Buying a bike on ebay

[Dogtrousers]

About 15 years ago I bought some bits on eBay but I've not used it since. So I'm looking for a bit of advice on how it works.

I found a bike for sale on eBay, pick up near to me, cash preferred. Just a cheap single/fixed bike just over £100. Cash preferred.

Now, you can't "make an offer" of cash on eBay as you have to specify a payment method. I couldn't figure out what to do next so I tried "contact seller". I had a conversation with the seller who wanted to meet outside "his unit" on a back road. It didn't "have an address as such". I decided it all sounded slightly dodgy so I politely ended the discussion and thanked him for his time. There are plenty of similar bikes and I'm not in a great hurry.

The seller did have some positive reviews on eBay but it mostly seemed to be as a buyer. Nothing that made me feel any different.

Tbh I wasn't so much concerned about getting scammed or ripped off or anything like that. It was more that I was getting "nicked bike" vibes.

So what's the deal with "cash preferred" sales on eBay? Any eBay tips? How would you feel about a pickup outside a storage unit?

 

[raleighnut]

About 15 years ago I bought some bits on eBay but I've not used it since. So I'm looking for a bit of advice on how it works.

I found a bike for sale on eBay, pick up near to me, cash preferred. Just a cheap single/fixed bike just over £100. Cash preferred.

Now, you can't "make an offer" of cash on eBay as you have to specify a payment method. I couldn't figure out what to do next so I tried "contact seller". I had a conversation with the seller who wanted to meet outside "his unit" on a back road. It didn't "have an address as such". I decided it all sounded slightly dodgy so I politely ended the discussion and thanked him for his time. There are plenty of similar bikes and I'm not in a great hurry.

The seller did have some positive reviews on eBay but it mostly seemed to be as a buyer. Nothing that made me feel any different.

Tbh I wasn't so much concerned about getting scammed or ripped off or anything like that. It was more that I was getting "nicked bike" vibes.

So what's the deal with "cash preferred" sales on eBay? Any eBay tips? How would you feel about a pickup outside a storage unit?

Sounds like a 'nicked' bike to me but it could be the bloke is a bit paranoid about someone knowing where he lives

 

[Dogtrousers]

And another thing ... If I were to go thru the normal ebay channels (no dodgy cash business) and buy a bike for collection and on inspection it turns out to have problems unseen in the ad - have I comitted to buying it?

 

[DCLane]

If it doesn't work, or isn't as described, walk away and report that to eBay.

I'd be a little concerned about meeting someone in a public place, but I've done it. Also, cash on collection should be an option if the seller's made that possible in the listing.

For that amount I wouldn't be worried. I've a single speed fixie on eBay currently at £100 and if someone wants to pay cash, that's fine with me.

 

[richardfm]

See this article on the eBay website https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/buying/...very-address-method/collection-person?id=4056

Cash on collection is fine. The bike could be stolen however you pay for it.

 

[Dogtrousers]

See this article on the eBay website https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/buying/...very-address-method/collection-person?id=4056

Cash on collection is fine. The bike could be stolen however you pay for it.

It wasn't the payment method that made me suspicious. It was a combination of the listing and my interactions with the seller.

My question about cash was that I was unable to "make an offer" without specifying either PayPal or credit card, which meant the cash aspect of the deal didn't seem to fit the eBay interface

 

[biggs682]

I have always paid cash when collecting them if it wasn't as per description I have walked away and said no thanks.

Meeting up at selling address is better but no guarantee.

 

[cyberknight]

talking of concerns about stolen bikes , this popped up on my facefluff sales page

 

[Jameshow]

talking of concerns about stolen bikes , this popped up on my facefluff sales page
View attachment 741540

Did they not have a TV...🤣

 

[cyberknight]

Did they not gave a TV...🤣

?

 

[Gillstay]

I have bought many bikes off e bay and sold them as well. There are some oddballs out there and one chap was dishonest and sold me a stolen bike. Both he and his wife kept me distracted so i did not check the frame number which was filed off. E bay were not interested that it was stolen as I had checked it when I bought it. I reported him to crime stoppers. Really pissed me off as it was for my nephew.

 

[Jameshow]

?

They had so many kids because they didn't have a TV....
I'm one of 8 so cannot talk!!

 

[cyberknight]

They had so many kids because they didn't have a TV....
I'm one of 8 so cannot talk!!

i had one new bike as a kid, the rest and even clothes were hand me downs from other families .It was fun being the only kid in flares at school .

 

[templehead]

I had a conversation with the seller who wanted to meet outside "his unit" on a back road. It didn't "have an address as such".

And that's where the conversation would have ended for me too... if someone on eBay sounds a bit dodgy then they most likely are.

 

[richardfm]

And that's where the conversation would have ended for me too... if someone on eBay sounds a bit dodgy then they most likely are.

There is a man who works at the place I volunteer at who collects all sorts of bicycles and motorbikes. He has so many that he rents a "unit" to keep them in. Occasionally he may sell one. It would be entirely above board for him to ask a potential buyer to meet him at the unit.