Picking up an eBay purchase - what to check?

ralasdair
ralasdair Posts: 32
edited March 2010 in Road buying advice
I'm off to pick up a couple of eBay purchases with some friends this evening (we're going on a tour in the summer, and this is their kit) as the "guy who knows about bikes". I think they may have overestimated my expertise!

Anyway, they're both Spesh Allez's (one with an upgrade to a 105 rear mech), and my question is really what I should be checking/looking out for? Obviously I'll look if it matches the description, but I don't want us to get the bikes home only for something to fall off half an hour later...

Comments

  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    too late - if you bought the bike via an ebay auction, then it is already yours - whether you like it or not.

    The best time to check it over would have been before the auction ended.
  • skyd0g
    skyd0g Posts: 2,540
    You've bought 'em - you now have to accept them, whatever state they're in (as long as they match the description) - good or bad... ...unless they've been rendered useless from a crash etc. and that wasn't in the desciption. A quick ride to check that the wheels are true & the gears and brakes work reasonably well. It may be worthwhile to take a print-out of the item description along, to check for 'ommisions'.

    The only other thing is to make sure they have their serial numbers intact, which would suggest that they're less likely to be stolen.

    However, most sellers are genuine and will probably be selling these either because they lost interest or to fund an upgrade. :D
    Cycling weakly
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    He doesn`t have to take them, if he doesn`t he`ll just get negative feedback.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    antfly wrote:
    He doesn`t have to take them, if he doesn`t he`ll just get negative feedback.

    You don't even get negative feedback as a buyer anymore don't you?
    I like bikes...

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  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    Good point.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • Daimler
    Daimler Posts: 215
    I bought a Trek 6500 off ebay once.
    The seller said how little use it had and that it was in great condition.

    When I got there the brakes cables were on their last thread of cable, the down tube had cracks in the lacquer, it was filthy dirty and it needed a new bottom bracket and a damn good service.

    The chap seeling it happened to be away when i collected it but his wife was there so she gave me his number after I moaned and basically I got £50 off the winning cost after telling him how much the parts were that were required.

    After a few hours cleaning lubing and new cables and BB it was fine.

    Your not committed to buy at all....be happy first before you part with cash...after all you may have the argument of 'Item not as described!'

    :wink:
    Planet X RT-57 custom build
  • ralasdair
    ralasdair Posts: 32
    Thanks for the advice so far. We're fully intending to take the bikes unless they're not as described, or if something's wrong. I was just wondering if there was anything we might not have picked up looking at the photos! I'll definitely take a quick pedal up and down the street to make sure all the gears change and brakes work and such.
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    Daimler wrote:
    Your not committed to buy at all...

    Yes you are. You are entering into a binding contract with the seller which is brokered via ebay.

    Whether you choose to break that contract is entirely up to you. But in principle, you are bidding to buy, not to go round there and kick the tyres...
  • Daimler
    Daimler Posts: 215
    Ok...so tell me how you have to pay for something that is not described as advertised.
    Would you do that....I know I wouldn't.
    You are not committed.
    My 2p.
    :wink:
    Planet X RT-57 custom build
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    TBH, i wouldn't be checking for things like indexing, that's trivial to sort out.

    Look for tyre and brake block wear.

    Measure the chain (12" pin to pin no more than an 1/8" stretched ideally otherwise you'll have an expensive bill for new drivetrain around the corner)

    See if the freehub is sticky.

    Check all bearings for play/notchiness.

    Check the alignment of the frame and look carefully for dents.

    Check the shifters work smoothly, even if the indexing is way out.

    Trueness of wheels
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • ralasdair
    ralasdair Posts: 32
    My view is that if it matches the description to within a reasonable degree of accuracy, there's no problem. But if the description says "hardly used at all, very good condition", and it's in fact falling apart, you're not obligated. Hence why we're going round to 'kick he tyres', as you put it...
  • ralasdair
    ralasdair Posts: 32
    ride_whenever wrote:
    TBH, i wouldn't be checking for things like indexing, that's trivial to sort out.

    Look for tyre and brake block wear.

