Folding Bikes - Strangely Cheap No-Name Listings on Ebay -- Possible Scam?

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.




SoonerLater
09-14-06, 02:14 PM
I saw today several listings by the same seller for bikes without any information on the manufacturer. The seller has practically no transaction history and neither do most of his buyers. The bikes are selling (apparently) for very little money -- less than the seller's cost, I'm sure. With prices like these, I wonder if it is a SCAM? Although it's a violation of ebay rules, some sellers setup multiple accounts or get friends to bid on items to keep from having to sell an item too cheaply to a real buyer. Of course, I can't tell that this seller has done this. I must stress that I'm not accusing the seller of a scam. I simply am skeptical, because these prices seem too good to be true, which useually means a scam.

Can anyone shed light on any of this?

Brand New 16" Folding bike NIB Bicycle W/ Carrying Bag (single speed)
Ebay 110031041483
Ebay 110031652093
Ebay 110032525196
Ebay 110033080434
Ebay 110030326035 sold today for $15.50 to joedshafer (141)
Ebay 110029421787 sold on 9/12 for $72.00 to virginia2064 (0)
Ebay 110028386452 sold on 9/9 for $24.00 to jasbgleason (1)
Ebay 110027691903 sold on 9/7 for $9.99 to ocircumstance10kx (47)
Ebay 110027171657 sold on 9/5 for $12.50 to rezy (22)
Ebay 110027179609 solf on 9/3 for $21.50 to skiptomaloo (25)

Brand New 24" Light Weight Folding bike NIB Bicycle (six speed)
Ebay 110031652263
Ebay 110032525349
Ebay 110030325711 sold today for $51.00 to tedikim (10)
Ebay 110028171319 sold on 9/8 for $49.99 to mike08f (1)
Ebay 110027177169 sold on 9/5 for $61.00 to terkohioed (1)

Brand New 18" Six (6) Speeds Folding bike NIB Bicycle
Ebay 110030326381 sold for $60.00 today to fred224466 (19)
Ebay 110027174332 sold on 9/5 for $24.99 to 007jolie (0)


brakemeister
09-14-06, 03:11 PM
these are very cheap bikes......
he probably found a way to cheaply ship them and he makes a few bucks on the shipping cost.

its only a wquestion of time when customs gets a hand on stuff like that and than you gonna be surprised to get a 200 dlr bill for customs etc etc etc ....

Usually on ebay .. if it is to good to be true.. it is ...lol


The seller has 1 feedback from one customer who has 0 feedback ....
it doesnt look right for me either .....

it might all be legally ok .... but than he writes suitable for 350 lbs and also a sug retail price which is laughable at best

Its not worth for sure...

Thor

and I dont say that cause I have some bikes for sale ....

brakemeister
09-14-06, 03:18 PM
these are very cheap bikes......
he probably found a way to cheaply ship them and he makes a few bucks on the shipping cost.

its only a wquestion of time when customs gets a hand on stuff like that and than you gonna be surprised to get a 200 dlr bill for customs etc etc etc ....

Usually on ebay .. if it is to good to be true.. it is ...lol


The seller has 1 feedback from one customer who has 0 feedback ....
it doesnt look right for me either .....

it might all be legally ok .... but than he writes suitable for 350 lbs and also a sug retail price which is laughable at best

Its not worth for sure...

Thor

and I dont say that cause I have some bikes for sale ....


Rincewind8
09-14-06, 03:23 PM
Also shipping is kind of expensive. I bet part of the price is hidden in the shipping cost.

wahoonc
09-15-06, 08:01 AM
Anybody seen my shipping container of cheap no name brand folding bikes?:rolleyes: :D

Aaron:)

Stacey
09-16-06, 06:36 AM
Looks to me like he's making a handsome profit on the shipping.... $87.00 for UPS from CA to PA. If it's shipped folded there'd be no need to use a double oversize box. Should be around $35.00