Second hand Bosch flow app locked bike.

[iThoughTiSawApussyCat]

Hello

I brought a ebike on ebay and it says its account locked via the flow app I've spoken with bosch who have said I should try contact the seller on doing so I discovered the seller is in fact a cash converters obviously alarm bells started ringing but I've looked online and it's not coming up as stolen thank god but cash converters has stated they are unable to help due to deta protection all the guy said is it worked fine then when the person left later when moving the bike it said locked and that it was stated in the listing does anyone no what my options are can I unlock it somehow I asked bosch for further assistance but haven't had a reply yet obviously its most frustrating as I really want to ride it I've been looking online and is little regards to this kind of issue its a 2022 trek rail 9.8 gx thanks for any imput

Regards
Dan

 

[Robson]

Made your wall of text more readable.


I bought an e-bike on eBay, and when I tried to use it via the Flow app, it said the account is locked. I contacted Bosch, and they advised me to try reaching out to the seller.

When I did, I discovered the seller was actually Cash Converters. Naturally, that raised some alarm bells. However, I checked online, and thankfully the bike isn’t listed as stolen.

Cash Converters told me they can’t help due to data protection. The only information I got was that the bike worked fine, but after the previous owner left, it showed as locked. They also claimed this was stated in the listing.

Does anyone know what my options are? Can I unlock it somehow?

I’ve reached out to Bosch again for further assistance but haven’t heard back yet. It’s incredibly frustrating because I just want to ride the bike. There seems to be very little information online about this kind of issue.

For reference, it’s a 2022 Trek Rail 9.8 GX.

 

[Fangs2k]

I’ve never dealt with Cash Converters, but I think you need to take it up with them again.

They‘ve sold you something you can’t use, either they need to get in contact with whoever they purchased it from and get them to unlock it and remove from the app etc, or they need to take it back for a refund.

I would imagine they may get difficult over it, but it‘s not your problem to sort so either they fix it or take it back.

You purchased online from a business, and even if via eBay you should have some protection from the distance selling regulations or maybe even eBay will go into bat for you if it gets difficult. Did you pay with a credit card at all? They will also be able to assist should Cash Converters not fix the problem for you.

 

[iThoughTiSawApussyCat]

Made your wall of text more readable.


I bought an e-bike on eBay, and when I tried to use it via the Flow app, it said the account is locked. I contacted Bosch, and they advised me to try reaching out to the seller.

When I did, I discovered the seller was actually Cash Converters. Naturally, that raised some alarm bells. However, I checked online, and thankfully the bike isn’t listed as stolen.

Cash Converters told me they can’t help due to data protection. The only information I got was that the bike worked fine, but after the previous owner left, it showed as locked. They also claimed this was stated in the listing.

Does anyone know what my options are? Can I unlock it somehow?

I’ve reached out to Bosch again for further assistance but haven’t heard back yet. It’s incredibly frustrating because I just want to ride the bike. There seems to be very little information online about this kind of issue.

For reference, it’s a 2022 Trek Rail 9.8 GX.

Wow thank you for taking the time to do that I appreciate it a lot very kind

 

[Rus Ler]

If you bought it using Paypal you may have some recourse through them - not fit for purpose.

 

[Arminius]

If you have a proof of sale/purchase and a proof it is not stolen you may contact a Bosch dealer and ask for help. If you have no proof you might just be trying to find out how to unlock a stolen bike……

 

[Mteam]

Sounds like it's been stolen, then quickly sold to cash converters before the original owner it was stolen from locked it via the bosch app.

You need to get cash converters to take it back somehow, not sure whether ebay/PayPal would side with you in a dispute if cash converters stated on the item description that it was locked.

Possibly the distance selling regs may come in useful, you have 14 days to return any item bought remotely for a full refund as long as it hasn't been used etc.

