Buyers Beware!

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noodle

Active Member
Location
northern monkey
I should of done this, but didn't think about it till after the sale. It's all on report with E-bay and hopefully will have my money back the next day or two.
As for the Seller I think he knew it was not a genuine frame, sent pictures today to Bianchi UK as the nice lady there asked for them, their technical department wanted to have a look!
im not likely to buy one but others maybe..

any chance of pictures to show potential areas where stuff like you have identified could be found?
 
I didn't even realise there was such things as counterfeit bikes?
Really? Just Google 'Chinarello' if you're interested.

There's plenty to read there just on one regularly faked brand, but all manufacturers are being ripped off left right and centre as well :sad:

If there's money to be made then the fakers will be on it like a tramp on a bag of chips.
 

e-rider

Banned member
Location
South West
I would say that buying an expensive bike online without ever seeing it beforehand or knowing anything about the seller is always going to be risky.
Put simply you could have bought a 105 equipped bike with carbon frame/fork new from a well known shop such as planetX or Wiggle; or, as you did, take your chances going for Dura-Ace online secondhand. I hope you get the money back, and next time think before parting with a lot of money on ebay! I personally only buy low value items on ebay <£50
 

inkd

Senior Member
Location
New Forest
So the moral of this post is to buy from a reputable dealer OR check out the frame number first. Learn something new everyday. Still, lets hope OP gets something sorted.
 

bpsmith

Veteran
I was looking for a cheap road bike for a friend and he asked me to check out a Giant TCR on eBay. It didn't sound right and, with Google, these days it's easy to investigate bikes of recent age.

The transfers have it away on this one too. Basically a Chinese frame with new components fitted.
 
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OP
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longy65

Active Member
I would say that buying an expensive bike online without ever seeing it beforehand or knowing anything about the seller is always going to be risky.
Put simply you could have bought a 105 equipped bike with carbon frame/fork new from a well known shop such as planetX or Wiggle; or, as you did, take your chances going for Dura-Ace online secondhand. I hope you get the money back, and next time think before parting with a lot of money on ebay! I personally only buy low value items on ebay <£50

Thank you for your observations, like having my Farther giving me a lecture!

I did not want the run of the mill 105 or would have gone to a local LBS and bought a cheap bike that every Tom, Dick and Harry has like a Cannondale or Trek etc.

My original post was to make people aware of my stupidity in not checking, trusting a Seller and hopefully making people think before doing the same as I did.

The update is E-bay have found in my favour and will be issuing me with a full refund, they also want me to send the bike back to the seller!
 
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OP
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longy65

Active Member
I do not have one of those bikes you mention, maybe it is because my name is not one you mention either.
What you got then?
 

nick.b

Well-Known Member
Location
st neots
Honestly i wouldnt panic too much, this can happen with ebay but you are covered, the best way to dispute is to open it with ebay then call paypal, email them your evidence and state you want them to take full ownership of the dispute, this is what i did and they delt with it fast, your Payment is with Paypal and they have legal standerds they must use to protect buyers, although ebay owns paypal it isnt the same company, paypal is a finacial institute.

in terms of making sure you get frame numbers and all that jazz, yes you can but i wouldnt worry too much, you are protected if you have been mis-sold.
 
The other problem is that you do not know the history of the bike.

Has it been involved in any incident that could have compromised the carbon fibre?
 
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