good places to buy second hand bikes

[fretted]

I have lost a few auctions on eBay now due to inexperience with it.. Are there other places where I can purchase second hand bikes online? Would rather stay away from Gumtree.

Thanks

 

[vickster]

Where do you live? Try your local bike shops? And the classifieds on here - for sale and wanted...rather depends what you want and what your budget is

 

[smokeysmoo]

I have lost a few auctions on eBay now due to inexperience with it

Why? Set your price and bid when there's only 10 seconds left to go, you can't win 'em all but this works for me most of the time.

If the price is right you should win it.

As for other places, +1 what vickster said.

 

[vickster]

Do you know what you are looking for in terms of bikes? If not, I would be wary of eBay and always go and see the bike before even considering a bid. Unless it's a £50 pub bike. Always always ask the seller if they have proof of purchase and ask for the frame number so you can check against bike register databases. If they refuse, are evasive, walk (nay run) away. Gumtree is no more/no less dodgy than eBay

Can look at the Bikeradar classifieds too

 

[fretted]

Yes I'm looking for a medium size hybrid with hydraulic brakes but suitable bikes on eBay don't seem to appear that often. How many posts do I need for the classified here?

 

[vickster]

Not sure. 20?

Look at halfords boardman range and whyte

Or halfords carrera subway if more limited funds

 

[DCLane]

Yes I'm looking for a medium size hybrid with hydraulic brakes but suitable bikes on eBay don't seem to appear that often. How many posts do I need for the classified here?

5 from memory. You're currently 1 short!

 

[JoeyB]

I keep an eye on eBay and Gumtree. Recently I joined a local Facebook group specifically for buying and selling bike stuffs…through that I sourced some super cheap new wheels and also learnt of a bike auction coming up fairly local to me.

 

[John the Canuck]

nothing wrong with Gumtree --IF you do some homework

i bought a mint Peugeot from a 'bricks and mortar' dealer sight unseen

but locally...? visit with cash in hand [ well locked in the car actually - and dont meet the seller without a mate with you]

 

[vickster]

And meet at the sellers home address, not a pub carpark

 

[fretted]

Just bit the bullet and looking at a bike from a Gumtree tomorrow night, I will heed the advice given in this thread.. Its a canondale bad boy, anything else I should be worried about?

 

[vickster]

Ask for proof of purchase, turn it upside down and look for Bike register police marking by the bottom bracket, take a mate, get a vibe about the seller

Look for damage on the frame, look at the state of the chain, mech, ask when it was last service, look at the tyres. Let the wheels spin freely and watch for wobble. Test ride it

What year model is it and how much is it up for? Post a link, let someone look at the photos (and the description of the bike or lack of, can be very telling of a dodgy one)

I'd be worried because C'dale Bad Boys are painted black

 

[John the Canuck]

I have lost a few auctions on eBay now due to inexperience with it.. .............Thanks

if you dont want to use a 'snipe' program [ which pops in your max bid seconds before closure]
i tried - didnt work for me

just enter the MAX bid you can afford
eBay will bid for you to the last second UP TO that max.....if it goes over your max - so what.!

 

[SteCenturion]

Preloved is another Gumtree type of affair but less well known by the throbbers potentially.

Your local council area should have a buy & sell page on the web such as Bolton buy & sell for example.

I have just heard a story though of youfs posting photo's of items & giving any old address to view/buy at... not a scam but for kicks.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Yes I'm looking for a medium size hybrid with hydraulic brakes but suitable bikes on eBay don't seem to appear that often. How many posts do I need for the classified here?

PM on its way, I may have a bike that fits your bill.