How do you buy a used bike when...

[AntonyC]

...the seller isn't confident? I've a hunch it'll be based on escrow or Fox-Goat-Cabbage / atomic swap.

This one's through Ebay, I've 100% FB and not had this problem before. Seller wants Ebay's security code up front "in order to hand over the bike" and I've a feeling they'll want cash before a test ride, but the door could close leaving me with a bent bike.

My usual routine is inspection, test ride, load into car, payment and receipt. My car's on the seller's drive and they could in principle block it there if they feel anything's wrong.

Ebay's money back guarantee works like escrow making a test ride possible, but it excludes cash sales of course. F-G-C seems to work for the actual sale - seller and bike are at B, in sight of buyer and cash at C, each visits to inspect, then they swap places to conclude the deal safely - but how do you reassure a seller to allow a test ride?

 

[guerney]

Your seller has it the wrong way round.

Security measure | eBay

www.ebay.co.uk

In a few days, I've got to collect a bike trailer I bought on ebay... the seller wants to meet at a train station. I won't give him the code confirming I have collected the item, until it's in my hands. I'll also record audio of the interaction using my phone, just in case. I'll record video of him running off with the bike trailer, if that happens after I give him the code.

Your test ride should be allowed if there is trust or collateral. Personally, I wouldn't give him the code until you are certain you want the bike. You never know, some arrangement for a test ride could possibly be agreed. On a previous occasion when I'd bought a secondhand bike, I collected in person and the code was scanned while I was standing in front of the bike in the seller's kitchen with adjoining fully loaded bike workshop. I let him scan the code because I knew I'd get my money back from ebay/paypal, if there was a problem - they nearly always side with the buyer. Then I made a huge fuss about the pedals, and he swapped them to toeclipped versions. The entire interaction was quite pleasant. I waved goodbye and rode up the road... and the pedal fell off. So I went back and he offered me a full refund. I said no, so he tightened the pedal on and I then rode the bike home.

but the door could close leaving me with a bent bike.

You could ask for the frame number and do a check, but you still might never know if it's a stolen bike.

 

[AndyBike]

My usual routine is inspection, test ride, load into car, payment and receipt.

If im the seller and someone wants a test ride, then they leave a deposit of the full amount.
No chance i would let a buyer load my bike into their car without having the full amount paid first.
Receipt ? it's second hand goods in a private sale. Once you've paid, thats it. you have no rights to a refund or anything.

 

[guerney]

Fox-Goat-Cabbage / atomic swap.

Haven't heard that for awhile:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf,_goat_and_cabbage_problem

You're paying in crypto? Untraceable.