Need help with this purchase off bikehub

[Ruan (New Account)]

Hi everyone, I am sitting here with my online banking site open and ready to make a payment for a bike that I want to buy off bikehub. This will be my first ever purchase that will be sent to me with a courier but this isn't the problem, I just suddenly realized this is a lot of money and if I lose it that will be the end of MTB'ing for me for a very long time.

So, what I would like to ask, is there anyone that can vouch for the seller? I trust him, I really do but my other half just told me, my trust has gotten me into some trouble before. But, I don't know this guy seems like a very nice guy and just like a... proper person. I am going to make the payment tomorrow morning, just going to sleep over it and I thought why not just post this and maybe someone can vouch for him and what not.

I did the checks, his email is a work email which makes it a little less dodgy, the company's website seems to be legit and all of the addresses check out. I don't think he is going to scam me, no I know he isn't going to seems like such a solid nice bloke, but... second guessing yourself after you have lost even more to scam is normal, right?

Link to bike: https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/293444-giant-stance-650b-275-medium/
Link to  seller: https://www.bikehub.co.za/user/51451-paulbr/

[Phatman]

Ad seems trustworthy enough to me. It's understandable that you'd be concerned though. If it helps you feel better, perhaps ask the seller who his local bike shop is that works on the bike, and contact them to ask if they can confirm that said seller owns the bike. To make it worth their while, ask if they can arrange packaging and shipment to you. Will perhaps cost you a few hundred extra but may set your mind more at ease.

[HeyYou]

Slowly, slowly

 

Seller looks like a new BikeHub member, you have every right to be SURE. I'm sure the seller won't mind if you take your time, he/she probably would under the same circumstances. 

 

As Phatman says, check with his bike shop.

 

You can also see if another Durban hubber will help you out and visually check the bike.

 

Whatever, 12.9k is a lot of money, so you need to make sure, no harm, no foul.

[Jewbacca]

Try contacting him through the company?

 

If there is a phone number on the work website, phone it and ask to speak to Paulbr...

[Sepia]

I am in Durban.  How may I help?

[Ruan (New Account)]

Thanks for the replies. He said that he is taking the bike to a bike shop, I am assuming it is to get it packaged? So I asked him which bike shop? Maybe I can phone them and confirm the bike's existence and if they are wrapping it up, I think that will be enough for me to go by.

 

[Ruan (New Account)]

I am in Durban.  How may I help?

I don't think it will be necessary, let me phone that bike shop and we take it from there. But thanks a lot.

[Ruan (New Account)]

Okay, bike is at Leigh's Cycle Centre spoke to the guy he told me he knows the seller and rides with him too. Also spoke to the seller over the phone, super nice guy and very polite.

Just sent him my money babies and I feel very confident and happy. Can't wait to get this bike and destroy everything except for the bike and myself of course. Spoke to Kiwi from Rapide and he told me they might be stocked up with dropper posts at the end of the month, the excitement is unreal guys.

Thanks a lot for all the reply and effort.