Have you ever sold/bought a bike on EBay?

[xeney]

Yeah, this is our only bad eBay experience in years of buying stuff there. But it was a really expensive bad experience, unfortunately!

My husband said to mention the type of packing you would use -- or saying that the LBS is packing it up for you is also really good. He said that would be a factor if he ever bought another bike on eBay. (The one sent to him was also poorly packaged -- the fork was damaged in shipping.)

[Technotart]

If you aren't an experienced e-bay shopper/seller I would like to point out that the best way to protect yourself is to ONLY deal with people who use paypal. While it doesn't guarantee that the transaction is perfect ie: the previous posters situation - at least you have recourse.

If someone wants to send you a check or money order, make it clear in your listing that you will not ship the item until the payment has cleared the bank. AND NEVER EVER EVER let someone talk you into the "I'll send you a check for 5000 for the 50.00 item, you send me back the 3500 and ship the item - upi can keep the other 1000" That is ALWAYS a scam - generally those people approach you by saying they'd like to handle the sale outside of e-bay. DONT DO IT. The checks never clear and you are left short the cash you took out to send them. I know it sounds like it should be obvious, but it really happens and people really do get suckered. Don't do business with anyone who wants to close the deal "off e-bay" and asks you to de-list your item.

If you have your heart set on a minimum price, set a reserve price up front!!!!

If you are sending a check or money order to someone for an item, make sure it is a traceable one - from your bank is best. Money Orders are too hard to trace.

I just deal with paypal. period. no ands ifs or buts.

[jeannierides]

All great advice! My SO has bought two Colnago bike frames, many many parts, and sold a bike frame. For the most part, he has had good experiences.

[eofelis]

I have not yet sold a bike or frame on ebay, but we have sold many bike parts on there. Some things sell for more than I expect, some for less. We have some frames here that need to be sold. My SO has a fancy steel Colnago frame he wants to sell eventually. He's been watching auctions for similiar items to see what he might get for his.

I did buy a nice frame on ebay in the spring. It's a 13.5" Gunnar Rockhound mtn bike. It's a sweet steel frame that retails for around $800. I got it $200

[emily_in_nc]

I bought my Aegis Swift frame and fork on eBay from a small bike shop. I got it for about 1/3 of retail (brand new, but an older model year), and the deal went perfectly. Since the seller was a bike shop, the shipping was professionally done and reasonably priced. But you do have to be very careful, check feedback religiously.

I also sold a nearly new tandem bicycle on eBay. I included tons of pictures and many details. Actually got quite a few bids and got a very good price for it. I had a local bike shop that deals in tandems package it, and I split the cost of that with the buyer (it was higher than usual since it was a tandem). That transaction also went very smoothly, although the buyer never emailed me to tell me that he got the bike, never left feedback, etc. That was a bit odd, but at least he paid!

My brother-in-law bought a bike for our niece on eBay, and although the shipping was slower than he expected, it turned out well also.

I have read that there is more fraud in bicycle sales on eBay than just about any other category (computers possibly excepted). Be very careful out there as there are unscrupulous sellers trying to "sell" stolen bikes or advertising bikes for sale that they don't even have or have any intent of selling. One tip-off is pictures from the manufacturers site rather than their own photos.

Emily

[Adventure Girl]

I bought this bike on ebay. I got a great deal, but shipping was almost as much as the price of the bike. These things weigh a ton! As with everything on ebay... if you're a buyer, beware. If you're a seller, be honest and be careful!

[emily_in_nc]

I bought this bike on ebay. I got a great deal, but shipping was almost as much as the price of the bike. These things weigh a ton! As with everything on ebay... if you're a buyer, beware. If you're a seller, be honest and be careful!

Hi AG ~ I used to have a bike almost JUST like this as a kid, and I just realized something, it was PINK! With streamers coming out the end of the handlebars! And a sparkley banana seat! Wow....the original pink bike, and I'd forgotten all about it until I saw this photo. Thanks for the memories!

Emily