Quote Originally Posted by GLC1968 View Post
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).
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.