dynne

I'm sorry, I couldn't figure out where else to inquire. Please disregard this posting if I have done this inappropriately.

I just wanted to know if you guys had strategies to get local pick-up bikes from ebay. I've found an occasional seller to be willing to have an item shipped if I take care of the arrangements and payment. But paying a shop to box and ship a bike for the seller can add up way past the inherent discount through limited access.

Is there a system through this forum? I know there's an ebay/craigslist find thread, but it doesn't seem like people will take cash to pick them up or ship them.

In all likelihood, I'm probably just best off paying a store to do it the right way and save the time and worry.

Any input as to a better system is greatly appreciated.

-Dynne

tsl

I don't know about eBay, but when I sell on Craigslist, I specify local pick-up only, and cash only. I won't take plastic, paypal, checks, money orders, trade or blow****--only good old Federal Reserve Notes. And nothing you can do will sway me from that position.

Maybe the seller you're buying from feels the same.

Now, if you were to put cash in my hand and then ask me to ship it somewhere, I'd look at you and say, "It's not my bike. It's yours. You ship it."

dynne

Yes, money speaks very loudly.

fietsbob

You need to find a 3rd party to pick it up, box it and ship it, seller probably doesn't want the hassle..

Fizzaly

Ditto, ive sold a couple bikes on ebay as local pick up only, im in boise and one of them a guy from oaklahoma paid some guy he got a hold of that lives near me to come pick it up and pack/ship it for him. The problem with shipping full bikes is to do it right and safely cost me (seller) more than im willing to pay most of the time. The last bike i shipped cost me 25$ in just packing material, which i of course passed on to the buyer, but most the time the buyers not willing to pay it either.

sonatageek

I once sold an old Schwinn cruiser bike on another online forum that was 'local PU only'. It had fenders, lights etc etc and looked like it would be a hassle to pack to ship. Guy from CA contacted me wanting to buy and I told him if he could arrange a bike shop to pack and ship it I would be willing to drop it off. He emailed the next day with three local shops. I picked the one closest to my house.

I had him send me a money order and the shop a SEPARATE money order. I took pictures of the bike at the shop when I dropped it off. I wanted the shipping and any damage issues to be between him and the shop.

Doohickie

The Facilitators.

dynne

Interesting. There's really no way to save money on the hunt for the perfect vintage frame. You have to feebay or wait it out on craigslist or local shops. Total bummer!

dynne

FTW! Why isn't anyone in CA?? It seems every bike I fall in love with is there or WI.

contango 

Nothing to do with cycling but the principle is probably relevant here.

I had a friend buy an item on ebay that was made mostly of glass. The seller specified local pickup only and had no bids, so my friend made contact to ask whether they would be willing to ship it if he covered all the packing and shipping costs, and also bore all responsibility for breakage while shipping. The seller was fine with that and gave him a figure to pay for a courier.

For items like bikes it may be the seller doesn't want the hassle of packing and shipping it, it may be that they don't want the risk of shipping a perfectly good bike only for the buyer to claim it was received damaged (possibly even with pictures of a very similar bike in a sad state to back their claim). If they've got something from the buyer to accept all risks of shipping damage they've got something they can forward to ebay in the event of a dispute, and so might be willing to work with you.