You Should Read Some Reviews Before Purchasing That Bicycle
Buying a bicycle online is super-convenient.
With a few clicks, y'all tin can easily select, pay for, and purchase a bike that you'll receive on your doorstep or at your local cycle shop. Piece of cake peasy!
Is buying a bike online cheaper?
You tin can discover ameliorate bike prices online considering of how the product passes through fewer easily to reach you. Yous tin can also notice online deals that tin significantly decrease the bike's original price.
That said, i of the drawbacks of buying a bicycle online is that you can't test information technology out before y'all buy it as you would when purchasing from your local shop.
Although you could render information technology if you're not happy with your bike, this is sometimes a stressful, time-consuming feel.
Here'southward how to avoid bike-buying remorse from happening past following these important tips for purchasing a bike online.
Buying Online Vs Buying From A Physical Shop
Earlier we mentioned how you can't exam out a bike that yous purchase online, but at that place are other differences between buying a bicycle online instead of at a store.
Hither are the pros and cons that you lot should know about earlier you get ahead with purchasing a bike from an online store.
Ownership Bicycle Online
Pros
- You tin relieve more money on an online bike purchase because the company has less margins that demand to be made.
- Yous can find a variety of e-shops from which to buy bikes, and y'all're likely to observe bigger bike ranges than what you'd find in existent life at your local store. This is especially beneficial if y'all want a wheel that's non that well-known or locally bachelor.
- With so many shops going out of business organization, if your local cycle shop closes its doors for good, you'll still have many options bachelor to you online.
- Shopping for a new bike online isn't going in blind. You lot can make use of a wealth of resource to help you settle on the correct purchase, such as when it comes to reading reviews and watching videos.
Cons
- You might relieve money, but if your bicycle delivery arrives with pieces missing or cleaved parts, you'll have to spend money to take these problems fixed. You'll also take to assemble the bike yourself.
- If yous need repairs or you need to deal with warranty-related problems, yous'll accept to contact the online store, take time to explain your problems, and and so expect for them to get dorsum to y'all. If you lot're returning the bicycle, y'all'll have to ship information technology back to them.
Buying Bicycle In Concrete Store
Pros
- You receive benefits when you buy a cycle from an actual bricks-and-mortar store. Many cycle shops will give yous complimentary tune-ups or even discounts on your buy.
- It'due south easier to deal with warranty bug. If you're not happy with your bike purchase, it'south super easy to head back to the store and bargain with the warranty problems. The effect will probable be sorted out so and there.
- You can ask questions. Ownership a bike from someone who's standing right there in forepart of you and who tin answer your questions, and fifty-fifty provide you with information y'all didn't know you needed, is invaluable.
Cons
- Yous're not guaranteed to find the wheel you lot really want from your local cycle store. Although the shop might have a lot of cool bikes, information technology might not take everything you lot're looking for.
- You're likely to find that bikes purchased from a physical store will be more expensive, plus y'all can't e'er make employ of nifty discounts that yous'll detect online.
Is Information technology Safe To Buy A Bike Online?
Ownership a bike online can exist very safe, as long equally you lot stick to purchasing from renowned websites. Here is a rundown of some of the best.
BikesDirect
Although the site isn't very user-friendly to use, don't let that put y'all off. BikesDirect is an online superstore that offers free shipping to near all 50 states in the U.S.
There are hundreds of bikes to cull from in their e-shop. The company also gives you lot a satisfaction guarantee or your coin back.
Cycle Warehouse
This company used to exist called Mountain Bike Warehouse but now they've increased their selection of bikes. The site is easy to navigate, which makes your shopping a breeze.
You can likewise notice cycling accessories and spare parts hither, and so it's bound to become your one-stop store for all your cycling needs. Bonus: you get physical-store perks, such as a 90-mean solar day melody-up.
Jenson USA
This website has high reviews and it'south clear to meet why. The company has over 20 years of experience online and offers committed support to you during the bike-purchasing process besides equally later.
You also get a "30-Solar day Toll Protection," which means that if you find a lower price for the aforementioned bike from a competitor, Jenson will refund you the difference.
Bicycle Buying Scams To Know Virtually
While there are fantastic, legit bike sellers online, at that place are besides scammers.
As with any product you purchase online, there'southward ever the hazard of falling victim to a scam.
Here are some of the recent bicycle scams yous should know about.
- The banking details scam. Whether you're buying a bike from a private seller or company, make sure you confirm their banking details over the phone. You never know if the scammer has sent you simulated banking details via email, pretending to be a legit wheel shop and hoping you'll be none the wiser and send them coin to their personal business relationship.
- The fake number scam. No matter where you've establish a bike seller, even if the site is reputable, you should e'er exercise an internet search on their telephone number that they've provided because information technology might non exist theirs. This is a mutual scam that involves the criminal posing as someone else. You might observe that their number actually relates to another user or advertizement on the website, such as in the case of online classifieds.
