eboard17

My friend recently sold a bike on Criagslist. A vintage 979 Vitus. I know that it has some problems and we made sure to point all of it out. Yes the seat tube was cracked at the top, and was welded back together.

Today we get home from some thrift shopping to find the bike sitting on our porch, And a note that reads, "Please pay $280 money order to his address."

What do we do in this situation. I feel we have no obligation to give any money back. We clearly stated the issues of the bike when he purchased it and he willingly bought it. Any advice as to what should be done.

I will post some pictures of the bike where he left it in a few minutes.

10 Wheels

Send him a note charging storage by the day.

yuoil 

So you sold the bike to someone in person and they saw the flaws? I don't think you're under any obligation. Either way, it's not like they can make you give the money back. Did something on the bike break? Is it as it was sold?

^ yea, what's up with the note? How non-confrontational can you get? Was he scared you'd say no on the phone?

Syscrush

That's odd. Purchaser came and saw the bike in person before closing the deal?

Whatever the situation, just pay the money back - he or she knows where you live and obviously has some kind of problem. You'll only make it worse by trying to hold onto the money.

cudak888 

Making such demands without contacting you beforehand (yet, leaving the merchandise in your possession) is the method he is using to twist your arm into giving him a refund. Do not feel obligated to do anything until you have spoken to him to find out what the complaint is.

I have to admit though - he isn't the smartest cookie in the jar, for an unscrupulous seller could easily deny ever having sold it to him, withholding the $280.

-Kurt

Schnayke

Or he could just say what do you mean you left it on my porch. I never seen a thing.

cudak888 

But of course, we are C&V'ers, and as a rule, stand behind moral and ethical business practices.

...unlike A&S, for instance

-Kurt

dit

You might consider a 'restocking' fee of like $25.

rumrunn6

screw it - send the money and sell it again - chalk it up to weirder than weird

eboard17

Ok, Here are some pictures. This is exactly the condition we sold it in, but he removed some decals on the back stays that read "Factory Racing Team"








The only big issue was the seat tube crack, but it was one thing that we made sure to tell him about.

Elev12k

I case stuff in same shape I think I would refund. Shipping would be an issue, but initial for me and return for him would be easiest ...unless shipping is a too large portion of the total sale. Than another solution has to be found.

curbtender

Cool, send it to judge Judy and you both make some money on it, you plus a little. Sold AS-IS items have no warranty. You disclosed defects too? Buyer beware. Is it a friendship issue?

eboard17

Just a guy we sold the bike to locally from craigslist.

vjp

That bike should have been trashed in the first place and not sold. Do the right thing, take off the parts, throw away the frame and give the buyer his money back.

vjp

Elev12k

I've now seen the pictures

In your 1st post you said it was cracked on the top and welded back together. Did you also tell him it was cracked at the top, welded back together ...and cracked again?

Honestly to me that looks like a written off frame. In fact he bought a written off frame with some kit. Now it has to be advertised again, I would advertise it like that. The safe modus.

wrk101

I have given buyers refunds twice. Nothing was wrong with either bike, they just changed their mind. In both cases, I sold the returned bike for more.

With one person who returned the bike, not only did I sell him a replacement (he decided he wanted a triple crankset), but I subsequently sold his girlfriend a bike, as well as his mother.


I guess its good karma, as so far, I have come out way ahead.


In the case of the bike above, I would have parted it out. That frame is toast IMHO. I don't sell damaged bikes.

YMMV.

rat fink

It sounds to me like you just got a $280 donation.

curbtender

Seeing the pictures, I don't see how he could have missed it. I'd be worried about selling a CF lugged bike that had been heated to repair a lug.

clasher

I'd just give him the money back and chalk it up to weird, passive-aggressiveness of some kind. As someone else pointed out, he knows where you live so no need to invite any unwanted trouble. Though I'd call him and ask if he can come and get the money so as not to inconvenience you more.

Maybe someone gave him **** for spending money he shouldn't have spent!

fiataccompli

unless you misrepresented the usability of the frame in the condition it's in now, I don't see why you should give a refund unless you want to. That said, assuming full disclosure & understanding of the implications by the buyer, I would personally be likely to give the guy a refund & just chalk it up to the nutty world of CL & Ebay. To me, the money and the "principle of it" are not worth the pain in the neck & these days the risk of what kind of bizarre stuff the average nutbag can come up with. There are enough good folks to trade with that there's no need to spend time with the crazies. I try to give fools a wide path to pass on through. I hate it when they get snagged on something near me and hang around trying to dislodge themselves...know what I mean?

on a tangent: can this be properly repaired? Seems like the cost of the repair would total the frame pretty quickly to me.

cudak888 

If the OP disclosed the weld, the second crack would have been noted by even the biggest idiot out there.

Took decals off? That's grounds for "no-returns" in my book.

-Kurt

rumrunn6

paint the weld

wrk101

I am not sure. Just when you think you have met the world's biggest idiot, you meet a bigger idiot. I am not kidding.

A lot of buyers are not bike savvy, or even awake or alert. They may have noticed the damage, but weren't comprehending what it meant. Then I can imagine they take it to a shop, or show it off to their biking buddy, who lets them know the frame is toast. At that point, the idiot is pretty PO'd. I am glad you were not home when they dropped off the bike.

Selling damaged goods, even when the damage is obvious and disclosed, is not something I would do. I would much rather strip the parts, and cut up the frame and take a loss.

sailorbenjamin

Send him a money order for $3000 and tell him to send you a check for the change.
Seriously, have a good hard look at the bike. Is it in EXACTLY the condition you gave it to him in? the decals arekind of a PITA. did he swap out a busted derailler or something like that?

eboard17

OK, Just bought it back for $140.