Bike Hub Classified section (or should I not go there)

[Jaws677]

I have been a not so active member here for a while, generally have a quick look at the commuting thread and look at few bikes that I cant afford in the classified section. Sometime Ill  even leave a useless comment or two.

 

I do frequent a few other forums as well and I guess thats why the Bikehub classified section had me raising my eyebrows.

 

Im used to members knowing each other IRL, and deals being made without problems a real community feel. Whereas here I notice a lot of underhanded dealings. An example being a member advertising a XTR wheelset and stating good condition, a query is made regarding a missing spoke, the advertiser simply deletes the posting and reposts.

 

Last night Baron100 posted a S-Works stumpjumper for sale, a few members raises their concerns about the seller ( not in malice IMHO but to try and help the greater community). Baron100 simply deleted the original add and reposted. 

 

Members with bad ratings seem to simply register with new usernames.

 

Then you also get members who buy up all the well priced items and simply reselling them for a profit. Again in my opinion that spoils it for everyone else, in a community everyone should not be out the simply screw the next guy for a buck or two more.

 

I don't see this anywhere else, whats up with the cycling community, is everyone wearing too tight Lycra restricting blood flow to critical areas ?

 

 

 

 

 

['Dale]

You can definitely go there

These are important points.

 

The Classifieds is the axle around which the Hub spins, so to speak.

 

Some crazy actions reported here.

Admin, please take note.

[rouxtjie]

1000 bottles of beer on the wall

[fanievb]

1000 bottles of beer on the wall

#rouxtjiereël

[Sitting slip]

1000 bottles of beer on the wall

But what is the condition of the bottles?

[Iwan Kemp]

Concerning yes, but stick to these 2 and you should be okay

 

Safe trading tips - Bike Hub Classifieds

 

TradersVault

 

Be sensible and report where needed. The cleverer we are the more these guys will have to go elsewhere to scam.

[Brickleberry]

If members keep calling these guys out when they do dodgy things then it will stop one day. Can't tell you how many angry PMs I have got for commenting on something that is not as stated. Tough crap, we a community of people happy to help each other out, knob ends need not apply.

Unless you write **bargain** In your ad title, then obviously it's a real bargain and No one may say anything .

[PygaSchmyga]

I have been a not so active member here for a while, generally have a quick look at the commuting thread and look at few bikes that I cant afford in the classified section. Sometime Ill  even leave a useless comment or two.

 

I do frequent a few other forums as well and I guess thats why the Bikehub classified section had me raising my eyebrows.

 

Im used to members knowing each other IRL, and deals being made without problems a real community feel. Whereas here I notice a lot of underhanded dealings. An example being a member advertising a XTR wheelset and stating good condition, a query is made regarding a missing spoke, the advertiser simply deletes the posting and reposts.

 

Last night Baron100 posted a S-Works stumpjumper for sale, a few members raises their concerns about the seller ( not in malice IMHO but to try and help the greater community). Baron100 simply deleted the original add and reposted. 

 

Members with bad ratings seem to simply register with new usernames.

 

Then you also get members who buy up all the well priced items and simply reselling them for a profit. Again in my opinion that spoils it for everyone else, in a community everyone should not be out the simply screw the next guy for a buck or two more.

 

I don't see this anywhere else, whats up with the cycling community, is everyone wearing too tight Lycra restricting blood flow to critical areas ?

The REAL elephant in the room.  I too have observed the ebb and flow of discussions, debates and exchanges over the years on the Hub. Its clear that a lot of the members know each other well, and many IRL too.  The sad conclusion is that all this faux "community" and filial spirit is just BS, with hypocrisy in abundance.  Actually not really a nice bunch at all, and I certainly ride bikes in spite of the community, rather than because of it.

 

Now, watch the dogs attack...

[Iwan Kemp]

The REAL elephant in the room. I too have observed the ebb and flow of discussions, debates and exchanges over the years on the Hub. Its clear that a lot of the members know each other well, and many IRL too. The sad conclusion is that all this faux "community" and filial spirit is just BS, with hypocrisy in abundance. Actually not really a nice bunch at all, and I certainly ride bikes in spite of the community, rather than because of it.

 

Now, watch the dogs attack...

Why not rather just stay on topic? Most on here ride despite of the community (we came here riders), but most have made good friends, contacts and met like-minded people.

 

If you're refering to Bike Hub community in particular then you're way off anyway.

 

But, lets stay on topic.

