Experiences buying from Craigslist/Ebay?

[Lisa Holman]

Anyone get any amazing deals this way? Any advice for buying from online listings?

[Pedal Wench]

I've bought a bunch of bikes and gear from ebay. I always try to ask a very specific question about a product -- that way I know it's probably a legit seller. Good luck!

[Cataboo]

I've bought 2 bikes off ebay, and a bike frame - one bike & a frame off craigslist. The bf's bought 1 bike off ebay and 2 from craigslist.

Craigslist is easy - you can see the bike and you can test ride it. Depending on your area, sometimes it can be pretty competitive to get the really good deals on nice bikes... At least it is around here. And there's a heck of a lot of people that think their 10 year old schwinn or some such is still worth $200. But the bikes we've bought on craigslist have been great deals.

As for ebay - definitely pay a lot of attention to the seller's measurements. I once bought a frame that I know & wanted in a 49 cm size... It was listed as a 49 cm. The frame arrived and it had a sticker on it that said 52 cm frame. Making it way too large for me, but it fit the bf and he built it up for himself. The seller did reluctantly state that he would take that frame back & refund my money if I really really wanted.

Another bike was significantly upgraded from the original specs - I think I eventually found that the cassette was not ultegra level like was claimed in the ebay listing (not a huge deal, but not something I noticed till I changed the cassette for some reason)... and someone had put 172.5 mm cranks on a 650c 49 cm bike. I hadn't thought to ask them the crank length - and found it bizarre that anyone would think that someone needed 172.5 mm cranks on that small of a bike anyways - I bought smaller cranks to put on it, eventually decided I hated the bike and ebayed it - I didn't lose any money on the whole deal.

My litespeed I got on ebay for an amazing price, was in great shape - at the point I saw it, it kinda had no details other than 49 cm litespeed and some pics. I went into the archives on litespeed, figured out what it was & what the components were on it if it was still stock, and just did the buy it now because what the seller wanted was at a price that I was willing to deal with what I got. I wasn't too clear on the sizing, but if it didn't fit, it just meant the bf was going to get a great price on a litespeed and I was gonna pout. But it worked out and it's my favorite bike ever.

My bf's got his litespeed on ebay. A good price, but not great - except that I guess DHL must have laid the box flat in the truck & packed a bunch of boxes on top of it and the box musta slide back and forth in the truck - so while the bike was absolutely fine, it had screwed up the hub of the wheel. DHL gave him like $800 for a new wheel in the insurance claim... thus making it a great deal.

bikepedia.com is a good resource when you're trying to figure out what a buyer is selling and a price point.

[Cataboo]

bing.com gives cashback on ebay buy it now purchases - I think it's at about 8% now - but that can reduce how much you spend on a bike on ebay.

[eofelis]

I buy things from ebay from time to time. I have never bought from craigslist.

I just bought a "custom" 41cm Gunnar Sport frame with a Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork on ebay for ~$250. Looks like someone had it made for themself and it didn't work for them for one reason or another. I was thinking of getting a custom Sport made for myself; the frame alone is $1000+. This one I got is the exact size I'd have made. The fit is perfect and the ride quality of this frame is outstanding. (I'll post more on this bike, with pics, later.)

When I saw the auction, I knew what it was and I put a stupidly high max bid to make sure I'd get it. It went for a lot less than I thought it would.

When buying on ebay its a good idea to know exactly what you want so you can recognize it when an auction comes up. I have several saved searches on ebay for items I'm looking for. I get emailed when an auction fitting that description comes up. Like, I have a Gunnar saved search.

[Kiwi Stoker]

We have had good success purchasing parts off eBay. Just make sure if there's not enough info or pictures, ask questions. You soon get a fair idea if the person knows his stuff or is just clearing the junk and the item is as described.

We brought our tandem off Trademe (NZ version of Craiglist). If you know what you are looking for and can confirm the actual product (we drove 1 1/2 hours to look at the tandem) it's well worth it.

