General Discussion Triathlon Talk » EBay bike buying Rss Feed  
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2016-06-27 7:44 PM

Veteran
405
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New York, Connecticut
Subject: EBay bike buying
Has anyone ever bought a bike on eBay. I currently found a bike I like but its hard for me to pull the trigger on spending $3000 on a bike that I haven't gotten on. I know the size I am and the condition of the bike looks great. They are telling me only has 30 miles on it.

one thing I have a question/concern about is the warranty. If I buy a bike secondary do I still have a warranty on the bike?

anything else I should be aware of buying a bike on EBAY??


2016-06-27 9:25 PM
in reply to: husse23

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Regular
694
500100252525
Tucson, AZ
Subject: RE: EBay bike buying
Warranty usually only applies to the original buyer, if you haven't purchased a bike on eBay before then you are probably over paying. You can find some screaming deals on there if you wait. Post up a link if you can and maybe we can offer some more advice.
2016-06-28 5:48 AM
in reply to: husse23

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Champion
7136
5000200010025
Knoxville area
Subject: RE: EBay bike buying
+1^

I buy all my bikes from ebay or forums. (Any reasonable 51 P4's out there? I'll buy another ) and so long as you go into understanding the bike is USED (unless it's listed otherwise) and you don't expect it to be brand new, you'll probably be fine.

Buy only from somebody with consistently good feedback.
Never believe mileage statements on bikes... I've never seen anyone ride around with an odometer. And who cares?
Look for damages in pictures, ask for more pictures if you aren't sure. Almost every bike with ANY age on it you can assume has at the very least fell over when someone leaned it up against a wall, forgot to unclip at a stop light, fell while they were airing up the tire, etc. Most people (especially those selling the bike) don't consider that a wreck, but you should still assume it's met the ground at least once or twice in it's life.
Make sure you read the full ad and understand EXACTLY what you are buying. Are you getting a frame? Complete Bike? A Bike Box? Does it come with the components it has in the pictures, or was that a picture from their last Ironman and you are getting a stripped down part of it?

Obviously always use paypal and go through official channels in ebay. As soon as you get an email asking you to buy outside ebay or something else fishy walk away.
2016-06-28 7:47 AM
in reply to: husse23

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Champion
7542
5000200050025
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bronze member
Subject: RE: EBay bike buying

I have purchased 2 bikes from E-bay.  I call both purchases successful.  I put over 5000 miles on the tri-bike (still have it).  I passed the road bike along to a buddy.  

My approach to E-bay bikes:  Don't buy something where you aren't prepared to throw away the entire purchase price if the bike isn't what you thought it would be.  My road bike was around $100 and the tri bike $500.  It would have been painful to toss $500 away and I've been quite lucky to not have to do so.  

Can you salvage a purchase?  Probably, if you're inclined to swap stuff from the purchased bike to a new frame.  If you have to pay a mechanic for that, probably not...

It would be unusual for the warranty to transfer with ownership.  Most warranties are for the original purchaser.  Some have lifetime warranties that may be transferred.  Check the company website to see if that's the case with this bike.  Also look at what it would take to transfer the warranty and make sure there aren't any "gotchas" (stuff like "racing" the bike voids the warranty and if so, did the seller "race" it?)  

 

2016-06-28 7:49 AM
in reply to: husse23

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Extreme Veteran
909
500100100100100
Westchester, NY
Subject: RE: EBay bike buying
I bought a frame from eBay. When the frame came it was damaged.i mean super damaged.
The I got it from claimed it was UPSs fault. Unlikely.
After a month of going back and forth with eBay and PayPal, I got my money back.
2016-06-28 8:52 AM
in reply to: husse23

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Expert
2852
20005001001001002525
Pfafftown, NC
Subject: RE: EBay bike buying
Good luck If you go that route. I just can't see me ever buying a carbon frame bike from an unknown source.



2016-06-28 9:17 AM
in reply to: nc452010

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Veteran
1900
1000500100100100100
Southampton, Ontario
Subject: RE: EBay bike buying
Over the years I have purchased about half my bikes used but always after checking them out in person. I did buy a bad derailleur off ebay once and was begrudgingly given a refund - for a full bike I dont know - it would have to be a really screaming deal for me to pull the trigger.
2016-06-28 11:43 AM
in reply to: husse23

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Extreme Veteran
1190
1000100252525
Silicon Valley
Subject: RE: EBay bike buying
I bought my first race bike on ebay several years ago. The seller has a great rating and it was a screaming deal so I took the chance. Under the same circumstances I would do it again in a heartbeat.

2016-06-28 2:29 PM
in reply to: husse23

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370
1001001002525
, North Carolina
Subject: RE: EBay bike buying
Depends on what 3k means to you. Some people can handle losing it. Some people (me) can't. You could always fly out and see it and take it back with you on the return flight.

I had a guy fly out from the midwest to NC to buy a car I had. Picked him up from the airport and he drove it home.

Anything used is a crap shoot.

Ask for more/better pictures. Have someone else look at it. Post the link here.
2016-06-28 2:36 PM
in reply to: husse23

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Expert
1168
10001002525
Vancouver (not Canada) Washington (not D.C.)
Subject: RE: EBay bike buying
I've purchased two bikes on eBay and both were great deals and delivered well. One thing to insist is that it be packed professionally. Most bike shops know how to do this well and while it may increase the cost, the bike will arrived packaged similar to new bikes.

You can get some guesses at how much the bike has been ridden if they are claiming, "30 miles" is making sure tires are original and wear is minimal. Check brake pads too. Handlebar tape being clean and stock colors is another clue.

Finally, make sure to chase great values, not specific bikes. I've been tempted to bid emotionally thinking that this a "once in a lifetime" deal when in reality, there are always other details, just need to be patient.
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