[Closed] How many people have been stung in the classifieds?

I had some issues with one of the old 'regular sellers' but got it resolved without needing to go public. Other than that pretty smooth and I've bought/sold quite a lot over the years.

Without stating the obvious, if the seller has little or no form and they are selling goods at below market prices you don't need to be the sharpest tool to realise that there is a very strong chance you will get burnt.

I'm surprised there is a minimum # of posts or time served before you can post an ad - stops scroats just using it to avoid Ebay fees.

mundie I think in alot of humans there is the 'I must get there first' dash (especially on STW where its first to pay ASAP that gets the item not dibs).

no problems here....I think the 'STW massif' seem pretty trusting as sellers and I have no concerns buying.

A number of times items have been posted while cheques are waiting to clear etc and everything I have bought is as described.

No complaints....although I guess it could be done

Feeding our fork addiction again are we?

Its not been sated for 18months

Nothing but good reports here.

I've never had any problems on this forum before, everyone is sound!

Got stung on the Bikeradar forum though, didnt bother me too much as I'm pretty well off and it was only £50. However, I never like getting beaten so I managed to get most of my money back, scammed a couple of different users myself!

What comes around goes around

Only issues I've ever had (a couple, both pretty minor) were easily resolved. But I'm reasonably wary when buying and try to keep my descriptions honest when I'm selling - it's no more difficult than that

bought a seatpost from

ryanatno7@hotmail.com

don't know the user name.

turned up and was scratched beyond belief/ safe use.

Got a partial refund. Not best pleased as the phot weas described as "paint worn not as bad as photo" was 3mm deep scratches 😯

What happened to that bloke who bought an expensive camera/kit from someone up Bolton way?

I'm surprised there is a minimum # of posts or time served before you can post an ad - stops scroats just using it to avoid Ebay fees.

Yes, it would be nice if some sort of system like this was used.

I try to buy off people who seem sound/I recognise the name of from the main forums. e.g. I wanted a stem the other day, had quite a few offers but in the end bought the one Thom offered me, and no suprises, it turned up as described in about 24 hours.

scammed a couple of different users myself!

Well, this is one user we all now know not to trust on here ...

Doesn't like being scammed, but is happy to scam others.
Nice piece of work.

🙄

yeah i got stung last month for a psp. My own fault didn't research the guy at all.

I post next day fully insured and if i can't i let the buyer know.

I treat people as i expect them to treat me.

What happened to that bloke who bought an expensive camera/kit from someone up Bolton way?

He was abducted by Aliens, given an anal probe, had one of his kidneys removed, was forced to eat a raw squirrel, but was then deposited back at the Reebok where a ghostly apparition of Sam Alladyce handed him his camera. So he popped up Rivi and took some shots then posted them on here.

Did you not see them?

Of your big hairy ass?

Well, this is one user we all now know not to trust on here ...

Doesn't like being scammed, but is happy to scam others.
Nice piece of work.

Yeh man, but I'm from the streets. Thats how we do things. Scam or be scammed.

Nope. I've had it waxed

only had two issues one resolved without forum activity as some parts were missing
One I sold something that was not as described* and offered a discount whilst they were in the post or refund.They accepted the discount
* needed some bar ends for carbon bars described some hope ones as good bu the logos were nearly rubbed off. I seent anyway as they were urgent

IMHO the only real issues are where folk have deliberately set out to scam someone rather then their being "misunderstandings"

Have bought and sold a few times...very little though. Been a smooth experience each time. Pisses me off when I hear of people being scammed though. Generally I'll only buy from someone who regularly posts in the bike and/or chat forums too though.

I've only had one real ocurrance. I was paid to keep it quiet though 8)

Have you been skipping your medication again?

joao3v16 - Member

scammed a couple of different users myself!

Well, this is one user we all now know not to trust on here ...

Doesn't like being scammed, but is happy to scam others.
Nice piece of work.

Sweet Jesus.

99% of stuff has been OK.

Bought some forks that I even gave the seller half the cost of a new seal kit/rebuild. Yea, didn't solve the borked damper did inside did it? I was about 17 at the time and it was my first STW purchase so left a bitter taste and actualy quite upset as £130 was about 5 weeks wages. Ran them for about 3 years effectively locked out as I couldn't afford to replace them.