I have also sold a bike this way and was happy with the price I got, I just made sure I was honest about the bike and realistic about what I could get for it. It sold first time!

[Yelsel]

I have not bought a bike off of ebay, but have gotten several through Craigslist. Or looking around the house, um many from Craigslist.

The tally:
2 bikes that I love that were not deals: bikes 1 and 2.
1) An orange Schwinn Fastback Stingray with all original parts, great remaining paint job... still $200 is a little high for a 1972 coaster Stingray. This was a (considered / researched overnight) impulse buy while getting my mom a cruiser bike.
2) My baby, a 1998 lugged steel celeste Bianchi Eros. $580 is definitely on the high side even considering great shape / low milage, but I love her and don't regret a penny. I was confident buying a Bianchi road bike for fit, because I have a 2005 Bianchi Castro Valley commuter. I also brought my trainer to set up the bike and for initial test of comfort before test riding.

1 bike I overpaid for and regretted... bike 3.
1) This was from college kids who "refurbished" bikes... the one that I wanted to look at was sold, and there was a Mixte -- really was an impulse buy, $120 for a 1970's Raleigh Sprint 5. This is about average for a tuned-up bike, but this one was not done very well. I've re-tuned but don't like the upright ride... will offer it to friends first, then re-Craigslist.

2 great deals that I am thrilled with, bikes 4 and 5
1) Bike for my sister: 1970's Seinke Mixte, 45 cm; new 24" tires, newish brakes and levers, newish click shifter, and new pedals. Only $75 -- wonderful find from a person that just likes scrounging parts, building up bikes, and selling them near cost. (Versus most people that shine up old bikes with minimal tuneups and sell for 2-3x original cost.)
2) Mixte for me: early 1980's Raleigh Super Course Mixte, with 531 Reynolds chromoly, including new 700c wheels with a 16 cog. The front has a 40 chainring, and I can take the upper 52 chainring off; I just need to slap on tubes, tires, and a chain and I have a $95 "Fixte." The frame does to be redone, great for me: I want a pixte (pink fixie mixte). I couldn't ride on rims(!) but I did measure the dimensions.

[tjf9]

1 craigslist and a few ebay deals. Craigslist was a great deal on a tri bike. I got the impression it was a bad breakup, because the 5'10" guy selling a bike for a 5'3" person also threw in 2 pairs of women's shoes with cleats with the bike. I think he just wanted the stuff gone.

Ebay - my previous and current road bike. Previous road bike was a great deal, but didn't end up fitting quite the way I needed it to. I still rode it for a year and sold it to a friend who loves it. I got many compliments (and offers) on that bike.

Current bike I bought the frame/fork and gruppo (SRAM Rival) on ebay. Rest of the parts at the LBS. I love love love this bike! It was a good deal (but not outstanding). The parts were a great deal though - and from an authorized dealer so I still have warranty on them.

I look for listings with lots and lots of pictures, and I'm not afraid to ask questions. I also like to see some reputation, although the higher the reputation score, the more likely they will put a high reserve on it. The best deals come from folks who don't really know what they have...

[eofelis]

I just bought a "custom" 41cm Gunnar Sport frame with a Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork on ebay for ~$250. Looks like someone had it made for themself and it didn't work for them for one reason or another. I was thinking of getting a custom Sport made for myself; the frame alone is $1000+. This one I got is the exact size I'd have made. The fit is perfect and the ride quality of this frame is outstanding. (I'll post more on this bike, with pics, later.)

When I saw the auction, I knew what it was and I put a stupidly high max bid to make sure I'd get it. It went for a lot less than I thought it would.

UPDATE:
Here is the 41cm Gunnar Sport frame I won on ebay. The ride quality of this little bike is outstanding.

[uforgot]

Nice! You scored big on that one. Congrats! I have a Gunnar search on ebay also, along with Waterford, Mondonico...

[DebbieDowner]

Ebay purchase this week New 2008 ScottContessa with Shimano 105's $700. I hope it is a good deal.

