gaucho777 

So I took a chance on a poorly advertised Colnago Dual Ergal listed on ebay with no photos, no size, not much to go on except for this sparse description:
"This is a 1984 Colnago Dual Ergal with all the original C record parts on it in almost new condition."

The seller has a high feedback score, and everyone always complains that ebay is biased on the buyer's behalf, so I figured I can always file a complaint if it's not what it's purported to be. Plus, if the bike isn't my size, I can always part out and make a handsome profit.

I live close enough to the seller to drive out and pick up the bike in person, which is what I always intended to do in order to avoid shipping costs. I'm thinking of making arrangements to pick up the bike and then pay the seller on site. Is that even kosher? I can pay via paypal on the spot with my iphone. I just worry that it's almost too good to be true.

Here's the listing:
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

How would you proceed?

unworthy1

^+1, it's not that far a drive... you might tell him that your living situation is not safe to accept large parcels and that you'd have to come by in person to pick up...arrange to meet at a busy public place if he's uncomfortable meeting at his house.

RavingManiac

No pictures seems strange.

Capecodder

I would without a doubt pick it up and pay cash......

gaucho777 

I agree, but the lack of photos kept the price down no doubt. For what it's worth, seller has one neg feedback out of 160 transactions in pas 12 mo. (for a nos cinelli stem which buyer insists was rechromed), but mist of the transactions are purchases not sales.

bigbossman 

Yeah - and I would note the nearest ATM before I arrived, and not actually bring cash. That way you have an excuse to bug out.

Note that all of his viewable past auctions do have pics.

gaucho777 

Why pay cash? Just curious. I would think if there are any issues, I would have a better chance of recourse through eBay if I gave proof of payment via paypal (which can be done on my iphone). I assume I should insist on a signed receipt, too.

RobbieTunes

Next move is to give him my address. I'll pay shipping.

azshtr

I would want to see it before paying just to be sure it really was a colnago.

miamijim

I'd pay cash in person but I wouldnt worry about paying with Paypal either. If you o pay with Paypal do it with a linked CC about 30 minutes before pick up as to help avoid the seller from transefering the funds out.

bigbossman 

Well.... good point. If there are any issues, since it is in your hands for inspection you can just walk away. Either way, don't bring cash with you.

gaucho777 

It WAS too good to be true!

How shady is this? The auction listing indicated that local pick up was an option. I sent the buyer a note saying I'd like arrangements to pick up the bike. At 4:22pm, the seller responds to say simply, "local pick up is not an option." Six minutes later, he writes:
"I need to cancel the auction the bike and I were hit by a car and I was not able to cancel the auction before it closed due to the accident. I am not eve sure where the bike is since I was taken from scene of the accident in an ambulance and I am not sure what shape the bike is in."



I'd love to know when this accident actually happened. The lack of photos suggests maybe he listed the bike after it was hit. Or maybe he was discouraged by the low selling price and is making up the whole accident story.

Now what would you do?

Ciufalon

I would call Ebay and report it.

bikenut2011

Let it go...isnt worth the headache... you learned something and it didn't cost you anything. If it were me i would be glad i didnt waste the gas


andy

bikenut2011

OR, you could do that too

andy

autonoz

Absolutely

norskagent

bail.

MetinUz

Reminds me the time I won a 10-speed Record group for about $200. I even offered to pay another $100 if it arrived in good condition. The seller "found out it was broken" and refunded my payment. I filed a complaint, left negative feedback, but that's all you can do.

repechage

I have found when not wanting to do a local pick up there is a problem.

I would advise ebay, rite it off as to seeing the bike. Let him go through the hoops if any with ebay on how to patch up his account.

-holiday76

he screwed up, wouldnt own up to it, then lied to get out of it. I'd leave negative, then block him so you don't ever waist your time with him again.

YoKev

abort mission

-holiday76

i'd offer to leave him positive feedback if he showed you a copy of the police report or some proof that his story adds up.

cudak888 

Blast him with a negative. Let others know.

-Kurt

gaucho777 

I'm definitely aborting, and will leave negative feedback and report it to ebay. I can't help but think that a) the accident happened before he listed it (hence no photos) and he was trying to foist a damaged bike, or b) there was no accident and he is simply not happy with the selling price. Prob the former. It's strange that his first reply stated no local pickup instead of just coming out and saying he doesn't have the bike. I'm also going to set up some alerts for Colnago Dual Ergal to see if it shows up again on CL or elsewhere.

illwafer

his colnago decals were backordered.