Buying a bike off Ebay: The Good, Bad and Ugly

[cherinyc]

Hi Ladies -
I recently tested (and loved) a 2008 WSD Specialized Myka Comp MT Bike. This particular bike, which is in my price range, had 1 fault. It's an 8 speed vs a 9 speed, and my FH (future husband) insists that a 9 speed is a must. The step up model that IS a 9 speed is of course $400 more - putting it OUT of my rice range.

As fate would have it, I was searching ebay, and found the EXACT bike I tested (same size, color, model, year, etc) that a guy is selling because his wife is too tall for it. He has upgraded it to the 9 speed already, and starting bid is lower than the 8 speed bike would be in the store. The listing had lots of close up pics, and after 2 days of fretting, I took a leap and placed a bid. I am really nervous about it (haven't really used ebay that much) but the guy has been a member since 2004 and has 15 ratings at 100% positive. I looks like he sells a lot of bike parts, so he may be a bike shop worker () maybe?

I bought my road bike from a lbs when I lived in NJ and was happy to spend the money for the service I received - but, it just seemed too perfect of a chance to pass up. I also think I am protected through PayPal if the bike is not as described.

Any Ebay experiences out there? I want to hear them all - The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly!!!!

Thanks

[badgercat]

Well, I've never purchased anything cycling-related off of eBay, but I have had one "ugly" experience where I ordered a collector's edition DVD set that was described as "in original packaging" (which should have been a nice, gate-fold box thing), and was sent DVD's that were packaged as individual rentals from Hollywood Video! With the Hollywood labels still on the cases! The nerve!

I was promised a refund, so I shipped the DVD's back like a sucker, and after a few weeks hadn't received my refund after several emails to the seller and opening an eBay dispute and such. I finally filed a claim with PayPal, and within a few days they ruled in my favor, and I got a full refund.

Obviously, my item was worth much less than a bicycle, but it's at least 'proof of concept' that PayPal has a pretty good system in place to protect buyers. However, don't be afraid to ask the seller lots of questions to make sure you know what you're getting into and protect yourself from getting burned in the first place! Any good seller should be happy to answer questions about an item.

I haven't bought a ton of stuff on eBay, but I have been using it for over 4 years now and that's the only time I've ever really had a big problem.

Good luck!

[bambu101]

I recently got a great deal on a Terry Classic off eBay, and it was about 1/2 the price of comparable bikes on the Terry Buy and Sell section of their website. I am very happy with it!

[cherinyc]

I recently got a great deal on a Terry Classic off eBay, and it was about 1/2 the price of comparable bikes on the Terry Buy and Sell section of their website. I am very happy with it!

Thanks for sharing that. Were you skeptical? Isn't it sad that there are so many things to distrust these days? I just don't want to be scammed. After riding this bike around the bike shop for an hour (it was raining/flooding outside) I was sad to leave the store without her. Seeing the same bike on Ebay gave me hope.....which I am prepared to have shattered.

[mimitabby]

I bought my bianchi off ebay and except for the fact that it was used a lot more than they said it was, it was a wonderful deal.

[Blueberry]

I think the most important thing is to have contact with the seller. You might email some questions? I purchased a Surly off of Ebay a couple of years ago. It was an impulse purchase (of sorts), but a shop was selling it and they listed their phone number. I called them, and they answered all my questions. I had to get a few things re-done (for example, they didn't use the correct splitter on the brakes according to my LBS), but overall it was a great experience. After about $100 (including labor), it was perfect. I love the bike. Funny - I was in a shop that's near me (about 2 hours away, but somewhere I go often), and was talking to the owner about the bike. Turns out, it was his wife's bike (he moved to NC from TX).

CA

[cherinyc]

Funny - I was in a shop that's near me (about 2 hours away, but somewhere I go often), and was talking to the owner about the bike. Turns out, it was his wife's bike (he moved to NC from TX).

CA

That makes me feel less guilty. If a bike shop owner is SELLING on Ebay, it can't be all that bad to BUY on Ebay.

[emily_in_nc]

I have bought a used mountain bike on ebay, and a new road bike frame/fork. Both were from small LBS dealers. Both experiences were positive ones. I have also sold a bike on ebay (expensive tandem), and that also went well. I'm getting ready to list another bike on ebay today, in fact.

Generally, if the seller has good positive feedback and has been around awhile, you're not going to get scammed. Lots of photos (not from manufacturer's site!) are also very helpful as they you know they actually have the bike in hand. It's good that you did your homework ahead of time so know what size you need. One thing you may want to do, like someone else mentioned, is just establish contact with the seller. If he doesn't have all the bike's measurements listed on the website, have him measure the top tube or something. That both establishes contact and ensures that he is the communicative sort, and ensures that you are getting the size advertised. The only thing that *might* have gone just a bit "wrong" with one of my purchases is that after measuring it myself, I think the frame I got may have been one size larger than it was listed as, but thankfully, it still worked for me.

It will probably be just fine. Breeeeeeeeeeeeeeeathe! And let us know how it all turns out!

Emily

[Blueberry]

*thread hijack*

What bike are you selling, Emily?? Not your Aegis?!!!

[Southside Sally]

I bought my Blue on eBay and had a perfectly wonderful experience, whcih was great, because it was a high end bike. I got a great deal, and I love the bike. Just make sure you check the seller's feedback, and correspond with them prior to buying, if possible. Good luck!

[cherinyc]

One thing you may want to do, like someone else mentioned, is just establish contact with the seller. If he doesn't have all the bike's measurements listed on the website, have him measure the top tube or something. That both establishes contact and ensures that he is the communicative sort, and ensures that you are getting the size advertised. Emily

This is my fear. Although I have read others feedback about him, and all is good....I asked a question Friday night and he hasn't responded. My FH had a point, that he could've gone away for the weekend or something, but it's still freaking me out.

[uforgot]

I've purchased two mountain bikes and a Burley road frame. All experiences were good. Make sure you check (read!) all of their feedback. I also don't do any business at all with someone who sells something that isn't nicely displayed. It shows they care, but if it's in the garage with junk all around it, they don't. I've even seen pics where they don't even bother to take it from behind stuff. Lots of pics and ask them at least one question and see how they respond. I also don't deal with anyone who appears to be even the least obnoxious in their descriptions. You know, the ones who threaten about non paying bidders and such. There is probably a reason they have problems. I've been buying and selling on ebay for 10 years and the only bad buying/selling experience was on TE! I paid, she didn't send and disappeared.

Also, pay with a credit card. That way you have options if things don't go well. I always use a credit card for big ticket items. Don't think that paypal will help, they won't (my TE purchase), but you can always dispute through your credit card.

And, uh, yeah Emily, which bike are you selling?

[uforgot]

This is my fear. Although I have read others feedback about him, and all is good....I asked a question Friday night and he hasn't responded. My FH had a point, that he could've gone away for the weekend or something, but it's still freaking me out.

Sometimes they only answer on weekdays because it is coming from a business. Don't freak until after tomorrow.

By the way, I just purchased a Myka and love it!

[cherinyc]

Don't freak until after tomorrow.

Umm, I'll try. If only I could tear myself away from the computer.

[Pedal Wench]

I've had lots of good experiences -- bought 5 bikes/frames off of Ebay, all with good luck.

Like others have said, establish contact with the seller -- they might take more care with shipping if they 'know' you.

Also, watch the bidding. Many people wait until the very last second to snipe in with a last-minute winning bid. Be prepared with your highest offer to go in at the last (and I'm serious -- with 5 seconds to go) minute with the most you're willing to spend.