I know it's a scam, but what's the catch?

I recently posted an ad on Craig's list to sell my old Raleigh which I figure to be worth about $275. It has Sora components and was well loved and used, but still a good bike. I also mentioned that the bike was actually too small for me and that I would be willing to make a trade for a similar entry level bike in my size.

Well, one of the replies is from a guy who says he has an Allez with 105 components. He even specifies a place near by where we can meet and I can look at his bike. Knowing this to be a much better bike than mine is, I respond that this would not be an even trade, and I really should stop spending money on bikes, so thanks anyway. He replies that he would consider it an even trade. He is just desperate to get a bike in his size.

Now, I don't know that much about bikes, but I know that anything with 105 components tends to retail around $1500 and up. If he really wanted a bike in his size, he could easily sell his expensive bike and buy a much better bike than mine in his size.
so it's got to be a scam, right? No one is that ignorant, right?

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Originally Posted by lauraelmore1033

Now, I don't know that much about bikes, but I know that anything with 105 components tends to retail around $1500 and up. If he really wanted a bike in his size, he could easily sell his expensive bike and buy a much better bike than mine in his size.
so it's got to be a scam, right? No one is that ignorant, right?

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If all you know is 105 components, it might not be as big a difference as you think - frame, build, brand, size, age... He could also just be desperate like he said.
But, I would definitely bring a friend with you to meet him! You could also request that you meet at your LBS so your LBS could look his bike over and give you some advice.

TsPoet's suggestion is excellent. Have the LBS check the stolen bike registries while they're at it.

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Originally Posted by sgtiger

TsPoet's suggestion is excellent. Have the LBS check the stolen bike registries while they're at it.

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+1 I was thinking "guy is pawning off an hot item on unsuspecting person". Make arrangements at LBS first then give the guy a call and meet him there. Safer in number and if he does no show then you know what it was about.

Did he leave his contact information with you? If he didn't then chances of the "105 bike" being hot goes way up.

Stolen is my bet too. Asking him to meet at the bike shop is a good way to go. If it's stolen, he is likely to back out, and if it is indeed a way better bike than mine, the lbs guys could tell him not to be so foolish. I just really want my bike to go to a good home, and if I get a "new" rain bike out of the deal, that would just be great.

Btw, there was no contact info given.

Most of the "good" bikes on CL are stolen.... it's very obvious most of the time. Usually they're listed without much information, or something ubiquitous like "bought new last year, rode twice, didn't like it" on a $1500 bike they're listing for $350, that has obviously seen more usage (and upgrades) than that. Some people just plain can't tell you ANY info about the bike either, like frame size or year, etc... that's a huge red flag IMO. Anyone who knows what they are looking for can quickly figure both out.

I personally, wouldn't buy a late-model bike without an original sales receipt that can be confirmed by the shop it was purchased from.... I felt iffy buying my mixte off CL, honestly, and that bike is 24 years old.. probably not stolen, but I don't know for sure.

I'd ask for a photo or a description - color, kind of saddle, pedals, and the serial number - before hooking up with him at the LBS, so you have time to do some legwork on it. If it's legit, he shouldn't have a problem sending you the info.

It does sound fishy - but why in the world would someone be willing to trade a stolen bike for one worth much less? That makes no sense. If they want to be rid of it, just leave it by the side of the road or something...why risk contacting people on Craigslist at all? Maybe it's legit but it's a really old Allez, or maybe there is something severly wrong with it (another good reason to meet at an LBS).

The whole thing certainly sounds extremely odd though. Definitely let us know how it turns out...now I'm curious!

Swapping a stolen item would leave the thief with an item of some value to sell.


You could offer to meet him at the police station!

+1 on the advice above. Another scenerio might be that he'a anxious about selling the bike in that area, and feels as though he'd have a better opportuntiy at selling yours.

Years ago while living in Indiana, a guy was stealing bikes from one college campus and driving a couple of hours and selling them (dirt cheap) at another campus. After he sold the bikes, he would then steal more bikes and return to the first school and sell them. Needless to say, the LBS became involved and that is how this person finally got caught. So long story short, be careful!!:rolleyes:

For all you know he's cobbled together his allez with really old 105 components that are 7 or 8 speed. I don't know how old allez are - but he coulda just gotten a frame and built it up with spare parts hanging around.

Maybe the allez is pretty beat up.


Or he really doesn't know anything at all about bikes. I have bought 9 speed 105 bikes off craigslist for $200-250 a couple of times (mostly to give to relatives who wanted bikes). One was a trek with a really small dent in the top tube, not enough to make the bike unusable or unsafe, but enough to lower the resale value. The other was a performance house brand. Neither were stolen, one was a stay at home mom who was giving up triathalons.

Ask for the serial # and you can have the bike shop check the registries. I've had people who are buying bikes from me ask for that in advance before coming over.

could be a 15 year-old Allez with 105 ridden approximately 15000 miles...might be priced just right...

I agree with "get a photo."

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Originally Posted by GLC1968

It does sound fishy - but why in the world would someone be willing to trade a stolen bike for one worth much less? That makes no sense. If they want to be rid of it, just leave it by the side of the road or something...why risk contacting people on Craigslist at all? Maybe it's legit but it's a really old Allez, or maybe there is something severly wrong with it (another good reason to meet at an LBS).

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It is a risk to sell a stolen bike...by swapping it a thief has a "clean" bike to sell.

Someone said that MOST the good bikes (valuable) bikes on CL are stolen. Not so. But if the guy isn't "down with the lingo"...can't talk bike...you need to have your antenna up. Most of the people who have their bikes stolen don't have the serial numbers recorded, so even if it is stolen, it is never on record. But, on the off chance that it was stolen from a bike shop (most are taken out of open garages) or from someone who actually has the serial number and reported it to the police, you can request it from him and ask a detective at the PD to check it against a hot list. A pawn shop may also be able to do this. IF the serial number has been removed, don't touch it.

And use caution with ANYONE you deal with that is selling something, Craig's list or otherwise. The easiest way to get a stranger into your home or garage or car is to list something for sale.

My police .02.

If the guy is savvy enough to know that the components are 105 and the size of the bike (it's not always easy to tell) and he is able to say that it's an even trade, he's probably savvy enough to know that trading a $1500 bike for a $300 one is asking for trouble (if it is stolen). I guess my point is that it may actually be a $300 bike.

And my husband has bought and sold high end bikes on craigslist. Hell, I sold a car on Craigslist. Just because it's worth something doesn't mean that it is stolen.

But, as others have pointed out, buyer beware...for any number of reasons.

I sold my hubby's Allez with 105 components for around $500 several years ago and it was in pristine condition. So if it is not in the best of shape or an older model Allez, $275 might not be too far off for price. I think it is good to be cautious, but the guy could be on the up and up.