To go and buy a bicycle in person, from gumtree?

[Roostersmum2]

I desperately want a bicycle so I can get some quality exercise. I have a physical condition that means I can't run any more and I need to lose some weight and improve my MH.

AIBU to go and collect a bicycle from a seller on gumtree this evening?

YANBU - I would go and buy it
YABU - Absolutely not ok

You are allowed to go out and get essentials. I would say go, Socially distant the money and ride the bike away. Enjoy your exercise.

I don't see the problem with this as long as you maintain social distancing guidance - ask the seller to leave it outside their house, pay them via bank transfer after you've had a look at it and made sure it's OK and give it a wipe down when you get it home. If you do buy it, enjoy getting out on it, I hope it improves things for you

No more risky than going to the shops, probably less. You may need it for exercise for a good few weeks yet so if it will help you do it and take every precaution to be safe.

Thanks for the replies, I'm glad you all agree

I'm going to confirm with the seller and collect this evening. I'm then going to order a children's seat from eBay so I can take the DC out for fresh air. It'll be lovely

Enjoy!

I already have a decent bike, but I'm always on the look out for a spare - in case current bike dies on me.
Just make sure it's rideable to get you home in one piece if it doesn't fit in a car, coz the AA are not helpful in these situations .

Take some cleanign wipes with you & give it a good wipe before you handle it

As others have said, ensure you keep a safe distance apart and it should be fine.

I had to buy a second hand desk so I could work from home, the seller had a mug to leave the money in and had left the desk on their driveway. They watched (I held up the notes so they could see) to make sure I paid before taking the desk away.

I'm planning to take some wipes to give the handles a wipe down and I'll be wearing gloves too as I usually do when shopping etc

I'll give it a test run round the block before I make my way home just incase there's anything wrong with the brakes/gears (will pay first obviously)

I would. Tell the person to leave it outside or stand away at distance. Obviously check the bike over before bringing it home for any problems. Either pay by bacs or leave some cash in an envelope.

Wear gloves if you wish.

Obviously when you bring it home, clean it. But tbh I’ve been thinking about selling DS’s old bikes. They haven’t been used in forever so no chance of being infected by covid!

It will benefit you so yes definitely do it. Exercise is good for you!

Just arrange with the seller in advance how you'll exchange the money and the bike without coming within 2m (and in a way which gives you a chance to check the bike over) then take the bike and enjoy!

I'm thinking of doing the same thing if I can find a suitable bike. Otherwise I'm tempted to go to Halfords. I need to get fit, used to love cycling and the roads will never be this quiet again to practise on.

I bought a climbing frame off shpock.
Posted the money in an envelope through the letter box, lady opened her back garden and then went in the house, DH (he collected alone) then went into her garden and dismantled it and took it away.
Not sure if its essential but he collected it on the way home from work and DC needed something to play with in the garden.

I recently sold a bike to a lady wanting to do the same. I put it on the drive, stood in the doorway. The lady walked to mine, She tried it, put the money on a pile of bricks for me and took it away. I used gloves to pick up the money and left it untouched for a few days.

Gumtree is full of crap (and stolen) bikes.

You may have a local independent bike shop that will do fully serviced second hand bikes at very reasonable rates. I know my local bike shop is taking social distancing very seriously and has been doing a roaring trade in second hand sales and repairs lately.

I've collected it and really enjoyed the ride home, it has some speed

I'm confident it's not dodgy, he was a respectable chap and said he was only selling because he upgraded. He cycles alot.

I called my local bike shop yesterday on the off chance they had some refurbished ones going cheap but they didn't, hence me looking on gum tree.

Glad you posted this as we recently bought the DC new bikes and was thinking of selling their old ones. I was hesitating but I guess they could come in really useful to someone at the moment.

Definitely, mammamia.

I'm sure I'm not alone in being desperate for a bike. I've spent the past two weeks harping on about how I'd so love to get one because of lockdown

I'm injured and can't ride mine at the moment. It was my sanity time for the first couple of weeks of lockdown and I miss being able to go out on it SO much. You will love it and so will your DC.

I bought our child seat second hand from a bike shop. Hardly used but much cheaper than new.

I'm really sorry to hear that Celeria, hopefully you'll be back on the go before long.

I'm definitely going to be getting a child's seat so I can take the kids out in turn.

DH has said he'll also make use of it for his exercise so it has been money well spent and for £45 I'm chuffed

Glad you liked the bike! We drove 90 miles yesterday to buy a motorbike off ebay to replace the one at home that's died. MOH needs one to get to work by 5am each day - he drives a refrigerated van to deliver meat to NHS hospitals and food parcels to vulnerable people. He put the envelope of cash on the garden wall while he tested the bike and the seller and I stood 2m apart guarding it. All home safely, bike in garage for 72 hrs and OH sluiced down with soap and water. Sometimes a journey becomes essential.

If you live anywhere near me I have a child seat you can have for nothing. BS postcode

I did this the yesterday op! They left it outside in their front garden after I had paid by PayPal. Wore gloves and gave it a thorough clean in the garden with the hose when I got home.