Author: Aynsley Brown

Seller Beware; the possibility of a scam buyer between eBay and PayPal.

The following is a disturbing account about how US Moulton owner Ben Porter  had his NS scammed from him.

 

“I sold the bike on eBay, but I was scammed in a very clever way by the buyer, who managed to get a full refund from PayPal after I had shipped the bike. Despite early assurances from PayPal that the dispute would be ruled in my favor, in the end it was not.

 

I would like to report this bike as stolen to the Moulton community. The serial number is 100606. I bought the bike new in April 2010 from Angle Lake Cyclery in SeaTac, Washington, USA. They are an authorized Moulton dealer.

 

The short version of the story is:

  • the buyer made multiple payments to me via PayPal, thus taking the transaction out from under eBay’s protection;

 

  • before and after the PayPal transaction, the buyer directed me, via eBay messages, to ship to a California address, supposedly a Korean shipping agent (buyer is Korean), and his registered address with eBay, at that time, was at this California address;

 

  • buyer’s address on the PayPal transaction was in Korea;

 

  • while the bike was in transit, the buyer initiated a PayPal dispute claiming non-receipt of goods;

 

  • bike was delivered to California address two days later; and

 

  • after much back-and-forth with PayPal, including much evidence provided by me of the buyer’s direction to ship to that California address, PayPal fully refunded the buyer’s payments to him, since the shipping address was not the address in their (PayPal) records. Simply outrageous.

 

The contact number given for the delivery address is bogus. The buyer did not respond to messages left at that number, nor to repeated eBay messages and emails. I enlisted the help of another tenant in the building to try and recover the bike, but it is gone. Due to the way the buyer cleverly manipulated this gray area between eBay and PayPal, neither one of these companies is protecting me. I am sickened by the whole chain of events.

 

And I stupidly included an invoice marked “paid” in the shipping box, because he had paid me before I shipped it. I had no idea he could get his money back.

 

I reported this incident to the FBI, since it constitutes wire fraud, which is a Federal offense. However, I very much doubt the FBI will take any action to investigate a US$5500 fraud.

Ben Porter”

2017 Moulton Preservation Richmond Park Ride and Picnic.

Wednesday August 2nd from 11:am
Meet at Roehampton Gate Car Park to set off at approximately 11:30 am
The ride is at a very leisurely pace of about 12 miles, mainly off road, following the park’s Tamsin Trail.
It is ideal for families or those who prefer a gentle amble on their F frames. There is one optional hill !
There are plenty of refreshment stops and places of interest, with a picnic close to Pembroke Lodge.
Bring food or buy snacks at the Pembroke Lodge Kiosk nearby.
The event usually ends at the Roehampton Gate Tea Room and disperses by about 4pm.
We hope to have MP 82 - our Olive Green Moulton Safari - in action for the first time since total restoration.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Zoe, Michael and the “MP” team “

Changes to the Moulton Bicycle Club Committee – a statement from the President

 
At the committee meeting held on Sunday 19th March a number of changes to the committee membership were agreed by the committee.
After 22 years as Chairman, Aynsley Brown has stood down. Arthur Smith was elected in Aynsley’s place. Twenty-two years is an extremely long time in any voluntary role and the club owes a debt of gratitude to Aynsley for steering it through many changes.
In taking on the chairmanship, Arthur Smith has relinquished the role of Technical Adviser. Paul Lancaster was elected as Arthur’s successor. There are many MBC members who will be grateful for the advice provided and the knowledge shared by Arthur over many years as Technical Adviser.
Finally, Zoe Martin stepped down as secretary and Mark Taylor was elected to that role. Zoe will now be concentrating on organising the club events at Bradford-on-Avon.
In my purely honorary and non-executive role as President of the Moulton Bicycle Club, I’d like to express my thanks to all the committee members, old and new, for giving up their time to help run what is one of the oldest and biggest single-marque bicycle clubs in the UK. I’m sure MBC members will join me in thanking those committee members who are stepping down and wishing all the best to those who are taking up new roles.
If any member has any concerns about the club, they are welcome to email me at tony.hadland@gmail.com

Alex Moulton Memorial Birthday Weekend ~ April 8th/9th 2017

The Moulton Bicycle Club would like to welcome members to the Courtyard at The Hall, Bradford on Avon in April to remember Alex Moulton at this, the anniversary of his birthday, and enable members to have a springtime gathering, including a Bring and Buy sale, refreshments, a raffle and rides.

Important Notes:

a) This is a Club members only event.

b) There is No Camping available on the grounds for this event (unlike the September event).

c) The Bring and Buy Sale will finish at 12 noon.

d) The site must be vacated by 12:30 on Saturday afternoon.

e) All rubbish must be removed. (We are guests of the Moulton Bicycle Company and the Alex Moulton Charitable Trust).

 

Saturday 8th April - The cost will be £1 to all members whether they are attending and/or selling which will be collected on the gate, this covers members entry and free access to the Bring and Buy Sale.

 

As there is no advance booking, it is essential that you provide proof of your current membership at the gate to gain entry.  All being well, the car parks at Anthony Best Dynamics Factory should be available on a first come, first served basis. Otherwise, you will have to leave your vehicle outside the Hall grounds.

 

The Bring and Buy Sale will be held in the main Courtyard and will include Moulton Preservation, Regalia and The Moulton Bicycle Company.

 

For the first time, we are opening the Bring & Buy for members and traders to come and have a pitch at this April gathering. For those wishing to sell, the price will remain the same as in the September gathering.

Members selling - £5 per pitch.

Traders selling - £10 per pitch.

Note these costs will be in addition to the £1 entry for all. Please remember that you need to bring your own table as these will not be provided. It is one table per seller only.

 

The timing will be 9am for sellers to set up and 9:30am for the start of the Bring and Buy Sale.  It will finish at 12 noon.  There will be a refreshments stand selling teas/coffees and breakfast/cakes.

 

This is a time for socialising so let’s hope the weather will be on our side.  Arthur Smith will be leading a memorial ride taking you to the sites relevant to Alex Moulton’s life. This will start at 2pm from the factory gates.

 

On Sunday 9th April, Arthur has kindly offered to lead a longer ride of approximately 23 miles. This will leave at 10am from St Margaret’s car park in town.

 

 

Opening the doors to selling at this April gathering,  provides an extra opportunity to find necessary parts to preserve or keep your bikes running smoothly, so you can enjoy your riding in the warmer months ahead and be ready for the September gathering. Look forward to seeing you there!