is it safe to buy a bike on ebay??

I bought my tri bike on ebay.  I would make sure the seller has a high rating and alrge number of transactions.  The seller I bought from was actually a bike store in New Jersey I believe.   I got a bike that retailed for $2500 for $1200, brand new, never ridden.  For me, buying my bike on ebay worked well.

ebay is a generally safe way to purchase and most people are honest.  Photos are paramount.  If there's one blurry photo- assume that it's hiding something. 

no reason you can't email the seller and ask to talk with him/her in person (on the phone).  You can usually get a good read on a seller this way.

There should be a one-week return policy or somethign like that, and the seller doesn't get paid until you review them.

ebay works.  be careful, but you should be good.

There are a couple things to think about.

1.  What is the frame made out of.  If carbon...make sure you have some sort of legit guarantee for a return after your inspection.
2.  Will the bike you are looking at be the ideal size and geometry for YOU?

If you post item number on here, we will critique the heck out of it.

Great!  here is the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270695895276&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

have at it !!!!!

My friend bought what was suppose to be a Trek TTX9 WSD off of eBay last year, asked for confirmation and all.  Turned out to be a non WSD frame and she was pissed.  Guy won't do anything for her, and he got a nice negative rating.

I bid on a bike a few years ago. Never really tried to win it then a day after it was supposedly sold I started getting emails from the guy saying if I want it blah blah blah. 

I personally stay away from ebay for bigger stuff.

Second this - I have purchased many bikes on ebay, but I am always very cautious.  Assume nothing.  Feel free to ask for extra pictures if there's anything that isn't shown in the listing.  Assume it's not shown for a reason.

Also, I would add that it works best for the kind of person who doesn't get too bent out of shape about a scratch on the frame, etc.  Chances that the bike will be 100% perfect, mint condition are extremely slim.  If you're a perfectionist, you might find yourself disappointed.  But there are definitely some great deals to be had for well informed buyers.

My purchases have worked out well for me, hope yours does as well if you decide to pull the trigger

i've bought a frame, a wheel, and various other big ticket (relatively speaking) parts on ebay.  I check feedback, make sure they have been doing it well for a while, and ask any possible questions ahead of time!  Confirm EVERYTHING, make no assumptions.  Ask for more pictures if you need to.  So far so good for me...

A couple of points, I'd like to clarify:
1) that bike doesn't come with wheels, so keep that in mind for your budget
2) I would caution about "assuming" a size will fit you.  Getting a bike that actually fits is critical to performance and your health.  Not all brands fit everyone.  I would suggest going slow and not rushing into buying the first pretty bike you see.

I saw "no returns" which is a flag to me.

I buy a couple of things a month on ebay. I have never had a single problem. Heck I just received my new Adamo Road that I bought for $100 brand new still in the box.  Check feedback and read about the seller. After reading thru that listing, I would bid on it. Remember most people selling used bikes think they are worth a fortune. Patience is the key to used big ticket items. Eventually someone will realize that their 5 year old bike is not worth $1500 and you get a good bike for a fair price.

Edited by bdye101 2011-01-26 11:50 AM

Never get too excited about the bid price until the last two seconds and even than I've been sniped often. I bought my first tri bike on Ebay, a QR Tequilo, that was like brand new. Got an awesome deal.

I bought my Tri bike on Ebay.  Brand new Quintana Roo Chiqilo (ultegra/dura-ace components).  I talked to the seller over the phone and he explained why he was selling ~ bought it for his wife from a friend who owns a bike store and the bike was too big for her ~ he got a great deal from his friend and just wanted that money back.  I paid $1,100 (shipped) for it brand new in the box.  I've had it for two seasons now, made some adjustments/upgrades and LOVE it. 

I know that you must be careful; however, I have bought all kinds of things from Ebay (the bike being the largest/most expensive) and have never had any problems.

Good Luck!!

I've bought two bikes on ebay and got great deals. Do your research about the bike. I've seen bikes advertised as carbon even when that model was not made in carbon at the time. I also have seen some weird sizing that makes me stay away.