Had a few bits returned as I'm of the oppinion that it it works as it did when it left the factory then the cosmetics are irelavent, so a few bits with scratches have raised eyebrows.

Yep been stung a couple of times but have bought and sold so much over the last couple of years thats its a very small minority.
People on here are generally a lot more pleasant to deal with than other areas.

It does annoy me though that the main culprit that shafted me (FREEFORMFIVESPOT) still trades on here regularly. I try and throw a spanner in the works if I notice his adds though, wouldn't want others to be stung.

I've bought and sold omplete bikes, frames and everything in between without issue.
I've also been on rideouts with random STW crew (which has involved meeting bearded strangers at four in the morning - e.g. SDW in a day mission).

All of this, so far, has resulted in a brilliantly friendly exchange of good kit and great riding.
I can honestly say that my experience of mountain biking is way better thanks to the strange, sartorial but so far safe STW. 😀

Not been stung on here as I've not bought owt but have been had twice on ebay (out of about 400 buys and sales), one set of Junior T's 'as new' but were actually ****ed and repainted and a Prophet frame that was a diferent size than advertised - ebay wouldn't refund either after numerous calls to their Indian call centre.

Never been stung in the classifieds.

Been kicked in the shoemakers a couple of times though........

I've not actually bought anything but whenever I've seen something that might interest me I look at the sellers forum history immediately. I'd happily buy if they were regular posters but I would never consider buying from someone who used the site primarily to sell stuff.

I can easily see how when something seems like a bargain it's hard to resist. I keep looking at the carbon Focus Cayo with 105 groupset for £880 on Wiggle and it's hard to resist even though It really isn't what I need!

I reserve judgement at the moment as I am still waiting on some Oakleys or a refund to arrive....

FWIW I bought some stuff from Freeform5spot and it was as described and a fairly painless experience too 🙂

Overall I prefer buying stuff off here than ebay

Been very good generally, only one problem and that was a stem that must have been so massively over tightened that it had stretched - The two sides meet together before the stem starts gripping the steerer tube enough.

I didn't fit the stem for a few weeks felt it was too long a gap to return it. not a nice experience.

Everything else has been great.

Bought some forks

Three issues I've had.

Fork 1 - Looked like it had been stored in a coalbunker (refunded)
Fork 2 - Was crying out for a service (refunded)
Fork 3 - Big scratch on stanchion (discount)

I frequent a couple of of different forums and have bought and sold on all of them...without issue so far. Never had an uhappy buyer as I always describe anything I sell honestly...treat as wish to be treated and all that....same with postage...I only use 1st class recorded, sure..it costs more but I'd be far happier in the knowledge that the item will definitely get there when I said it would.
Retrobike has a feedback forum which helps a lot..just a shame that we cant implement it on here.
Or

Stipulate that all ads must have up to date good quality pics of any items for sale..inc any damage/marks/scratches etc being shown in detail

Would it work?

Davidtaylforth....how could you knowingly scam someone???? you sir are a complete TARD!

I bought some forks off a guy about 2 years ago, I got them all looked good, pealed off a hope sticker to fina massive pitting area from salt etc. I sent the gu a email he never replyed and never came on stw again.

I sold a gt frame (averlanch I think) I got the name wrong and over priced the frame. The guy who bought it didn't realise it was wrong until he built it and was pleased with it. He emailed me I offerEd him some money back which he accepted and every one was happy. I also try to deliver/pick up stuffing buy/sell.

All good here both buying and selling. Alot of very helpful people on here. I generally won't sell stuff if I think there's even a slight chance of a dispute. I'm probably a bit too trusting of folk but so far i've not been let down and I check peoples profiles and history first.

Once, early on using the site too. Several of us got taken by the same cretin. It went to the police too as some sums involved were significant. Mine was 'only' a set of tyres that never showed. Other than that all good.

I have... But I've benefitted more than I've lost so I just count it as part of the cost.

Never been stung financially buying or selling but OMG I've had a huge amount of time and effort wasted recently by potential buyers.

IME the more emails that are exchanged, the less chance of the buyer actually having any money or the ability to make a decision. The record stands so far at 26 emails then nothing from the 'buyer'. Maybe I shouldn't be so polite and helpful 👿

My experience of the classifieds as a seller and a buyer has been very very good. Only ever had one problem where something was lost in the post, and that was resolved amicably.

