Dahon.Steve

I never had a road bike and here's my chance to get a Trek 1000 for $350.00. It's not like I'm needy and I'm thinking of getting a Bianchi road bike in the near future. The owner states it's three months old and he put a "Bad Paint Job" on it recently and is ready to move and can't take it with him.

You know this is all BS. Why would an owner of a new Trek that's three months old put a bad paint job on and now wants to sell it for $350.00? Seems like the bike was stolen and he painted it to conceal the fact that it's stolen.

I don't know. What do you think. Trek sells the 1000 for about $700.00 so I'll be saving $400.00.

Should I buy or just say bye bye?

Steve.

Joe Gardner

IMHO buying stolen is just as bad as stealing the item yourself. Stay away from it.

spazegun2213

no, i would not buy it. You dont know anything about it besides the fact that its stolen. Plus, if you do buy it, it has a sh*tty paint job on it. I paided $750 for my bike, and its the best investment i have EVER made. If it seems like a lot, it is, and if you dont have that kind of money its worth waiting for. Get a job, or another one, budget your money well and it will all fall into place.

-Ross

Ebbtide

Dude,

Where is your head at. Did you really have to ask that question? I suspect since you did, you know the answer.

djbowen1

Stay far away, put yourself in the shoes of the person it was tolen from and report the bike to the police immediatly, do it discreetly though. Or go to the guys house late at night and steal it from him to pay him back for what he did. I was just kidding about the second part.

RegularGuy

Do not buy a stolen bike. Notify the police.

Ebbtide

What if it was your bike?

Man up and report the guy.

djbowen1

what if it were your bike you mean ehenz?

pointyhead

I'd also make a phone call to my local cop shop. The next bike he rips off could be that Bianchi you buy.

Kev

Receiving stolen property is a crime, even if you're morals allow you to buy it you could get fined go to jail for possessing it.

diamondback

First of all DON'T say something is stolen unless you have PROOF! Second a trek 1000 can be bought all day for $500 US brand new. A used bike is generally worth half $250, a painted bike is only worth commuter value $100. that's $50 more than he'd get from a pawn shop. Maybe he painted it because he's an idiot or lives in high crime area. Don't buy it because it's way overpriced.

Dahon.Steve

Alright....

I stated the situation incorrectly. I should have said, should I buy a potentially stolen bicycle?

I don't really know if the bike was stolen since the owner never admitted it during our emails. In New York City, most bikes sporting poor paint jobs are stolen for that very reason.

Furthermore, all the clues during our conversation point to a stolen bike. Yet. It's possible that an owner of a three month Trek 1000 would put a poor paint job and sell it at half price because of a relocation. It is possible. Isn't it?

Steve.

pointyhead

Hmmm, if its not stolen, the owner has nothing to worry about, does he?

lotek 

well lets see, NYC, poor paint job, owner moving.
Doesn't sound too good to me.
However, think about this.
New bike, potential for thieves, paint bike to disguise it.
How many times have we heard that advice? (no sarcasm here)

Ask him for the serial number of the bike, and that you
want to run the numbers. If its not stolen, no problem he
gives you the number and you check it out.
If he balks, says he can't find the number, its painted over
so he can't read it, walk away.
Also ask him for original bill of sale, I'm
not saying that it he has to have it, but if he ever
wanted warranty work on it he would.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a bike I was sure was stolen,
it only reinforces stealing bikes (no demand, no theft?).

Marty

aerobat

Lotek hit it right on! Any time you buy stolen anything, you're providing a market for low lifes stealing other peoples' property. Stay away from it. Remember, if the price it too good to be true, it probably is!

Stubacca

I agree with Lotek... but I also wouldn't buy it because I'd be worried about what the dodgy paint job was hiding e.g. badly repaired frame damage, filled dents etc.

Rev.Chuck

NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO

Dahon.Steve

Alright...Alright... . I give in. I'm going to buy it.. OOOPS.. I mean, I'm not going to buy it.

The poor paint job might be hiding cracks or damage sustained while riding if he did really buy it new. No one on his right mind would take a can of paint and spray a brand new bike. That's insane.

I just saw a brand new Trek 1000 online for $549.00. What a deal. That's just $200.00 dollars more and comes with a warranty! I think I'll wait and keep saving for my Bianchi.

You're right about the reinforcing stealing aspect. I can just imagine this same person trying to rip-off my sad looking Pacific Toy Store bike. OH NO.. I better check to see if it's still there!

shaharidan

i wasnt going to respond, but changed my mind. this has to be the dumbest question ive ever seen.
first off your contimplating buying a stolen bike on a public forum of folks who are passionate about cycling. do a search on stolen bikes and see how terrible people feels when it happens to them.
i dont see a difference between this and saying, "hey i really want to get a road bike, i've got this awsome pair of bolt cutters, what kind of bike should i steal?"

Stubacca

The statement is true for a stolen bike, but this isn't definitely a stolen bike. Just a dodgy situation, and potentially a dodgy bike, and *maybe* a stolen one. In all fairness, the price is probably too high if he did put a crappy paint job on a near-new bike for no reason.

Good decision to steer clear of it - quality and warranty are big concerns, and in the long run it might not save you any money. Plus you'll be riding a crappy-looking bike!! Save up for the Bianchi - you'll be there before you know it!

Maelstrom 

That cat sure looks familiar booya

I barely like buying used, I couldn't see myself risking to buy a stolen bike.

greywolf

Think of the bad Kharma , what goes around comes around , but its your choice to make, ok

coppilot

You are setting yourself up for many face-plants!!!!!!!!!!!

supcom

Since the bike is supposedly only three months old, the seller should be able to tell you where he purchased the bike. Have him tell you the serial number and then call the LBS and ask if they can confirm the seller's name as the purchaser of that bike. If you don't get a straight answer from the seller, then assume it's stolen and move on.

If you suspect it's stolen, then treat it as if it is.

diamondback

Guilty if proven innocent, Guilty by accusation, Guilty by rumor, I'm proud to be an American.