[Closed] How safe is it buying from the for sale section of this site?

It's about as safe as buying anything from a stranger on the internet.

There are good ones and bad ones but just remember DO NOT USE PAY PAL GIFT if anyone asks you to assume a scam.

See if they have a posting history in the FS section as that will help provide some audit trail and if it's big ticket maybe look to speak to them on the phone about it.

Thanks Mike just the sort of reply I was looking for, will do that thanks.

I've bought 2 bikes and a few other bits and pieces. No problems at all.

If it's a big purchase then consider collecting. Even a couple of hours in the car isn't a big deal for a 1k bike...

Safer than the average classifieds I reckon but not lemon safe.

It's about risk.... I would probably buy a low value item using PPG, as long as the seller was a forum regular. If it all goes wrong, 20 quid is not the end of the world - but that's up to you I suppose.

People on here can be bellends - but most of them aren't dishonest 🙂

People on here can be bellends - but most of them aren't dishonest

I resemble that remark - probably people reading my forum comments mostly think "what an idiot", but it means something to me that they don't think "what a dishonest idiot".

Purchasing off members is safer than purchasing of members IMHO 😉

I bought a set of forks off here recently. Better service than most online retailers! I paid with Paypal and stuck a few quid on top to cover the fees.

It's like anywhere really, there are good and bad. There are also those who take the piss. Good call to check the sellers posting history.

Look at the user profile, if they joined in 2008 I'd say you are very safe tbh. Anyone who joined straight after the Resurrection is a longtermer and cares about being on here still.

Of course there will be others who are just as trustworthy who joined after- just dont use Paypal gift. Always ask questions and be prepared to lose the item to the idiots rush in and 'win' the item.

I have bought many things (after checking out the sellers posting history) without issue. I always use PP and cover the fees for my own piece of mind.
I've had some great bits of kit from here, my current bike is about 80% from the classifieds.

Only had one issue in years of buying and selling, and that was due to seller's lack of knowledge vs any wilful scamming. Just use your nouse and if it looks like a scam, ask on the main forum, someone will either vouch for them or warn you away.

One complaint re ppg and sellers with big ticket items. Instead of asking for £ xx by ppg or you pay the fees - just ask for the price you'd be happy with to cover the item plus fees. It makes your item look a few quid more expensive but I can work that out anyway by adding the cost of me paying the fees, and it makes you look a bit more trustworthy.

Very safe in my experience.

Instead of asking for £ xx by ppg or you pay the fees - just ask for the price you'd be happy with to cover the item plus fees. It makes your item look a few quid more expensive but I can work that out anyway by adding the cost of me paying the fees, and it makes you look a bit more trustworthy.

Totally agreed. I'd go further and suggest that any user that states "£ xx by ppg" or the like has the ad removed and receives a ban. If two forum users who know each other well elect to use PPG via email conversation that's fair enough but any ad that effectively encourages its use - in the bin.

The requiest to cover/split the fees is more of a bartering tool that appears a little less lame then asking for an extra £1.33.

Yep seller prices according to what they want to receive.

Ironically at the low amounts (£20) fees are around 50p and around 2.4% up to decent amount so just factor that in.

Just for ballance,

Ive never not paid by PPG or bank transfer, and never paid by normal paypal. The world hasnt ended.

I don't have Paypal and have bought lots of stuff with bank transfer but I do check seller history and check comments from previous buyers in those threads.

However, anything over £30 I would prefer to pick up if it's localish, or not bother.

Saying that, I happily bank transferred a bigger sum to Northwind for some wheels as he has a very good user history, I had already bought a low ticket item from him previously and he knows a few folk I do. No guarantee I know but 'do your homework'.

Slightly off topic but ... is it safe to request payment by bank transfer?

Ive sold most of my stuff through....scary enough Pinkbike.

One memorable sale. Bloke in Edinburgh and my mint 05 Spesh SX- he got it and emailed me 'wow, its in exactly the condition you said and turned up'.

I was taken aback- apparently he was half expecting it to turn up battered/misdescribed or not at all.

Thats pinkbike for you.

Purchasing [b]from[/b] members is safer than purchasing of members IMHO

is it safe to request payment by bank transfer?

I would say much safer than ebay. Always look at the seller's history, do they contribute to the forum or a they just a classfield only user? I use Paypal for anything over £10. My bike is like 90% bits from here lol.

For me, 98% of transactions were hassle free and as expected, however one non-bikey bit wasn't as described and the seller just ignored me. That was the only bad experience on this forum.

I've bought and sold loads on here, usually with ppg. 1 duff transaction in 5yrs where I lost a tenner from a seatclamp that never arrived and user went to ground. Good communication is always key

Bought and SD several bikes, frames and bits on here. Never had a problem. Met some nice people. One or two of whom go on to reveal just too much information about themselves on forum threads and that makes me laugh. A lot. We are not as anonymous as we like to think.

Question - if someone pays me PP and I want the money elsewhere- how much does it cost to transfer to a card not linked/on my PP?

(The reason why I ask for bank transfer) as for 'trust'. If I sold something duff on here I'm sure after an email to me (which I'd be shocked about/would sort) it'd be name and shame on here. something I wouldn't like. So (from my perspective) I'd say STW is safe.

Over the years I've bought about 7 wheels, 2 frames, 5 stems,4 forks, 5 bars, 3 clothes and 1 child's bike (and more).
I've sold a bike and loads of other stuff.