If the ad is too generic I also stay away (for example listing every possible size under size).

The best is to know what you want and do stray from that. If you are patient, you can eventually find what you want. Don't rule out your local bike shop for a great deal. I've seen people over pay for stuff on ebay especially when considering paying for shipping and fit when those are included with LBS purchase.

Bought and sold my first Tri bike, a Specialized Transition, on eBay with great success (sold for the same price I purchased it for a year later).

I also disagree on the bigger stuff.  I sold a 30K Harley on eBay without issue.

Depending on the price, you can always use escrow since that gives you the assurance you are getting what you are bidding on (and you can offer to pay escrow fees).

Just be cautious.  There are great deals to be had on everything, but if something is too good to be true, there is probably something wrong.  That expensive motorcycle I sold?  There were two people who tried to "sell" it afterwards using the same pictures and even VIN number - obvious scams.

Good luck!

Yes!  My biggest concern would be the carbon frame factor especially if they are selling for super cheap without reserve/detailed description.   

Otherwise a bike is a pretty simple machine and some parts are just going to have to be relaced over time.  

I did once.  From the moment that I Paypal'ed the money until the moment I had the bike in hand, I was a nervous wreck.  The bike turned out to be as described, I got a good deal, and I was happy.  But it was a purchase more on faith than solid information about the seller. 

It is incumbent on the buyer to be careful.  Bike scams are/were exceedingly common.  Paypal and Ebay do not offer much protection for the buyer for large purchases.

TW

I'll let you know in about 2 weeks.

Don't mess around, if this is your first bike: Go to a reputable bike shop and get fitted!

I'm almost you're height and ride 50cm frame due to my short legs and long torso.

If I had taken general guidelines I found on the internet, I'd have done what you're doing and bought a 52cm frame and probably not understood why I dreaded riding it. 

If you know exactly what  you want Ebay can be awesome.  But you have to know EXACTLY what you want.  It is pointless to buy on eBay unless you are certain of make, model and frame size.  Go to a shop for that.  But if you know exactly, then you can get awesome deals if youre patient!  Look at reputation of seller.  I wouldnt buy a bike from anyone with less than a couple hundred feedbacks and an over 98% rating.

I have bought 2 bikes and a set of wheels on ebay without problems.  All the research aand precautions aside, at some point you still have to make a little leap of faith!

Looks like a terrific bike and in excellent shape.  Seller looks legit and has received a lot of positive feedback, all on cycling equipment. 

I don't think that this is a risky buy.  DuraAce cranks are light  AND stiff.  Not something you normally find on reasonably priced TT bikes.  Cool.

Now- let's see what you can get it for.    Happy shopping.

great advice! keep it coming!

here is the bike im refering to:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
ViewItem&item=270695895276&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I've bought 2 titanium bikes, one steel frame and a vintage car off of ebay.  Ask for detailed hi-res pics e-mailed to you.  Near perfect and detailed feedback is important.  If someone doesn't respond or doesn't give you exactly what you want, avoid.  I've been burned on smaller items I wasn't as careful about but not on the big ones. 

A mishmash of parts,  Too long of a crankset.  A reserve!!  Aluminum   But a great value... so far.

Okay, so don't worry about the carbon part...because that bike is aluminum.  Looks like it's in great shape....has a great set of components.  I agree with Kevin...long crankset.  Also...I've never seen someone happy with that saddle.  Shipping should NOT be 100....not even fedex.  You don't get wheels....and now that I think about it...why are we putting dura ace on aluminum frames?  It's personal preference I guess....just a little unusual as far as I've seen.  You could almost buy that bike for 600 and just take the components off!  I'm not sure that bike is what you are looking for.  Make sure you have everything sized out correctly, which I'm guessing you don't.  

If you really want to bid on it, I would wait until the last second and bid what you think you would pay for it and make sure you use paypal.

Edited by jgerbodegrant 2011-01-26 4:36 PM