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I am 85% certain that I see my bike's frame on eBay. It costs almost 2k with all the components and I see the frame on sale for $400 with seat-post and fork only. All my stickers not in the pictures(3) however the frame is the same size and picture only shows the side with no identifiable mark.

The frame itself is rare, not expensive but the brand is not widely sold. And if its sold used, its almost always a complete bike. The manufacturer doesn't sell frame only.

It was stolen, from a bike rack, in open daylight in downtown in big city, I suspect that I forgot to lock it. Lock was on the frame and so was my helmet. I reported the bike stolen on bike index and did file a police report. And posted the bike on local FB groups for stolen bikes.

It is now on sale on ebay, 5 days after about 100 miles away from where I am. Item says local pickup only?

UPDATE: I am now less certain that it is indeed my bike. More like 40%

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  • 5
    Unless you have a serial number you cannot prove it is your bike.
    – paparazzo
    Commented Nov 20, 2017 at 16:48
  • 3
    Then call the cops and ebay if you have the serial number
    – paparazzo
    Commented Nov 20, 2017 at 19:12
  • 2
    The absolute first thing I would do is save the web page and every relevant image, to a dated folder. Also save the seller's info page, as much as you can see.
    – Criggie ♦
    Commented Nov 20, 2017 at 19:59
  • 3
    "Hey, can you tell me the serial number on that frame? Some of the earlier ones are not compatible with my other parts, and the serial number has that info... "
    – JPhi1618
    Commented Nov 20, 2017 at 21:33
  • 3
    @nh this is becoming chat. Please don't use comments for chat. I've made the point about saving the images/auction immediately to local disk, so that you have it, and its dated. I've also pointed out that things vanish from the web, whether it be ebay or any other service. Whats in your own possession won't vanish. Done.
    – Criggie ♦
    Commented Nov 21, 2017 at 19:25

2 Answers 2

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To determine if the bike is indeed yours, you could contact the seller and ask for more information about the bike and for more pictures in the hope that you'll get one with a visible identifying mark.

You'll need to be careful. If the seller know's it's stolen asking for more information and pictures could tip them off that you are the rightful owner with the intention of retrieving your property.

You should read the Ebay Stolen Property Policy for what to do if you are convinced the bike is in fact yours.

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-4

Buy it.

You'll get your bike frame back quickly.

Once you've identified it, you can choose to make a police report, but the chances of a prosecution are probably very low anyway.

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    Even if you can't prosecute, if you can prove it's yours, you should just be able to do a paypal chargeback. Paypal is great for screwing over sellers whether or not they deserve it; when they do deserve it, have fun.
    – R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
    Commented Nov 21, 2017 at 0:31
  • Interesting thought, but I'd much rather the seller/presumed thief/receiver suffered, not reward them with money.
    – Criggie ♦
    Commented Nov 21, 2017 at 2:59
  • @R.. paypay will just wash they hands .... If you ask for a refund they will wait for money to move to the destiny and then go and just ask if every thing is correct to the other part. If he say yes say good bay to your money even if it is a scam and seller didn't ever send you the product or didn't did the service or what ever. talking from experience here.
    – kifli
    Commented Nov 21, 2017 at 14:59
  • @kifli: Talk with people who've used paypal as sellers and they'll tell you it doesn't work that way. Paypal almost always errs on the buyer's side.
    – R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
    Commented Nov 21, 2017 at 16:42
  • @R.. Of course they screw every one but them selfs they dont care it is not their problem... paypay it is a terrible service and it is scary how much extended it is. I know a guy who got scammed selling the buyer cancelled the bank transfer. He was smarted that me and went right to the police.
    – kifli
    Commented Nov 21, 2017 at 17:00

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