Your eyes are bigger than the size of your overdraft, and your chances of owning a new bike are not looking good. There’s no need to beg, borrow or steal as a solution – not when you can delve into the affordable world of second-hand sales. Here’s how to make second-hand work for you. – By Bryony McCormick

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Know your Rights

The Consumer Protection Act
The Consumer Protection Act passed by the Department of Trade and Industry in South Africa does not protect you if you buy a bike through a private sale (dubbed ‘voetstoots’). If you buy a bike from a stranger on Gumtree, you are not protected; if you are buying from a franchised dealership, you are. It’s good to know your rights. According to the Act, a dealer may not sell you something without telling you all of its defects. There is also an extensive returns policy. To examine the Act in depth, go to www.info.gov.za/view/DownloadFileAction?id=99961

The Second-Hand Goods Act
When buying a second-hand bike, you are also protected by the Second-Hand Goods Act. If a store is selling (or purchasing) second-hand bikes, they should be able to present a certificate proving they are indeed monitored by the Act, says David George of online second-hand store TheGearChange.co.za. As a second-hand buyer, you are within your rights to ask to see the certificate.

The Act insists that second-hand traders are obliged to request a seller’s ID on the sale of any bikes or gear. It also states that second-hand traders must keep the records of sellers on file so that they can accessed at any stage. This decreases the risk of buying a stolen bike. Need more detail? Download the Act at www.saps.gov.za/docs_publs/legislation/juta/shg_act_6_2009.pdf

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