APPRECIATION POST Chad Minnaar

[flyguysa]

I had my bike scammed off me in March this year. Classic scam where the buyer does his best to reassure you, the twist was he knew about the KZN XCO league race a Shongweni which, if you’re not part of the racing scene, is an event not many people know about. They sent me fake ID, fake address, fake proof of payment. In hindsight, I should’ve been more astute. I was desperate for a sale and I needed the cash, that was my weakness. I posted the bike as stolen, tried to claim from insurance, the claim was declined as it was “theft under false pretences” which is seen as a financial and not a material loss. Despite all this, I knew the bike would turn up, somehow…

 

Enter @HOUSE OF BIKES Chad Minnaar. Chad sent me an email yesterday with evidence that someone was trying to sell my bike to him. Chad checked the Stolen Bikes Register and matched the serial number of my bike. I the got the SAPS in Port Elizabeth involved, Chad cooperated with them and this lead to the successful recovery of my bike by the SAPS yesterday!

 

There are a few lessons in my story: Don’t let the bike out of your sight until the money has cleared in your account. Don’t succumb to pressure from the seller. Don’t trust ANY seller who sends an Uber to collect your bike. Report the bike as stolen. Add the stolen bike to the stolen bike register on this site. Don’t buy stolen bikes.

 

I would like to thank @HOUSE OF BIKES Chad Minnaar for all his assistance and his vigilance. Chad, you are a legend. This simple act has not only recovered a bicycle, but it has definitely proven the credibility of the business you conduct. I am so grateful and next time I’m in Joburg, the beers are on my tab! 
 

I would also like to thank WO Joubert and his team for being so willing to assist me in the recovery. The interaction and communication was top class! Yes, there are members of the SAPS who take pride in their job and serve the community. 
 

You can support @HOUSE OF BIKES Chad Minnaar with confidence, we need more people like him in our sport.

Edited August 1, 2023 by flyguysa
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[Dexter-morgan]

So there are still some good people in this world, Well done to both parties.

[Zebra]

Excellent news. Any chance of PROSECUTION of the buyer?

I MUST ask, even though I can guess the answer…

Well done, story with a happy ending!
Chris

[thebob]

Well done to all involved. Nice to hear a good news story

[flyguysa]

  On 8/1/2023 at 5:20 AM, Zebra said:

Excellent news. Any chance of PROSECUTION of the buyer?

I MUST ask, even though I can guess the answer…

Well done, story with a happy ending!
Chris

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I don’t think he’ll be prosecuted. It seems he was scammed as well.  He gave the people who stole my bike his road bike and R20 000 and now has no bike… He was also good enough to drop off the through-axles, which he forgot to hand over, so he seems to cooperative. Hopefully he opens a case and this syndicate gets bust.

[cadenceblur]

  On 8/1/2023 at 5:20 AM, Zebra said:

Excellent news. Any chance of PROSECUTION of the buyer?

I MUST ask, even though I can guess the answer…

Well done, story with a happy ending!
Chris

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When my bike was bought by someone who in my mind knowingly bought stolen goods (bought on street for R5k), the police could not be bothered to follow up any case against him. 
He only made contact with me because he tried to sell it on and was shown the stolen ad I posted here. 

[i24]

 

I assume you reported the theft to SAPS and get a case number when it first happened? Otherwise it might not have been so easy for the SAPS in PE to help ... 🤔

[flyguysa]

  On 8/2/2023 at 2:05 PM, i24 said:

 

I assume you reported the theft to SAPS and get a case number when it first happened? Otherwise it might not have been so easy for the SAPS in PE to help ... 🤔

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Your assumption is correct. As I highlighted in the original post, report the bike as stolen.

[Chad Minnaar (The Bike Room)]

  On 8/2/2023 at 10:39 PM, flyguysa said:

Your assumption is correct. As I highlighted in the original post, report the bike as stolen.

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Yep thats why it's important to know the serial number of your bike. I take photos of the serial for every bike I sell. Many cyclicts don't know theirs and without it there's not much recourse in a case of theft.