Failing that if you paid by credit card then maybe they will refund

 

[iThoughTiSawApussyCat]

If you have a proof of sale/purchase and a proof it is not stolen you may contact a Bosch dealer and ask for help. If you have no proof you might just be trying to find out how to unlock a stolen bike……

Hi yes I have proof I did check online nothing came up thank you for the advice I will take it tomorrow

 

[Old Codger]

Hi yes I have proof I did check online nothing came up thank you for the advice I will take it tomorrow

I had a bike stolen pre flow app and found it in cash converters, £3500 bike on sale for £1500. New battery charger but no key.
I was accompanied by the police (who say this is rife in Cash Converters). Cash Converte’s just say that because the seller gave them ID it was all ok but who buys a bike without a battery key and charger? The seller told police he had purchased it at a car boot sale.
So, Cash Converter’s were complicit through indifference.
If the bike is stolen it is probably from your area so go to an LBS and ask if it is a stolen bike that they know of. Failing that, if CC won’t play, go to Trading Standards.
Remember, if the price looks too good to be true ………

 

[5Tuey]

Raise a dispute through eBay. They will absolutely side with you as the buyer. It’s locked so it’s useless.

Get your money back and find another bike.

 

[iThoughTiSawApussyCat]

Hello everyone,

Thanks for all the responses,

I'm taking the bike to a certified dealer.
Bosch have said to request a virtual diagnostic request, For account removal,
And to take a passport and proof of purchase,
Fingers Crossed

Regards and thanks again for all your replies.

Dan

 

[jackamo]

Hello

I brought a ebike on ebay and it says its account locked via the flow app I've spoken with bosch who have said I should try contact the seller on doing so I discovered the seller is in fact a cash converters obviously alarm bells started ringing but I've looked online and it's not coming up as stolen thank god but cash converters has stated they are unable to help due to deta protection all the guy said is it worked fine then when the person left later when moving the bike it said locked and that it was stated in the listing does anyone no what my options are can I unlock it somehow I asked bosch for further assistance but haven't had a reply yet obviously its most frustrating as I really want to ride it I've been looking online and is little regards to this kind of issue its a 2022 trek rail 9.8 gx thanks for any imput

Regards
Dan

Did you use PayPal?
If so bring as case against cash converters and get your money back .
No point in messing about.

 

[Straker]

I had a bike stolen pre flow app and found it in cash converters, £3500 bike on sale for £1500. New battery charger but no key.
I was accompanied by the police (who say this is rife in Cash Converters). Cash Converte’s just say that because the seller gave them ID it was all ok but who buys a bike without a battery key and charger? The seller told police he had purchased it at a car boot sale.
So, Cash Converter’s were complicit through indifference.
If the bike is stolen it is probably from your area so go to an LBS and ask if it is a stolen bike that they know of. Failing that, if CC won’t play, go to Trading Standards.
Remember, if the price looks too good to be true ………

The light fingered devils also say they bought it for a reasonable price do they can avoid a charge for receiving stolen goods…… saying they bought something for £20 at the pub that’s obviously worth thousands is a sure way for them to get charged.

I found this out when the police recovered my bike from a drug dealers house….. he didn’t get charged for theft or receiving….. although a month later he crashed a stolen car and lost his lower leg….. so he’s not going to need any more bikes…

 

[randycpu]

The key in a dispute with eBay is whether the item meets the description. If the description stated that it was locked, you are out of luck.

 

[Old Codger]

The light fingered devils also say they bought it for a reasonable price do they can avoid a charge for receiving stolen goods…… saying they bought something for £20 at the pub that’s obviously worth thousands is a sure way for them to get charged.

I found this out when the police recovered my bike from a drug dealers house….. he didn’t get charged for theft or receiving….. although a month later he crashed a stolen car and lost his lower leg….. so he’s not going to need any more bikes…

Carma.

 

[Bill in Tomahawk]

You have done your best...drill the lock, buy new guts...move on.

Bill

 

[Fangs2k]

I’m assuming it’s this bike?