[NotSoBigBen]

The REAL elephant in the room.  I too have observed the ebb and flow of discussions, debates and exchanges over the years on the Hub. Its clear that a lot of the members know each other well, and many IRL too.  The sad conclusion is that all this faux "community" and filial spirit is just BS, with hypocrisy in abundance.  Actually not really a nice bunch at all, and I certainly ride bikes in spite of the community, rather than because of it.

 

Now, watch the dogs attack...

 

Then why bother to come back here? I'm sure they're nice people over at ToysRus.com ....

[arendoog]

Part of the fun is smelling out the dodgy characters 

[Matt]

I have been a not so active member here for a while, generally have a quick look at the commuting thread and look at few bikes that I cant afford in the classified section. Sometime Ill  even leave a useless comment or two.

 

I do frequent a few other forums as well and I guess thats why the Bikehub classified section had me raising my eyebrows.

 

Im used to members knowing each other IRL, and deals being made without problems a real community feel. Whereas here I notice a lot of underhanded dealings. An example being a member advertising a XTR wheelset and stating good condition, a query is made regarding a missing spoke, the advertiser simply deletes the posting and reposts.

 

Last night Baron100 posted a S-Works stumpjumper for sale, a few members raises their concerns about the seller ( not in malice IMHO but to try and help the greater community). Baron100 simply deleted the original add and reposted. 

 

Members with bad ratings seem to simply register with new usernames.

 

Then you also get members who buy up all the well priced items and simply reselling them for a profit. Again in my opinion that spoils it for everyone else, in a community everyone should not be out the simply screw the next guy for a buck or two more.

 

I don't see this anywhere else, whats up with the cycling community, is everyone wearing too tight Lycra restricting blood flow to critical areas ?

 

Hi Jaws677,

 

Thanks for sharing your concerns.

 

By and large the Bike Hub Classifieds works incredibly well because of the real community feel and members knowing each other beyond a screen name. We have however seen significant growth in the Classifieds numbers and with that does come a natural dilution of that community feel. While there have been some questionable dealings over time the large majority of deals still go through successfully and silently. 

 

The issues you raise though are concerning. For one it sounds like these are going unreported in which case it's quite possible our admin team won't be aware of it and cannot address it. Please hit the report button on anything suspicious or underhanded. Where people are re-registering please report this and we'll take care of it.

 

We're not sitting with our heads in the sand though. There are some very obvious risks in online classified marketplaces, which as a relatively small community we've been able to keep at bay, but as we grow do become more of a concern. We are working on plans to tighten up on requirements of sellers (and buyers) which will help to curb much of the behaviour you mention.

[Jaws677]

Part of the fun is smelling out the dodgy characters

Do they smell as bad as my camelback after going three rides without a wash ?

[Jaws677]

Hi Jaws677,

 

Thanks for sharing your concerns.

 

By and large the Bike Hub Classifieds works incredibly well because of the real community feel and members knowing each other beyond a screen name. We have however seen significant growth in the Classifieds numbers and with that does come a natural dilution of that community feel. While there have been some questionable dealings over time the large majority of deals still go through successfully and silently.

 

The issues you raise though are concerning. For one it sounds like these are going unreported in which case it's quite possible our admin team won't be aware of it and cannot address it. Please hit the report button on anything suspicious or underhanded. Where people are re-registering please report this and we'll take care of it.

 

We're not sitting with our heads in the sand though. There are some very obvious risks in online classified marketplaces, which as a relatively small community we've been able to keep at bay, but as we grow do become more of a concern. We are working on plans to tighten up on requirements of sellers (and buyers) which will help to curb much of the behaviour you mention.

Thanks for the reply. Now to safe up for that Stumpjumper for sale in Bloemfontein ........

[Paul Ruinaard]

Hmm - not sure I agree .

 

I overpaid according to a hubber for something I bought recently - and he was polite enough to tell me on PM. 

 

So there is a real community out there.

 

Some things that I have noticed which have made me a better hubber :

 

1.) If you have a real name or can track the guy you can get a lot more information on him. So you do your own due diligence rather than rely on the hub.

 

2.) If you contribute and are active you are normally known. If you sit on the firnges you are hidden in the shadows. Be bold. Speak up and voice an opinion - you will have an active debate but will become well respected.

 

3.) A community is as strong as its weakest links....

 

FWIW I have done tens of thousands of rands of transactions here and come here for advice on topics from ADHD to Zuma to emigration and all manner of topics. 

 

This forum is my go to for information.

 

There are doctors and lawyers and financial gurus on here. All willing to tell you (whether you want to hear their opinion or not).

['Dale]

1000 bottles of beer on the wall

Hehehe

Of course ????????????????