I think all the payments have been Paypal gift and I've never had a single problem.

Bought and sold loads of stuff on here and not had any problems. Most people are brand new.

Making contact over the phone doesn't do any harm if you're buying a big ticket item worth a few bob.

Only encountered one bawbag who sold me a set of mismatching rotors and then ignored subsequent emails seeking redress.

In retrospect, I hadn't asked for a picture of the item so couldn't say that they weren't as described. Lesson learned.

bought and sold loads on here, never any problems. Items from a fiver up to sale of my 5 last year at over £1k

Used to use PPG more than I do now, only because of the stigma around it rather than any bad experiences.

I always look at sellers history and am a little wary of people who only post in classifieds

markymark1993 - Member
Just wondering how safe this site is for purchasing of members

You may need another website for that kind of thing Sir 😉

Always research the buyer by checking their Classifieds postings. Over the 10 years or so that I've been on here I've bought a few frames including a plastic one as well as a complete bike.

Have sold a complete bike, frames, forks, brakes, wheels, clothing etc etc and everything went smoothly. Also received some nice feedback from buyers.

Anything large I prefer bank transfer, Paypal is OK for smaller value items. Have even met up with buyers/sellers for cash transactions.

I work hard when selling, clean thoroughly so it's spotless, loads of decent pics, honest descriptions and point out any flaws/damage, keep buyer continually updated with what's happening.

If I sold something duff on here I'm sure after an email to me (which I'd be shocked about/would sort) it'd be name and shame on here. something I wouldn't like.

That's true, if you have a reputation to protect or which you care about. If someone's on just to wheel and deal and has no reputation, or is just here to scam, that wouldn't affect them, beyond giving a reputation that can be checked up on as part of your due diligence process.

Hora's definitely got a reputation...... whether it's one to protect, or nurture, is a different question 😉

As said above - all fairly safe as long as you look at the history of the seller and use Paypal but not gift.

As a seller, I usually include the fees and postage and take loads of photos with accurate descriptions. I also make sure there's lots of communication and ensure the item is couriered or posted promptly. No-one likes a wait. As an aside to this - I make sure I've got the boxes and packing before I post the item for sale. Its not bother - the local lbs is happy to give me bike/frame boxes.

As a buyer, I've had some great kit at good prices that I've been very happy with. All turned up promptly and as described.

hora - Member

Ive sold most of my stuff through....scary enough Pinkbike.

Pinkbike classifieds are kinda weird, first you get 10 timewasters then you get someone that'll buy for your inflated asking price and be thankful for it, then you get the guys who seem exactly like timewasters for months then suddenly pay you...

And the questions! I've been selling a Last Herb DH for a while, on the link I have photos, reviews, a link to the Last website and geometry etc, and the number of times I've been asked "What sort of bike is this" "Is it good for trails" "Will it work with my Rebas" etc. They really feel like troll questions but I dunno. You end up like a big brother telling people what they should buy instead 😆

Pinkbike : No Swaps or trade - Cash/Paypal only
12 year old: Will you take 1 PS2, knackered set of Marz DJ's and a broken saddle
No money please - I'll ask my dad
End of conversation

Use common sense.
Avoid members who have only joined in the last couple of months.
Avoid members who only use classifieds. At the very least go through their history carefully and see if there have been any issues.
Dont pay by PPG or balance transfer if you're not 100% confident about the seller.
If something seems too cheap to be true, its probably dodgy.
Dont buy high value items without viewing it first. Get lots of pics of the item and make sure they're not just stock photos.
Anything pricy, insist on recorded delivery AND the tracking number.
If anything seems iffy, WALK AWAY!

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Get lots of pics of the item and make sure they're not just stock photos.

Bought and sold lots on here. If it's a regular name, and a low price, I'll be happy with PPG (either way) but always send 'signed for' and ask the seller to do the same (it's about 70p extra).
I've started leaving feedback on the thread for things I've bought off here and ask buyers to do the same for me.
It takes 2 minutes to do and can start to give a picture on the honesty/reliability of both parties

How much you want for the Kona? any more pics? 😆

Seriously though, that is a good tip about right clicking on the image, didn't know that one.

mikewsmith thanks for that tip

I hunt down and torture to death anyone who rips me off on forums. Not had to kill too many STWers so far.

Have purchased and sold lots on here and thankfully obtained some cracking kit, dealt with some nice people and consequently recycled my unwanted parts/kit... as above all good advice.. Pinkbike is a strange one, the only place I've been messed about so very cautious on PB.

[i]I hunt down and torture to death anyone who rips me off on forums.[/i]

I'd rise above it and put it down helping the needy 😉

bought stuff on PB from UK, US and Canada - lot comes down to commonsense and a bit of risk.

Big ticket items try and meet up with seller

But like the rest say lots of timewasters on PB - when I buy something I always ensure to email the seller and let them know I've rec'd the item.

Bought stuff from here as well - much better than PB and generally def more trustworthy.

Be aware that if you do buy from a wrong 'un and lose some money it will cause a giant vitriolic thread of vengeance suggestions and mocking, wherein every STWer will take on the persona of that Harry Enfield character whose only line was, "Now, I don't believe you wanted to do that."

For those stupid enough to ignore the copious amounts of sensible advice offered on here about buying on the classifieds deserve a lot more than a few Only Me quotes.