Is this a joke?

[shouldbeinbed]

Maybe I should have made it clear in the decription, but this is my response.

Hi, I wouldn't recommend it, it’s a old bike and I restored myself. As it says in the description;
"The bike is actually fully functional however as I have built this bike myself and not a bike mechanic I don’t want to be held responsible if anything was to brake or loosen so I advise that this is fully checked over by a mechanic or yourself before riding."
The tires keep deflating but I’m changing the inner tubes tonight, Are you size 9 shoes and taking the shoes as well? The pedals are "clip in" type, and I guess you’re not taking all the parts that come with it as you’re not collecting by car.
I suggest you re-think this purchase because the bike would need a little TLC before I would be confident on a long ride; I only did a test ride it up and down the street after completing the project

Do you think from the level of English displayed in the question to you, they are going to understand the intricate answer you have given? Cater to your audience if you want to sell to them or tell them to go away if you dont. Putting them up on here implying that it is a joke is harsh and unneccesary

If I was asking something similar in anything but English, it'd come out very stilted and phrasebook style just like this - they may be new to the country and looking for the Tebbit's dad option or living in a family where English is not routinely spoken at home and communication with the outside world is generally through one person. Its not at all uncommon round my way.

 

[Globalti]

Clearly English isn't the buyer's first language, I expect it's a Lithuanian or Pole or something looking for his or her first cheap transport after arriving in the UK so why use expressions like TLC? They won't know what that means.

 

[L14M]

Without meaning any disrispect to the OP and his bike, for a transportation bike why would you not want to get a newer bike? parts are eaiser to get, and you won't be sad when somebody scratches it! Like you would with his lovely bike!

Liam

 

[snorri]

the pedals are clip in type, so im hoping he is size 9 feet so he can use them, theres also lots of spares, I mean WTF

It sounds as if you have been less than fair with this potential buyer. If I as an inexperienced cyclist turned up to buy an £83 bike after a 30 mile bus trip, I'd be mightily annoyed to discover I couldn't cycle it home in my normal footwear.

 

[Peter Armstrong]

It sounds as if you have been less than fair with this potential buyer. If I as an inexperienced cyclist turned up to buy an £83 bike after a 30 mile bus trip, I'd be mightily annoyed to discover I couldn't cycle it home in my normal footwear.

I do say in the description on ebay; old “Clip in” pedals that are currently on the bike, If you are size 9 Shoes you can take these also, they are old road racing cycling shoes.

Its not my fault if the bid goes up to £83, I have tried to give as much information as I can.

 

[Peter Armstrong]

Plus he has not answered back yet, each of replys so far have taken a day.....

 

[Peter Armstrong]

Without meaning any disrispect to the OP and his bike, for a transportation bike why would you not want to get a newer bike? parts are eaiser to get, and you won't be sad when somebody scratches it! Like you would with his lovely bike!

Liam

Thats what I was thinking, I was expect someone who wanted a +1 bike, a knock about or somthing. Someone to turn up in a van or bike who had spare cash to buy stuff like this. Not get the bus.

 

[Peter Armstrong]

Anywhooo I bought two new inner tubes last night and fitted them, The back wheel is not quick relase, I had to use the old skool bolt because it didnt seem tight enough when I was putting the wheelback on. Hense why I say I advise that this is fully checked over by a mechanic or yourself before riding.

I though I was being fair....

 

[Sara_H]

Why are people so surprised thet the buyer might get the bus? I once went on the train to collect a bike I'd bought on ebay.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Anywhooo I bought two new inner tubes last night and fitted them, The back wheel is not quick relase, I had to use the old skool bolt because it didnt seem tight enough when I was putting the wheelback on. Hense why I say I advise that this is fully checked over by a mechanic or yourself before riding.

I though I was being fair....

I think you've been fair and honest with your description of the bike. The only criticism I'd have is that you're ridiculing the buyer without taking into account the possibility that he isn't a native English speaker so may not fully comprehend what you've written.

You've done what you can to prepare the buyer for what he's getting. Beyond that it's caveat emptor and he's agreed to buy it so let him. It's up to him how he gets it home.

Plus he has not answered back yet, each of replys so far have taken a day.....

Not everyone has a smartphone or access to the internet at work.


GC

 

[Peter Armstrong]

Why are people so surprised thet the buyer might get the bus? I once went on the train to collect a bike I'd bought on ebay.

Ewww a bus, Spending £83 on a old road bike, I thought they mite have money and a car.

 

[Peter Armstrong]

I think you've been fair and honest with your description of the bike. The only criticism I'd have is that you're ridiculing the buyer without taking into account the possibility that he isn't a native English speaker so may not fully comprehend what you've written.

You've done what you can to prepare the buyer for what he's getting. Beyond that it's caveat emptor and he's agreed to buy it so let him. It's up to him how he gets it home.



Not everyone has a smartphone or access to the internet at work.


GC

I mite let him come buy it and give the chap a lift home

 

[Sara_H]

In the next message ask for his phone number and call him, direct communication is usually a quicker way to sort out these sorts of things.

 

[Grendel]

Plus he has not answered back yet, each of replys so far have taken a day.....

If he is new to the country, not well off, etc, then he may well not have super-fast broadband and may have to rely on public library access.

 

[Grendel]

View attachment 43852 I got bored of the Restored bike I did so i popped it on Ebay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281319250659?ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1561.l2649


This is what the guy bought it just asked me

"Do you know which bus from the centre arrive there? Can i use the bike to back home? The bike work? Thanks"

Now I clearly say this in the description......

"The bike is actually fully functional however as I have built this bike myself and not a bike mechanic I don’t want to be held responsible if anything was to brake or loosen so I advise that this is fully checked over by a mechanic or yourself before riding."

Is this a joke?

I would hope that at least the brakes would...