Im selling a bike on craigslist and the guy wants me to send him the serial number of the bike ahead of time...should i give it to him?

Only if you didn't illegally acquire the bike.

Where did you get the bicycle? Did you buy it new ... or did you acquire it used somewhere?

i bought it new and have receipt ...just found it odd he is asking for it....whats he supposed to do it?? lol

If you had acquired the bicycle used somewhere, my guess would be that he suspects the bicycle is his and that it was stolen ... and he wants to check the serial number.

Since the bicycle is new ... maybe ask him why he wants the serial number.

He probably wants to do some research before making an offer. I don't see any harm in giving him the serial number.

Eh,I wouldn't. I've dealt with too many nutcases on CL. The serial # can be proof of ownership,I wouldn't trust giving it out.

I ALWAYS ask for the serial number before going to see a used bike. Always want to make sure that it's not stolen; is the claimed model year; etc.

I've never had a problem with anyone not wanting to give it to me. Having a serial number is NOT proof of ownership!

Really, what could the guy do? If he were to fraudulently report it stolen, a though it were his bike, it would be obvious that you had the ad up before he even filed a report. Plus, you probably have old pictures of the bike; proof of emailing him the serial number; friends and relatives as witnesses that you've owned the bike for years- and you may even have the receipt!

It's just like posting the VIN number of a car you are trying to sell.

Only thing to watch out for, is if it's a high-end bike, the guy might just be looking for a serial number to spoof the ad to scam people- but that has nothing to do with you.

smart

Maxwell Smart?

Heh, just thinking about this- with both of the bikes I currently own, in both cases, the sellers sent me PICTURES of the serial number when I asked.