- The fake website scam. Ever see a website that promises to sell bicycles at a really depression price? While that in itself should alarm you to it being a scam, there are other things yous'll observe that point to it beingness fake. For instance, social media buttons on the site will probably non piece of work, or will take you lot to a different website. That's why information technology's of import to scrutinize the website to ensure that it'south legit.
Extra Tips To Help You Spot An Online Scam
- Although the website might seem to be the same as the genuine bike make y'all know and trust, if there'southward anything that seems odd, such as massive discounts on expensive bikes, it's worth getting in touch with the brand and finding out if the deal is actually theirs.
- You lot should also note that if you come across what appears to be a legit wheel company logo on a social media advertizement or website, you lot should take a closer look. Sometimes the colors or design won't be exactly the aforementioned as the authentic one, which is a clear sign that the visitor or ad is fake. The scammer is pretending to be the trusted brand in order to rob people of their money.
- If you lot're purchasing a bike 2nd-manus, exist wary if the person selling you a cycle won't speak to you on the phone and just does their business organisation via private message or email. This is a ruddy flag considering they want to remain bearding and might not actually be selling anything.
Four Important Questions To Ask Private Cycle Sellers Before Purchasing From Them
If the seller can't answer these questions or is vague with their answers, then that points to them mayhap existence a scammer. A legit seller won't have a problem with answering questions about the bike and providing proof of purchase to show you lot that the bike hasn't been garnered via illegal methods.
- How long have you lot endemic the bicycle?
- Do you lot have the bike'due south original receipt?
- When was the cycle last serviced?
- Has any bike part ever been repaired or replaced under the manufacturer's guarantee?
The more than info the seller can give y'all, the improve!
Tips For Buying Refurbished Bikes From eBay And Craigslist
Some sites, such equally eBay and Craigslist, will offering bicycles for sale and they're quite pop. However, there are some of import things to bear in heed and then that you stay safe and don't get ripped off.
- Ask for more than ane photo of the bike. It might audio over the top, but you don't desire to purchase a bike online only to find that when yous run across it in existent life, it'south zip like what it seemed online. So, photos are your friend. Ask the seller for images of the bike, but since many scammers can photoshop images or nick them from other sites, yous desire to request images of details on the bike. This likewise ensures that you're getting a refurbished wheel that's in expert condition. Some parts of the bike to ask pictures for include the handlebars, seat, chain, bottom of the bike, close-ups of the drivetrain (such every bit the rear derailleurs and crank arms), and tires. Having to replace components such as a suspension fork or wheels tin can price you a lot of money, and so you want to be sure these important parts look good. The pictures should exist taken in a well-lit room or outside then that you can properly come across the bike.
- If you lot're purchasing a wheel from eBay, it's of the utmost importance to check with the seller that at that place is a returns policy in place. In addition to that, ever scrutinize sellers to see what their ratings are. They should have high ratings earlier you agree to purchase from them. If people take complained almost them before, accept that seriously because the same issues could affect you.
- On the bailiwick of seller feedback, try to purchase items from sites that have this characteristic in identify. In this way, eBay is probably better than Craigslist, simply because y'all can't become seller feedback on the latter.
Stay Safety When Selling Your Bike
Cycle scams can likewise bear on you lot when y'all're selling a bike online, so hither are some tips to be aware of if y'all're interested in selling your quondam cycle.
- Beware of how the money will be sent to you. If the buyer wants to transport y'all money via MoneyGram, Western Wedlock, or Ukash, this is a red flag because such methods don't requite y'all plenty protection.
- Beware of how much money yous 're sent. Sometimes the person interested in buying your bike will offer or ship you more money than what y'all requested. Yous'll then be asked to send the money back. Meanwhile, the coin you received won't clear and y'all'll exist left with naught.
What To Know Nearly Cost When Buying Bikes Online
Earlier, we mentioned the importance of knowing that a bike that'southward existence sold for a ridiculously low price is probably a scam.
So, what price is reasonable and legit?
In order to observe this out, yous should do your homework beforehand. Go to bike shops and see what the prices of bikes are.
Check online for the bike y'all're looking to purchase so y'all can see how much it costs make new. While a bike that's being sold online shouldn't be priced too low, it also shouldn't be overpriced.
Information technology's also a skilful thought to check what other wheel sellers on sites such every bit eBay and Craigslist are selling their bikes for. This will requite you an idea of what price is reasonable.
Finally, don't be afraid to reach out to bike communities. Here, you'll exist able to communicate with other bike lovers nigh buying bicycles online, and they might have more than experience to help yous out.
What Nearly Coupons And Discounts?
