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.

+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.

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.

Good luck If you go that route. I just can't see me ever buying a carbon frame bike from an unknown source.

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.

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.

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.

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.