Selling a bike on Gumtree - advice please

Kittenonthekeys

I'm selling a new bike (pushbike) on Gumtree and would really appreciate any opinions/advice on how best to keep myself safe when dealing with my potential buyer. I have no idea how to play this, as every possible way of meeting them seems fraught with potential problems! I know I sound neurotic :eek: but I'm really not; it's just that you never know who you're dealing with.
Of course I plan to only accept cash, and if they want to test ride the bike, they'll have to give me the dosh to hold while they pedal off, etc.

But the main thing I'm not sure about, is whether or not to give them my home address, or whether to try and take the bike (accompanied by my OH) to meet them in a public place, which could be a bit awkward since they are coming from 20 miles away and can only do evenings - I don't really fancy standing around in the street on a cold dark evening waiting for a stranger who may not even show up.
My home address is a bit awkward too, as my house is a bit like the ones in Coronation St. - it has no porch or front garden and opens directly onto the street. As I wouldn't want to let a stranger into my home, the transaction would have to take place on the pavement outside - in the dark!
Also, I've heard of people being subsequently burgled by 'buyers' they've sold stuff to.
There again, if I refuse to give the buyer my address, they might assume I was dodgy and that the bike is stolen, which it isn't and I'm not!
I'm sure that Gumtree carries no more risk than advertising in the local paper but perhaps I should just stick to eBay, and swallow the massive fees? At least it's the devil I know and it's not quite so anonymous.
I'm thinking perhaps I should say I can't do evenings?
Really appreciate any advice and words of wisdom on this!
Cheers.
(Sorry if this is in the wrong category but I wasn't sure which one was best.)

ThumbRemote

Sounds like you're being a little paranoid to me. What do you think they're going to do? Force their way past two of you into the house, ransack it and run out again - all while you're standing there? Really,
if you didn't want to sell the bike when it was dark at night, you should have saved it until summer.

And think of it from their side. Would you buy a bike from someone who won't tell you where they live? That screams out 'stolen bike' to me. Or someone who won't let you look at the bike in decent light? That says there's damage you don't want them to see.

My suggestion - make sure your OH is in the front room when they come, possibly invite a friend round for the evening too. Invite the person inside into the light, let them look over the bike, take their money and give them the bike. Job done.

Kittenonthekeys

Thanks - I knew it sounded paranoid, but there are accounts of unpleasant stuff happening via Gumtree, even if it is unlikely.
You're absolutely right about selling it in the summer - I should have waited and may even do that if this comes to nothing.
Good advice which is appreciated.

hollydays

As a precaution get their phone number before they visit. You could tell them you have someone else who may coming to view it and you could ring them if they bought it. With gumtree the more likely scenario is people wasting your time and trying to knock you down

Poppie68

You say you might just stick to Ebay...it will be no different if the bike is cash on collection or if they send a courier, couriers are strangers as well..it's no different than any other stranger knocking on your door and you answering.

photome

Why is everyone so paranoid these days.

If you are selling something for cash/collection just do it !

What makes you more susceptible to a burglary after selling a push bike from your front door?

I have bought and sold like that over the years and never come to any harm