Any estimates on % of stolen bikes on ebay?

[ebrandel]

I've been pondering getting a second bike. Not really sure what type, but just something different than my current ride (a Specialized Stumpjumper M2 comp).

Now, obviously, some of the bikes on ebay are stolen, just like pretty much any other category on ebay.

Anyone have any estimates on the percentage of bikes for sale on ebay that are stolen? Anybody have any good/bad experiences with buying gear off of ebay?

[berrywise]

I've been pondering getting a second bike. Not really sure what type, but just something different than my current ride (a Specialized Stumpjumper M2 comp).

Now, obviously, some of the bikes on ebay are stolen, just like pretty much any other category on ebay.

Anyone have any estimates on the percentage of bikes for sale on ebay that are stolen? Anybody have any good/bad experiences with buying gear off of ebay?

I guess I'd have no clue as to what a percentage it would be but I know employee theft is a huge problem in the industry (and probably many other industries). It seems to be a reoccuring story of some shop busting an employee for selling bikes on Ebay. I know of someone who found his stolen bike for sale on Ebay by some pawn shop. He was able to contact the owner of the pawn shop and then they authorities were able to actually track down the person who stole it and sold it to the pawn shop. Score one for the good guys.

[Nickel]

Anyone have any estimates on the percentage of bikes for sale on ebay that are stolen? Anybody have any good/bad experiences with buying gear off of ebay?

I think it's important to use careful judgement. I would only buy from someone that has excellent feedback and that they have sold many items, including many expensive ones (and not just a lot of junky small stuff). I saw something the other day that wanted people to e-mail them so that the auction is private....it looked shady and it was pulled a few hours later.

[Tetreves]

If I was buying bikes online, I'd only get it from someone on this forum, or maybe MTBR.

Buy bikes from people who bike.

[manual63]

Look at someones rating and see what their history is. If a person is selling a lot of bikes, you might want to start to wonder about where they are getting them.

[Kosk]

There's plenty of people selling legit stuff on ebay. I sell parts on there all the time. If it's too good to be true, then it probably is. Just use some common sense.

[Ish]

Just do your due dillegence and also use paypal funded by a credit card so you are less at risk if things go bad and the change of getting your money back are better.

[danger!]

I'd avoid the people selling high end bikes who's description is "I don't know anything about bikes" I seem to see that one a lot.

[Heuy]

I'd avoid the people selling high end bikes who's description is "I don't know anything about bikes" I seem to see that one a lot.

I know what you mean, there is some pretty obvious hot merch. being sold this way. I prefer to shop ebayers who appear to have a full-on ebay business, or retailers who are liquidating non-current new stuff.

I also suspect there is a lot of misrepresentation of used stuff. Lots of "Just rode 2 or 3 times"

[bradpartyka]

I bought a bike off ebay along with thousands of other items. I have been burned a few times on small dollar items. That is just the risk you take. I feel that if I buy something off of ebay it better be discounted over 50% off.

Just sold that same bike on ebay to. I don't run an ebay business, but sell stuff on the net all of the time. I chose to sell my bike on ebay because I could get more for it than selling it local.

You just have to know what you are buying. Ask the seller a question that they should know.

I seem to see more stolen stuff on Craigslist. ebay has more scams.

[Thewavebb]

I also suspect there is a lot of misrepresentation of used stuff. Lots of "Just rode 2 or 3 times"

Matt,
We both know a person who ebays everything he owns and tends to misrepresent the abuse on his gear...He is the reason I never buy used or even "like new" out of box gear on ebay.

[Jackrabbit Slim]

If anyone is interested in getting good used road bikes please call my man Tom Christian: 612 821-1358. I bought a used mid-80's Colnago from him a couple years ago and have been very pleased with it. He has stuff in all kinds of price ranges and unlike e-bay you can actually ride something before you buy it (his house is all bikes:crazy2: , it's worth seeing if only to see lots of cool bikes).

[soupboy]

eBay is relatively safe - been conducting commerce there since its inception. For "average" bits you may be at risk. Most scammers expose themselves for selling high end bits with under/mis-representation. It's usually fairly transparent.

I'm typically a seller on eBay to maximize price and buyer on MTBR or MORC to buy from people that know their poop.

Buyer beware biatches.:p

[wildkona]

ebay is ok if you don't get screwed by ebay and paypal themselves, they locked my paypal account with $3000 in it and suspended my ebay id. What was the reason? To verify contact info they said. And they haven't verified anything yet and that was months ago. At least my $3000 is earning interest but that really screwed me over.

[soupboy]

I had that happen recently too...for a lot less $ though. For $3k I'd be on the phone to customer service.

I guess the flip side is you know their controls are pretty tight.

ebay is ok if you don't get screwed by ebay and paypal themselves, they locked my paypal account with $3000 in it and suspended my ebay id. What was the reason? To verify contact info they said.

[bikeoutback]

Not sure if true or not, just something I read about paypal:
http://www.paypalsucks.com/

[steef]

I've been screwed selling an item on paypal. They automatically side with the buyer and pull the funds from your paypal account. However, I'll keep buying and selling with them.

[danger!]

Not sure if true or not, just something I read about paypal:
http://www.paypalsucks.com/

I don't know if it is all true or not, but I closed my Paypal account after I saw that site about 2 years ago.