Browning Bike Dilemma
 

Hello! I am in a dilemma, I showed this bike to a stranger who claimed to be a bike expert for an estimated value. He told me I could probably get $1,300 for it, but he offered me $750 then and there which I agreed on. He gave me $500 (all he could withdrawal) and said he could get the next $250 2 days later and then I bring him the bike. When I took the bike to him he informed me that the bike was only worth $70-$100 and asked if he could just call it $200 and get the other $300 back. Mind you I have ZERO knowledge when it comes to bikes, so I don't know if this is a scam or just someone screwing up. These are the only pics I have of this bike, so if you could tell what the value is based on that please help.

Also what would you all do in this situation. He has the bike now, and I still have the $500.

Turns out I can't post pics as a new user, but it is a vintage Browning touring bike in good condition with all original parts (from what that guy told me).

Sounds like a closed deal???

I really can't visualize more than 500 USD without parting it out...

Pic Assist - https://www.bikeforums.net/g/picture/26557638

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5f856be884.jpg

Strange story - definitely sounds a little “scammy”, though I don’t see how the scam would work if you’ve been dealing in cash. Based on the picture I’d agree that the bike is worth $70-100, tops, but if you agreed to a price, and they paid you less than that and they have the bike, I’d say you could consider the deal done, unless you want to give them some money back out of the goodness of your heart.

If they paid $500 with a check, and are asking for $300 cash back, then that’s a different story…

Omg, you should refund him! Be a friend.

If I didn't already pay off bills this wouldn't be an issue (even though I think everyone should research something before dropping $750).

He offered to pay 200.00 ) " call it 200 and get the 300 back "

I would give him back the $ 300.

Good Karma :)

Let's see, I assume that the "expert" saw the bike before meeting with you..if so they knew what they were potentially purchasing. Did you have a price listed in the add, what was it, 1300 or less? If less my comments would be different.....
So....1.If you listed it at 1300 and bike expert agreed with you that it's worth 1300.
2.Expert may have expected to sell for a profit and or get a better deal and generously offers you 750......you accept.
3. Expert pays you 500 with the promise to pay the additional 250 in a few days.
4. Expert does more research and finds out that it's not worth the offer or partial payment.....which should have been done prior to making any offer.
5. Wants to renegotiate after sealing the deal with a partial payment.

If buyer wanted to flip the bike personally I would have little sympathy, BUT I would still negotiate a bit more for the hassle......and the as a buyer I would be open to this...if giving some money back, since you have already spent it, I would give it back on terms that worked for me ...... it would be on my terms (time).

JMHO, Ben
BTW, Karma works both ways...buying a "1300" bike for "750" perhaps was not good Karma.....A lesson for the "Expert".

If the story is really true as told, I'd keep the $500. You weren't marketing the bike at an unreasonably high price or holding forth that it had any value. There was apparently no reason the buyer should have been deceived. The offer is so strange I would anticipate it was part of some planned scam. For that reason alone I'd have no further dealings with this person.

Its a $25 bike, but if he professed expertise and made an offer that you accepted, and the money changed hands, its over. At this point it is up to you. I have screwed up and overpaid for stuff, never thought of asking for some money back later.

On the other hand, me, I'd give the guy $250 back IF HE PAID IN CASH. If it was a check, I would not. There are too many check scams out there where buyers get money back. And later, the check is found to be fradulent. One trick is they use some obscure bank not in your area. Anyone with a decent computer can print checks out, including cashiers checks.

No bicycle "expert" would ever think a Browning is worth $500, or $1300. The number of vintage bikes from that era worth that kind of money are rare.

For a local cash offer as is sale I would agree the number of 70's through 90's bikes that are worth $500-$1300 a very rare probably 1 in 100 in most markets.
In most US markets you can find high to top end stuff in good as is condition may need some work starting at about $300 cash a lot of members here seem to find stuff for even less on a pretty regular basis.

What an odd transaction. I wouldn't trust someone to hold $500 for me, but then I also wouldn't accept $750 for a bike from a person who had just told me it was worth $1300.

If he gave you a check you're getting scammed. If he gave you cash I don't know what he's smoking. Very weird. He doesn't know where you live so unless he's clearly mentally handicapped or scattered (or a young kid?), I would keep the $500.

Believe it or not, an Ebay buyer bought this Raleigh from me through the auction format. The bike is an entry level Raleigh Record and very poorly made, to be honest (I am not a Raleigh fan). As I recall, I would have been happy to get $100.00 US for the bike but it sold for $1,225.00 US plus the cost to ship.

I was stunned as I watched two bidders fight it out during the closing minutes of the auction and unsure of what to do. I was, indeed, faced with a dilemma. That said, I honored the deal, accepted the money and, in all honesty, have felt a bit guilty about it ever since. Anyway, this is the bike that fetched way too much auction value. And, for what it is worth, it was this transaction that caused me to publish MY "TEN SPEEDS", a website designed to help other buyers, especially those who did not really understand what they were doing, avoid making such uninformed mistakes...
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bf351354ef.jpg

There is a bit of pay back through another auction. I got a lousy $78.00 for this lovely old Legnano Gran Premo. I have since decided to not participate, as a seller, in auction format transactions anymore. I hated letting the Legnano go for so little cash, but, once again, I honored the deal. $78.00 - good grief...
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...68d411126b.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0fe8710537.jpg

Buyers remorse sucks. I've had it, but never asked for my money back. Life lesson for the dude who said $1300.

Only way the scam I see would work is if he handed you counterfeit cash, came back in 2 days, hoping you changed some of the bills out. If you agreed he would of walked out of there with the bike and potentially 300 in good bills.

just a thought

I think we are get a bit off track randyjawa great looking bikes I have found two tone Raliegh's draw a bit of a prime but wow. Yet I have sold several Grand Prix's in the $200-300 with some better parts one better model but same frame set . But those ae days gone.

If this whole thing was done at your house and the guy has your phone number. I would just square everything away and move on. People are crazy. I never do deals at my house for this really. Away's a public place and cheap burner phone. That way all deals are final and I'll never see them again. Dealing with strangers is a pain.

There are Browning bikes that where made of Reynolds 531 but even the best of those aren't going to be worth the self shellacking that the buyer did on himself. I know where one is at the local repair shop. I've been think of picking it up, I know some gun guys that would like to see it.

If you let him off the hook for the remainder and hand him the bike, that would be ‘fair” according to the original deal HE made. If you gave him money back , you would be more than fair because he obviously made a huge error in judgement. I have some people that look at my collection as if my bikes are worth way more than they are and when I tell them the actual market value , they are surprised. Not many folks really know , so I can understand but I would think someone would check before plunking down 5 Ben Franklins.

I think most of the bases are covered here. If the buyer offered $750 and secured the bike for $500 = 33% discount! The $750 was the buyers offer, not yours and you don’t need to fund his education about the value of the product after an agreement was reached.