FB Marketplace Bikes - are they all nicked?!?

[popegregory]

I’m trying to get a new bike and while Halfords are sold out I’m looking on the usual second hand places. A Carrera vengeance, brand new, is being sold for only one reason, no?!

[Pothole]

Many of them are, yes. Easy enough to spot them.

[Fastchas]

I live in South B'ham and looking for a new-ish MTB or hybrid, they all seem to be advertised by the same group of people.

[mike80]

I sold a bike on Facebook a couple of years ago, a couple of people asked me if I had proof of the original purchase. Maybe this is something you could try (luckily I did!)

[Drezza]

You could call their bluff and ask for the frame number, no reply... probably nicked.

[JQ]

Pothole said:

Many of them are, yes. Easy enough to spot them.

This, start asking a few questions and it soon becomes clear.

I've sold plenty of secondhand kids bikes via Facebook, none of them were nicked. It's just easier and cheaper than selling via eBay.

[popegregory]

Yes, they do go quiet quickly then, don’t they?

[ChocolateFrog]

Some could be cycle to work scheme purchases, still a bit dodgy.

Wouldn't be difficult to tell which bikes are likely nicked based a few sentences from the seller.