Two auctions on eBay caught my eye last night, and I wanted to share
the replies I received from the sellers when I questioned why the size
of bike wasn't shown, and why one seller included a number of photos
of the bike, yet described it as being "still in the box as received
from Trek, assembly required."

The first, advertised as a brand new, 2004 Trek 5200:

"I have all frame sizes as I own a shop !All the bikes I am selling
are brand new, with original parts, all are 2004 models! I am asking
$1300 plus $35 for UPS insured delivery !I accept payment to my bank
account only as I have the bikes on my shop inventory ! If this is not
fine with you please don't reply back asking me to change my mind !"


And, this one, advertising a Trek 5900 Superlight, which could have
been written by the guys from Nigeria that keep asking me if I want
several million dollars from a deposed oil minister:

"Hello,
************Tell me where are you from and tell me your shipping
address and
phone number if you really are interested to buy one bike Road Cycle
Trek
5200 2004, because I want to sell it very fast to pay a bill to my
supplier
and I don't have to much time.
************If so my best price that I can make for a you is $1600,
shipping
included.
************I'm handling the liquidation of a big store stock and in
this
moment all frame size is ready to be ship:48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60,
63cm.
The bike is brand new in factory box with all the warranty papers for
1
year.
************It is ready to be shipped in the same day that my buyer
wants to
close the deal I meen imediately when I have the payment confirmation.
************Let me know If you like the price in order to go ahead
with the
deal, If you are ok with my price and we will decide to move forward
with
our deal you must know that we will close our deal trough eBay. Fell
free to
ask me any other question.
Thanks for watching my auction
****************With all due respect,
****************************** Woodhouse Tom Andrew."

I guess the really sad thing is that people appeared to actually be
bidding on these...