Stolen bike found on Ebay

pulliptears

Hi Seller,
Im interested in your bike, would it be possible to call in and have a look at it as I'm passing through that area this weekend?
Thanks

You then have the address.

Angry_Fanboy

I'm not trying to play devil's advocate here, but I'm curious to know how if the bike was built by the OP's husband himself do you prove it is the your property?

Receipts for the parts used to build it? Photos of yourselves using the bike?

theonlywayisup

pinkshoes wrote: »

I would win the auction for whatever amount, then arrange to go and collect it.

THEN... call the local police, and get them to turn up with you at the address.

Even if the seller isn't aware it's stolen, they are indeed handling stolen goods, and it is NOT their property to sell.

Given it was only stolen 4 months ago, then chances are that they do know it was stolen, as why else would they be selling it on so quickly?!

Pink, I'm afraid the definition of handling stolen goods requires the person who has them to either know or believe them to be stolen. Only enquiries once the bike is recovered will assist in working out what has gone on. It could be the person who currently has the goods has purchased them three of four times down the chain of buy-sell since they were stolen. Whilst in law he may not have acquired the right of ownership, it doesn't make him guilty of a criminal offence either.

Your idea is exactly what I would do and as I said before the 'handling' issue is moot as the OP wants to recover the bike.

purcel

Angry_Fanboy wrote: »

I'm not trying to play devil's advocate here, but I'm curious to know how if the bike was built by the OP's husband himself do you prove it is the your property?

Receipts for the parts used to build it? Photos of yourselves using the bike?

Yes, got receipts as everything has been bought either on Ebay or chain reaction. We also have photos of the bike whist it has been built and after and it has got a specific part which you would only know if you put yourself the bike toghether or take it apart, which the seller currently hasn't done either.

purcel

The ebay seller only ever sold bikes and car stereos. And unfortunately we will not be bidding and turning up to collect as too far. We had considered but not an option. Lets' just hope then the police does their job

Angry_Fanboy

purcel wrote: »

Yes, got receipts as everything has been bought either on Ebay or chain reaction. We also have photos of the bike whist it has been built and after and it has got a specific part which you would only know if you put yourself the bike together or take it apart, which the seller currently hasn't done either.

Thank you, that seems completely reasonable.

I hope you get a good result.

theonlywayisup

purcel wrote: »

The ebay seller only ever sold bikes and car stereos. And unfortunately we will not be bidding and turning up to collect as too far. We had considered but not an option. Lets' just hope then the police does their job

But you could bid and not pay. This will string out the process a few more days after the end of the auction.

Have you been back onto the Police?

geri1965_2

It's only 50 miles away! How much do you want it back?

Angry_Fanboy

geri1965 wrote: »

It's only 50 miles away! How much do you want it back?

What are you advocating?

geri1965_2

Angry_Fanboy wrote: »

What are you advocating?

I'm advocating winning the bike at auction and turning up with the police. Nothing illegal! 50 miles doesn't seem that far to me, if I had a custom built bike that meant a lot to me I wouldn't let a mere 50 miles get in the way of getting it back.