Overseas Purchasing Tips

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11-13-15 | 12:11 PM

Numbskull

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Overseas Purchasing Tips

So, recently I have found several interesting bikes while searching foreign "craigslist-type" sites (primarily in Italy). I am curious if anyone with experience buying sight unseen bikes from foreign markets can help with advice/experience about the steps involved in doing it. Obviously there is inherent risk, but usually the people I contact about the bikes seem honest and just have no idea about how to get a bike packed, shipped, and paid for.

I realize that I can pay a bike shop to pack the bike for shipment, but then what? The shops don't seem to want to ship a bike that is not theirs.

The owners seem uncertain to sort out the bit about finding and paying a shipping company (and transporting a packed bike back to their home is a disincentive as well).

Then there is the payment issue. Most of the people I've contacted seem computer naive (I'm not much better) and things like paypal are more involved than they wish to bother with.

Any advice is appreciated.

11-13-15 | 12:37 PM

gugie

Bike Butcher of Portland

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 12,487

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From: Portland, OR

Bikes: It's complicated.

I have purchased a few frames and one complete bike from overseas. In all cases they were through eBay, paid for with Paypal. There is significant buyer protection using these services. Unless you're williing to risk losing whatever money you've sent overseas, this is the only way I'd do it with a stranger, no matter how honest they may seem.

Even if they are honest, your scenario seems much too complicated to expect a good result.

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11-13-15 | 01:34 PM

velofinds

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Joined: Mar 2014

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From: NYC

This is a long shot, but see if there are any BFers in Europe who can facilitate:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ling-able.html

Going by memory, I know we have a couple of people here in Holland, one or two in France -- don't know about Italy. So you might want to pivot to Craigslists (or their equivalent) in those countries.

Good luck. Above all else, I'd say knowing people and making sympathetic contacts is key.

11-13-15 | 01:50 PM

Barrettscv

Have bike, will travel

Joined: Feb 2006

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From: Lake Geneva, WI

Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2

Ask the seller to send you an invoice via PayPal. If the seller won't do that, and won't ship, move on.

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11-13-15 | 01:53 PM

davester

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From: Berkeley CA

Bikes: 1981 Ron Cooper, 1974 Cinelli Speciale Corsa, 1975 Alex Singer, 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar 1, 1986 Miyata 710, 1982 Raleigh "International", 1985 Trek 720

The shipping and packing is what will kill you. Slightly tongue in cheek, but something I've definitely considered and may yet do...

Sign up for one of the Eroica rides, fly to Italy, Spain or England (preferably using credit card airline miles, not dollars), buy the bike from your preselected seller, do the ride on your new bike then bring back your bike as excess luggage. The excess luggage fee varies by airline. Lufthansa+United was only 100 euros ($120) coming back from Italy this year with our own two bikes packed in one box.