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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...
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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.