    Measure the chain (12" pin to pin no more than an 1/8" stretched ideally otherwise you'll have an expensive bill for new drivetrain around the corner)

    See if the freehub is sticky.

    Check all bearings for play/notchiness.

    Check the alignment of the frame and look carefully for dents.

    Check the shifters work smoothly, even if the indexing is way out.

    Trueness of wheels

    Awesome, thanks. Practical advice at last! (Not that the discussion of eBay ethics hasn't been interesting!).
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    Daimler wrote:
    Ok...so tell me how you have to pay for something that is not described as advertised.
    Would you do that....I know I wouldn't.
    You are not committed.
    My 2p.
    :wink:

    You missed the point. The contract between the buyer and the seller assumes that the item is accurately described and in most cases it is up to the buyer to satisfy himself that the item description is accurate before placing a bid.

    If the item is not as described, then that is another matter entirely. Just have a read of Ebay's rules if you're not clear.. ;)
  • Daimler
    Daimler Posts: 215
    No worries...thats a fair point indeed.

    I think it's good if the seller is there when collecting so you can both discuss the item and any possible shortcomings so to speak.
    I found the chap I bought the Trek from to be very understanding and apologetic....
    There are some true ebay bargains to be had out there.
    Planet X RT-57 custom build
  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    As far as I am concerned as a seller, yes you the buyer, have bought the bike - not an option to buy. Hence that money is paid over via PayPal not cash.
    Having sold recently, I detailed all I could - stipulated that viewing was no problem whatsoever - turning up and moaning about the size was not going to cut any ice with me... basically, if you didnt like it, you can always put it up on Ebay for yourself.
    My buyer was happy by the way as he bought a damn fine bike for not a great deal of money.
  • ralasdair
    ralasdair Posts: 32
    JGSI wrote:
    As far as I am concerned as a seller, yes you the buyer, have bought the bike - not an option to buy. Hence that money is paid over via PayPal not cash.

    We've negotiated cash on collection as we're not too keen to lang out hundreds of pounds on something that may not neccesarily turn up, etc.
    Having sold recently, I detailed all I could - stipulated that viewing was no problem whatsoever - turning up and moaning about the size was not going to cut any ice with me... basically, if you didnt like it, you can always put it up on Ebay for yourself.
    My buyer was happy by the way as he bought a damn fine bike for not a great deal of money.

    However, I agree with you that we've bought the bike, not an option. I'm not talking about moaning about the size, but rather about making sure we've actually bought a functioning bike that isn't going to fall apart two weeks after we've handed over the cash!
  • Daimler
    Daimler Posts: 215
    Itmight be worth taking a multi tool with you to make sure things are torqued up ok too as you might be ofered to test it if the person is kind enough to agree this.

    Or ask if they can check it over for you if they are competent enough.
    Most bike enthusiasts keep their bikes well set up and clean.
    :D
    Planet X RT-57 custom build
  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    I am glad that I sold mine because selling a bike is nearly on a par with car buying with all the pitfalls that includes.
    I can't recommend highly enough tho' prior viewing if at all possible, but if you are buying off Ebay it usually is plainly obvious who knows about bikes and who does not.
    Any doubt - don't bid.
  • fast as fupp
    fast as fupp Posts: 2,277
    softlad wrote:
    too late - if you bought the bike via an ebay auction, then it is already yours - whether you like it or not.

    The best time to check it over would have been before the auction ended.


    thats not true- if the item is 'not as described' you can refuse to complete the deal
    'dont forget lads, one evertonian is worth twenty kopites'
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    fast as fupp wrote:
    softlad wrote:
    too late - if you bought the bike via an ebay auction, then it is already yours - whether you like it or not.

    The best time to check it over would have been before the auction ended.


    thats not true- if the item is 'not as described' you can refuse to complete the deal

    Yes I know. It's all been covered in the thread if you read it...
  • ralasdair
    ralasdair Posts: 32
    Well, in the end it was fine. I had a quick look over both of them, rode one up and down the street to check all the gears and brakes worked, and they both fit in the back of an Astra too. Sorted. Thanks for the advice, all.
  • Daimler
    Daimler Posts: 215
    Nice one.
    Good luck on your journey. 8)
    Planet X RT-57 custom build

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