I don't use paypal so what is a way to buy a bike from a random person on and internet forum?

GervisLooper

It is just over £100 so not huge amount but also not something I would like to lose.

The forum specializes in retro bikes so it is not a common honey pot for scams like gumtree I wouldn't think.

There is a lot of buying and selling on there but this user is a newish member without any real post history. However they have made some other posts not just offering to sell the bike which lends to their credence a little bit.

They live only an hour a way but can't be bothered to meet in person really particularly as they live in a city and I hate driving in cities.

They have offered to send it at cost.

Is anything apart from paypal going to be a punt and putting full trust in the buyer?

I want the bike so wondering whether to 'take the leap of faith'.

prowla

Never send a payment by an unsecured means (bank transfer, etc.).

Also, even if you had PayPal, never use F&F to pay someone who isn't your friend or family.

GervisLooper

prowla said:

Never send a payment by an unsecured means (bank transfer, etc.).

Also, even if you had PayPal, never use F&F to pay someone who isn't your friend or family.

I know but I have to pay somehow and don't use paypal thus I must use unsecured. Not going to meet for cash and I don't know a way to do debit transaction to individuals?

wmb194

Get PayPal.

Zanderman

GervisLooper said:

...

I want the bike so wondering whether to 'take the leap of faith'.

First take a more basic leap of faith and get PayPal. You don't need to use it afterwards if you don't want to.

elsien

You could do a bank transfer, however that could end up with you having no money and no bike (or a faulty bike worth much less than you have paid because you haven’t inspected it)  and no way to get the money back.

GervisLooper

elsien said:

You could do a bank transfer, however that could end up with you having no money and no bike (or a faulty bike worth much less than you have paid because you haven’t inspected it)  and no way to get the money back.

I will see if they sound honest first.

elsien

Some of the more convincing scammers sound very honest indeed. That is how they get away with it. 

username

Get cash and meet up with them, check the item over and if it's legit do the deal. If it isn't, walk away.

Any other method will be a gamble.

Why the reluctance to not want to see the item in the flesh first and doing a cash payment, it seems you have a doubt about this guy's credibility?

sausage_time

Meet them halfway (distance wise)?  It it's a £10 rail fare (say) you could deduct that from the agreed price.  I'd say worth it for peace of mind.

lohr500

If there is public transport in your area, jump on a bus or train if you hate driving in cities!
Probably only £2 each way on a bus with the price cap.

If the bike is OK, then ride it back.

£2 or £4 spent on public transport is better than potentially losing £100. And you save the transportation cost of the bile at cost.