Buying from the UK, no contact from seller

hairyslug

I'm posting here as there is more traffic here than in the bike section.

I know there is no definitive answer but looking for advice.

About 2 weeks ago, I found a bike online that I liked, I contacted the seller (private) all seemed good and I transferred a small deposit, so small that if I lose it, I'm not that put out.

From then up until last Friday, contact has been ongoing, whether it was organising ways to pay or getting advice on the best way to get there (he's 2 hours from the closest airport) or getting more pics of the bike.

From Friday, there has been nothing, I've mailed, texted and called, nothing.
I am flying over on Friday (I've found a 2ND bike I like so that's a back up) but how long do I give without an answer before I give in and give up.

IrishGrimReaper

Can you contact your bank or whoever you sent the money with to see if they can return it. Probably unlikely but worth a try. Don't send money to strangers you've never met.

I'd say he's probably sold it to someone else and pocketed your money because why not.

Atlantic Dawn

Have you tried Googling the phone number and email address of seller to see if they show up selling other items or on scam sites? Do the photos look like they are genuine or some generic ones they have used by simply saving others from a classified site?

When you called does the phone ring out, have you tried calling with your number witheld?

hairyslug

Was panicking more than I should, more so that I had organised plane, train, hotel and ferry and thought it had gone tits up. All sorted now.