Are you worried about buying a stolen bike?

[longun]

Whenever I buy anything of value, I consider whether the seller is trustworthy. If I think he's dodgy, I don't buy.
It's not just the thought of buying hooky gear, though that would take the shine off "ownership", but the possibility that something ain't quite what it seems, is damaged or sub-standard.
In my experience, anyone misrepresenting ownership of a bike is equally likely to misrepresent the condition.
I can't be doing with this "ignorance is bliss" attitude. It's shabby.

agree,unfortunately most sellers on ebay,here etc dont keep reciepts so its totally a gamble.i echo the comments if it looks dodgey i stay away tho,if someone genuinely is selling their pride n joy its usually apparent,however,for example..........pace bike,square pipes,cash only on collection..............warns me its not legit.


sorry if i came across,shabby.

 

[24pouces]

I really don't want that someone stoles my bikes.
So I really don't want to buy a stolen bike.

On other hand, on international ebay (in other country than France), I can't know if a bike was stolen or not. But Perhaps, I'm lucky, but I still have good contact with salers, and they all have been serious. I love to know the story of the bike before buying it. I don't think that they hide me something

:?

 

[JeRkY]

I saw a 1995 Marin Team on Bricklane market last year for £60. I have to admit I was tempted but in the end I couldnt buy it as I am on the belief you can not buy any bike on this notorious east London sunday market "in good faith"

It is all so dodgy it is unbelievable.

 

[DeSelby]

Its funny how karma has been bought into this as I guess thats one of the things that has crossed my mind, I too would be very upset if I had a bike stolen from me. Some years ago someone stole a MK1 Escort I owned, never see it again but often think about it. Hopefully who ever took it had some serious karma come upance!

I feel buying of Ebay has some protection benefits in that if ever the item you have bought is identified as stolen be it a bike or any other item you can prove that you bought it off Ebay. I can imagine it being a totally different story if the item was purchased from a boot sale or a market then you only have your word, Ebay has an electronic signature so to speak. Not 100% sure the law would see it like that but feel slightly more comfortable with that scenario.

I pop down Brick Lane market often, if someone wants me to looks out for something thats been taken drop me a PM with your number and I will look out. I normally get there very early though and leave pretty early as well. Fascinates me all the people setting up selling stuff on the side of the pavement.

Is there an online database to check frame numbers?

 

[Fairyglass]

Is there an online database to check frame numbers?

Back in the day, I bought into a chip system called Datatag or somesuch, where you got a chip you inserted into the frame of the bike, and it was added to a central register. I see the site's still live, but no idea if my chip is still active... probably rusted away by now!

 

[MADJEZ]

I bought my bike from the Bumblebee (police) auction so it might have been stolen !

Dunno how they got it but I believe that's about as legit a seller as you can get.

I would think that buying parts on ebay etc would be dodgier than a full bike as you can't trace them.

 

[maverick]

Have a look at http://www.immobilise.com/index.php, it is searched via the NMPR by police for stolen property. Usefull to register all your household stuff too, as well as bikes.

 

[The_Grouch]

Of course this could be a problem buying bikes on ebay, it is something I was wary about when I was looking for a bike recently, but if you take the time to talk to the seller and ask questions, then you can probably judge for yourself whether they are a genuine seller, or whether they just robbed it the previous week.

 

[bagpipes]

Had to chime in here due to some errors of information.

Being in possession of stolen property does not make you guilty of any offence unless it is proven that you knew it to be stolen. Here are a few elements that need to be proven...... knowledge, consent and control.

You must have knowledge that it's stolen or somehow was obtained by a criminal act.
You must consent to having possession of the item and not be forced or tricked into having it / planted on you (not to hard to prove especially with a bike)
you must have control of the article (has to do with proximity)

The key here is knowledge. If you are found to possess anything that is stolen, it must be proven that you knew it was stolen and you consented to taking possession of it knowing it was stolen. I can assure you that anyone on this forum who has ever purchased a seat post, stem, frame or any "part" of a bike has, at one point or another, purchased a stolen article without knowing it. Think about it - do you know where everything you purchased, that was used, came from? Not likely.

The internet is a huge network full of false ideas that ayone can remain annoymous and fence their stolen items. It's not, with very little work, anyone can be traced and so can the items for sale. If you are found to be in possession of something that you didn't know was stolen, it will be siezed and you're out of pocket. That's pretty much the end result. If you knew it was stolen, then you're on your own.

FWIW.