Yesterday I cheerily bought a bicycle from gumtree because I wanted to get fit and improve my mental health. Feel free to search up my thread here asking if IABU to go and buy it. I don't know how to link.
So I collected the bike and all seemed fine. The man said he's a cyclist and is only selling because he has upgraded. He seemed like a nice guy.
I took it for a ride today and stopped for a few minutes to catch my breath, sweating hot.
Two teenage boys crossed the road to ask if I needed the bicycle because if not they'll give me £10 for it.
I thought they were just being cheeky so I laughed it off and said no thanks I've just bought this.
One proceeded to tell me it's illegal. I asked how so, and he replied that it's an "ofo" bike.
I don't know what an ofo bike is. I've lived in London three years, on the outskirts, and ive never once used rental bikes.
I came home quickly and looked online and they were right, it's the same bike, same thing spray painted black.
I then examined it properly and it's clear that underneath the frame there are specs of yellow where the top layer of black paint has chipped off.
I thought the frame was a bit unusual and different to the mountain bike I had years ago but I don't know anything about bikes in genetal so I wasn't to know.
I almost had a panic attack cycling home as a police car drove toward me and pulled up. I got off the bike ready to speak to them and explain how I'd just bought it but then they went into a house behind me.
I'm at home now having a cry.
Fucking bastard.
DH is going to ring him in a moment and say we're bringing it back tomorrow and want a refund otherwise we are calling the police.
I don't think we should ring ahead personally because that gives him a heads up that we now know.
Alternatively I could ring the police myself now and kiss goodbye to the £45 