jettore

Started two days ago, I spot an ad on Craigslist for 2 Schwinns for $50 about an hour away. One is listed as a World Voyageur in good condition for it's age, the other bike just listed as a Schwinn. No other information in the ad. I quickly send the seller an email to ask about the size of the Voyageur and about any pics. He sends me the size and it fits me, but he won't have pics until the next day. I figure for $50 I can risk it and tell him I'll take both and pick them up Saturday morning. We decide to meet closer to the middle so it's only 40 minutes for me.

Next day he sends me a crappy photo of the Voyageur from a camera phone. I'm happy though, I see an original 1973 yellow voyageur that looks unmolested. Looks like it needs the basics like tires, lube and cables. So at this point I'm excited about the bike. Can't wait to get her fixed up and ready to ride for spring.

So today I drive out there to meet the guy and he's a no show. I assume someone offered him more money, but he didn't have the guts to send me a message. Instead wasting my morning was a better option for him. I have since left him a voice mail, text message and email and he hasn't responded. The craigslist ad also was deleted today. Sorry about the rant, I'm just upset that people are so crappy like this. I was really hoping to get a nice bike at a great price that I could fix up and ride and still sell it down the road and not lose money.

I'll keep the search going, but next time I'll make sure I have the sellers address to meet them.

cb400bill

That sucks big time.

SteveSGP

Yeah it sucks but that's how it goes sometimes, in my experience you have to be willing to pretty much jump in the car immediately if you want to actually get the good deals or you risk this type of situation.

Henry III

It's just the C&V Gods saying it was never meant to be. Cheer up as there is more then one fish in the sea and you'll get your day and he'll get his. Karma.

cudak888 

If you didn't get it, it wasn't a "find."

More reason to hang back and let your first find fall into your lap. They have a tendency to do that; you just have to make sure you blank your mind about bikes - or else whatever it is won't show up.

-Kurt

Roger M

This might be the same one....

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=#post12241521

cudak888 

If so, it looks much nicer now:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ool-Yellow-175

-Kurt

jettore

That's the one! I knew it would show up here.

jettore

Seeing that does not make me feel any better.

funkflex

That sux. That's the name of the game though. People are shady sometimes, that's why I never get excited about a find until it's in my possession and I'm driving home! Something better will pop up no worries.

cudak888 

Would a cheese steak improve matters?

Sorry, had to.

-Kurt

jettore

Nah, after the seller didn't show up I drowned my sorrows in hot dogs and pork roll sandwiches at a piece of roadside Americana history. Luckily it was only 1 minute from the meeting place. Lifesaver!
https://www.jimmyjohns1940.com/

tmh657

Craig's list can suck sometimes. Taylor pork roll sounds interesting. What is it?

fender1

I confess, it was me. It got it for $75 and the wheels had major structural issues and are not usable/safe. The seller was right near my place of work when he sent that picture out to everyone who had responded to the add. I called him right back and I picked it up not long after. I initially bought it for my son (he's 9) but it was too big for him.

I am sorry that the seller stiffed you and wasted your time. I am also sorry to have met you this way. If you let me know what you are looking for I would be happy to help in anyway that I can.

randyjawa 

Only the experience bike hunter knows how true that statement is!

jettore

A little history
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pork_roll

I like it plain and simple. Grilled with a slice of cheese and a soft white roll.

-holiday76

the seller could have at least been decent enough to tell the op it was gone, even if he was going to sell it out from under him. that sucks

jettore

Yeah, not your fault. I thought I had an agreement with the seller through email on Wednesday night. We set the time and place to pickup and I asked him for a pic on Thursday anyway just to see what I thought I was getting. At no point did he tell me he was still fishing for more money, or I might have offered more too. Oh well, it happens. Some day I will get my revenge on Chad of West Chester.

Just looking for something I can fix up and use on charity rides and such. Mid to high range that I can get cheap enough to spend some money fixing up but still get my money back down the road when I sell. I'm not really in a rush to get anything, but I keep an eye out on whats on craigslist. Lesson learned on this one, I'll make sure I run to the car next time.

Roger M

The seller sees dollar signs...

I've been screwed out of a couple bikes, and my last bike purchase cost me twice the asking price due to some other donkey hole offering more money(after the seller already agreed to sell me the bike). Most bike folks are good natured, but there are some that just want to screw someone else out of a good deal.

cinco

Greed often causes disappointing behavior on both sides. Dishonesty seems to be the new social standard... assuming it was never the old one.

auchencrow

You did have a legally binding agreement - but verbal agreements are worth no more the paper they are written on, and unscrupulous sellers will often sell a bike to someone else for a few bucks more. Of course, (99% of the time) the buyer is not aware of any prior commitments made by the seller.
That's also why the worst thing a buyer can do is to offer more than the asking price to secure the sale.

cudak888 

<humor>

The solution is easy:

A. Fender1 sells the complete bike to Jettore.
B. Jettore sues the crap out of the C-lister after falling off the bike due to the "unsafe wheels,"
C. Lawsuit pays for the frame for both parties, and the Craigslist seller gets what is due to him.
D. Roll end credits.

</humor>

-Kurt

kaliayev

And more expensive... just for the frame. Nice that he will throw in the stem and seatpost for an extra $20.

T-Mar

On the other hand, how many times have sellers sat around waitng for somebody who "will definitely take the bicycle" and then never shows? Personally, I don't blame him for selling it to the first person to show up with hte cash, though he should have informed all the potential buyers that this was his policy.

Capecodder

Sorry to hear about this..... Shame on you fender1 LOL......

Really though, you need to move fast with cash when dealing on CL. Oh, as far as getting the sellers address goes, forget it. Any time I put something on CL I set up a safe PUBLIC meeting place so both of us can feel comfortable. NEVER give your address to an unknown person on CL so they can stop by when your not home and clean you out.