I bought some brakes recently off the STW classifieds and they were not up to the cosmetic or functional description as suggested in the ad. Is there any way to dispute such things?
Name & Shame is the apparent way forward if the seller doesn't cooperate.
Have you contacted the seller and how did they react? Was it those Codes?
unfortunately i was a recent victim too! 'almost new tyres' had a large puncture hole!I just bit my tongue and accepted that sometimes not everything is 100% perfect. However my experience as a whole has been really good. The majority of sellers are fab.
I'v not heard back from seller after asking for a refund so don't want to comment to much at the moment. I did contact him after I received the goods questioning the ad description and said I wasn't very impressed but no refund was offered so I wont be too surprised if I don't get one. Its my first time buying off the STW classifieds and it might be my last I think. Hopefully its a genuine mistake!
Its my first time buying off the STW classifieds
sorry to hear was a bad experience - over a couple of years i've bought parts off quite a few different people to build up a couple of bikes or so and have had nothing but good experiences
Sad to hear as STW classifieds with -ve feedback
It used to be ace and I've sold tons of stuff with positive feedback but a hole in your tyre?
Did you see pics of the brakes before you bought them? (Just seen the ad and they look and stated as mint)
Was it this ad Sherry:
Avid Code brakes for sale.Levers fully operational, 100% smooth in action and with no damage whatsoever. Slight polishing of lever blades from my gloves but no scratches and scrapes.
Calipers use all stainless hardware and are both in excellent condition although the front does have a couple of stonechips (see pic).
Hoses in great condition and long enough for most bikes.
Front pads are half worn and rear pads are shot.
Brakes have been 100% reliable for the last two years, have masses of power and will never overheat. A proper alpine stopper and great for the heavier riders out there
I would contact the guy as he seems to sell a lot on here and maybe they got damaged in post as my mail is constantly damaged for last 2 weeks which is dodgy royal mail.
Take out postal insurance.
From the pics they look cosmetically fine. Mechanically, whilst a PITA could you solve the problem by bleeding them.
As above it's a shame for your first purchase; I've bought and sold plenty and only had one bad experience. The classifieds unfortunately rely on good faith, and money doesn't bring that out in some folk
It is the Codes mentioned. There was some corrosion on both the levers at the expansion holes due to brake fluid that wasn't mentioned. But most importantly they don't work as the pistons don't reset. I bled the rear brake twice today and its still not working properly!!! If I knew this before hand I most definitely wouldn't have bought them. If I don't get a refund I will take them to my local bike shop to see if they can do something with them. Its the last part for my Meta 6 build which is a real disappointment. I should have spent the extra money and went for new Saints! Doh
Pistons not resetting? I am not sure I understand what you mean. You mean the don't move when you pull the lever or they don't retract and rub on the disc. Sure its not just a case of them needing to be worked in and out a couple of times if they have been sitting a while?
How big is the bit of corrosion?
Corrosion is about the size of a 5 pence. I mean the pistons don't reset when I try to push them back into the calliper. I couldn't get new pads in. I have cleaned the pistons with isopropyl and tried some silicon spray whilst lightly pulling the lever. They have moved a bit but still are not working properly and its been a bit of a faff to get to this stage and thats been two bleeds! Not even touched the front yet! The almost jet black colour of the brake fluid would suggest they haven't been bled in some time.
Thats bad form, seller should offer you something.
Hmmmmmmmmmm
don't sound good. I hope they were cheap.
Did you wind in the lever reach dial before trying to push the pistons back? They wont go back if you don't.Codes can be tricky to reset pistons and change pads and impossible if they have too much fluid in them.
i think the rise in ebay fees mean a lot more tat is coming through the classifieds, which is a shame cos it used to be/can be a top place for shiny new things bought for a song from terminal upgraders
A LOT of stuff on the classifieds is old, battered equipment that the usual suspects sell on at minimal reduction to the RRP (or what they paid for it) to restock their bikes. I am constantly amazed at the amount of people on here trying to recoup money for essentially broken parts.
