Cycling UK Forum

Hi all I am looking for some advice about buying a second hand 2 speed brompton bike off ebay.
There is a problem that i am struggling with a few things and could do with some advice please.
1) why are they so expensive second hand. Some of the prices are virtually the cost of new.
2) I can contact some sellers but some no matter what I try I do not seem to be able to ask questions of others. How do I contact the seller.
3) some descriptions are very honest but others are very vague considering someone is trying to sell you something.
4) I have also over the last few weeks noticed that one or two people are selling quite a few bromptons only this week someone is/has been selling about 5 bromptons. Is this usual.
I know that buyer beware but I have purchased a few bikes and bits off ctc and have had excellent dealings and honesty.
Am I being naive with ebay. Should I leave well alone. I have bought other bike accessories plus other items off ebay that have been perfect but the brompton ebay purchase does worry me slightly.
Thanks any advice would be useful.

1 Popular bikes so hold their value.

2and 3 I wouldn't buy anything from a seller I couldn't contact who gave a vague description.

4 I'd be wary of anyone selling multiple bikes on Ebay that wasn't a trader and being up front about being a trader.


Personally if the second hand price is anywhere near the new price I'd rather buy new and get my choice of bike and full warranty.

To contact an ebayer. From within the ad:
In the seller information box, click on the sellers name
Under the picture of the of the seller, click on 'contact seller'
Type your message and submit!!!

If you are buying from ebay, I suggest trying to make sure you try the bike out on a test ride. Visit the seller at home (if a private seller) to check out the condition etc. If a private seller, ask to see two forms of ID (1. address, 2. Photo ID) and record details. Make a sales invoice. (Take a look at bikesoup for details of checklist and printable invoice)

I definitely advise to check the frame number is not registered as stolen before making any payment.

irc wrote:I wouldn't buy anything from a seller I couldn't contact who gave a vague description.......if the second hand price is anywhere near the new price I'd rather buy new and get my choice of bike and full warranty

100% agree on both points

Hi,

Bromptons do fetch a good price second hand, but as with anything, they are worth what you are prepared to pay! Not sure if certain models have a longer waiting time from new and so slightly harder to get new and that keeps prices up. However, as mentioned I would rather buy new if you are not going to save lots. Upgrading Bromptons is very possible, but the bits will start to mount up in cost.

2 speed?

I have two Bromptons of different specs, thats a bit hard to justify, so I can't vouch for those with five or more or why they had them.

As for difficulty in communication, tread carefully, as you seem to be doing. I would want to be very confident of the seller if I were buying a bike off ebay. Firstly because of its provenance, and if unseen, then its condition. A genuine, honest seller would and should have nothing to hide and I would expect them to be able to vouch for the bike confidently and not make that difficult for the buyer.

Personally unless you are prepared to take a "punt" (and you said "caveat emptor" yourself) then I would go and view a Brompton personally. After all you can get a train there and fold it up to bring it home with no problems if it all seems good and in order. If its in an interesting place then you get a trip out too!

eBay ( and Gumtree ) are often used to offload stolen Bromptons, they must be the most lucrative bicycle to steal. A friend left his Brompton chained up for all of three minutes in Kingston to return to find it stolen. I have two Bromptons both bought new, the savings achieved by buying legitimate SH were not attractive.
If you consider an eBay SH Brompton always speak to the seller before bidding most thieves will not enter a dialogue; establish where he lives and always see the bike before bidding and get the frame number to it check out. Most thieves of Bromptons rely on naive souls to unload onto; show them that you're on the ball they'll probably ignore you.
Brompton's still command unbelievably high SH prices, supply and demand I suppose. I bought mine new because I knew I wouldn't loose too much should I decide to sell.
Incidentally my Brompton's are never left unattended, not even for a minute. If I'm out with it it stays with me.