Trek Rail 9.8 GX Electric Full-suspension Mountain Bike 2022 *READ* | eBay UK

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Trek Rail 9.8 GX Electric Full-suspension Mountain Bike 2022 *READ* at the best online prices at eBay UK! Free delivery for many products!

ebay.us

I suppose it was priced accordingly, but also accurately described.

@iThoughTiSawApussyCat How did you get on at the dealers?

 

[iThoughTiSawApussyCat]

I’m assuming it’s this bike?

Trek Rail 9.8 GX Electric Full-suspension Mountain Bike 2022 *READ* | eBay UK

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Trek Rail 9.8 GX Electric Full-suspension Mountain Bike 2022 *READ* at the best online prices at eBay UK! Free delivery for many products!

ebay.us

I suppose it was priced accordingly, but also accurately described.

@iThoughTiSawApussyCat How did you get on at the dealers?

Hello,

Yes, nice detective work. It hasn’t gone great, to be fair. The dealer made a mistake on the form, which delayed the process, and now they’ve informed me it will cost more money because they’ve had to spend extra time on it. That doesn’t seem fair—but what can I do?

I tried to speak with Bosch directly, but they won’t respond at all. There doesn’t even seem to be a proper contact number for eBike issues in the UK, and the German number is just a switchboard that gets you nowhere. It’s really not great.

So, I’m at the mercy of the dealer—and from what I’ve researched, that’s exactly how Bosch wants it. I’ve registered the bike with Trek on trek.com, so now I just have to wait. But even then, the revised form the dealer sent me still had mistakes—like the wrong purchase date—so I don’t know what to expect at this point.

But fingers crossed—I’ve done everything I can to try and do things right. I even took the bike to a police station, who said it was fine. I phoned Trek and gave them the serial number, scanned the internet for any reports of the bike being stolen, and found nothing.

I'm pretty satisfied that it's just a simple case of the previous owner forgetting to remove their account. The shop mentioned the bike worked until he left, so it makes sense that once he was out of Bluetooth range, the system locked itself.

 

[Fangs2k]

Not really detective work, I just searched the bike model you mentioned on eBay using ‘sold’ as a filter!

Anyway, sounds like a right headache.

Why can’t Cash Converters contact the person they purchased the bike from and get them to remove the e-bike from the Flow App which will allow the bike to be used and connected to by yourself?

Presumably they can’t get hold of the seller, or the seller didn’t have authority to sell it in the first place…

 

[iThoughTiSawApussyCat]

Not really detective work, I just searched the bike model you mentioned on eBay using ‘sold’ as a filter!

Anyway, sounds like a right headache.

Why can’t Cash Converters contact the person they purchased the bike from and get them to remove the e-bike from the Flow App which will allow the bike to be used and connected to by yourself?

Presumably they can’t get hold of the seller, or the seller didn’t have authority to sell it in the first place…

They said it worked until he left. They did try to contact him but were unable to reach him—hence the low price. My guess is that if he sold the bike to them, he must have been desperate for money and probably went to CEX and sold his phone too

 

[Joecrow]

Very nice bike, looks like it was a bargain if you can get it unlocked for a reasonable price, I would certainly think perservering with the dealer should be worth it! On the other side it is good to know that Bosch do not make it easy for anyone but the registered owner to unlock it.

 

[iThoughTiSawApussyCat]

Very nice bike, looks like it was a bargain if you can get it unlocked for a reasonable price, I would certainly think perservering with the dealer should be worth it! On the other side it is good to know that Bosch do not make it easy for anyone but the registered owner to unlock it.

Yes, it’s nice but needs a lot of TLC. Both wheels are buckled, the crank wobbles—probably from transport—and the headset is slightly bent. The front forks feel super squishy, so they likely need attention. It also needs a new cassette. Both brakes need new fluid, along with a list of other small issues, but I can fix all that.

