Cycling UK Forum

Me again! *waves cheerily*

I've been mulling over the idea of getting a more road-going bike for some time... and with my (in comparison to some of the machines on here) limited budget, I am considering buying a (recently) secondhand bike instead of a new one.

So, if you see a bike you like the look of on Ebay...

- What would you expect to see on the listings? (and what would you not want to see?)
- what questions would you ask the seller?

I'm very much aware that property of dubious origin is frequently "fenced" to unwitting buyers who then may end up with no bike and out of pocket, something I am keen to avoid.

Help!!

Have they owned it from new.
Any distinguishing marks
Full spec of it's components
Do they still have original receipt

what questions would you ask the seller?

"Can I come round to your house and test ride it please?"

eileithyia wrote:Have they owned it from new.
Any distinguishing marks
Full spec of it's components
Do they still have original receipt

My new bike is less than a month old and I've already lost the receipt. It's not something I'd expect other people to hang on to. Equally, if the answer to the first question was either "Yes." or "No.", that wouldn't really tell me anything useful about the bike.

The great thing about buying a second hand bike on London is you can go around and try it out relatively easily. (Remember to take some sort of trustworthy photo id with you for them to hang on to while you have the bike.)

Look at the photograph. If it taken inside a flat or out on some rough backstreet they may just be a wheeler dealer type. Look at there selling history and the type of stuff they sell. It is a relativley new high speck bike it may have been stolen. If you go for a bespoke hand built bike such as a Mercian which has been lovingly looked after it will have a lot of accesories and sundry items and these are the sort of bikes to look at and there may be a service history and there is usually a genuine reason for sale.
Also many bike shops sell used bikes and this his how I landed on my bike.

vjosullivan wrote:

eileithyia wrote:Have they owned it from new.
Any distinguishing marks
Full spec of it's components
Do they still have original receipt

My new bike is less than a month old and I've already lost the receipt. It's not something I'd expect other people to hang on to. Equally, if the answer to the first question was either "Yes." or "No.", that wouldn't really tell me anything useful about the bike.

I'd say its a very good way forward,I recently bought a 10 y/old s/hand bike,the owner had owned it from new and still had the reciept of original purchase.

If as Si says, you can go to the seller's house and inspect the bike and the owner,you can form an opinion about both.
If asking on Ebay messaging system,think of searching and awkard questions,where has it been serviced,when did it last have a new chain and cassette,or tyres,has it ever been in an accident,has it had new rims,what has it been used for,how did it get that scratch on the seatube,etc.
Also keep a lookout for none standard cheaper parts on a high end frame say,things that don't fit with the bike.
Check the sellers feedback,and what they've been selling to get a feel for them.
There are a lot of honest buyers on Ebay and some downright crooks too,ultimately its buyer beware but chances can be minimised by doing your "homework".
BTW Don't bid until the last minute and preferably the last 20seconds of the auction.

Lawrie9 wrote:Look at the photograph. If it taken inside a flat or out on some rough backstreet

As opposed to where? You generally get a bit of wall or floor in the background of an Ebay photo, but I don't think it tells you much!

Lawrie9 wrote:Look at there selling history and the type of stuff they sell.

Yeah that's a good idea - if they've sold loads of similar bikes in the past then why might that be, and does it fit with whatever else they've told you is the reason for sale?

I'd also add, if you see a nice bike with very little care taken to list it well then be suspicious. Someone with a nice bike should know and be able to tell you about it in some detail, e.g. which components are original and which they have replaced on it.

A good bike listed with very little useful description and an out of focus photo is not a good sign. Saying what colour it is and the brand that's written in big letters on the frame, but not knowing the frame size or failing to mention in the description something that's obviously unusual about it.

Maybe there's no single thing that'd tip you off, but all these things taken together can help you form an opinion.

Also it's perhaps a good idea to pay with Paypal so you have some buyer protection. Many people ask for cash on collection, but then you have no way of getting your money back if it all goes wrong. Taking a smartphone means you can easily pay with Paypal when you collect, so maybe something to consider doing?

Ask them to define any know problems for one thing.This you will have in text as a comeback if they did not mention something that was clearly obvious. You'd then be covered under the Sale of Goods Act (irrelevant if it is an auction, private sale or from a shop)
Ensure to ask about bottom bracket, wheel axles, amount of wear on components, gear change.
I always ask for close up photos of components to be emailed direct, that way you can assess the wear/cosmetic condition yourself if you're unable to see the bike in person.

