So maybe we should not discuss such listings publicly and just hope the unfortunate, lawful owners are looking for their bikes on eBay/Gumtree? Or maybe the forum members could alert the admin, who in turn would send a private message to all members, rather than posting on the board, where anybody can see it?
Hi Kuba,
A good thought, Kuba, and it pretty well describes half my dilemma in posting the listing to begin with.
On the one hand, the listing was so sketchy I was inclined to let it pass without calling notice to it.
On the other, it just "smelled" wrong, and I hoped posting it might have some good result, figuring where it was suspicious, perhaps it would serve a public service in two ways:
1) It might prevent the more naive from bidding (though it didn't stop 13 people from doing so!). And, too, there are many who would like to pick up a second Thorn having already bought a first, or who cannot afford a new one right away and who view a used Thorn as a stepping-stone to a new one setup as they would wish.
2) If it was stolen, perhaps putting it on the Forum would alert Thorn-aware Forum members of the possibility something was wrong (It did; Rual and KT were right on it, agreeing something was wrong). I did mention in my original post it was "unusual" and the picture definitely did not match...anything, and the description was nonexistent). Clueless people do put up auction listings on eBay, and I had nothing solid where I could accuse the seller of wrongdoing. I did send a notice to eBay.uk regarding the suspicious nature of the listing.
At least this way, more "eyes" will be open and aware of the stolen bike and can, perhaps spot it in the area.
Like jags, I hate bike thieves with a passion, and so very much hope your friend can recover it, Sebastion. You were very thoughtful to register so you could tell us of the problem; thanks! Please let us know if the bike is recovered, it would be wonderful if it can be returned to its rightful owner.
All the best,
Dan.
