2006civiccoupe

I always buy from sellers with really good feedback. There are many sheisty people on there, just be careful and you should be fine. Most of the time if it seems to be to good to be true it usually is. (carbon cervelo for 1,500.00) I think ebay is watched by many law enforcements agencies as well. I think its a lot safer than most people think.

sctrackboy

Dont forget that buyers are protected under paypal as well. IF the seller cannot provide proof of sending the item ie tracking number, signature comf, etc... then usually the buyer will win the dispute under paypal.

EdZ

As of 9:34 pm on March 10, there are about 15 "fake" bikes on ebay posted on a hijacked account.

Ernesto Schwein

. . .so are they stolen fake bikes?

sctrackboy

Again follow my method so you do not get ripped off. I love requesting that the seller takes a picture holding my name in the picture in front of the item. When they get pissy and do not do it then I just bypass that email. What are some other methods you guys do to ensure you are not getting ripped off?

Ernesto Schwein

I've never gotten ripped off on e-bay. I've been registered since 1998. I buy 95% of my bike stuff on e-bay and buy/sell at least 1 or 2 complete bikes a year there. I have a theory that the majority of people that get ripped off on e-bay are dumb.

Endox

I can't believe the figure would be as high as 60%, and I don't see why a self respecting magazine would even publish something so controversial based on a 'guesstimate'. I use eBay a little and though I've had one bad experience I got my money back in the end and overall I'm perfectly happy with the system, these anti eBay claims are utterly ridiculous IMO.

roadwarrior

Correct.

roadwarrior

Pretty much sums up what's wrong with people today....

You'd care if it was your stuff. Who knows, maybe you can buy your own stuff back. But you wouldn't care...

sctrackboy

I found this bike on craigslist for roughly $1600 us dollars. IT is a tricked out 2004 p3 with zipp 909 disc wheelset, 10sp dura ace etc... I emailed the guy about it, he couldnt produce more pictures, says he needs money now to buy an engagement ring etc... I think this is a fake bike. He said it was on ebay selling for $2800 us dollars but no one bought it. If this isnt a scam then I do not know what is.

https://london.craigslist.org/bik/289238655.html

anomaly

Sadly there is a person in the DC Metro region, bargain4321, who sells known stolen bikes. The Pista and the Redline he have for sale were both posted as stolen about 3 weeks ago on craigslist. He refuses to give out serial numbers, and no local pickups, so it will be hard to get him busted.

Paniolo

Many of you guys are lumping scam auctions and sales of stolen goods together as the same thing. They are very different things.

The scam auctions you can protect yourself in lots of ways. If the item is stolen it's not so easy. They can provide all the pics of the item you request, and it will have a fair price since they want to sell it for some $$, you will even leave them pos. feedback after they send you the hot items as quick as possible after the auction. If I was a crook I would sure be looking into ebay as a way to maximize my $$. That Valentine 1 a thief stole out of my car would go for a pretty penny on ebay.

FarHorizon

Painting with a broad brush, are we, oilman? I've bought and sold hunderds of bikes and bike parts on e-Bay. I represent EXACTLY what I'm selling on e-Bay - otherwise, my feedback would suck.

So far as stolen goods: Nothing I've EVER sold was stolen (despite the fact that many of the parts were new and in the box). So where did I get my stuff?

Simple - I often buy something that I think will be great (clipless pedals, new saddle, etc.) and once I try it, it SUUUUUUUUUUUCKS! Since I usually bought it new by mail order, it's more trouble to return than it's worth. What happens? It sits around in my closet until my wife says "clean that junk out!" I then sell it at my yard sale or put it on e-Bay.

Others, it seems, have the same proclivities. Every other yard sale I go to has a collection of bike junk that is a mix of new and used stuff. You figure all those folks are stealing new bike parts so they can give them away at pennies on the dollar at yard sales?

I buy most of my bike junk at yard sales and then eventually sell it on e-Bay. Since I'm mostly buying from respectable suburban folks who have significant incentive NOT to do anything illegal, I doubt that any of the stuff is stolen.

I'd never have guessed!

asmallsol

The two things I am into also have high theft rates, modifying civics and road bikes. However, I have bought car parts, 2 bikes, wheel sets, ect from ebay so I am a fan, however a statement like the above one is ****** and fuels theft of cars/bikes/goods, ect. If people refuse to buy stolen merchendice, then there would be no reason for people to steal stuff. You are the reason there is a market for possibly stolen stuff. If everyone asked for legitimate papers for whatever they're buying stuff, there would be a lot less stolen stuff on ebay.

Look at PS3's. Right before they went on sale, people were selling PS3's that they didn't even have (although had them reserved) for 1000's of dollars. Ebay stepped in and said if you were going to do this, you had to have a scanned copy of the receipt and any other documents.

Keep your documents of your stuff and ask for them when you buy stuff. For example, I was buying this car that had a replaced engine. The seller to the best of his knowledge said it had 10,000 miles on the engine. When I saw the engine in person, I question it. He showed me the documents from the shop that did the work and on there it said "replaced with engine with 5,xxx miles" I searched the block for a VIN number, found it, did a car fax, turns out it was taken from a car that was wrecked at 100,000 miles. The guy screwed himself because he trusted this shop.

Avalanche325

Be careful what you say. They are watching you.

FarHorizon

One local shop owner here got a divorce and lost his shop. His entire stock of Cannondales ended up on e-Bay after the shop closed. Doesn't meet either of your criteria, does it?

Dynamic

hell, this all wouldn't have been an issue if you cited your damn sources thread-author.

oilman_15106

The source was cited if you took the time to read it.

Anyway, ebay related but not about stolen stuff just a moron seller. Got to vent this. Seller offers a second chance offer on a saddle. I always email to verify that the second chance offer is valid. Offer is good for 3 days. Tonight the guy emails me with this : "It was legit but the other guy I offered 2nd chance to took the saddle. Sorry about the delayed response. That pesky work thing."

Seller is bp allen don't bid on his stuff unless you like getting jerked around. Made a second chance offer to 2 people for the same item. Besides this guy being an idiot, how does scambay allow this?

oilman_15106

Painting with a broad brush, are we, oilman? Does anyone that posts these replies ever read the OP? I did not write the article it was from a newsletter and the source was stated. God bless the ******** education system.

oilman_15106

Update ---A former bike shop manager has pleaded guilty to stealing $375,000 worth of bikes and gear and selling most of it on eBay. The crook is William Reese Houghton, 34, who did the deed in Colorado Springs while working for Colorado Cyclist and a shop called Pro Cycling. He's expected to be sentenced to 90 days in jail, 12 years of supervised probation and 250 hours of community service. He also must pay $200,000 in restitution to Pro Cycling and $50,000 to Colorado Cyclist, the mailorder company. It's reported by Bicycle Retailer and Industry News that Reese made $147,605 selling the stolen goods on eBay at prices often far below retail. For example, eight Jamis Nova Cross frames with an SRP of $1,050 each were sold for $5 to $280.
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3MTA3

ride it like someone else stole it.

ryanspeer

I guess that settles it folks. Basically everything "new" on eBay is hotter than an asphalt sidewalk in Phoenix in the middle of August.