I'm looking at a bike on FB marketplace. It's an immaculate looking top of the range 2021 Firebird. The seller is a student that's selling a lot of bikes, has sold a lot already and has a good rating. All the bike photos are in the same location so I know it's real. The price is $3500 (<2k GBP). To me that's very good... maybe too good?
He's sent me a serial number. Says it's a one-owner bike. He's communication is excellent. I believe he's using his real name. He says he will provide a written receipt but isn't registered for tax.
I've searched bike vault and facebook for stolen bikes and nothing showing that matches.
I've organised to look at it on Sunday and he hasn't asked for a deposit.
How else can I check this isn't dodgier than a Dodge being used as a dodgem in Dodge?
Second hand priced are pretty low at the moment, so I'd not worry about that too much.
This sounds like someone running a sideline in flipping secondhand bikes - I'd go along and trust your gut instinct as to whether it feels dodgy.
How does he want paying? Cash would set alarms ringing a bit.
Second hand prices are still very low, and the discounts (if you were) at the higher end seem amplified. Sounds good to me I’d go for it
Sounds like you're taking the right precautions.
Did you ask where it came from? When I've been worried about a bike I was buying before I have phoned the bike shop that sold it and got them to vouch for the previous owner.
Maybe tricky if purchased online, but just a thought.
Basically, the front's fallen off the market for secondhand Pivots.
Basically, the front's fallen off the market for secondhand Pivots.
Leading to a lot of cracking deals?
But they're not going hand over fist...?
Updates this afternoon are that he bought it from the single previous owner who's details he is happy to give me. He also has the original sram charger.