Low-Balling a thing on BikeHub?

[Trailman]

Thank you all for the support. 

Edited July 24, 2025 by Trailman

[Trailman]

9 minutes ago, Kom said:

I got ChatGPT to imrpove James's message - think BikeMarkets tact could be improved to be less offensive:
Hi there,

My name is James and I’m with BikeMarket.co.za. I came across your advert for the ********* and wanted to reach out with a cash offer of R**,***.

We understand that this may be lower than your expectations, but our aim is to provide a fast, hassle-free sale for those looking for a quick, secure transaction.

If this sounds like something you’d consider, I’d be happy to guide you through the next steps. We would just need your preferred contact number and email to proceed with payment arrangements.

Our offer is valid for the next 3 working days, and of course, you're welcome to reach out with any questions.

Kind regards,
James
BikeMarket.co.za

I wish there was even that level of professional courtesy Kom, let alone a response to my messages or calls. 

[Murrob]

Yeah, just to add to the voices, I will never sell anything nor buy anything from Bikemarket due to their lowballing nonsense. I don’t care how good the deal is, that’s how annoyed I was by them years ago. 

[Shebeen]

24 minutes ago, Murrob said:

Yeah, just to add to the voices, I will never sell anything nor buy anything from Bikemarket due to their lowballing nonsense. I don’t care how good the deal is, that’s how annoyed I was by them years ago. 

Agreed. I blocked him. This bike was advertised at R30k, sold for R28k.

Quote

Hi, James here from BikeMarket.co.za.





For your Giant advertised Bike Market is able to offer R12000.

 

 

For me the best suggestion would be to fight fire with fire. How about every friday morning we all take 5 minutes out of our time to send 10 low ball offers? get 20 people on the program that's 200 message on the system to go through.

the spammer becomes the spammee

 

 

[Trailman]

24 minutes ago, Murrob said:

Yeah, just to add to the voices, I will never sell anything nor buy anything from Bikemarket due to their lowballing nonsense. I don’t care how good the deal is, that’s how annoyed I was by them years ago. 

Yes Murrob, its remarkable how many people I am uncovering on Bikehub and privately that are truly upset by James and his organization and their exploitative practices.

[bleedToWin]

43 minutes ago, Trailman said:

clearly it doesnt absolutely align with the general sentiment on this site regarding BikeMarket's practices?

We dislike them, but we just don't see how it can be considered exploitative. It's more akin to a very persistent fly on a hot summers day... 

[Trailman]

1 minute ago, Shebeen said:

Agreed. I blocked him. This bike was advertised at R30k, sold for R28k.

 

 

For me the best suggestion would be to fight fire with fire. How about every friday morning we all take 5 minutes out of our time to send 10 low ball offers? get 20 people on the program that's 200 message on the system to go through.

the spammer becomes the spammee

 

 

I love the sentiment Shebeen but it doesnt really solve the problem and quite frankly, given his level of commitment to responding to anything other than his stupid offers I doubt he gives a toss. I think most importantly he needs to be exposed so that as many peole as possible are aware of his business ethic. 

[Bro Derek]

2 minutes ago, bleedToWin said:

We dislike them, but we just don't see how it can be considered exploitative. It's more akin to a very persistent fly on a hot summers day... 

This

I honestly can't see how it is upsetting. Selling and buying things shouldn't be emotional.

Is it annoying? Yes

Is it the grossest of exploitation? Definitely not. Is it even exploitation? I don't think it is.

Block them and move on. There is no criminal element to this and there are definitely older hubbers who will remember individual resellers like MikeOK and RyanPMB and a few others who used to lowball hard or snap up all the deals, then resell.

It all seems incredibly dramatic

[Shebeen]

5 minutes ago, bleedToWin said:

We dislike them, but we just don't see how it can be considered exploitative. It's more akin to a very persistent fly on a hot summers day... 

They do provide a service, put cash into stock, take a risk on it, offer variety. pay tax

 

But many of us know bikes and like to deal directly and cut out the middle man. They are the middle man, and a pain.

 

here's a BM appreciation thread that went south.

 

[Kom]

Ive bought 4 bikes from BikeMarket, all at excellent prices, all sold at a profit when i was done with them. 

BM's trade in service is much like webuycars, i dont understand how folk use WBC considering their terrible offers, yet their warehouses stand full of cars from many folk who disagree with me.

All industries need a lowest common denominator, these business absorb low end volumes that actually make the entire market succeed. Whether we are offended or not, we need them.

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

I don’t think BM and the other dealers are exploitative. Willing buyer, willing seller. If you don’t want to sell it for what you’ve been offered, don’t. 

[Trailman]

12 minutes ago, Bro Derek said:

This

I honestly can't see how it is upsetting. Selling and buying things shouldn't be emotional.

Is it annoying? Yes

Is it the grossest of exploitation? Definitely not. Is it even exploitation? I don't think it is.

Block them and move on. There is no criminal element to this and there are definitely older hubbers who will remember individual resellers like MikeOK and RyanPMB and a few others who used to lowball hard or snap up all the deals, then resell.

It all seems incredibly dramatic

Bro Derek, you are entitled to your view of this being, "incredibly dramatic", but clearly to many, this is upsetting otherwise we would not have the level of response that we and I personally have had. As a point of correction, "selling and buying", for some, can be a hugely emotional experience as I have witnessed on numerous occasions of both, extreme joy and distressing grief. I have also witnessed how people in states of absolute desperation have parted with much loved possesions including bicycles, because they have felt that there was no alternative option. These people have on occasion been exploited by company's who promise to offer, "a market related price", which is sometimes anything but, as is the case here with BikeMarket as can be witnessed with so many other voices on this thread. That's really at the nub of this its merely just about creating an awareness of my and others experiences, that is afterall a part of what this site, our communities participation and these forums are intended for.     

[Zebra]

…’distressing grief’, and ‘utter desperation’, should not go hand-in-hand with selling a much-loved bike; I am with Bro Derek on this one, seemingly too much drama…

Low-ballers are likely a pain in the ass; no more, no less. An inconvenient pest, they are, but thats about it. Drink some starch, and move forward.

Appreciated you writing a reasoned-response to him, none-the-less!

[Trailman]

8 minutes ago, Zebra said:

…’distressing grief’, and ‘utter desperation’, should not go hand-in-hand with selling a much-loved bike; I am with Bro Derek on this one, seemingly too much drama…

Low-ballers are likely a pain in the ass; no more, no less. An inconvenient pest, they are, but thats about it. Drink some starch, and move forward.

Appreciated you writing a reasoned-response to him, none-the-less!

Thanks Zebra, I have been around this industry a while and I certainly am being niether dramatic, nor exagerating, especially when recently personally being offered less than 30% of an advertised price for my bike. The point made is simply to provide awareness of what this company has since this thread was created in 2022 and continues to employ as part of their Modus Operandi.  

[Trailman]

28 minutes ago, RobynE 🚵‍♀️ said:

I don’t think BM and the other dealers are exploitative. Willing buyer, willing seller. If you don’t want to sell it for what you’ve been offered, don’t. 

Sure Robyn, I am niether niave nor desperate but some are and there are so many alternative options.

[Prince Albert Cycles]

I recall a nice personal moment when I received two simultaneous offers on a bike that I advertised. One being for my asking price and the other a 30% er from the Co under discussion.

Was so nice to be able to write back and say thank you for the offer but the bike was sold at the asking price 😇