At present, at that place are websites where y'all can get coupons and discounts for bike purchases. For example, you can get savings from Coupon Follow when purchasing a wheel from Bicycle Warehouse.
This can take the grade of 10- 20 percent, or even higher, discounts, but they will take to be used within a certain period of fourth dimension.
Wheel Warehouse also has a folio featuring some great coupons you can utilize. Some of them can be used when purchasing a bike on eBay.
These are both legit when it comes to cycle discounts that are on offer. Always make sure you read reviews of coupon sites and discounts that are available to make sure y'all're not entering into anything risky.
Extra Tips To Aid You Stay Safe When Using Online Coupons
There'due south coupon fraud online, and so you want to ensure you don't fall prey to information technology. Hither are some means in which to do that.
- Beware of whatever coupon codes that hope massive savings. Y'all're probable to find discounts of, say, x pct, only if a site's offering 75-percent or more than of savings, that should be a reddish flag.
- Beware of what'due south known as "bait and switch" attempts. This is when you lot concord to apply the online coupon codes but then once you do, y'all're suddenly forced to fill out a form with all your personal info. You should never have to do this with a coupon, in the same mode that you lot'll never exist asked to pay in order to use information technology.
What To Know Nearly Bicycle Warranties
Ane of the downsides of purchasing a cycle online is that yous can't simply head into your local wheel store to deal with warranty issues.
If your cycle is broken, y'all'll have to go online and deal with the original retailer, who volition and then have to contact their supplier.
Agreement the bike warranty is important so you lot know what you're dealing with.
Common Terms In A Bike Warranty
You lot're probable to find some commonly-used terms in your bike warranty.
These include:
- 10-Year Warranty. This means that the fork and frame of the cycle will be covered confronting manufacturing defects for 10 years. Other parts of the wheel, such equally tires and bottom brackets, will as well exist covered but regular wear and tear doesn't use.
- Express Lifetime Warranty. This means that you'll exist able to employ the warranty for parts that have manufacturing defects.
It'south always worth checking the warranty closely. Some retailers will specify that the cycle is but eligible for the warranty provided that the bicycle was assembled at a registered dealer, such equally ane linked to their make.
You should ever cheque the bike brand's website to see if you can read their warranty on there.
What About Second-Hand Bikes?
Be warned, some bike warranties will explicitly land that the warranty only applies to the cycle's original possessor, which means that purchasing a second-hand cycle means that you will carry the risk for it.
This is all the more reason why you should always check with the seller of the bicycle for details regarding the bike's care and if whatsoever repairs have been made to it.
Shipping And Returns Policy
When it comes to buying a bike online, it's essential that you know what the shipping and returns policy is.
Some online bike sellers will use local companies to ship the cycle to you, while others will utilize mobile service companies such as Beeline Bikes.
I of the virtually important questions yous'll have when it comes to how your bicycle is shipped to yous is how much you'll have to assemble information technology.
Exercise you need special tools in guild to do so, such every bit a torque wrench? Knowing this beforehand tin help you set for what needs to exist done.
When it comes to returns, yous should scrutinize the seller'due south returns policy. This will vary from 1 company to the adjacent.
Some might give y'all a refund or replacement inside two weeks of purchase, while others will offer refunds or replacements within 45 days, and allow yous to ride the bike to exam it out as long as you don't damage it.
On sites such equally eBay, the seller can choose from different returns options. These include no returns, 30-day free returns, 30-day heir-apparent-paid returns, and more than, and so always cheque this with the bike seller.
That said, buyers tin can send their concerns regarding returns directly to eBay, such as if they purchased a bike that was incorrectly described on the eBay posting and don't desire to proceed it.
eBay has a "Heir-apparent Protection" process in identify to help y'all if something goes awry with your transaction.
Related Questions
What Are Signs That The Bike You've Purchased Is Stolen?
1 of the virtually obvious signs to look out for is a serial number that's been scratched out. Yous should inquire the seller for a flick of this serial number, which is ordinarily found in the bottom bracket where the two pedal cranks encounter.
How Tin Yous Ensure You Purchase The Right Size Bike Online?
Some websites take geometry charts or calculators to help you, just others don't. It's therefore a good idea to become a bike fit at your local bike shop and then that you lot know what frame size works for you.
Determination
You desire to buy a bike, and you've seen one in an online bike store that y'all've fallen in love with.
While you're getting fix to make your purchase, be sure you've properly checked out the site and read customer reviews to be certain you're not falling into a trap.
In this article, we've looked at the pros and cons of buying a bike online, also as provide yous with information pertaining to all the different aspects of it, such as when information technology comes to price, discounts, and warranties.
So what are y'all waiting for?
Get go that bike!
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Source: https://bikesmarts.com/buying-a-bicycle-online/