My only major concern is the motor. It looks like someone sprayed WD-40 or something similar, and it’s been slowly leaking out like an oil leak. I’ll take it apart once everything else is sorted.

After all that, I’ll probably break even—minus all the stress, of course.

 

[LeftItLancs]

Just seems odd to me, and although Cash Converter are reasonably honest in the description, why would they sell a bike to a customer where the buyer has no way of knowing what the mileage is or if the engine actually works or not?

Be careful that any time limited guarantee (90 days?) for a refund doesn't run out while you try sorting it.

Their feedback on eBay, while not the worst I have seen, also indicates they have previously sold items they said were tested but which were not.

 

[rEs]

Yes, it’s nice but needs a lot of TLC. Both wheels are buckled, the crank wobbles—probably from transport—and the headset is slightly bent. The front forks feel super squishy, so they likely need attention. It also needs a new cassette. Both brakes need new fluid, along with a list of other small issues, but I can fix all that.

My only major concern is the motor. It looks like someone sprayed WD-40 or something similar, and it’s been slowly leaking out like an oil leak. I’ll take it apart once everything else is sorted.

After all that, I’ll probably break even—minus all the stress, of course.

With all those issues, not better to try and get a refund while you still can? Even once sorted, is that motor going to be reliable?

 

[Fangs2k]

The eBay listing also says “This listing was ended by the seller on Fri, 16 May at 10:51 AM because the item is no longer available.”

Is that because the sale was completed outside of eBay and directly with CC?

I’m really not trying to poke my nose in here, I’m trying to help, but I’d be looking at a way of unravelling this purchase as quickly as possible and getting as far away as I could.

Now you mention all the issues with the bike (cranks shouldn’t wobble just by being transported) then surely it would be better to buy something that’s sorted and a known entity already?

 

[iThoughTiSawApussyCat]

With all those issues, not better to try and get a refund while you still can? Even once sorted, is that motor going to be reliable?

At this point, to keep my sanity intact, I’ve decided to look at it like this, I bought a frame—everything else was just a bonus . If I can’t get it sorted, no worries—I’ll strip it down, get a new motor, slap on the parts I need, and bring it back to life. Call me stubborn… or just a man on a mission but I use to be a bike mechanic 25 years ago so a fun project

 

[iThoughTiSawApussyCat]

The eBay listing also says “This listing was ended by the seller on Fri, 16 May at 10:51 AM because the item is no longer available.”

Is that because the sale was completed outside of eBay and directly with CC?

I’m really not trying to poke my nose in here, I’m trying to help, but I’d be looking at a way of unravelling this purchase as quickly as possible and getting as far away as I could.

Now you mention all the issues with the bike (cranks shouldn’t wobble just by being transported) then surely it would be better to buy something that’s sorted and a known entity already?

I made a considerable offer, Way over the bidding price.

 

[Fangs2k]

I made a considerable offer, Way over the bidding price.

Ok, so you purchased directly from CC effectively, online?

You have the right to return it for no reason whatsoever for 14 days following the delivery of the bike to you, under Section 45 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, and they must refund you. It doesn’t matter if it was accurately described.

Best of luck with it all anyway, I can see your logic around worse case scenario being that you buy a motor and controller and have a working bike, but please know you should have the option of a full refund if you want one and you’re quick.

 

[iThoughTiSawApussyCat]

Ok, so you purchased directly from CC effectively, online?

You have the right to return it for no reason whatsoever for 14 days following the delivery of the bike to you, under Section 45 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, and they must refund you. It doesn’t matter if it was accurately described.

Best of luck with it all anyway, I can see your logic around worse case scenario being that you buy a motor and controller and have a working bike, but please know you should have the option of a full refund if you want one and you’re quick.

Thanks, Tooks. I really appreciate your input on this. I’ll definitely take some time to sit down and think things through before making a decision. It’s reassuring to know that I do have some rights—I honestly didn’t realise I had any. Thanks again.

 

[Arminius]

With all the details now I would return it.