Looks dodgy - what to do

[Felix77]

Hi

Im posting here for advice primariy because you are not a cycling site but appear to have some keen bikers

I usually live on another dedicated cycing forum where I am well known and easily identifiable - big mistake that one

One member on this site sells a lot of bikes
A serious number of bikes in fact for a private individual

He currently has an unusual one for sale

It isnt difficult to see that a similar one was sold through the classifieds on the same site a week or two before from a dodgy looking seller

Dodgy as in this person only had one post (his ad) and had never posted in the forum
I even tried the mobile number with this ad to ask about the bike and was left thinking its even more dodgy after I spoke to him
This seller appeared to be very close to the guy on our forum geographically

What would you do?
We all buy and sell on the classifieds and on ebay and are chuffed with a bargain
Does anyone ever think where stuff comes from?
The guy on my site is a nice chap by all accounts, but this has got me thinking

Maybe I should just forget it, or else try Oprah or Trish

Thanks for your patience

[hondafanatic]

Felix77 said:

Hi

Im posting here for advice primariy because you are not a cycling site but appear to have some keen bikers

I usually live on another dedicated cycing forum where I am well known and easily identifiable - big mistake that one

One member on this site sells a lot of bikes
A serious number of bikes in fact for a private individual

He currently has an unusual one for sale

It isnt difficult to see that a similar one was sold through the classifieds on the same site a week or two before from a dodgy looking seller

Dodgy as in this person only had one post (his ad) and had never posted in the forum
I even tried the mobile number with this ad to ask about the bike and was left thinking its even more dodgy after I spoke to him
This seller appeared to be very close to the guy on our forum geographically

What would you do?
We all buy and sell on the classifieds and on ebay and are chuffed with a bargain
Does anyone ever think where stuff comes from?
The guy on my site is a nice chap by all accounts, but this has got me thinking

Maybe I should just forget it, or else try Oprah or Trish

Thanks for your patience

I must be really dumb, but I read this three times, the third time really slowly and out loud and I still couldn't uderstand it....

[Felix77]

Dodgy looking ad appears on website selling bike well under market value
Phone call to seller (mobile only given) reinforces he sounds like a scroate with no cycling knowledge
My interest ended here - Im not buying a bike with unclear history
Bike is high end and would be owned by enthusiast

Bike then reappears small time later in another ad by a different seller
This guy sells lots of bikes and as I said seems a nice chap

Chances of bike being same one are fair to middling
Its an unusual model

Is that clearer?

[big.eck]

i'd atleast have a look at it , the worst that'll happen is you'll walk away.....

[hondafanatic]

Felix77 said:

Is that clearer?

A lot. Thanks.

In that case, I'd ask the new seller about where he sorced it and if I thought it was stolen, point it out and not purchase it. I don't buy stolen goods as it funds the market so to speak.

Edited by hondafanatic on Tuesday 3rd February 13:42

[Felix77]

hondafanatic said:

.....if I thought it was stolen, point it out.....

Yes thats the tricky bit

Theres no way Im buying it but this bloke sells a gazillion bikes and you have to wonder dont you?

Not sure what to do

As I said Im readily identifiable on the forum in question and a lot of people know me and my contact details
Its fairly obvious that I am one of the people to have expressed an interest in the bike so cant even squeal there anonymously

Would the local police be interested in this kind of thing?
Bearing in mind I dont actually know its stolen but it is a huge coincidence that one which to me was wholeheartily dodgy has just sold nearby?

[big.eck]

in what way was the advert dodgy ?

[Beyond Rational]

If it is fairly new or has newish parts, maybe ask if he has any receipts. Some second hand bike shops won't buy without proof of ownership and I wouldn't either.

[Felix77]

big.eck said:

in what way was the advert dodgy ?

In every way

The bike was an expensive model
Like I said youd need to be a serious headcase cyclist to buy one of these

The first guy selling it had no other posts on the forum at all

The bike was cheap
Seriously cheap

When I spoke to him he knew what colour it was and what model it was - from the decal on the frame I guess
He had totally no idea about the rest of the spec besides how many gears it had

Now call me naive but if you spend that much cash on a bike, it wasnt the base model by any means, youre generally a bit clued up
He didnt even know what kind of pedals it had when I asked if my SPD cleats would be OK for a test
Not knowing what type of pedals on a ££££££ bike? Does that sound legit to you?

He also didnt want to meet at his house for me to check the bike out, fair enough I suppose but when asked for manuals let alone a receipt became a bit aggro

As the News of the World would say 'at this point I made my excuses and left'

The bike then appears in the same town in another advert from someone who coincidentally sells a lot of bikes
Hes a private individual, and to repeat myself is considered a good bloke on the forum

[Carreauchompeur]

The bike is clearly nicked. Print out the relevant pages and pop into the local copshop. I know if I was on duty I'd be all over this...