I mostly buy new, as it reduces the risk of me buying someone else's old tat
They look great in the pictures! There's obviously a difference of opinion on their condition and a good seller will always give a refund, regardless. It's the best thing he can do to protect his good name and only involves the minor inconvenience of selling the same things again. We don't want another case like ti-pinman.
I find that if you request images of the parts advertised, you can get a fair idea as to whether the description is accurate or not. However, when it comes down to how good mechanically the part is, thats the bit you sometimes have to take a chance on. Although I normally find that if the image shows good presentation, in the norm thats down to good service/ maintenance.
My experience of STW classifieds is pretty good having both bought and sold on there. Its unfortunate that your personal experience was not good , but I would say dont give up just yet, give the rest of us the benefit of the doubt.
Edit. I have now seen the images and as previously said, from what you can see they look good and the seller has taken detailed shots as well. I would wait to see what kind of reaction you get back. If they are as good as the add suggests, Im sure he will offer a full refund.
It's a shame you had a bad experience sherry - hopefully it'll get sorted
Personally - I avoid those sellers that only appear to be here so that they can use the classifieds for free & have no real interest in the community as a whole
Just look at their posting history before bidding & if the only ever post in the classifieds, I'd avoid like the plague
Sherry,
Sorry to here the STW Classifieds haven't been plain sailing. If it eases your mind, I've bought and sold on here for about 6yrs now and only ever had 1 minor issue, which was resolved easily with reason.
Be persistent and keep calm... Good luck!
Rob.
Unlucky and hope your sorted.
Personally I never buy off someone who only posts on these forums to sell stuff, if I was in control of these forums I'd not allow classified sellers who don't post elsewhere. I don't buy off them for principles and wonder why they can have so much stuff to sell.
I've had a fair bit of stuff from the Classifieds which has been fine and some great sellers who have been more than pleasant and helpful. However, had my first bit of "tat" in August, didn't fit the part in question up until a couple of weeks ago (it had been stored as I changed my mind on build) and discovered a vital thread is totally stripped (along with some minor bits damaged/missing). I'm in the process of trying to get seller to admit it. As above it's a shame that one or two spoil it for the rest.
It is true that one mans good condition can be stretched. Sometimes the stretching becomes ridiculous. Its made me abit wary about buying from STW and if I do it'll be collection only and in daylight.
'Just serviced' or 'they dont need a service as hardly used' I found usually means:
'the outside of the fork looks fairly clean when washed but they need TLC to the internals asap'.
Hi sorry to hear it all went bad.
What uplink says, I use to buy from the classifeid when I was in the uk and I kinda miss it (no such thing in France saddly).
But I always been carefull to only buy from people who mostly post on the chat and bike forum. Plus there is a few usual suspect on here I would not buy stuff from but that from personal reason.
Talk to peterpoddy if you want your faith restorded in the classified
Well I just received an email saying he cant offer a refund due to I have "played around with them". The cosmetic condition doesn't bother me so much as he wasn't honest and to say something is in excellent condition and it isn't is just wrong. The almost jet black brake fluid that came out wouldn't suggest they were well looked after. Apparently using a Park tool piston press is big no no to this guy as well. I got blamed for not adjusting the pad contact system before trying to reset pads and then not bleeding the system correctly. I checked the Sram PDF and you tube page before attempting to do anything to the brakes. An expensive (£110) lesson and that was without rotors or adapters. I will try and get good bike mechanic to fix them at more cost.
sherry, some people are to55ers mate...........
one thing for sure everyone who reads this post will NOT buy from DanEvs
now we have seen his form.
very very bad form indeed.............
Sherry, It's always worth clicking on the user name to see their history of posting, some people only sign up to sell stuff and I normally avoid buying from them. Shite form though if they are not as described, hope you get sorted soon.
Is this hie email?
dangiantevans@hotmail.com
Only comes on here to sell stuff, best follow the advice from Drac and juan et al.
More and more STW seems to be becoming two forums. Those who sell on the classifieds and those who post on the bike and chat forums.
I am myself far from being a prolific poster, but every time I take a look at the classifieds I seem to see fewer and fewer names I recognize.
