Everyone would agree is important that we make sure not to buy stolen bikes and thereby feed the thieves.
I’m in the market for a new (to me) bike and reading all these posts about stolen bikes etc have brought to mind the possibility that if I buy from a private seller, I could either be getting a good deal from someone honest or a dog in disguise/ stolen bike - the last options do NOT appeal to me.
Of course, buying from a dealer would be safer, but the only option I can see given my budget and requirements are buying from a private seller as opposed to a dealer.
So, what suggestions do people have to help avoid making a mistake in this situation?
Thanks very much Chunky. I’ll do my best, I just feel such a newb when it comes to all this, I just want to know what I need to know! (if you see what I mean)
The only problem is that if I ask the questions only an owner would know, I wouldn’t really know how to gauge the answers - the seller could say almost anything!
“Previous owners?”
“Yea, my nan rode it on Sundays.” Well, not that bad!
Never yet come across a bike thief who sells the bike from their home. I would never make a private purchase anywhere other than the sellers home, any offer to “meet at …” means a walk away before I have even looked at it.
Top man! If I had spelt it ‘advive’, the mistake could be put down to hasty typing! Please feel free to correct any further spelling mistakes* I make - hopefully I’ll spot 'em first!