I just bought a used Trek FX 7.1 via eBay Kleinanzeigen for €90. I’m not a bike expert, but it seemed like a great deal, but once I got home, I noticed all the labels, including the serial number, have been removed. Now I’m worried it might be stolen. I didn’t ask for a receipt (my mistake), but the seller seemed normal.
What should I do? Is it required to check these labels or ask for a purchase receipt before buying something like this? Is it common for second-hand bikes to have their labels or serial numbers removed? Thanks
by ant_person
6 comments
You got a fair price, maybe even a bit much. Don’t worry, those bikes aren’t really hunted down. Obviously, ideally is not stolen and is, of course, your bad for not checking, but since it is old and not, let’s say, sophisticated bike you probably won’t have any issues.
> Is it common for second-hand bikes to have their labels or serial numbers removed?
Absolutely not. At least if it wasn’t stolen.
> Is it required to check these labels or ask for a purchase receipt before buying something like this?
As far as I know, no. But overall you always want to make sure of it because you never want to buy a stolen bike. Because if it comes out that it is stolen then you make yourself suspicious. You didn’t commit a crime if you didn’t know it was stolen, but even then if the owner wants it back you paid 90€ for nothing.
> What should I do?
There is strong indication that this bike was stolen. Do you have the details of the seller? You could look whether there was a bike reported as stolen which fits the description and if so you can reach out. Often those are published by the police department or in local newspapers and Facebook groups etc.
No, it’s not common to remove serial numbers. It’s a clear sign that something is fishy with the product.
If the deal seems to be to good to be true, it’s mostly stolen. If it is stolen and the police (or the original owner) will find you with it, the police will confiscate it without any compensation for you, as (knowingly or unknowingly) buying stolen goods is a capital offense in Germany (Hehlerei).
https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_stgb/englisch_stgb.html#p2420
Contact your local police station, they can help you filling a report (Anzeige), even it is all legal. Safe all Messages/Mails etc. from Kleinanzeigen aswell as the sellers personal information if you have any.
If the bike is stolen, not doing anything might get you in trouble if the bike is found. By contacting Police you probably get away without any repercussions (without a bike tho) and you can void the buying contract (even if it is a verbal agreement and get your money back.
With that said. There are thousands of bikes getting stolen every day and it might not be the highest priority for police to find old bikes like that. So riding it without fear of penalty might be an option. But a scratched of Serial Number is allways an eye catcher for police.
Have you checked for an engraved serial number / frame number under the bottom bracket? Turn the bike upside down, then you should easily find it.
Knowingly buying stolen goods is a crime and punishable by law, dont get me wrong…. but:
do you know if the seller was the original owner? could it be that he purchased it not knowing it was stolen before?
also: how would anyone confirm it was their stolen bike without the serial number? are there any undeniable identifying features that the rightful owner could use to argue for ownership?
some other possibilities:
the bike was previously unlawfully disposed of before being salvaged and the original owner didn’t want that to be backtracked
the previous owner is a paranoid boomer who spends too much time on telegram and filed off the serials because he is in the delusion that someone could track him that way (you’re laughing, but thats only because you haven’t SEEN the telegram groups I have…)
in conclusion: yes, it was probably stolen at some point in its lifetime, but for all intents and purposes it is now yours.
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