I used to buy and for that matter sell on the classifieds a fair amount and like many fellow STWers have never had a bad experience. Now, however, I am wary. Not that there is much that interests me over there at the moment
Could do with a system like the Talk Photography forum classifieds imo, though I've bought and sold a reasonable amount of stuff and everyone has been great.
Cheers for the advise. Hopefully I can get them sorted soon and cheaply!
I've always had a positive experience with the classifieds and met some jolly nice folks as well. Hell, I've even sent free stuff out to folks to keep the single speed love and bike karma going, so not everyone is a money grabbing ****
Don't let one bad experience put you off, we're not all like that.
There seems to be less of the amazing bargains... But that could just be my imagination and I'm not really checking the Classified regularly as I don't need anything.
I bought some clobber off a guy (brakes, bloke called Alex) years ago and they weren't even the model specified (older, naffer etc.). Eventually tracked down his phone number via ads on another site, and it was clear that he knew what he was up to, and I wouldn't get anywhere via small claims.
Eventually I found out that even though they were naff mountain bike brakes, the trials boys loved them, so I cleaned them up and stuck them on ebay - sold for more than I paid for them. Which was a bit of a result!
Lesson I learned was buyer beware - just because people are matey on here doesn't mean there aren't tossers knowingly selling rubbish.
maybe some form of points scoring , and dare i say feed back like ebay , bad luck if you have been sold shit / not as described , but as we know 9/10 times its buyer beware.
I always include words to the effect of if you feel you have been misled, I will happily refund your money upon receipt of goods.
Have always requested that buyer confirms receipt of goods and is happy with them. Never had a problem with selling although I did purchase a seatpost which wasn't the length it was supposed to be.
At the end of the day, I have met a lot of people off here and just wouldn't want a rubbish reputation so honesty is the best policy.
Hmmm I agree with CG; bought and sold a fair few bits off here. Anything I sell, am always happy to refund if the buyer isn't happy, as thats how I'd prefer to be treated. Never been asked for a refund though, but that maybe reflects my approach.
+1 Andy
I think the key is to check the sellors posting history.
I don't worry too much about cheaper items but more expensive things I either try to pick u in person or I ask around if anyone knows the person if I don't know them from the forum
Only bought of the classifieds half a dozen times but never an issue
Buying any second hand Avid Hydro brake is dicey IMO. They need more fettling than a women. I once bought some Hayes brakes off a bloke on here and some forks. The forks were mint and the brakes. The brakes had the same problem as yours. He did infact give me £30 quid back and I got them sorted for less than that so I was very happy. Some good guys out there too.
sorry to hear about your purchase. But i can confirm that the vast majority of STWers are much better than that. I don't think i could afford to keep biking if it wasn't for the generosity shown in this forum.
I've had some real good bargains off here but also had a few supect sales, mainly down to condition of item, one persons mint/as new is anothers pretty wrecked.
Recenky bought a thomson post described as new, when it arrived it had a big section of anodise missing and leg wear to the clamps, to his credit he did refund some money when contacted but why describe it as new when it very clearly isn't?
Totally agree with Blazin-saddles, this underlines the fact that detailed images are the way to try and cut this down. If people refuse to do this then steer clear.
I've bought enough parts for almost 3 complete builds on STW. All but one purchase have been fine. I've been picky as to what I buy but most of it has been in mint condition.
The one that didn't work out was for a load of parts in "as new" condition but which weren't (in my view, and as others have said, there will always be differences of opinion here), and 1 thing was missing, and 1 thing was a different model to that advertised.
After being patient, persistent, and looking for a solution that worked for both of us (makes it harder to say no to a refund), I got the vast majority of my money back. It did take several months, a lot of emails and work, and the threat of the small claims court though.
I asked for and got the help of a lot of people (on here and elsewhere) once I explained what had happended - sellers phone number, address, google turned up helpful info, the sellers work mates provided info (without knowing the details). This allowed me to get the details needed for a small claims court case - a confirmed name and address. Home phone and mobile numbers meant we could talk - always better than emails and there was always the option of explaining to their wife why I had called (wife's name found via google and voters register).
The legal angle is one of misrepresentation and you might find your home contents cover provides a free legal advice line.
I would support a feedback system - many of the hifi classified sites I've used have one and it seems to work OK.
