Problem with buyer after selling
Discussion
I think I already know the answer to this after being around PH for so many years but I'd still welcome feedback as I'm feeling guilty as hell over this (perhaps the buyers intention)
Sold a bike at the weekend for my son, only had it 4 weeks, it was a downhill and he very quickly realised after buying it that a downhill bike was not for him
Person who bought the bike contacted me, asked me questions that I answered to the best of my ability, even did a walkaround video for him that he requested - he agreed to buy it and we met halfway. Asked whether frame bearings were ok - I stated I was not aware of any issues, no apparent slack, no strange noise but I was no bike expert and could only state what I knew - I was not aware of any issues
On meeting I told him to take his time, take it for a ride, check it over etc - he was in a rush but I insisted he checked the bike over which he did - deal was done and we parted ways.
Last night I get a message saying I have missold the bike, lied to him etc etc, he said he was a good bike mechanic himself but took it to his local cycle shop for a checkover and there is a long list of faults, BB failed, pivot arm bearing failed, gear shifter incompatible with rest of drivetrain (although it changed gears perfectly), cassette, chain and chainring all worn out and need replacing, brakes completely defective and need complete replacement - son never mentioned anything wrong with them
He then stated on his way to meet me his son spotted another bike for sale more local to him that was newer, better spec and cheaper than the one I was selling and he should have bought that. Claims it needs £600 worth of repairs incl £300 for direct replacement brakes (checked and direct replacements would actually be around £140 for front and rear)
I made it clear I know very little about bikes, I never claimed it was issue free, I insisted he checked it over.
I feel incredibly guilty, I was not aware of any issues, I would not let my son ride a bike if I was aware of any, he had not raised any concerns about how it rode.
Heart says offer to make a contribution, head says I did not claim it was perfect, stressed that I know little about bikes and insisted that he checked it over and took it for a ride (he declined to ride it) and therefore its simply buyers remorse
Sold a bike at the weekend for my son, only had it 4 weeks, it was a downhill and he very quickly realised after buying it that a downhill bike was not for him
Person who bought the bike contacted me, asked me questions that I answered to the best of my ability, even did a walkaround video for him that he requested - he agreed to buy it and we met halfway. Asked whether frame bearings were ok - I stated I was not aware of any issues, no apparent slack, no strange noise but I was no bike expert and could only state what I knew - I was not aware of any issues
On meeting I told him to take his time, take it for a ride, check it over etc - he was in a rush but I insisted he checked the bike over which he did - deal was done and we parted ways.
Last night I get a message saying I have missold the bike, lied to him etc etc, he said he was a good bike mechanic himself but took it to his local cycle shop for a checkover and there is a long list of faults, BB failed, pivot arm bearing failed, gear shifter incompatible with rest of drivetrain (although it changed gears perfectly), cassette, chain and chainring all worn out and need replacing, brakes completely defective and need complete replacement - son never mentioned anything wrong with them
He then stated on his way to meet me his son spotted another bike for sale more local to him that was newer, better spec and cheaper than the one I was selling and he should have bought that. Claims it needs £600 worth of repairs incl £300 for direct replacement brakes (checked and direct replacements would actually be around £140 for front and rear)
I made it clear I know very little about bikes, I never claimed it was issue free, I insisted he checked it over.
I feel incredibly guilty, I was not aware of any issues, I would not let my son ride a bike if I was aware of any, he had not raised any concerns about how it rode.
Heart says offer to make a contribution, head says I did not claim it was perfect, stressed that I know little about bikes and insisted that he checked it over and took it for a ride (he declined to ride it) and therefore its simply buyers remorse
Edited by Andy665 on Wednesday 11th August 08:05
t up to get his money back. 
You owe him nothing. Block and move on. You admit yourself that the actual cost for brake replacements is half what he is claiming, so deep don't you know he's trying it on.
Don't even offer to take the bike back, it's possible he's stripped it of all the good parts and put crap bits on instead, especially as you've admitted you don't know much about bikes.
Don't even offer to take the bike back, it's possible he's stripped it of all the good parts and put crap bits on instead, especially as you've admitted you don't know much about bikes.
I did respond last night to the message stating I had answered his questions to the best of my ability, that I know little about bikes, was not aware of any issues and that he had the chance to take as long as he wanted to check it over
I have blocked him and hope thats the end of it, whilst he was checking the bike (it was for his son) he was telling me he has a variety of bikes, he spends a lot of money on them and he knows his stuff - surely he was well positioned to identify some of the "issues" then?
I have blocked him and hope thats the end of it, whilst he was checking the bike (it was for his son) he was telling me he has a variety of bikes, he spends a lot of money on them and he knows his stuff - surely he was well positioned to identify some of the "issues" then?
cb31 said:
How many 'issues' could your son have made in 4 weeks? New brakes needed after 4 weeks of use?
The bike was 3 years old when we bought it but son had used it every day, I bled the brakes after we bought it and they were absolutely fine, if they weren't I'd have sorted any issues with them, no way on earth would I knowingly let my son ride a bike with defective brakes - plus the buyer had ample opportunity to try them before money changed handsGassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff