Help buying second hand

[baggers.01]

Mourning guys first post and looking for my first bike, ive found a used bike on here in the sale section, so my question is that we all know this isn't a cheap hobby and it's not a cheap purchase, would It be unusual if a price can be agreed that I pay for a health check at a bike shop before any money has been exchanged or been viewed as its a bit of a travel, thanks for any opinions

 

[RustyMTB]

That all depends on whether the owner is willing to let you do it. Some may, others won't. With private sales, it's a matter of negotiation but not rights. If you want consumer protection, buy from a shop & pay the price for peace of mind.

 

[baggers.01]

That all depends on whether the owner is willing to let you do it. Some may, others won't. With private sales, it's a matter of negotiation but not rights. If you want consumer protection, buy from a shop & pay the price for peace of mind.

Thank you for your reply, Edited post. didn't mean right if u know what i mean just couldn't think of the right way to word it.
But im guessing it's not somthing that's unheard of?

 

[RustyMTB]

I expect it's something that's happened. A decent seller with nothing to hide shouldn't object in theory but it boils down to the individual you're dealing with. Personally I would find it a pain in the arse. Would I have to take the bike somewhere myself? How do I know you won't disappear with it? Will some stranger be dismantling it? You see the problems.

 

[Ndanger]

A bike is not a casual purchase as it represents an investment so verification that it's legit could save headaches that are avoidable. A possible approach would to view any service records to get familiar with maintenance, care, and ownership. After confirming it' a go to proceed having a lbs do an inspection at buyer cost and arrange with the seller if agreeable, the fewer the potential buyers and any "need to sell" could be a incentive for the seller to assist.

 

[baggers.01]

I expect it's something that's happened. A decent seller with nothing to hide shouldn't object in theory but it boils down to the individual you're dealing with. Personally I would find it a pain in the arse. Would I have to take the bike somewhere myself? How do I know you won't disappear with it? Will some stranger be dismantling it? You see the problems.

My idea was find a decent shop as near as possible for him and book at pay for over phone and see what happens if it came all good . I would collect on agreed price

 

[RustyMTB]

Slightly adjacent to the topic but brands only warranting original owners is one of the most egregious cynicisms in the industry. Warranty should apply to products not owners in my view, it's backing your quality. The 2nd hand market would be a much more trusted environment for it.

 

[Astro66]

Mourning guys first post and looking for my first bike, ive found a used bike on here in the sale section, so my question is that we all know this isn't a cheap hobby and it's not a cheap purchase, would It be unusual if a price can be agreed that I pay for a health check at a bike shop before any money has been exchanged or been viewed as its a bit of a travel, thanks for any opinions

I've just sold a couple of EMTBs. If you wish to pay a professional to come and look at the motor and plug a laptop in. No issue. But expecting someone to hand their EMTB over to anyone would not be viewed favourably. I certainly would not entertain it.

Even on the test ride, I ride with prospective buyer on a derestricted bike, so they cannot outrun me.

 

[steve_sordy]

I would not be willing to let the bike out of sight.
You should take a knowledeable friend along with you that can sniff out a dodgy bike. Much like generations of people have done before when buying a used car.

For bike sales, here is what I have done twice and will do so in the future.

I have been using my LBS since about 2018 (previous one closed). Because I actually use them, they know me and have worked on my bike and my grandson's bike. They are fully aware of how well they are maintained. During the pandemic, I mentioned that I was thinking of selling my bike. The owner asked how I would be selling it. When I said eBay he said "why not use my shop as the collection point, and then the buyer can question me about the bike while you step outside." To say I was surprised (and grateful) is an understatement. The owner went on to say that he was only offering this because he had confidence in the bike and could speak without having to lie.

Subsequently it worked very well. I sold two bikes via this method and both buyers told me how well it worked for them, they felt that they were getting a genuine bike. For me it was neutral territory and that a possibly dodgy buyer would never find out where I live to come back and steal the bike. I also believe that being able to offer this opportunity in the sales pitch increased the price I got and/or the speed of sale. On each occasion, I gave the LBS a small percentage of the sale price for their trouble. They did not ask for it and actually refused it, but I insisted.

This is something that only an LBS can offer, definitely not anything an internet seller can do.

PS: When I was preparing to sell my current bike, the LBS offered the same deal a third time. However, I have just given the bike to my grandson for a very nominal fee, so I wasn't able to accept their offer.

 

[Astro66]

My idea was find a decent shop as near as possible for him and book at pay for over phone and see what happens if it came all good .

If you also pay for the owners time and travel to take it to a shop. No issue. Otherwise. Pay to bring the professional to the bike.

 

[baggers.01]

I've just sold a couple of EMTBs. If you wish to pay a professional to come and look at the motor and plug a laptop in. No issue. But expecting someone to hand their EMTB over to anyone would not be viewed favourably. I certainly would not entertain it.

Even on the test ride, I ride with prospective buyer on a derestricted bike, so they cannot outrun me.

I mean it's not hand the bike to any one it would be a local to them shop(even a shop of there choice) with out me there, more of a pre purchase inspection paid for by me without being in attendance,but on the other hand I understand i would be very weary of letting some one ride a bike off into the distance. The last thing I want is to be potential a couple of grand into a bike for it to be a immediate money pit(being unknowing what to look for) i know things can go wrong with anything mechanical just trying to minimise my risks

 

[baggers.01]

I would not be willing to let the bike out of sight.
You should take a knowledeable friend along with you that can sniff out a dodgy bike. Much like generations of people have done before when buying a used car.

For bike sales, here is what I have done twice and will do so in the future.

I have been using my LBS since about 2018 (previous one closed). Because I actually use them, they know me and have worked on my bike and my grandson's bike. They are fully aware of how well they are maintained. During the pandemic, I mentioned that I was thinking of selling my bike. The owner asked how I would be selling it. When I said eBay he said "why not use my shop as the collection point, and then the buyer can question me about the bike while you step outside." To say I was surprised (and grateful) is an understatement. The owner went on to say that he was only offering this because he had confidence in the bike and could speak without having to lie.

Subsequently it worked very well. I sold two bikes via this method and both buyers told me how well it worked for them, they felt that they were getting a genuine bike. For me it was neutral territory and that a possibly dodgy buyer would never find out where I live to come back and steal the bike. I also believe that being able to offer this opportunity in the sales pitch increased the price I got and/or the speed of sale. On each occasion, I gave the LBS a small percentage of the sale price for their trouble. They did not ask for it and actually refused it, but I insisted.

This is something that only an LBS can offer, definitely not anything an internet seller can do.

PS: When I was preparing to sell my current bike, the LBS offered the same deal a third time. However, I have just given the bike to my grandson for a very nominal fee, so I wasn't able to accept their offer.

Yeah I like the idea of that and that might be the route I possibly take if there willing, a mutual metting point where both parties are happier

 

[Astro66]

i know things can go wrong with anything mechanical just trying to minimise my risks

Most EMTB motor failures are water ingress. So unless the shop is going to crack the casing open, I think you are wasting your time and money. If they are going to crack the casing open. I cannot see any owner agreeing. They can do irreparable damage, and not reseal it properly.

The best way to minimise risk is buying from a shop with warranty. Or buy 2nd hand and have the motor immediately overhauled.

 

[RustyMTB]

Most EMTB motor failures are water ingress. So unless the shop is going to crack the casing open, I think you are wasting your time and money

Plenty of motors & batteries a decent shop can hook up to diagnostics & check what the eye can't see & plenty of people who don't know one end of a wrench from the other where a good spanners is worth their salt running a ruler over a bike in general. It could easily be money well spent.

 

[Astro66]

Plenty of motors & batteries a decent shop can hook up to diagnostics & check what the eye can't see

Sure. But if all they are doing is hooking it up to a laptop. Then bring the laptop to the bike. I did this for the buyers of the bikes I sold. Printed out the report.

 

[RustyMTB]

Yeah which isn't anything to do with your original point. In short, sit still ya slippery bastard.

 

[Astro66]

Yeah which isn't anything to do with your original point. In short, sit still ya slippery bastard.

The point is the bike doesn't need to go to a shop. This can be brought to the bike ...... I'm chucking this one back ...... skins too oily .......

 

[simbiker]

I did not take it to the shop but in retrospect may be i should have. Nothing major I had to fix get fixed though. The front wheel bolt was stuck on, which i took it in for. Brake bleeds mainly needed to be done but the electronics were fine. I had an issue with the bike's registration, which changed hands a few times. However, given the year it was well out of warranty, but had low milage. A 2nd bike i bought second hand I paid more for, but the re-registration issue was smoother.

As with buying a car, it is customary for the buyer to pay for the inspection, and then you can use it as a point of negotiation. However, the seller may not budge much and say "it's used. What do you expect? You're getting a good deal" and they could be at least partially right. I would pay attention to new bike sales, cus this would give you an idea of how much they could have paid for the bike in prior years.