Advise- shady purchace?

[kb1dqh]

Hi all,

I'm planning on buying a new road bike off a Craigs List seller. He has to ship the bike to me. It's a great deal- 2005 top of the line Specialized Road Bike (dura-ace, etc)- retailed for around 5k, he's selling for $1300. I spoke with him on the phone today- here's the deal:

Send $650 w/ Western Union to him once I receive the tracking number. Then send the next $650 after a receive the bike. That doesn't sound too risky, but still, do you think this is legit? The phone # that popped up when he called was just a string of consecutive numbers- anyone ever seen that before? Anyone else ever use Western Union to transfer money?

I want the bike, but don't want a box w/ nothing in it for $650.

Thanks! -kb

[Hutch]

Western Union = SCAM.

http://scams.flipshark.com/westernunion.html

where is the bike?

[mitch buchannon]

I'll send an empty bike box for $400.

Seriously though, I would avoid transacting over the intarweb via western union.

[kb1dqh]

Man, I hope this isn't too good to be true, but it usually is. It's a Specialized S-Work Tarmac. Sick bike! He sent pictures of the bike up against a garage- everything as he described in words. Also seems to know the different bike models fairly well... I asked if I could send the first half in a check and the 2nd half western union.

Edit: The seller also was not great at English... advertised the bike for Santa Cruz area, but "lives" in Crecent City- hours away. I really want that bike though!

[uglymoney]

Total scam, seller has no bike. Likely an internet phone number, one time use, impossible to trace.

Offer to pick it up (no matter where its at) and you won't hear from him again.

[phUnk]

I'll send an empty bike box for $400.

Seriously though, I would avoid transacting over the intarweb via western union.

I'll do it for $375, but you have to hurry with the money because I'm leaving the country on business next week!!!!~

[splat]

Total scam, seller has no bike. Likely an internet phone number, one time use, impossible to trace.

Or an international number...leaving you no recourse.

Walk away. It has all the fingerprints.

[P_McPoser]

smells like fish.

[kb1dqh]

The e-mail string:

Hi,

I'm very interested in the Specialized Tarmac bike you have for sale. I'm in the South Bay, so not far. So, the frame has never been ridden on? Is the whole bike in good condition- anything not working properly? If all is good I'd love to come down, get on the bike and if it fits, buy the bike from you. Is it still for sale? In 2005 did they differentiate between the Tarmac's, i.e. Comp or Expert?

Thanks! Hope this works out, kb1dqh




Hi KB
The bike is still available and in a perfect shape. I'm from Crescent City. The bike is a Tarmac which is preety different from a Expert one. Keep me posted !


Mike-
Would you be willing to ship, maybe $1200 shipped? Also, to clarify, the bike has everything, but pedals? Thanks! KB


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The Tarmac is the top S-Works bike. The bike has everything included except the pedals. I guess I culd accept 1200 shipped. Let me know !
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Mike- Great- I think this should work. It looks like your listing was removed from Craigs List. Anyway you could send me the pics again so I can see the bike? If you stilll have your write up that would be cool too.

How do you want to do the money transfer. I was hoping to ride the bike first and do it in person, but you're way up the coast!

Thanks a lot, KB

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Hi KB,
I`ve sent you some pics and also the specs of the bike.
I think the best is to talk by phone to work out details so please send me your number and i`ll call you today.
Here are the specs:
frame dimensions: seat tube is 56 mm center to top, effective top tube length is 56.8 cm center to center, standover is 74.2 cm, Specialized also calls this a medium, you can get complete geometry here:
fork: S-Works Carbon, Speed Zertz vibration-damping , super high modulus carbon fiber legs, carbon crown, carbon steerer
full Shimano Dura-Ace 10 speed group, the crank is 172.5 with 53/39 rings, cassette is 11-23
wheels: Mavic Ksyrium SL SSC, sealed bearings, bladed spokes, Mavic quick release
tires: new Continental Grand Prix 3000, red and blue tread, 700x23, not on the wheels in pictures, I forgot to change the tires before I took the pictures
headset: S-Works Mindset, 1 1/8” integrated threadless, triple sealed stainless cartridge bearings, carbon cone and headset spacers
stem: S-Works Carbon, oversize 31.8 clamp, 130 grams, 10 cm
bars: S-Works, 31.8 diameter, 100% carbon fiber, 230 grams, 42 center to center
saddle: Selle Italia SLR, titanium rails, 135 grams
seat post: Specialized Pavé, carbon with Zertz insert, 27.2x350mm so you coould save a little weight by cutting it down once you get the saddle height set