As for this how long have you had the bike, or if from new. That's a load of tosh, tens of thousands of people buy bikes second hand and then pass them on, some buy bikes from car boots etc to sell on for a profit, so what? This makes them no different to any other seller, in fact someone doing up bikes to sell on is more likely to have a tracable history with regard to the sale of other 2nd hand bikes.
I've only ever bought one bike that had a receipt of the many that I've gotten for myself, friends & family so I wouldn't worry abt that at all.
If you're spending a LOT of money and you cannot ascertain the valdity of the bike to your satisfaction but you really want it. Phone the local plod and ask if one has been reported stolen. I got a top end bike from a young lad in London & it seemed rather sus as the price was ridiculously low. However he gave me his number & his mums flat address & I rang the local plod to ask if it had been reprted stolen.
I bagged a near new £900 bike for £140 (actually haggled £10 off...lol)

Re description of top end bikes, I got a raleigh titanium with Dura Ace 9 speed from ebay many many moons ago, 2 line description, no photo & a BIN of £350. I couldn't hit the button quick enough. I could barely hide my smile when I saw it at the chaps house, (he was a CAT 1 rider with more money than sense ) I did deride him for letting some mud get into the eyelets though
At the end of the day if the seller won't give you the info required and/or you don't feel comfortable then don't bid, there's bags of bikes for sale. In fact I reckon a wanted add in Bike Radar forums with a max budget will see you get plenty of offers.
Good Luck!

+ 1 for checking feedback.
Stuff on eBay is quite likely to be 'knocked-off' 'cos of the nature of the arrangements - relative anonymity, limited/no sanctions for transgressors etc. Asking for obvious signs of dodgy deals isn't going to get you many helpful responses. The types who will consider flogging dodgy gear are as bright and resourceful as we are...
You've just got to search your conscience to see if you are prepared to take the risk that what you buy could well be some 3rd party's pride and joy, and if the answer's yes, then use your common sense - and crucially, think about what you would do if you sense the deal's dodgy. Buying stuff on ebay is well known for generating adrenaline - it can be hard to pull out of what you see as a Great Deal, even when you sense it might not be all it seems... Unfortunately, pulling out of a completed auction, on a hunch that the deal's dodgy will put you technically in the wrong as far as ebay rules are concerned, unless you have got some very clear and demonstrable evidence for failing to complete the deal. If you've got a carefully accumulated 100% feedback, there's little incentive to back out of an auction.
Anyway, lets's face it - what tea-leaf in their right mind is going to answer you honestly, when you ask them what you fondly imagine are searching questions, especially when they can do so via the anonymous medium of email?
I was talking to a work-colleague the other day - a keen cyclist and outwardly appearing decent guy when he admitted to knowing 'mates' who have knocked of quality parts from bikes on the way home from the pub to sell on eBay for a quick buck... Could just have been a bullsh** story, but on the other hand, my opinion is that if we could see exactly how much cycle gear on ebay was 'knock-off' I think we'd be very very shocked.

simonineaston wrote:Unfortunately, pulling out of a completed auction, on a hunch that the deal's dodgy will put you technically in the wrong as far as ebay rules are concerned, unless you have got some very clear and demonstrable evidence for failing to complete the deal. If you've got a carefully accumulated 100% feedback, there's little incentive to back out of an auction.

Sellers can only leave positive feedback so it is not affected, you can get an unpaid item, but that is not the end of the world unless you make a habit of it.

What's your favourite doughnut filling? Custard, apple, raspberry, strawberry or chocolate?

i once got asked what mileage has the bike done.........it was a 10 yr old bike...

As someone who's currently selling more than buying, please please don't ask if I have a Buy it Now price. Please. Also, read the ad...

Generally, I'd say if the seller shows a knowledge of what parts are on the bike, and can give a bit of history. I try to honestly describe any flaws. Details! Some ads might also state the reason for selling - I usually try to say, even if it's as mundane as needing the space.

TBH most bikes I see which have "done 200 miles but I decided I didn't like it" do make me a tad suspicious. Maybe I'm overly cynical. However, I don't think there are any hard-and-fast rules. You just have to use your common sense.

phil1965 wrote:i once got asked what mileage has the bike done.........it was a 10 yr old bike...

Nuggets I got asked similar, how old is the bike, it was a 1973 CB, as stated mind...lol

vjosullivan wrote:

eileithyia wrote:Have they owned it from new.
Any distinguishing marks
Full spec of it's components
Do they still have original receipt

My new bike is less than a month old and I've already lost the receipt. It's not something I'd expect other people to hang on to. Equally, if the answer to the first question was either "Yes." or "No.", that wouldn't really tell me anything useful about the bike.

Well I have receipts from several years back for my bikes and no I am not sort of OCD type I just think it is prudent to keep them for insurance purposes having been knocked off on more than one occasion.

If they have owned it from then they should be able to talk knowledgeably about it and any upgrades, equally they should be able to tell you about their purchase of it if it is second hand and it should sound reasonably creditable, not i got it from my mate down the pub....