.
I've bought most of my bikes of ebay. It's pretty good if you don't get sucked in.
I bought a Scott CR-1 Pro (retailed at the time £2500)for £700, it had done about 300 miles from new. Awesome bike, rode it from London to Paris.
Recently bought two frames. A Cervelo S2 (2009) for £700 (immaculate and absolutely gorgeous) and a Litespeed Sienna for £330. Absolute result on both.
The Scott I picked up in person. Others went on strength of ad and had them posted. No problems. always remember. Pay with Paypal. It's a buyers dream. You are totally protected.
I bought a Scott CR-1 Pro (retailed at the time £2500)for £700, it had done about 300 miles from new. Awesome bike, rode it from London to Paris.
Recently bought two frames. A Cervelo S2 (2009) for £700 (immaculate and absolutely gorgeous) and a Litespeed Sienna for £330. Absolute result on both.
The Scott I picked up in person. Others went on strength of ad and had them posted. No problems. always remember. Pay with Paypal. It's a buyers dream. You are totally protected.
boobles said:
So because he hasn't got the original reciept, you automatically assume that it's stolen?
With all due respect, if you are that concerned, go buy a brand new one.
to be fair, there is a tracksuit clad chav who rides a gorgeous Cinelli dripping with campag record around this part of Bristol.... i dont think he has the receipt....or the manual....With all due respect, if you are that concerned, go buy a brand new one.
I don't have POP for any of my bikes, I'd be more concered about condition rather than where it came from. eBay does offer some protection if it all goes wrong.
Alarm bells start ringing for me about stolen bikes from poorly written ads, by people who clearly have no idea what they're talking about or people who push to sell 'outside' of ebay at a discount to avoid the seller fees.
Alarm bells start ringing for me about stolen bikes from poorly written ads, by people who clearly have no idea what they're talking about or people who push to sell 'outside' of ebay at a discount to avoid the seller fees.
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