SB

PS - I've posted stuff out before I've had the money too. Why should it be asumed that the seller is more trustworthy than the buyer and vice-versa? Like the seller doesn't send until the cheque is cleared. It's trust on both sides.

My only experience was good. I bought a seatpost that spent a fair amount of time travelling between the UK and Spain before finally arriving. Emails exchanged to keep on top of the problem and both parties relaxed. Seat post still adorns my Pipedream.
I would be more cautious now due to the higher level of scamming and only buy from people I recognised and trusted.

2 annoyances (shit/incomplete item) out of maybe 40 transactions

sounds OK but it's still 5% 👿

never been stung.
had a crap set of wheels sent, but the bloke took them back.

and only ever had one complaint, when i trusted my son that a rear wheel was ok...........it turned out to be shagged internally.
i gave the buyer a full refund.

when i trusted my son that a rear wheel was ok

Have bought and sold lots on here, with no problems (so far). I agree if I treat people like I want to be treated the it should go okay. Obviously not in all cases for everyone. Though I would be more wary if spending a lot of money on something. I think if it sounds too good to be true it probably is....

woody, no that's still going strong. 8)

Really have done well with the classifieds here. Had some nice stuff. Love the Manitou r seven I got from here!

failed miserably on ebay with some forks. Fox F100s "just come back form a shop service" translated as "Top bush destroyed, stantions ruined, forks full of an odd grey substance which runs down the legs when you ride"

all form a guy with good feedback. i was quite green back then

very positive in my very limited experience

only stung once on a set of xtr cranks which weren't the ones in the pic the guy put up, he's still here infrequently, I'll get him in the long grass

Had a few issues with stuff I've sent eith not being what people expected or the royal mail or parcelforce being a nightmare to deal with, all resolved in the usual amicable stw way

I've had nothing but good stuff from here, both buying and selling, i'd always prefer to buy off here rather than ebay, at least most people on here are actually bikers and not just trying to make money

Yeah a tosser on bike radar, only 50 but still annoying.

For those of you ripping into DT, he might be a pillock but he didn't actually scam anyone, it was his wierd attempt at humour.

I'm glad someone did the euphemism gag.

Well done, Rusty.

For those of you ripping into DT, he might be a pillock

🙂

Never stung, but sent a lot of stuff that never arrived, about £300 down so far.

I got stung recently by [url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/members/bendeason/ ]bendeason[/url], paid £30 for an IPOD dock but it never arrived, and he never replied to any of my emails, I paid Paypal as a Gift, wont be doing that again.

Always get the postal address of the seller (and at least 192 them etc) so if it is a spotty teenager laughing at his pc at another chump you can always knock on his door.

If they don't/wont/can't reply on email or talk on the phone, or traceable don't gamble with your money I say.

bought a 'winter hack bike' from the classifieds... smoooth experience, drove down, super nice guy, tested the bike and he even offered to adjust the set up for me, drove home and a couple of days later some extra brake pads arrived in the post for it 😀

i'd only buy from regular forum users i think, or someone i could drive to, view and test the product in person.

i'd have quite a few bits to sell but my riding buddies and i have built up a kinda communal spares bin (and cleaning products, tools, bike stand and storage)

All good experiences bar one. Most people on here are fantastic, really helpful etc.

The one bad one was a chainset, the thread on one of the arms was stripped so the arm was useless. Seller not interested as I hadn't noticed immediately.

Never been stung on STW, but i tend to steer clear anyway as the prices are either too expensive, or too cheap (so i suspect somethings up). 2nd hand prices are too much for me, given the risk and lack of warranty. Got stung on some forks on ebay which had knackered bushings but only lost 30 quid or so after selling them on with an honest description.

I think i'm going to steer clear of 2nd hand forks from now on. Too many potential problems!

I got scammed on PB for £140, there were about 14 of us in total that got scammed by the same guy. Reported it all to to the Police, gave statements etc. All the bastard got was community service. No compensation at all, so he essentially got away with scamming a couple of grands worth of bits.

I also lost £10 on another forum when I let my guard down and paid by PayPal Gift. Though everything on this forum has been absolutely brilliant!