[Jaclyn]

I have bought (or tried to buy) several bikes on eBay with mixed experiences:

The good:
1) Older Dave Scott Centurion Ironman (first bike specifically built for triathlons) ... good price, easy transaction, bike as described. Seller was someone cleaning out the garage and did a very good job.
2) Seven ti road bike ... great price, outstanding service from communication thru shipping and after. Seller was a friend of the estate (bike's owner had died of breast cancer) and worked at a bike shop. Super guy, super bike and I always find an inner reserve of strength when I think of the bike's original owner and see that Ironman Kona sticker on my tube.
3) Co-Motion S&S coupled tandem ... great price, great service and fast shipping (even when the cost turned out to be far more than seller had anticipated).

The bad:
1) DeRosa King (for my husband) ... was high bidder but didn't meet the reserve price. Received a "Second Chance Offer" from seller and accepted / paid. As you'd know if you read eBay's help, second chance offers are at the bidder's max price. The seller didn't understand this and tried to extract hundreds of extra dollars from me. When that didn't work, he cancelled the sale. Yes, I eventually got my money refunded but I didn't have access to the funds for five days. The eBay Resolution Center can't force him to honor the sales contract, and I filed a Seller Nonperformance report against him. He thinks I was "trying to take advantage of him." I think he didn't bother to understand how eBay works, and made an offer that he refused to honor.

2) I'm not bidding right now on the replacement to the above - a Cervelo Soloist - because I fear the same inexperience level in the seller who has only one feedback rating. He sold the bike for $2,000 and wrote a positive review of the buyer for his prompt payment. But now less than a week later he has the bike relisted (and with a starting price of $2,100). I've asked him to explain why the deal fell through but haven't had a response. I'm staying a mile away from that seller.

So as a few other people said, ask questions not just to ensure it is the bike you want but also to judge the service, knowledge and attitude of the seller. You can predict a lot about the service you'll receive just by asking a simple question.

[azfiddle]

I got a Trek hybrid on Craigslist for a good price and sold it again when I got my road bike, for the exact same amount. (Not until I got it out to sell it, did I realize that although I had ridden it 250 miles in 6 weeks, that the frame was too big for me! I could ride it, but not stand over it.

My husband has gotten some older bikes, refurbished them and sold them for a profit from Craigslist.

Ebay: I just ordered a Canari jacket with sleeves that zip off to make it a vest- for $20 plus shipping. List price: $70. It is supposed to arrive today! Hope it lives up to the reviews, but that seems like a good deal to me.

[SLash]

I bought my Scott CR1 Pro off of ebay about 3 years ago. At that time I had only bought small items off of ebay and so was very nervous about what I might find when I received the bike from the seller, but it was just too good a deal to pass up. I did check him out and the bike to the extent I could but it still felt like a big gamble. No problems with it though, the bike arrived in the condition and with the components as promised.

[zia]

Bought a bike off Craigslist this summer. My first time, my first road bike. Seller seemed honest and personable. Got the bike home, went for a ride, and noticed the head tube was cracked. In two places. Ugh. This was a known (not to me) issue for this particular model of bike. I was very fortunate to be able to resolve the issue through the manufacturer, despite not being the original owner. (And I'll forever be loyal to Terry Cycles because of it.) Then, discovered that the master cyclometer was mysteriously stuck at 700 miles. The owner of my LBS laughed when I asked him if the bike had 700 miles on it.

The seller was very cooperative, and we ultimately renegotiated the price of the bike. My lessons for next time:

1) Google bike and year for any known problems prior to seeing it.
2) Thoroughly inspect the frame for any defects. (Seems like a no-brainer, but in my delight at finding the bike, I didn't.)
3) Consider the benefits of paying with PayPal. Their dispute resolution service was worth the extra cost (3% surcharge to seller, which I paid), at least to me in this particular instance.

I know of many people who have had positive experiences, and I think my mistakes were entirely due to my own naivety and general bad luck. Lesson learned, and shared.