Stolen property

Ask for serial # s and email or call the company ,

if none is given you know something is not right.

How is the company supposed to know if they're stolen or not?

Did they come from the back of a white van?

 Sometimes I think half the items, at least, on ebay, craig's list. etc are being fenced. If a burglary was reported serial numbers and descriptions were recorded, that info is not going to travel far from the precinct. There is a national database for bicycles (privately run), maybe one for high end audio gear is called for. Any computer people out there know, or care to start one?     Like most things in life it comes down to your conscience, what does your inner voice say? And, how much do you care what your inner voice says?

I just bought a new bike seat post on ebay for $100 that typically sells for $300. I was the only bidder so it is not a high demand product. The seller joined eBay 6 weeks ago and listed about 200 new high quality bike items…some multiples, so likely not bought for use. Almost all have sold with maybe 10 now left. It crossed my mind, ‘how would someone get all these new items to sell?’ Manufacturer sponsors? Closed shop?

I realize that I don’t get a warranty as I didn’t buy my new post from a dealer.

I don’t know how you could tell if something was stolen. It could be someone flipping an item acquired legitimately. They may not have purchased it for their own use, or know anything about it.