[Closed] too good to be true? -- online bike shop

That is the dodgiest-looking site I've ever seen.

The thing that does it for me is that they don't accept cards for transactions over $1000, only Moneygram or direct transfer. This means you get virtually no security or protection when purchasing (and, surprise surprise, all their bikes are over $1000).

Other things that make me suspicious - they list virtually all the major couriers as people they use for delivery. If you've got an account with, say, DHL, then you're highly unlikely to bother using UPS as well, let alone FedEx.

That looks [b]very[/b] dodgy. Also, I though Trek (and by extension Fisher) didn't allow their dealers to sell bikes by mail order?

Andy

Some more info:

Registrant:
c/o CBBIKES.COM
P.O. Box 821650
Vancouver, WA 98682
US

Registrar: NAMESDIRECT
Domain Name: CBBIKES.COM
Created on: 19-MAR-10
Expires on: 20-MAR-11
Last Updated on: 28-APR-10

[url= http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12652791&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0&sid=8244fa88f659580b96b0d50ac43fd32f ]Avoid[/url]

looks dubious at best, frudulent at worst.

Also:

restocking fee of 10% of the retail price of the bike or frameset

$200 for them to put a bike back on the shelf for a $2k bike if you find it's the wrong size etc!

Report it through your browser so it gets blocked. In Chrome use 'report bug or broken website'.

I'll undercut any of their prices by 25%.

You can pay me by Western Union or leave the cash in a brown paper bag at Knutsford Services - either method is equally secure.

interestingly getting a 'forbidden' message when I click on the link now! Might have been rumbled?

agreed -- I think they are seriously dodgy -- I could not find any mention of them at their Spain address in the spanish white pages. I did get an couple of email replies from them -- but no reply from the last one I sent. If anyone is interested here are the emails:

_________________________________________________________________
Hello Pat,

There is no problem, we are not offended by your question but, if 30% discount on prior year model bikes "seem almost too good to be true" for you.
Then, we urge you to order where prices does not "seem almost too good to be true".

How do you want us to convince you? By sending you names, addresses and telephone numbers of our customers?

You are under no obligation whatsoever to buy from us.

Thanks,

The CBBikes Sales Team
http://www.cbbikes.com/

Quoting Pat Couser <patcouser@yahoo.co.uk>:

> hi -- Many thanks for the quick response.
> I dont wish to be rude or anything, but your prices seem almost too
> good to be true! And I can find very few references to CBBikes on the
> internet.
> Can you convince me that you are legitimate? -- please dont take offence.
> many thanks,
> pat
>
>
> On 09/07/2010 16:19, shop@cbbikes.com wrote:
>> Hello Pat,
>>
>> Yes, we can ship the frameset to the UK or France.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> The CBBikes Sales Team
>>
http://www.cbbikes.com/
>>
>>
>>
>> Quoting pat couser <patcouser@yahoo.co.uk>:
>>
>>> hi -- are you able to post a 19inch
>>> 2008 Jamis Dragon 29 Frameset
>>> http://www.cbbikes.com/index.php?productID=712
>>> to France or UK?
>>> thanks,
>>> pat
_________________________________________________________

then my response was as follows and Ive not got anything back:

____________________________________________________________
hi -- whats the cheapest item on you have for sale, do you have any clothing, bike parts? If I bought something small and that and it turned up I'd be happier ordering a more expensive item from you.
Or do you take paypal? I think paypal offer some protection if the purchased item does not show up?

I was a little concerned that I could not find Cooper Bradley listed in the Spanish directory:
http://www.paginasamarillas.es/
http://engblancas.paginasamarillas.es/jsp/home.jsp

nor could I find Calle Barca Mate in Seville

or your US warehouse
http://www.whitepages.com/business?key=Cooper+Bradley&where=Utah+84050

thanks,
pat
__________________________________________________________________

search on "P.O. Box 821650", its not just dodgy bike sites...