Who can intermediate a transaction?

[thisismyotherbike]

Hi all,

 

I'm purchasing a bike from an acquaintance of a friend of a friend.  My issue is he seems pretty slimy.  Not outright dodgy, but just enough to make me uncomfortable.

 

I won't bore you with the details involving immediate interbank payments and cash deals.... I want to know if there is a service that can hold the goods on the seller's behalf, verify that funds have cleared, then release the goods to the buyer.  Basically I want to make sure this guy doesn't wait for the money to clear then suddenly change his story and try to bargain for a better deal (or even worse, disappear with the goods).

 

I recall somebody mentioned on the forum that just such an intermediary service does exist, but for the life of me I can't find that thread

[pe3nguin]

Something like:

 

https://www.paywithshepherd.com/how-it-works ?

[thisismyotherbike]

Something like:

 

https://www.paywithshepherd.com/how-it-works ?

 

That's exactly what I was looking for, thank you!  Will definitely use in future

 

We don't really need delivery as he lives nearby, would it be unreasonable to ask my LBS to facilitate something like this instead?  They could inspect the bike for me, then if I'm happy only release the bike to me once my payment has cleared.  Has anybody done it like this before?

[dirtypot]

That's exactly what I was looking for, thank you!  Will definitely use in future

 

We don't really need delivery as he lives nearby, would it be unreasonable to ask my LBS to facilitate something like this instead?  They could inspect the bike for me, then if I'm happy only release the bike to me once my payment has cleared.  Has anybody done it like this before?

 

Yes, I've done this before and it works well.  Most LBS's would be happy to help with this for a few beers, especially if it's all "outside transactions" and not going through their books.  

[thisismyotherbike]

Yes, I've done this before and it works well.  Most LBS's would be happy to help with this for a few beers, especially if it's all "outside transactions" and not going through their books.  

 

Well they will be servicing the bike in future, so they'll be getting some goodwill for possible future transactions as well