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

GervisLooper

username said:

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?

Social issues that I prefer take a gamble! I would not do it for more though and I agree it is a gamble, Lets see if lady luck is on my side this time!!!

While not having many posts on the forum they seem to have done other trades before (as buyer at least) without issue so doesn't appear to be a fake.

Hmm I am weighing it up .

GervisLooper

sausage_time said:

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.

They have agreed to meet half way but asked for a deposit if doing that.

soolin

Be warned, a lot of private or special interest groups on Facebook are being hit with scammers at the moment. Several groups I’m involved with have had issues, and the one thing the scammers often have in common is that they are the nicest more helpful people you would hope to meet. 

They often start with a few successful sales of sub £10 items, then offer a couple of £100+ items, get the earlier buyers to vouch for them and take the money by bank transfer. Most admin warn over and over again to use PayPal G and S but buyers get fooled by the earlier successful sales. 

One scammer even had the cheek to sell the same 2 items several times by contacting people who had posted asking questions, or asking to be next in line saying the original buyer had pulled out and item was actually ready to be collected by the courier if they were still interested. 

Rob5342

Why don't you use PayPal? 

penners324

Cash or nothing

M25

Everyone on the Internet sounds honest.

If you can't be bothered to use PayPal or to go and pick it up just send the cash in an envelope.

Let us know how you get on.

boingy

On a practical note, how are they going to send the bike?

GervisLooper

boingy said:

On a practical note, how are they going to send the bike?

By courier, they said by shipley.

GervisLooper

soolin said:

Be warned, a lot of private or special interest groups on Facebook are being hit with scammers at the moment. Several groups I’m involved with have had issues, and the one thing the scammers often have in common is that they are the nicest more helpful people you would hope to meet. 

They often start with a few successful sales of sub £10 items, then offer a couple of £100+ items, get the earlier buyers to vouch for them and take the money by bank transfer. Most admin warn over and over again to use PayPal G and S but buyers get fooled by the earlier successful sales. 

One scammer even had the cheek to sell the same 2 items several times by contacting people who had posted asking questions, or asking to be next in line saying the original buyer had pulled out and item was actually ready to be collected by the courier if they were still interested. 

I would never use facebook. Vile place.

This forum is rather niche, an old school, actual forum, like this one, so I doubt it has a large attack surface for scammers. Maybe one or two.

I was thinking about it and buying without any protection over time will probably even out in saving of fees for ebay + paypal.

They are 14% per item so as long as I am not doing high ticket items (I would put 100 as a limit but this one is a bit over) then after a few successful purchases even if a scam comes somewhere you will be in a similar position out of pocket as you would be by paying fees for every transaction with the protected options.

Like how sellers factor in a chargeback here and there, that is the same thinking in reverse.

GervisLooper

Rob5342 said:

Why don't you use PayPal? 

Do not support monopolies.