I`ll wait for your phone number so i can call you also today

Thanks


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)
Great! My number is ---------. Please call any time. If I miss it I'll call you right back. -KB
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Ok kb, I`ll try to call you today when i get lunch. If not i`ll call you tomorrow to talk about it.
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Thanks Mike. I have a big ride planned the 16th of Sep, so ideally we might be able to do this and have the big shipped here by then. I'm pretty much sold- just need to talk to you on the phone for the details. Look forward to your call when you can catch a moment.
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Hi kb,
I couldn`t call you today because i was too busy but i`ll call you wednesday . I`m sure we can finish the deal until 16 Sep.
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Sounds good. No problem on being busy. Look forward to your call today. kb
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[splat]

COD works for anyone legit.

[PassTheDutchie]

Maybe there's a Maggot in Crescent City who would be willing to pick it up and ship it for you? (if there really is an 'it'). Maybe you should break out the, "I have a buddy in C.C. who will pick the bike up for me and give you a cashier's check" line and see how he reacts..

[pechelman]

the question you should be asking yourself is why that posting was removed from craigslist. it really sounds like scam with everything you've said as everyone else has told you already.

if you're really hell bent on following this through, the only thing you can do is go up there or have someoen close to it check it out in person.

[kb1dqh]

Well, I called him out on the phone and said I might know someone who could come and pick it up in the area. He didn't skip a beat, but seemed excited and said that would work. So- are there any maggots up there? I'd owe ya. I still don't want to do Western Union!

EDIT: He also said his Dad worked for Western Union and that's why he wanted to use them. Wrong answer.

[Razorslug]

If it's that great of a deal fly out here and pic it up in person and fly back with it.

[elevens]

If it's that great of a deal fly out here and pic it up in person and fly back with it.

Good suggestion...

[upallnight]

why don't you use a legit online escrow service?

you pay the money, he ships the item. the money doesn't get released to him until you're satisfied...and you don't get your money back unless you return the bike (and he confirms it).

yeah, it'll cost some $$, but it beats losing the full amount.

(someone made me use one of these services back in '98 on one of my first ebay transactions. i was the seller. it actually worked very smooth.)

[Jim S]

I would not do that, my man.

I got totally f'd that way with what seemed to be an upstanding seller. Long story but again: not with my money.

[kb1dqh]

If it's that great of a deal fly out here and pic it up in person and fly back with it.

I think it would be cheaper to be out the $600 if the bike doesn't come... at least with time/travel factored in.

Thanks all for the advise. Helped a lot!

[Danno]

Crescent City's a nice place, take a drive up there.

[Greydon Clark]

Dude, This is a killer deal!!!

[uglymoney]

I think it would be cheaper to be out the $600 if the bike doesn't come... at least with time/travel factored in.

Exactly what this crook is thinking. Best of luck.

[mrw]

I'm calling scam here. A guy on another forum I frequent bought a tennis ball machine at a screaming price. The short story is he got screwed for $800.

Splat said it right. C.O.D. or walk

[kb1dqh]

Mike Williams to me
More options 4:10 pm (3 minutes ago)

Hi KB,
I don`t know why are you so scared using Western Union because i`ve used it several times and always goes perfect. If you can`t trust me then i`m afraid i`ll have to pass.
Thanks anyway

[kb1dqh]

I would not do that, my man.

I got totally f'd that way with what seemed to be an upstanding seller. Long story but again: not with my money.

I hate it when everyone is right! Thx all for keeping me from losing $600. Man, that bike was sick though (for a road bike).

[uglymoney]

Yep. As soon as you offer to pick it up, he runs from his scam because he knows his scheme was just blown up.