Hi everyone,
I bought a high-end road bike on Ricardo. After the auction ended, the seller seemed surprised that it actually sold and told me he didn’t really want to let it go. We went back and forth a bit, and now he suddenly claims he had a “major crash” after the auction and that the bike is no longer rideable and therefore “not sellable anymore.”
I’m having a hard time believing the story and it feels like he just wants to back out of the deal.
My questions:
1. Is a purchase contract on Ricardo legally binding once the auction ends?
2. Can the seller simply cancel the sale afterwards?
3. If he claims damage happened after the auction, is he responsible for that risk?
4. Am I allowed to insist on completing the purchase?
I’d love to hear a second opinion or any experiences with similar situations. Thanks!
https://i.redd.it/kmjltj3b893g1.jpeg
Posted by Martin_nitram121
24 Comments
The fact that the guy didn’t even spell the brand name correctly didn’t make you suspicious?
The purchase is binding, both parties would need to agree to nullify the contract.
Insane to still ride a sold bike
I would not invest much time in such… just wait until he cancel, then he will receive a negative rating.
if you waste time, you can open a case at ricardo and beyond
do yourself a favor and let it go, just too much hassle
He might be telling the truth idk.
Bro it’s crazy to pay 7000 for a second hand bike. Crazy
Contact ricardo. Users like him should be banned. Does he have good selling reviews?
Obviously, he’s lying but you should have his name and address. Why not write him that you’re still interested, even though it has crashed and you’ll be there within an hour to have a look at it – and make a plan for him to repair the bike, as it is yours now?
I had a bad experience with a buyer myself on Ricardo… The contract is legally binding and you could take him to court, it’s definitely in your favour so it’s not a question if you will win. you should definitely threaten him with that.
Ricardo won’t help you at all just so you know
Keep us updated!
I have more than a thousand Ricardo transactions on my name (looong time member).
In practice, yes you have a contract. But to have it enforced, to the extent that he will sell to you at that price is almost impossible. I once asked a lawyer for an answer on that. It comes down to you not having any actual damages by the sale not concluding, so you cannot sue.
So – if the seller is difficult, just walk away. Buy the next bike. There’s always a better deal around the corner. I love Ricardo for that. Just have some patience.
Oh yeah and if you really want to be super petty: mark the Objekt “paid” in Ricardo. They (Ricardo) are difficult to be convinced that the item actually didn’t sell, and the seller has to pay the CHF 12% fees.
Insist on getting the bike for this price. You’ll win this case every time.
Well if you want a broken bike, go ahead.
Ricardo. com has become a real cesspool over the years… There are so many counterfeit items being sold and customer service does nothing, even though they’ve been reported.
A specialized SL8 at this price is very suspicous. Probably either stolen, damaged or doesn’t exist.
With a secondhand specialized you no longer have lifetime warranty on the frame or wheels.
You don’t want to ride a potentially broken carbon frame.
Also have you reverse-searched the photo?
My advice instead of being frustrated with the seller’s behaviour, appreciate that you haven’t wasted money on a potentially flawed offer.
Almost certainly a stolen bike and he found a quicker sale to fund his crack cocaine addiction. Doubt you’ll have much luck enforcing a sale on someone like that.
Be careful. If you do nothing, you might get a negative review for not paying and picking up the object. I would go forward with trying to pick it up and document that you were there.
I would also contact Ricardo and tell them that a.) The seller continued using the sold bike, and b.) Is now unwilling to hand it out.
BTW. I think with Abholung, you just need to reach out to the seller within 14 days to agree to a meeting. If I remember correctly, you have more time to actually pick it up. I would check the AGBs and not trust what this seller is saying
Just move on. He doesn’t want to sell anymore!
Happened similar thing about ten years ago. Ricardo didn’t do anything
.i wanted even the broken machine saying I can fix it but nope.
Apparently seller realized how cheap they were selling.
There was a car sold at 1 euro because the seller thought people would bid but nobody bid. Things like this. I understand they can make a mistake but they can still be honest
Tarmac sl9 is soon!
If you want to screw the seller: claim on the Ricardo transaction page that you paid and received the article. The seller will then have to pay a percentage of the sales price to Ricardo as a fee. In this case the fee will be rather high.
Have you considered that the bike might be stolen? Especially if the seller is angry that you haven’t picked up the bike immediately. All kinds of red flags are being raised by his unhinged behavior.
UPDATE: After i got blocked from the seller, i have written again with his wife (the number on Ricardo). I love how sachlich she was. We found a solution, so i get 10% (around CHF 699) and we stornieren the sale afterwards.
So he can keep his favourite bike.
Ricardo probably will not help you.
Unless you have a Rechtsschutz Versicherung it is probably not worth the effort.
If you do, you probably are entitled to damages (so you are no worse of than if you got the bike). that would mean for example the damaged bike + repair costs. Or if unrepairable the value of an equivalent bike. However the seller would have a good argument that the value of the bike is close to what you paid for it.
A letter from a lawyer could however convince the seller that giving you the bike is their best option if it actually wasn’t crashed as you suspect.
I am not a lawyer and this is not financial advice.
feels like BCJ lurkin here😆