KNOWLEDGE BASE: Buying & selling bicycles in SA
Buying or selling a bicycle online has never been easier, especially when transport is taken care of. Whether you’ve purchased a bike on BikeHub, Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or through a local bike shop, this guide answers the questions we hear most often and explains how Bicycle Couriers can help make the process simple and secure.
I bought a bike on BikeHub—what now?
Book online at bicyclecouriers.co.za. Tell us when and where to collect. We share the PDF with you and the seller or bike shop. Then we collect the bike and deliver to your door, or store, or buyer, whichever applies and is most convenient. Click-click, ding-dong, new bike day. N+1 delivered. Also perfect for when going on holiday. Now where can we send your new bike next?
Can you collect from the seller?
We certainly can. The seller can box the bike and we can collect it from their door. Or if they need help packing then it might be easiest for them to just drop it at the nearest bike shop to have it boxed. And then we at #bicyclecouriers can collect directly from the shop when ready. Which is easiest for everyone. And you know that the bike has been packed professionally. Shout if you need suggestions for bike shops close by. Now where can we send your boxed bicycle today?
Can you collect from Facebook Marketplace?
Well, yes, but Facebook marketplace is not a shop. It is an online marketplace. Where buyers and sellers of bicycles and other items meet. So, once you have agreed to a price and need to ship the bicycle from seller to buyer then enter #bicyclecouriers. We can collect door to door or from a shop and deliver said bicycle from seller to buyer. Easy. be alert when buying bicycles (or anything else) from Facebook marketplace.
Can you collect from Gumtree?
Uhm, yes, but again Gumtree is not a shop. It is an online marketplace. And one people often forget about. Maybe there are still some great bargains listed on gumtree that we don’t even know about. So go and have a look. And when you have found the bicycle that you are looking for then do contact #bicyclecouriers. Se we can send your new bike from seller to buyer, anywhere in South Africa.
Can you collect from a bike shop?
Yes, we love collecting from bike shops. This is the preferred method of collecting for #bicyclecouriers. Because bike shops can assist with packing. Or any last-minute extras. And they are open during office hours. Unlike individuals whose calendars might change and they may or may not be at home or office when our driver arrives to collect said bicycle. So, we love getting feet into bike shops and collecting from them whenever possible.
What if the seller isn’t home?
Then we have to go back. Either later in the afternoon. Or the next day. Which we prefer not to day. As a single phone call or text message can avoid the associated cost of sending vehicles to locations when the senders aren’t available. Please contact us when you or the sender or recipient’s plans change. Or consider collecting or delivery to a local bike shop. As they are typically open during office hours and will avoid the runaround. Now where can #bicyclecouriers send your boxed bicycle next?
Can the seller pack the bike?
Oh yes indeed. We love it when the seller or the sender packs the bike into a standard cardboard bicycle box or EVOC or THULE bikebag for transport. We do have some guidelines on how to do the same and encourage you to ensure that it is fit for transport. Fi the seller or sender boxes the bike then we can collect door to door and send the bicycle over to the recipient. Quick and easy with #bicyclecouriers. Now from which door can we collect your new bike today?
Can you inspect the bike?
We can and we have. But not only us at #bicyclecouriers. This can also be done at a local bike shop. Take this example where I bought a bike unseen from a chap in Hermanus. And asked that we drop it at Jannie at Village cycles in Sandbaai. To do an inspection and give me the OK thumbs up before I transferred to purchase price. And then Jannie boxed the bike and #bicyclecouriers collect the EPIC MTB to deliver to my door in Stellenbosch. Quick and easy. Now when and where do you want to do the same?
Can you photograph the bike?
Possibly. If it moves through our hand at the head office. Alternatively, we or you can arrange for photos at the nearest local bike shop. Especially handy if they are also going to box the bicycle prior to collection. Like a quick service or wash and packing from Jarrod and his team at Linden Cycles to name just one example. For the red EPIC carbon comp, I bought myself. And we can do the same for you across the country. Delivered with #bicyclecouriers.
Who should book?
The buyer. The seller. The owner. The assistant. The bike shop. You decide. There are many ways that #bicyclecouriers can assist in sending your bicycle from (A) to (B) across South Africa. And the one party can book and receive the order confirmation and payment instruction and send it say from buyer to seller to pay or share costs. You decide. As long as we receive a paid for order before collection then we are happy from our side. This is a prepaid service.
Who should pay?
The buyer, or the seller. But there are no rules. Usually, the buyer pays for the bicycle transport. And often the seller is happy to pay for the boxing if needed at the local bike shop. Unless the seller already packs the bike in advance, before our drivers arrive to collect. But you can decide whether either party takes on which or all fees, or whether you equally split everything. As long as we get paid upfront then you can decide how you want to split the fee. Fortunately, it is a relatively small amount for #bicyclecouriers to send your boxed bicycle to anywhere in the country.
Can you deliver directly to my mechanic?
