escrow services
01-28-12, 10:41 AM
#1
my name is Jim
Thread Starter
escrow services
I am buying a bike from someone I have never met or seen before and I haven't seen the bike except in pictures (an original '72 Cinelli SC). The guy seems completely straight forward and has sent me tons of pics, including specific requests from me so I am pretty sure the bike exists and he has access to it. Anyway the amount changing hands is significant enough that I am uncomfortable sending the money before I get the bike and he has the opposite issue. So I investigated escrow services and escrow.com came up and I am wondering if anyone has used them or anyone else? escrow.com will charge 3.25% which is alright (about the same as Paypal fees I think).
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01-28-12, 11:06 AM
#2
Steel is real, baby!
If the amount is significant enough that you are uncomfortable paying ahead of time, I'd try to figure out a way to go see it in person.
If that is feasable.
If that is feasable.
01-28-12, 11:12 AM
#3
Wrench Savant
Look in "The Facilitator's" sticky. If the bike is near one of them, you may ask them to go take a look for you. If the bike is in Anchorage, I am sure it is a fake, but give me the conact info anyway 
01-28-12, 01:35 PM
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I bought a high wheel sight unseen from across the country on CL, mailed the check, and everything worked out well in the end. There are still real & good people out there!
01-28-12, 01:39 PM
#5
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01-28-12, 02:44 PM
#6
my name is Jim
Thread Starter
Thanks guys. I'll check the facilitator thread. Guy is completely willing to pack to my specifications so I don't anticipate any problems there. I already sent him the "how to pack a bike 101" thread.
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70 Pogliaghi ItalCorse, 72 De Rosa, 72 Masi Gran Criterium, 75 Masi Gran Criterium, 77 Melton, 79 Bianchi Super Leggera, 79 Gios Super Record, 81 Picchio Special, 82 Guerciotti Super Record, 82 Colnago Profil CX, 83 Colnago Superissimo, 84 Fuso
Flickr Albums
ebay: cicloclassico
70 Pogliaghi ItalCorse, 72 De Rosa, 72 Masi Gran Criterium, 75 Masi Gran Criterium, 77 Melton, 79 Bianchi Super Leggera, 79 Gios Super Record, 81 Picchio Special, 82 Guerciotti Super Record, 82 Colnago Profil CX, 83 Colnago Superissimo, 84 Fuso
01-28-12, 03:49 PM
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I've heard bad things about online escrow service scams. That was a few years ago, though. Things may have changed.
01-28-12, 04:40 PM
#8
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Other than a crank poking through the bottom of a box, thank godd it was only a 600, I have had little issues in dealing with strangers. but I do agree if your nervous use a facilitator. is there a bike shop nearby he can take it to? if he drops it at the shop they can pack and ship it.
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01-28-12, 05:05 PM
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Have done it many times. Always feel better with a facilitator and they are pretty easy to find but I have done it without and had great luck. I was always in a position that, although i would be bummed, I would be able to accept losing the amount I was paying for the bike. I would probably not do it if I thought I could not afford to lose that amount.
01-28-12, 05:31 PM
#10
Senior Member
Why not use PayPal. Doesn't it offer the same buyer protection for non Ebay and Ebay transaction.
01-28-12, 06:29 PM
#11
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I can't over emphasize how important proper packing is to the entire transaction. I have sent that same thread to sellers, and they agreed to use it, then didn't. So far, I am 50/50 on bikes being damaged on shipment (all due to poor packaging). Anymore, I will drive pretty far to avoid the entire bike shipping process, particularly on something really special.
01-28-12, 07:11 PM
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https://escrow.com/index.asp
I know a lot of instrument buyers/sellers use this company but I have no personal experience and they are expensive.
I know a lot of instrument buyers/sellers use this company but I have no personal experience and they are expensive.
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