Purchasing bike through classifieds

Have the seller ship the bike C.O.D. (cash on delivery). It will cost more for shipping, but keeps both the seller and buyer relatively safe from fraud.

FedEx has a C.O.D. system they call "Collect on Delivery": fedex.comcod.htmlOpen ↗

UPS does too:
ups.comcod.htmlOpen ↗

Scotty_Dog said:

Have the seller ship the bike C.O.D. (cash on delivery). It will cost more for shipping, but keeps both the seller and buyer relatively safe from fraud.

FedEx has a C.O.D. system they call "Collect on Delivery": fedex.comcod.htmlOpen ↗

UPS does too:
ups.comcod.htmlOpen ↗

Will the shipper wait while you unpack the bike, assemble it, and inspect it?

Bob

Bobby Lex said:

Will the shipper wait while you unpack the bike, assemble it, and inspect it?

Bob

Will Bob attempt to answer the OP's question, or slam the only viable option?

Also, you forgot to include a high intensity interval session after you inspect it. Don't want it breaking on you because the new owner is more powerful than the previous.

Seriously though, every C.O.D. shipper I have dealt with at least let me open the package to verify the contents before payment.

Scotty_Dog said:

Will Bob attempt to answer the OP's question, or slam the only viable option?

Seriously though, every C.O.D. shipper I have dealt with at least let me open the package to verify the contents before payment.

Will Scotty explain why C.O.D. is "the only viable option"?

C'mon. I was only pointing out that while C.O.D. shipping may prevent a situation where you pay for something that you don't get, it doesn't guarantee that the condition of the contents will be as advertised.

At a minimum, the buyer needs to inspect the following:

Quoted message said:

frame: cracks, rust, dents, bends, bulges, loose bottom bracket, stripped threads, loose lugs, bad alignment.

Quoted message said:

fork: cracks, steerer condition, dropout condition.

Quoted message said:

wheels: rim cracks, bulges, braking surface wear, hub condition, spoke/nipple condition.

Quoted message said:

shifters and derailleurs: condition, do they work properly?

Quoted message said:

bottom bracket: condition, stripped threads

Quoted message said:

cranks: condition, cracks, stripped threads

Quoted message said:

handlebars: cracks, bends

Quoted message said:

seatpost/seat: cracked rails, cracks

I doubt that the shipper will wait patiently for you to complete this type of an inspection.

A problem in any of the above areas could result in an expensive repair/replacement which could cause the purchase to be a rip-off.

I am not "slamming" your suggestion. Simply pointing out some potential problems.

Consider it for what it's worth.

Bob

Bobby Lex said:

Will Scotty explain why C.O.D. is "the only viable option"?

Because it's the only option given in this post thus far. Feel free to list another viable shipping option which helps prevent fraud, as requested by the OP.

Bobby Lex said:

C'mon. I was only pointing out that while C.O.D. shipping may prevent a situation where you pay for something that you don't get, it doesn't guarantee that the condition of the contents will be as advertised.

The OP did not mention being worried about the condition of the contents, only the true identity of the seller.

Bobby Lex said:

At a minimum, the buyer needs to inspect the following:

Quoted message said:

frame: cracks, rust, dents, bends, bulges, loose bottom bracket, stripped threads, loose lugs, bad alignment.

Quoted message said:

fork: cracks, steerer condition, dropout condition.

Quoted message said:

wheels: rim cracks, bulges, braking surface wear, hub condition, spoke/nipple condition.

Quoted message said:

shifters and derailleurs: condition, do they work properly?

Quoted message said:

bottom bracket: condition, stripped threads

Quoted message said:

cranks: condition, cracks, stripped threads

Quoted message said:

handlebars: cracks, bends

Quoted message said:

seatpost/seat: cracked rails, cracks

This is all great advice. It should be performed with any purchased bicycle, whether it be new or used. But because it has nothing to do with the OP's original question, maybe you should start your own topic with these sound bicycle purchasing guidelines.

Bobby Lex said:

I doubt that the shipper will wait patiently for you to complete this type of an inspection.

As do I.

Bobby Lex said:

A problem in any of the above areas could result in an expensive repair/replacement which could cause the purchase to be a rip-off.

This is always a concern buying used and/or without a warranty, yet websites such as Craigslist and Ebay still flourish with great success. Even this website has a Classifieds section, so be careful.

Bobby Lex said:

I am not "slamming" your suggestion. Simply pointing out some potential problems.

Consider it for what it's worth.

Bob

Thank you for your helpful input thus far.

Thanks for the advice guys. After weighing my options, decided to purchase a brand new bike from the LBS. Alot more costly but they take care of me with fitting, tune ups and warranties. Not to mention the support I'm giving to the local community. =P

Oh and I got a Cervelo R3.

Izzy G.

Q: "Will Scotty explain why C.O.D. is 'the only viable option'?"

A: "Because it's the only option given in this post thus far."

😕 😕 😕

WTF?

Following your twisted logic....if someone posts a question such as "I have a chest cold, and a big race coming up. What should I do?"

.....and the only post in response is "Slash your wrists".....

.....then slashing his wrists is his "only viable option"!?!?

Ludicrous. Much like the rest of your post.

Bob

IzzyG said:

Oh and I got a Cervelo R3.

Izzy G.

Nice choice. A teammate of mine bought one about 3 months ago. It is an awesome bike.

Bob

Bobby Lex said:

Q: "Will Scotty explain why C.O.D. is 'the only viable option'?"

A: "Because it's the only option given in this post thus far."

😕 😕 😕

WTF?

Following your twisted logic....if someone posts a question such as "I have a chest cold, and a big race coming up. What should I do?"

.....and the only post in response is "Slash your wrists".....

.....then slashing his wrists is his "only viable option"!?!?

Ludicrous. Much like the rest of your post.

Bob

Bobby

Your entire input in this post has been all about me and my viable reply to the original poster. You contributed nothing constructive whatsoever. Thank you for your time and attention, as I now feel emotionally complete.