Avoiding buying stolen bikes
I've just bought a cheap frame and forks (Pinnacle Sentinal 2.0) to be built up as a cheap winter hack, frame and forks together cost me £30. Of course I ask the guy if it's knocked off to which he replies no, but in the end you only have the seller's word for it don't you.
Is there anyway to check that a particular bike's not stolen? Like a recognised database listing stolen item/bikes ids and so forth?
Is there anyway to check that a particular bike's not stolen? Like a recognised database listing stolen item/bikes ids and so forth?
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I think the best ways are asking for evidence of ownership, and questions about the bike. I have seen some eBay listings for fabulous bikes where the seller makes so many fundamental errors in describing the spec, you just know it isn't theirs.0
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Like this one?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hand-Made-720-Pri ... dZViewItem
First Principia made in Italy, doing it's second stint on Ebay. Ideal for serious enthusiast!!0 -
Apollo748 wrote:I've just bought a cheap frame and forks (Pinnacle Sentinal 2.0) to be built up as a cheap winter hack, frame and forks together cost me £30. Of course I ask the guy if it's knocked off to which he replies no, but in the end you only have the seller's word for it don't you.
Is there anyway to check that a particular bike's not stolen? Like a recognised database listing stolen item/bikes ids and so forth?
I have the frame number and make of mine registered with http://www.immobilise.com/ for a small fee you can check whether something is stolen.'Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that caught the cycling craze....0 -
bill57 wrote:Like this one?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hand-Made-720-Pri ... dZViewItem
First Principia made in Italy, doing it's second stint on Ebay. Ideal for serious enthusiast!!
Had to ask what size tyres are on this bike . The listing says 26" :?I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.0 -
So how do you report a posible stolen item that is on Ebay and who to, the police or Ebay.
Any person selling a bike worth £2500 would know what kit was on the bike and would be likely to say so in an Ebay advert. The only facts are those that are obvious (18 gears )============================================
FCN is minimal as I don't see many bikes on the way to work0 -
With eBay you're forced to pay your money before meeting the seller.
Worst case, you turn up, decide it's obviously stolen then what? Walk away £800 out of pocket?0 -
I always reckon that the seller should be happy to have a picture taken of him/her with the bike. If not, then either they are camera shy, or don't want to be identified.0
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You'll love the description of this one -
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Principia-Road-Bi ... dZViewItem
- and the wheels are getting smaller!0 -
Shimano Chorus, I love it!!!! He is a real bike fanatic!0
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Maybe we could form some sort of eBay stolen bike vigilante group!
God knows what we'd do though, maybe request the frame number but if it is stolen he's not likely to give it out is he.
*shrugs* maybe auction sites should be requiring a kosher frame number before allowing the listing.0 -
Apollo748 wrote:With eBay you're forced to pay your money before meeting the seller.
Worst case, you turn up, decide it's obviously stolen then what? Walk away £800 out of pocket?
Many sellers encourage viewing, I suppose if they do that they are much more likely to be legit - even if you don't take it up.
I do find the listings VERY revealing about the "owner" - I think you can tell someone who has owned and loved their bike. Of course some plead ignorance saying they are selling on behalf of their "uncle" or "brother" etc. May be true, but would put me right off. Another thing is the feedback - if someone has hundreds of +ve feedback / a 100% record, it would make me doubt that they would want to risk losing that. Those who are recently registered or with very few feedbacks...that's a real warning sign if they are selling a high value item.0 -
Apollo748 wrote:Maybe we could form some sort of eBay stolen bike vigilante group!
God knows what we'd do though, maybe request the frame number but if it is stolen he's not likely to give it out is he.
*shrugs* maybe auction sites should be requiring a kosher frame number before allowing the listing.
I would encourage everyone to be pro-active and report any dodgy looking listings, better to do so if there is any doubt. eBay certainly don't (and couldn't) police everything so we should do our bit. If you are wrong, it doesn't really matter, a genuine owner will surely be fine.0 -
Unfortunately Ebay feedback is not a guarantee against fraudulent traders. There are plenty of scams for building up feedback, I believe some people actually buy it.0
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Apollo748 wrote:With eBay you're forced to pay your money before meeting the seller.
Worst case, you turn up, decide it's obviously stolen then what? Walk away £800 out of pocket?
Since when are you forced to pay before meeting the seller?
I've bought loads of stuff (including my bike) off ebay, and if it's something worth a decent ammount of money i'd pay when i pick it up. If they demand payment by paypal or before you see it when selling a bike i'd leave well alone.http://www.KOWONO.com - Design-Led home furniture and accessories.0 -
Apollo748 wrote:With eBay you're forced to pay your money before meeting the seller.
Worst case, you turn up, decide it's obviously stolen then what? Walk away £800 out of pocket?
No, if collecting in person the seller will often accept cash on collection to avoid PayPal fees. So if you win the auction, take a mate along and if it looks dodgy, walk away.
Seller may threaten to post feedback that you welched on the deal so you reply that you'll post return feedback that you prefer not to buy stolen goods.
A genuine seller will be able to convince you he's genuine.
You go with backup to dissuade a thieving scumbag from trying to "convince" you to pay up.0 -
I wonder if the new eBay policy prohibiting negative feedback from sellers includes where there is a non-payment, does anyone know?0
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Dombo6 wrote:
Seller may threaten to post feedback that you welched on the deal so you reply that you'll post return feedback that you prefer not to buy stolen goods.
Actually, Ebay have now stopped sellers posting feedback because of this tit for tat kind of thing. The seller can mark it "unpaid", but would have to convince ebay that it was due. The fact he's stolen the item would make that a bit tricky!http://www.KOWONO.com - Design-Led home furniture and accessories.0 -
'cept you have no idea if it's stolen really do you.0
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Apollo748 wrote:'cept you have no idea if it's stolen really do you.0