Scammers

[Maria Parker]

We have recently been made aware of scammers violating the sacred space of this forum. Before sending any money, please double and triple-check the seller's validity. Feel free to contact us through support@cruzbike.com and we can let you know if we have had previous interactions with the seller.

 

[Ex-biker]

I don't understand the above symbols.
A few days ago I placed my Cruzbike for sale on your site, a reply indicated a photo was necessary and I'm in the process of getting a photo.

Scott

 

[camineet]

Want to report a suspected scam. I got a DM in here after posting my interest in a bike here:

looking for late model s40

Hi all, Looking for one of those late model S40's that are in excellent condition that are priced to sell around $2500. Hoping to get lucky with one of those as I've seen they occasionally go for a bit higher. Spent the past few weeks working on my hitch rack choice and security model, and am...

forum.cruzbike.com

I was told in a DM by a New Member that someone has a bike at a fair price and was given an email address.

I excitedly emailed the person and found myself in an exchange that had me deciding it was a high risk proposition.

 

[camineet]

I finally decided after writing off this party as a scammer, to send this message because if I could get this "excellent condition" bike that he sent pics of with scratches on everything but the frame as far as I can see, it'd be cool to get and maybe spice up with some new parts and touchup paint, grip tape, etc.

 

[camineet]

Got a pretty favorable response from the guy agreeing to execute a sale through Paypal which offers pretty good buyer protection as far as I could tell from reading up on it:

https://www.paypal.com/us/legalhub/buyer-protection

Then I found this:

S40 for sale

There are small scrapes on the chain stays. The picture highlights them. Appear to be cosmetic only. If not satisfied with the bike, it may be returned at buyers expense

forum.cruzbike.com

It's got the exact same photos this guy sent to me via email.

I'm not sure what the point is of trying to scam someone through a Paypal transaction if a buyer like myself can just file a claim and get the transaction reversed.

If it isn't Paypal, does anyone have any suggestions on what the best solution is for making purchases from randos on the internet while having good protection against fraud?

 

[CoachellaRider]

Venmo also has buyer protection. You have to turn it on to get it, and the seller has to pay a fee, which they may ask you to cover. I understand that local bike shops will also agree to act as an escrow agent, although the one time I tried to do that they were scared of the Cruzbike, never having seen one before.

I personally wouldn't recommend buying anything from an unknown person without buyer protection. The first Cruzbike I was interested in buying, the seller wouldn't send it unless I mailed him a paper check, and then he would send the bike once the check cleared. I'm pretty sure the guy was legit (I looked him up) but even then it's a bad proposition. If he'd received the check, cashed it and then got hit by lightning before shipping the bike, I'd be out of luck. So I got my S40 from someone willing to use Venmo.

I really like that we have a community marketplace for Cruzbike riders, but 'buyer beware' should always be the rule for anonymous transactions.

 

[CruzRider]

Note: Only PayPal G&S transactions have buyer protection. This is no brainer.

I have heard stories of scammers blocking this in ingenious ways. Examples abound on Reddit. Best case, it is a giant hassle if you got scammed. So, pays to be careful.

Having bought several bikes on this and other forums, here is my advice:
1. Call and talk to the person. Are they knowledgeable about the bike?
2. Insist on up to date photos that cannot be found elsewhere. Request At least one photo with specific parameters - close up of a scratch,”, etc.
3. Pick up the bike in a public place if possible.
4. Go with your gut. If it is too good to be true …

Good luck.

 

[2whluge]

When I sold my tandems, Tandem Classified required photos with a card that included a date and partial email for verification they had the bike. Still need payment protection, but perhaps this is an idea we could include here

 

[macg4d1g]

When I sold my tandems, Tandem Classified required photos with a card that included a date and partial email for verification they had the bike. Still need payment protection, but perhaps this is an idea we could include here

I like this idea. However, we now have a new wrinkle: A.I. assisted photo editing and even from-scratch image generation. Be careful, all.

