Second hand bikes?

[Alimo!]

Simple question really. How would I know if a second hand bike I am interested in (on Ebay for example) is a stolen bike?

Mo

 

[rusky]

It's hard but I would think that if it's a new ebay seller or the sellers description doesn't read right/well would set alarm bells ringing.

 

[Alimo!]

Agreed. I was thinking more about the bike rather than the seller. When I was a kid we used to make a note of the serial numbers of our bikes, but I am guessing with so much stuff added and customised on bikes now, that the serial number would only identify the frame?

Is there some sort of data base for stolen bike serial numbers that I could access?
Sorry if this is a stupid question but just getting back into biking.

 

[rusky]

I'm not sure about a database, there's a stolen bike section on here though.

Have you tried googling for one?

 

[frank9755]

Ask how long they have had it and why they are selling.

I try to buy only from the original owner and have never been disappointed when doing so. A trader might sell an honest bike but the probability is much lower.

 

[dellzeqq]

the big giveaway is the mobile number. If it's a mobile - call it. Arrange a meeting - at an address. If the seller offers a meeting at a tube station you absolutely know it's nicked.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

It is not always easy to tell from the ad huh, this is the ad of one of those beautiful machines stolen from Charlotte.

 

[frank9755]

Depends what you are looking for!
I would have ruled it out from the ad because if you check his feedback you can see that he had sold three other bikes in the previous week or so. Therefore he's a trader, not an original / long-term owner and therefore a higher probability of it being a stolen bike!

There are enough great second hand bikes being sold by genuine owners without taking risks on traders.

 

[Craig Curt]

Very simple....the expression of the seller of ebay cycle will tell you the reality...you just have to concentrate or stare at him. If you find a brightness in his eyes...a bit irritation..and hurry...imagine that he is selling a stolen cycle...
//curt

 

[TheDoctor]

Right. Can I have some of what Curt is on, please?

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Depends what you are looking for!
I would have ruled it out from the ad because if you check his feedback you can see that he had sold three other bikes in the previous week or so. Therefore he's a trader, not an original / long-term owner and therefore a higher probability of it being a stolen bike!

There are enough great second hand bikes being sold by genuine owners without taking risks on traders.

If I see something interesting I may buy it if I feel like it, to fix/change something on it, and may or may not use it much before selling it. Do I count as a trader? Am I a less desirable seller than the original owner?

Very simple....the expression of the seller of ebay cycle will tell you the reality...you just have to concentrate or stare at him. If you find a brightness in his eyes...a bit irritation..and hurry...imagine that he is selling a stolen cycle...

To add to your hypothetical decision, I will definitely exhibit a brightness in my eyes, be a bit irritated, and want to hurry if you concentrate and stare at me.