Warning - Another way for thieves to steal from you..

[Kinetic-UK]

Click on the picture so you can read it:

As you can see, there is another way of thieves stealing bikes from your property. This is simply done by pretending to have interest, then going to the property to steal the bikes.

The best way to defeat this (without me giving away anything to these thieves) is by doing the following:

-Do not let someone go to your address to see the bike.

-Arrange a meeting time somewhere away from your home address (or anyone else's)

-Take someone with you (or a couple of people. The more the safer) and meet in a public place filled with members of the public, i.e town centre.

-Best place to meet if you live in a town or city is outside a police station for obvious reasons. And if you're legit, you have nothing to worry about. Even explain to the police why you are doing it.


This applies to everybody around the world too. Remember, this is a thieves other solution on getting bikes and can be used by any thief around the world.

If you have any tips, fell free to mention them too.

Hope you all take note of this!!

 

[bigmick]

i tell the postman to walk twice round the block before putting mail in my letterbox just incase

 

[Kinetic-UK]

Too many ways of thieves/burglars scheming bikes from people nowadays.

 

[NAILTRAIL96]

-Arrange a meeting time somewhere away from your home address (or anyone else's)


If you have any tips, fell free to mention them too.

Hope you all take note of this!!

Great, get your mates burgled instead :roll:

 

[hamster]

I have to say that I disagree with Kinetic's advice for sellers. If I met a seller who refused to tell me his address and wanted to meet in a town centre I would assume the bike was stolen and walk away from the deal.

There is no easy solution, other than decent theft protection on your bike storage.

 

[unkleGsif]

I keep the bikes that are ridden (mine and the Mrs) indoors, while projects and others are locked up in the garage. Fortunately, the garage isnt actually attached directly or obviously to the casual observer to where we live, so unscrupulous ne'r-do-wells wont know where to look

If I was to sell anything, I would agree that its best to arrange the meet at home, but would not allow them access to the garage, instead do the sale/viewing in the house.

G

 

[JeRkY]

I recently sold a bike via this forum, the buyer rightfully asked for a contact address however I don't give such details out to people I don't know. It isn't personal it's just with the information contained online these days, if you had my address you can very easily find out what I own of interest and when I am not likely to be in. And living in the centre of London you are all too aware of cycle theft.

I explained this to the buyer and gave my work address as a traceable point of contact should there be a need to send a torch waving mob after me. The buyer was happy with this, I was happy with it, the transaction went smoothly.

 

[Barneyballbags]

I have to say that I disagree with Kinetic's advice for sellers. If I met a seller who refused to tell me his address and wanted to meet in a town centre I would assume the bike was stolen and walk away from the deal.

I agree with that, to a point. From a buyer's point of view it just sounds as if the seller isn't 100% genuine. But then if I'm buying a bike and meeting the seller, then I always ring to speak to them first - quite often it's a dead giveaway as to whether they're legitimate or not.

 

[cchris2lou]

I recently sold a bike via this forum, the buyer rightfully asked for a contact address however I don't give such details out to people I don't know. It isn't personal it's just with the information contained online these days, if you had my address you can very easily find out what I own of interest and when I am not likely to be in. And living in the centre of London you are all too aware of cycle theft.

I explained this to the buyer and gave my work address as a traceable point of contact should there be a need to send a torch waving mob after me. The buyer was happy with this, I was happy with it, the transaction went smoothly.

swapping cash and bike on a street corner is much safer .

 

[The Ken]

I use my work for sales & deliveries, at the moment I'm here more than at home anyway.