As others have said, I have started to search the forums for the username and see what's been said by others etc.
Overall, it's still a good place to find 2nd hand stuff but I'm increasingly wondering how much of it is stolen - where are some people getting all of the items they sell from? If you track some of the sellers on here and on other forums, it isn't obvious were they are getting them from and you wouldn't (typically) be buying that quantity for your own use). Makes you wonder.
smurf
There's nothing to stop you adding feedback comments onto a classifieds thread once the sale is done. I've done it a few times but only to say who's been good rather than poor (never been shafted and "disappointed" only twice) and I fell back out of the habit anyway
iv'e only ever had problems with one person online (touch wood) other than that iv'e been lucky and had some cracking bargins off here as well.
smurf was your problem with that guy dave ???? aka konamad and ringlemike on the retrobike forum and ebay name hughesdavo as he coursed me no end of bother after i brought some old xt m735 cranks off him 4 months and small claims court threat then "like new 175mm cranks" didn't turn up but some 170mm battered affairs did 👿
Not aimed at the OP, but what if the buyer lies and really does mess the goods up?
(I'm selling my bike soon and friend said to offer no quibble refund etc but what if someone damages your gear and tries that on?
Take loads of pictures before and after? film the wrapping procedure on way to post office or just insure with royal fail? (personally I've sold a few bits here and been lucky that nobody pulled a fast one on me.)
I think classifieds need a guide and set rules/insurance but this would take free ad away and be chargeable.
It's just an idea and maybe I'll get a flaming but over on Retrobike if a purchase goes well / or not well then there is a feedback forum.
[url= http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=36077 ]Like here[/url]
As you can see I sold a pair of nice Pace RC30's I desrcibed 'em posted em and all was well
EDIT - Ignore
smurf. If I sold something on STW and the buyer said it was the opposite of what he/she was expecting (or similar prob)- I'd ask them to send it back asap and I'd refund their postage.
I've only ever sent back two items- strangely both were forks and a third set had a scratch on the stanchions.
I wouldn't buy forks on STW again. Just wouldn't unless it was someone I rode with regularly.
Isn't it the point to put any old crap on STW classifieds because all you mugs will buy it! 😕 😆
Since I settled with the lad on my last purchase I cant say owt but flippinheckler you are alot closer to the mark (IMO) than you might think.
Even if you ask for numerous pics they can have been taken early on in the products life, from selected angles or at a lower resolution.
Maybe you got different brakes from the pictures, but they do look in good condition. I don't see any evidence of corrosion anywhere and the lever blades look marked from gloves not corroded. I'll grant the inward face of the calliper isn't showing in any of the pictures though.
The way you're talking about the bleed you've done suggests that you might not know that much about brake bleeding?
Alternatively, perhaps your expectations of 'good condition' were too high - it certainly doesn't mean shop new in my book.
Just a different perspective like. 😉
Maybe STW should impliment a scoreing system like classic car adverts? (although they use it more to stop people traveling 400miles for a rust bucket).
1 - Mint, still in the box, unused
2 - Nearly mint, used, but not looking too bad
3 - You've used it, it looks used, but still looks good and works flawlessly
4 - Its gonna need some work in the next few months
5 - Spares
did you pay by paypal - Id put a claim in through them if you did.
Have any of the mods commented yet re this?? I appreciate you cant check every item being sold but it must be obvious who's here just to sell (and not contributing).
well i hope your happy with the frame from me hora 😉 is it built up yet tho ?
A feedback forum for the classified seems to be the best way forward. Not buying from people who don't contribute to the 'community' is a morally motivated choice. I am sure there are plenty of people who don't contribute to the other fora, even if they read them, and yet wouldn't dream of ripping someone off. Encouraging people to add comments to the appropriate classified thread once the deal has been completed would be another option, but the vast majority of people are likely to forget.
Have any of the mods commented yet re this?? I appreciate you cant check every item being sold but it must be obvious who's here just to sell (and not contributing).
There's been a few threads of a similar vein on here & Mark has made it clear that he feels the apparent spate of 'dodgy' deals is just down to increased volume & it's no worse [or better] than previously.
