Skip to main content

Buy & Sell Safety Tips

Isabelle
Updated

Overview 

This article provides guidance for safe and successful transactions on the Pinkbike Buy/Sell platform. This information is based on user experiences and is designed to help you protect yourself from common fraud and misunderstandings.

General Tips for All Users

  • Be Patient and Trust Your Instincts: Don't feel pressured to rush a transaction. If a deal feels off or too good to be true, it probably is. It's always best to be cautious. 
  • Keep a Paper Trail: Conduct all of your communication through Pinkbike's private messaging system to create a secure record of your conversation. This evidence is crucial if you ever need to file a dispute with PayPal or report a scammer to Pinkbike moderators.
  • Verify the User: Take time to check the other user's profile. Look at their ratings and reviews to see feedback from other users who have completed transactions with them. Check their join date and buy/sell history. Newer accounts with a lack of history, especially for high-value items, are a red flag.

Tips for Buyers

  • Payment Method: 
    • Always use PayPal Goods and Services. Paypal is the only payment method that provides you with buyer protection and allows you to file a claim if the item is not as described or never arrives.
    • Never use other payment methods like Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, wire transfers, or PayPal's "friends and family" option, as these options offer no protection to the user. 
  • Item Verification: To confirm the seller has the item, ask for recent photos, along with physical documentation that includes the seller's username, the current date, and a timestamp. Screenshot the ad and all pictures, as scammers may delete the ad after a sale to erase evidence.
  • Communication: Keep all communication within Pinkbike's private messaging system. If a user tries to move the conversation to email, text, or phone, this is a red flag.
  • In-Person Buys: Thoroughly inspect the item for cracks, dents, or other defects before you make a purchase. Meet a user in a public place. Consider meeting at a local bike shop to have the bike inspected before finishing the transaction. 
  • Disputes: If an issue arises, do not close a PayPal dispute until you have a full refund or the item as described. 
  • Common Scams to Watch Out For: 
    • Fake listings: The price is unrealistically low, and the user has a new account with no history. They may have also stolen photos from other websites.
    • Payment manipulation: A seller insists on using an unprotected payment method like a bank transfer or PayPal Gift. They might tell a story about being "scammed on PayPal" to justify this. 

Tips for Sellers

  • Payment & Fees:
    • Require payment via PayPal Goods and Services. Doing so protects you from chargebacks and disputes if a buyer claims they didn't authorize a payment.
    • Do not accept PayPal e-cheques, as they can bounce after you've shipped the item, causing you to lose money.
    • Never use other payment methods like Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, wire transfers, or PayPal's "friends and family" option, as these options offer no protection to the buyer or seller. 
  • Shipping & Addresses:
    • It is recommended that the seller arranges shipping, not the buyer.
    • Use a recorded or tracked shipping service, and keep the receipt as proof of delivery. 
    • Only ship to the verified address on the buyer's PayPal account.
    • When selling a bike, get a free bike box from your local bike shop, and use plenty of bubble wrap to protect the item during shipping.
  • In-Person Selling: 
    • Do not give out your home address for viewing an item. Meet in a safe, public location, preferably with a friend.  
  • Common Scams to Watch For:
    • Overpayment scams: A buyer sends a fake cheque or money order for more than the agreed-upon price and asks you to send the difference back. The cheque will eventually bounce, and you will lose the money you sent back and the item. 
    • Shipping manipulation: A buyer pays with PayPal but asks you to ship to a different address than the one on their account. If you do this, you lose your seller protection, and the buyer can get a refund by claiming that they never received the item.

What to Do If You've Been Scammed

  • Reporting a scam listing: On the listing, you can click the Report button to request that a moderator review a listing and the seller. 
  • Reporting that you have been scammed: 
    • Wait 5 days after payment before reporting, unless you have a clear reason to believe it's a scam; allow adequate time for the seller to prepare and ship your item.
    • Gather documentation by taking screenshots of the ad and all private messages between you and the seller/buyer. 
    • Report the user to a Pinkbike moderator and include the username, ad link, and a clear reason for your report.
  • Recovering Your Money: 
    • PayPal Purchase/Goods: Under PayPal Goods & Services, you are able to submit a claim under PayPal's purchase protection program. View PayPal's US policy or Canadian policy. If you reside outside of the US and Canada, please check your country's specific PayPal policy to file a claim. 
    • Bank Transfers/Cheques: It is extremely difficult to recover your money if you went through a bank transfer or cheque scam. Your best course of action is to report the fraud to the police.
    • Credit or Debit Card: You may be covered by your card provider's fraud protection policies. Contact them immediately to see what steps you can take.
    • Trades: If a trade goes wrong, your options depend on the item's value. For high-value items, the police or courts may get involved.

Additional Resources

Related articles