Sure thing. Assuming your mechanic is at the local level bike shop. Or receiving your bike on your behalf at the next race you will be attending. As always, you can decide where it must go. Just notify us or preferably enter the details online when booking your bicycle transport with #bicyclecouriers. Then it goes onto the PDF waybill for your boxed bicycle delivery.
Can you deliver to a bike shop?
Of course! We love sending to and from bike shops. And this is well documented by now. Because they are open during office hours. Some even over the weekends including Sundays. And the bike shops have the means and labour and skills and accessories if you need a little extra care before or after the transport process. Book with #bicyclecouriers and ask us if you need a suggestions for a bike shop near you.
What if the seller changes the date?
Then we have to adjust accordingly. Usually with bike sales we are open in our communication and can easily cc both the buyer and the seller in the comms. Keeping everyone in the loop. Which is just easier and we like the transparency. Then everyone is on the same page and knows how far the process is. Brilliant from #bicyclecouriers. But isn’t that what you’ve come to expect by now?
Can I send payment after collection?
We accept upfront payment. And it is a small amount. You can book and pay online. And you will receive either an email confirmation or a WhatsApp confirmation or both. This will include bank details for EFT payment. Plus, a link if you prefer to do an online card payment for your #bicyclecouriers services. Kindly settle in advance as we don’t do cash payments or want to chase and follow up for payment afterwards.
Can the buyer arrange everything?
Yes, they can. Or the seller can arrange, either way. And by arrange there is very little to do. Only twofold: (A) book online. And (B) ensure that the bike is boxed and ready for collection. Which includes printing the PDF waybill to have ready for the driver. If we collect from your home or office, then please ensure you (or someone on your behalf) are available for handing over the bike on the specified date. With thanks.
What if the bike isn’t ready?
Then we have to roll over the collection. To the next day or when available and the bike is ready. Please inform us in advance. We most often send the PDF waybill and book the collection on the morning of the pickup date. This naturally allows for some time before that we know most of the possible changes are out of the way. but things happen and from time to time we have to push out collections. Ie also when the bike shop schedule is full and they haven’t boxed the bike yet.
Can you collect accessories?
Yes, we can. Whether it is spares or tools or parts or upgrades or devices or lights or kit or helmets or pumps or cycling shoes or anything else you can think of. that either fits into the bike box or should be taken as a second item. Like a kit bag or additional luggage. Put us to the test. #bicyclecouriers love to make a plan. Now where can we send your boxed bicycle next?
Can you collect wheels separately?
Yes, we can. In a separate wheel box if possible. Just not as is. If you don’t have a specific wheel bag or wheel box, then rather put it into a larger box. Top tip from #bicyclecouriers: better safe than sorry. Because if you send an extra wheelset then 9 out of 10 times it means they are rather pricey and we don’t want to risk any possible damage to them while in transit. Boxed is safest.
What if the bike is partially assembled?
It depends. At #bicyclecouriers we also collect many salvage bicycles for insurance claims. And those are quite often in a bot of a state. Broken, cracked frame, missing components, busted wheels and more. Which means those bicycles are technically partially assembled. But so is you very own bike if the front wheel and the pedals are off and the handlebar is turned. That also counts as partially assembled. Again, into a bike box please.
How long after purchase should I book?
Even before. No need to wait till you have bought the bike. You can book online before, the moment you know the collection point. Or delivery point in the case of selling your bicycle. Bikehub transactions often require a waybill number as part of the process. For buyer and seller protection and for tracking purposes. And seeing as we only have two rates across the whole of SA (currently 799 for main centers and 1099 for remote areas) you know what to expect with #bicyclecouriers.
Can dealers use Bicycle Couriers?
Most certainly. We do send lots of boxed bicycles. And other items on the #bicyclecouriers network. For example, many bikes come from CPT and Paarl up to a friendly bicycle dealer in PTA and from there again to the purchaser, which may be anywhere in SA. We also like the Bike Garage model (and prices) and send bikes for them from time to time. Do compare our #bicyclecouriers remote area rates as we believe these are hard to if not impossible to beat.
Can auction bikes be collected?
Yes. As long as it is boxed we can collect it. And if it is not boxed please do ask if we can make a plan. It may very well be just around the corner from a local bike shop in our #bicyclecouriers network so that we can arrange boxing through them. See, it is not always what you know, but who you know. Or both. Now where can we send your boxed bicycle today?
What paperwork is required?
PDF waybill from the sender. As part of the #bicyclecouriers online checkout you will receive and order confirmation email and thereafter a human sanity check and separate email or WhatsApp containing the PDF waybill with QR code for the sender. Which they print out and stick on the bikebox or have ready for the driver on collection. In an ideal world we go paperless, but until then we minimize printing as far as possible.
How do I avoid scams?
Use common sense. We have written extensively about common pitfalls when navigating life and the internet and buying or selling online, including bicycles. Keep it sims. If it sounds too good to be true, it likely is. And don’t send the bike until the purchase price have cleared in your bank account. *We have even helped someone involved in a scam to retain her bicycle. With pleasure. #bicyclecouriers is here to assist in safe sending of bicycles where we can. Now where can we send your bicycle today?
