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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I have been scammed and sold a stolen bicycle

54 replies

Roostersmum2 · 23/04/2020 14:37

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 Sad

OP posts:
NotYourHolidayDick · 23/04/2020 15:00

God I wish I worried about shit like this Grin

OP just ride your bloody bike. You're hardly a mastermind criminal Grin

Chickychoccyegg · 23/04/2020 15:08

if it was stolen, i dont think the boys would want to pay you £10 to take it off your hands? they were chancing their luck by the sounds of it

Beautiful3 · 23/04/2020 15:12

Keep calm. It was probably sold off stock. I doubt it was stolen.

Tink2007 · 23/04/2020 15:16

There’s loads of them for sale on eBay....

emmaw1405 · 23/04/2020 15:16

We have something called Beryl bikes where I live. They appeared and the scheme was suspended after three months. Bikes were either stolen or dumped. Regularly see youths between the ages of about 15 - early twenties riding them round with the locks broken off and the logos scraped off.

Lordfrontpaw · 23/04/2020 15:21

Don't worry OP - it probably is sold off stock. Maybe the seller can confirm this.

Anyway, you bought in good faith from an ad that anyone could easily verify. I hope you haven't lost your money.

1555CC · 23/04/2020 15:23

You're not being dramatic.

She really is, and ridiculously so. She might have bought a stolen bike, but almost certainly hasn't, and is acting like she's the new Pablo Escobar.

Christ, I'm surprised she hasn't asked how she stops Netflix making a new series out of her criminal exploits.

yerawizadari · 23/04/2020 15:31

'Handling stolen goods' is not accidentally buying something you didn't know was stolen, it is deliberately trading in items you know are stolen goods and passing them off as legitimate.

Thelnebriati · 23/04/2020 15:34

You are not guilty of handling stolen goods. You didn't steal the bike, repaint it, or know it was possibly nicked.

''A person handles stolen goods if (otherwise than in the course of the stealing) knowing or believing them to be stolen goods he dishonestly receives the goods, or dishonestly undertakes or assists in their retention, removal, disposal or realisation by or for the benefit of another person, or if he arranges to do so.''
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/60/section/22

If you are worried take the frame number and have it checked.

Xenia · 23/04/2020 15:38

Check if the company has sold of all its old stock - which is perfectly possible.

Original poster
Roostersmum2 · 23/04/2020 15:40

I have a friend who works in the police so I'll ask him what he thinks.

I could lose my job if it was decided I was handling stolen goods, so I'm pleased to be told that is unlikely.

OP posts:
BoingBoingyBoing · 23/04/2020 15:40

It might not have been stolen.

Even if it was, if you had no reason to think it was stolen then you aren't going to be in any sort of trouble.

cabbageking · 23/04/2020 15:47

You can purchase brand new packaged ones online.

Original poster
Roostersmum2 · 23/04/2020 15:56

I've sent my friend a message so I'll report back what he says in terms of the legalities.

If ofo bikes are legal to own now I don't know why he's gone to the trouble of painting it black which has only made it look more suspicious surely.

OP posts:
BoingBoingyBoing · 23/04/2020 15:59

Not really, maybe the guy just bought one when they were sold off but didn't want it to be branded with corporate colours?

Don't call the guy accusing him of selling you a stolen bike, chances are it's not stolen at all. Even if it was, as you had no reason to believe it was stolen you are categorically not in trouble with the law or your employer.

Sarahandco · 23/04/2020 16:01

A lot of these bikes were bought as bankrupt stock - so your seller may have bought it legitimately and it is not stolen.

CoolCarrie · 23/04/2020 16:02

I bet it’s not stolen at all, stop stressing , repaint and enjoy it

Original poster
Roostersmum2 · 23/04/2020 16:05

I haven't called him, it's looking like it's not illegal in light of the fact they are readily available to buy.

Thank you for the sensible replies and letting me know I'm probably being a drama queen.

I felt humiliated by the fact people think I was riding around on a stolen rental bike.

The reddit thread I linked on the first page showed the judgement somebody received for having one of them.

OP posts:
Sarahandco · 23/04/2020 16:07

That is probably why the seller painted it - you could spray it a unique colour.

onanothertrain · 23/04/2020 16:07

Complete overreaction. Those bikes were withdrawn last year I think and probably sold on. The boys were obviously chancing their arm. I doubt you're going to the jail.

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 23/04/2020 16:10

There are loads on eBay. You'll be fine.

Notredamn · 23/04/2020 16:14

People don't think you were riding round on a nicked bike. The teenagers were being chancers, that's all.

Mummiepig · 23/04/2020 16:15

There’s a Facebook page for owners of them, apparently they were sold off for £80 by the company so perfectly legal to own

Original poster
Roostersmum2 · 23/04/2020 16:16

I'm relieved, I'll give it some thought IRT keeping it and if I do then I'll spray it a different colour and change the uncomfortable seat, get some better lights.

It rides very nicely for a £45 second hand bike so it would be a shame to get rid but I don't want a repeat performance of today whenever I'm out as it was v embarrassing.

OP posts:
EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 23/04/2020 16:19

Don't just assume that the police won't be interested; I'm based in central London, and when I let myself into the community centre to feed the chickens yesterday (feeding livestock a valid reason to be out!), there were two police officers there investigating the theft of a bike that had been stolen earlier in the day.

I'd report him - you may not get the £45 back anyway, and if you do he'll only sell it to someone else.