I guess the issue of people just here to sell is a double edged sword for them, I would think the ad rates are based on unique page views so the more people that come here, the better - regardless.
mi©k - oh yes. Did you see the pic of me riding it this weekend from the STW Peaks Pootle ride?
Its going off for a powdercoat of RAL 5018 next week and I have a brand new set of stickers to fit 😀
Don't get me started... grrrr
My Foes was ****ered... incorrect spring (advertised with a 350lb one, came with a 500lb one) and the shock internals were shattered.
It cost me a further £200 to fix / obtain correct spring and then the friendly peeps on here all accused me of being the guy I bought it off ..
i.e. one IWH/ Hamish Anderson / Big dutch
I guess I was one of the lucky ones as I got a partial refund and a mangy old air shock off a foes 4X which I traded in..
people are still owed monies are they not?
(sorry for digging up old issues / pain / memories
The only thing I bought was a pr of Reba teams from Jamesgarbett last year.not as described seals were shot and the steerer tube looked like it was cut with a chainsaw. I sent him emails but no reply. Never again on here.
That's what annoys me - some people seem to think that selling things online is a license to " be imaginative" with the truth..
"it's OK, cos it's online innit, they expect it"
etc
grr
Why not just make it like some other forums where you have to have more than a certain number of posts on the site (e.g. 250) and to have been a member for some time (e.g. 6 months) to be able to post in the classifieds forum? Might cut down on the ad revenue though I suppose... 🙄
[url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/gutted-dodgy-chainreaction-service ]Ironic?[/url]
no i didnt hora you should have bought a crappy one if you were gonna repaint not my shiney one ;-( i dont know lol . as long as your happy 😉
if i bought goods off here that were not up to scratch, i would ask for a refund.
if no refund or replies were forthcoming, i would visit the delivery address and get my money back.............or inflict some nastiness on the seller.
and i am being serious.
everything that i have sold on here has been in the condition it was advertised in.
usually mint.
i have never had one complaint.
i send next day, usually guarenteed too.
there are about 10 people on the classifieds who advetise on a regular basis..........i would not touch these people with a shitty stick.
most of them are known to be iffy saleswise.
and if not happy you shouls always name and shame so to warn other potential buyers........... 8)
hmm...
\begin{tuppence}
this sort of post has been around a little bit recently - I have bought and sold soooo much stuff on STW...only today I've had the offer of free rotor bolts (having bought sommut else off the fella)...
I also offered full refund on purchases where there could have been a dispute over quality - this was taken once, and then the item was sold not long after with no complaints - people just have different ideas of condition.
feedback would be great - but judging by the variety of comments etc. it might not actually be that consistent.
And I permanently hate the whole thing about posting on other fora just to post on classifieds, some people have things to say others just like reading through (I'm somewhere in the middle)...
look at the profile, if it is "member for 2 weeks, purely classifieds SALES (not wtds) and no info or contact details" then beware...but otherwise, it IS second hand stuff, I've found you generally get what you pay for!
there are some fan-bloomin-tastic STWers on here, and long may they remain!
\end{tuppence}
if no refund or replies were forthcoming, i would visit the delivery address and get my money back.............or inflict some nastiness on the seller.
And face prosecution for all sorts of offences?
nice face 😉 shame about the boxhead army jacket tho 🙄 next time im in the attic i will have to dig out my old army gortex and flog it to you lol
mi©k- it works really well. I've just bought a British Army Goretex one as well.
Admittedly it does look abit 'chavvy' on the trails however I've always looked like Ive been dragged through a hedge backwards clothingwise on the bike. I wore the same Kona shorts for 6years and when they were hanging off I was asked- when are you going to bin those?! 😀
Strangely- I think those forks are possibly faulty (oil-locked or something) but I bought them from a bikeshop new...
ironic...seeing as the last two forks that I bought off of STW desperately needed a service asap..
teej...........yes.
aye the german kit is alright just makes you look like a boxhead lol tbh its better than the remf issue kit the british army supply (or used to)
ton - Memberteej...........yes
Been there before has our ton, hasn't he?
simple...........you try and rip someone off, suffer the consequences.