me and this guy resently met over craigslist over me searching for any older bikes for around 150 and he was going to sell me a trek 440 60cm with all original parts in mint condition and 4 days of back and forth he shot me an email at the last second right before the day we where going to meet up saying he couldn't sell the bike for some reason. But i think he was lying does this ever happen to you? and would a trek 440 for about 130 been an reasonable deal?

It happens all the time. Maybe he sold it for more, or figured he could get more than $130 for it. No worries, just keep your eyes open and something will pop up.

I am not familiar with the "440"model Trek but if it is an old steely , then $130 was an outstanding price for a bike in such condition and the guy simply reneged on the deal.

Happens to me all the time. Don't get upset about it - You'll get used to it and there will always be an even better deal.

I was hunting for a vintage MTB and after a few duds on ebay I finally got what I wanted. Like everyone else said patience is a virtue. Good luck and good hunting.

CL is full of jerks. I can't tell you how many times I have been on my way to pick up a bike when I get a call that the bike was sold out from under me. Or worse, show up and the bike is gone.

Trek 440? Never heard of it, and Google turned up precisely 0 relevant hits. Methinks somebody been yankin' yo' chain.

SP
Bend, OR

4 days of back and forth on a Trek steel bike for $130? If I was the seller, I would have moved on to another buyer myself. When you are ready to buy a bike, jump in the car, cash in wallet, and negotiate in person.

Personally, I just delete emails from people that want to negotiate that way.

And Craigs List is the land of no shows. The first one with the cash wins.

As far as the sold out for underneath you problem (which has happened to me several times), my basic rule is call when you leave the house, and I will hold it until you arrive. I have used this with good success on buying bikes and selling bikes.

Yeah, CL is a freakshow. I'm more surprised when a deal goes right (like the Vitus 979 I bought for my daughter for $100 or the Audi TT I bought for myself) than when it goes wrong.

Pete

The majority of sellers on CL are people with some integrity, but (perhaps not surprisingly),
you'll flush out more freaks by responding to ads for $25 Colnagos.

I would agree100%

+1 on what Bill said. I got bikes even though there were other potential takers because I showed up with cash.

+1 There is no such a beast as a Trek 440. 400, 450, 41x, 420, 460, 470 yes. But not 440. As a matter of fact, there are only 2 X40 Trek bikes: the 640, which is well worth it, and the 540 which has a foil frame and low end components and would be a push for $130.

Excuse me I ment trek 400 lol sorry typo was that the reason why most of you even checked? Lol

$150 for a Trek 400 in mint condition is a deal.