Dodgy bike sale on Gumtree

[J.Primus]

I don't know, a young person shows some entrepreneurial spirit, doing his bit to get the economy up and running and tries to give someone a bargain and people just assume that he's a wrong un'. For shame.

There is a possiblitiy that he was so stupid he managed to make a completely legit sale look like something out of a Danny Dyer film.

 

[Robson3022]

look like something out of a Danny Dyer film

Terrible acting??

 

[J.Primus]

Terrible acting??

If he was trying to act like someone trying to sell a bike, then yes it was terrible

 

[Rob3rt]

Quite frankly, I don't see the issue with meeting elsewhere to buy/sell a bike, or anything else.

I have twice sold bikes meeting the buyer in a public space. Reason, I don't really want people knowing my address or inviting random people into my home (don't forget a buyer can be a sketchy character as well as a seller), I want to sell them a bike, be paid and that is that. I meet them in a public place, eg. outside of the nearest train station or uni building so that it is a safe place (well as safe as can be) for both parties, with CCTV camera's and plenty of human traffic make the sale then part ways. No big deal! That being said, I also hand over full documentation at the same time!

This seller does seem a bit sketchy to me, so you might have done well to walk away, but that's life!

 

[Arjimlad]

You were right to walk away. I saw a Gumtree ad with a blurred photo of a Giant Road bike. Chap said it was his much loved gents bike bought new only months earlier. From the photo, I made out that it was a Giant Avail, which is the ladies' model. He couldn't tell me anything at all about it and stopped returning my calls when I asked some questions.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Ive bought and sold many a motor and when I get the "feeling" I just walk away.Probably missed out on some beauties and bargains but I bet Ive dodged many a dodgy motor like this!

I wish I had when I got that feeling (partially inspired by the seller wearing courdroys and a velvet jacket, I got properly rinsed on the first car I'd bought for years, and haven't bought one since (and hopefully never will)).

 

[Robson3022]

I wish I had when I got that feeling (partially inspired by the seller wearing courdroys and a velvet jacket, I got properly rinsed on the first car I'd bought for years, and haven't bought one since (and hopefully never will)).

Always be dubious of someone who specialises in something and claims they "cant" fix the problem. He might not have been able to fix it himself but a)where did he get parts from for it he must have broken a few up if he sells parts for them b) surely he knew someone who could fix it being in the "business"

Some people out there are just out there to get people lesson learned I suppose.

 

[G2EWS]

Personally I think a mugging was very probable. But the whole thing sounds wrong anyway so you did well to get away from it. You have to ask yourself, why would a cyclist not have a pump? Or at least access to one?

I don't like Gumtree, having phoned a few people up who were so obviously pulling a scam it is just not worth the possible grief.

Something like a bike I would only buy off eBay if I could see it in the flesh.

Best regards

Chris

 

[Hip Priest]

Maybe he was trying to lure you to a proper bike shop.

 

[Crosstrailer]

I wish I had when I got that feeling (partially inspired by the seller wearing courdroys and a velvet jacket, I got properly rinsed on the first car I'd bought for years, and haven't bought one since (and hopefully never will)).

Easy to say with hindsight, but as a Mercedes owner and fan buying a W124 for £500 is probably going to cost you another £1000 to get it sorted out properly. Always better to spend a little more and look at several cars.

Anyway, sorry to hear of your negative experience !!!!

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Easy to say with hindsight, but as a Mercedes owner and fan buying a W124 for £500 is probably going to cost you another £1000 to get it sorted out properly. Always better to spend a little more and look at several cars.

Anyway, sorry to hear of your negative experience !!!!

Daft thing is that it would't put me off buying another one!

 

[hoopdriver]

Quite frankly, I don't see the issue with meeting elsewhere to buy/sell a bike, or anything else.

I have twice sold bikes meeting the buyer in a public space. Reason, I don't really want people knowing my address or inviting random people into my home (don't forget a buyer can be a sketchy character as well as a seller), I want to sell them a bike, be paid and that is that. I meet them in a public place, eg. outside of the nearest train station or uni building so that it is a safe place (well as safe as can be) for both parties, with CCTV camera's and plenty of human traffic make the sale then part ways. No big deal! That being said, I also hand over full documentation at the same time!

This seller does seem a bit sketchy to me, so you might have done well to walk away, but that's life!

A BIT sketchy? You think?

This guy sounds like he had break-end-enter and ag-assault written all over him

 

[tribanjules]

tyres would be flat - thats how they display them at halfords !

 

[J.Primus]

tyres would be flat - thats how they display them at halfords !

He said it was his bike he wasn't using/didn't have storage for in the advert. The other thing that was a red flag for me was he seemed quite curious there were two of us when my friend said "we're at the tube station" on the phone.

ETA: Just clocked you were probably joking. Oops.

 

[paulmad]

i recently reported an ad to gumtree, quality mountain bike wanted, cash waiting, NO QUESTIONS ASKED