 

[underpressure]

This feels relevant to this thread: I'm currently talking to a forum member about buying their bike. They appear to be an established person (assuming their account isn't compromised) but... well, could I get people to check my attached picture and reply here explaining why this absolutely should set off any buyer's alarm bells? I'm not interested in starting an argument with this person nor sending unsecured money; at least maybe I can turn this into an instructional moment. Thanks.

 

[Frito Bandito]

This feels relevant to this thread: I'm currently talking to a forum member about buying their bike. They appear to be an established person (assuming their account isn't compromised) but... well, could I get people to check my attached picture and reply here explaining why this absolutely should set off any buyer's alarm bells? I'm not interested in starting an argument with this person nor sending unsecured money; at least maybe I can turn this into an instructional moment. Thanks.

No buyer protection would scare the bejeezus out of me. Also, using the word "remittance", putting in "$" instead of "money", and spelling out the whole word "account." Feels like the PMs were written on a smartphone and the seller was replying with predictive text, which are opposite of the blunt answers given. Kinda like "I have so many ads and replies going on right now that I don't want to spend a lot of time on something that isn't likely to go through, but I have to reply to all of them just to keep up the numbers game."

 

[kizarmynot]

This feels relevant to this thread: I'm currently talking to a forum member about buying their bike. They appear to be an established person (assuming their account isn't compromised) but... well, could I get people to check my attached picture and reply here explaining why this absolutely should set off any buyer's alarm bells? I'm not interested in starting an argument with this person nor sending unsecured money; at least maybe I can turn this into an instructional moment. Thanks.

There was a bike a while back I was interested in. It was a legitimate account based on previous posts, but the bike was a different color than what they had used in those previous posts. I didn’t get a chance to ask about that because the post disappeared before I could do so.
Bottom line - follow your gut. A legitimate seller should not be put out to provide assurances to the buyer considering all of the posts about scammers in this forum.

 

[Tuloose]

That seller is me.
The reason I asked for remittance in full or cash up front if you prefer is that the buyer, underpressure, responded with no questions asked about my bike or the accessories offered which I found kinda strange.
The other thing is when I searched for underpressure's profile I saw that they joined in 2024, had no posts and a seemingly made up name consisting of random letters (see below screen shot).
I consulted Larry Oz about my potential liability with this sale and he recommended the course I took - accept either Zelle of a personal check, waiting for the check to clear of course.
In my defense I will state that I am a long time member of the forums, a Cruzbike enthusiast for over 15 years I have sold and purchased bikes and accessories on the forums, attended a rally and am personally familiar with a number of Cruzbike notables including Robert, Maria, Larry and ratz who, I believe, would vouch for my integrity.

 

[underpressure]

Thanks for replying, I had no intention of libel (hence the redactions) and the fact that you did seem to be established in the community had me scratching my head- the only other direction my thinking could go is that someone had compromised your account. I didn't ask any questions about the accessories because I thought the sale was fine as-is (unless I missed something and I was supposed to ask a question). The name thing? Eh, sorry, I'm just not that serious about messageboards anymore (I seriousposted on Bikefurums.net for years)- Cruzbikes are just hard to to find on CL and FB lately.

Respectfully toward Larry, he gave you some bad advice here. In the scenario where the buyer sends you Zelle or a check, they have absolutely no recourse if their item isn't received- even in an honest sale, if the buyer sends you Zelle and you got hit by a bus tomorrow, they're never getting the item they paid for. I assume we're all friendly around here, but in business transactions, sometimes things still go sideways, and for that it's best to use a service with some amount of protection. The only downsides for the seller are 1) a small fee (which I offered to pay since it was my request) and 2) make sure you get your tracking number from the shipper to protect yourself (otherwise a poor-intentioned buyer can pretend they didn't get the item and then demand a refund).

https://www.facebook.com/groups/226407825133603/posts/694994064941641/ This is me, I tacked a little PS to the bottom of the text of my first post. If you'd still like to do a sale, let's go back to PMs or message me on facebook. Though if you have decided you don't like me anymore and don't want to sell to me, I still suggest you move away from the zelle-or-personal-check thing. Thanks