News: Bikesoup.com goes live

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Bikesoup.com goes live with dedicated online cycling marketplace providing consumers with the ability to buy and sell bikes with confidence

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Bikesoup.com goes live

Bikesoup, a custom-built cycling marketplace for new and used bicycles, has been revamped to provide both buyers and sellers of bicycles with a one-stop-shop for all their needs.

Unlike other online marketplaces, the Bikesoup platform is completely focused on cycling and doesn’t restrict the lines of communication to the website’s parameters. Bikesoup’s online magazine, written by a team of Elite cyclists – the Orbital Racing Collective – provides expert advice and information, focusing on delivering valuable consumer content to site visitors.

Antony Auty, Bikesoup founder says: “With Bikesoup, there’s no barrier to communication between buyer and seller. It puts human contact back into online retail, allowing both the buyer and seller to make decisions based on merit and not on bidding wars and faceless promises. The way the ads are paid for by private sellers also means that the site is completely free from stolen bikes. It was also a key goal to create a model that protects buyers from fraud, counterfeits, overpaying and misunderstandings.”

Antony continues: “We did a lot of research into buying and selling platforms available and there’s no other cycling specific site in the UK that offers the same breadth of products and consumer buying tools. We’re passionate about bikes and the specialist nature of a bike means they deserve their own site.”

With reported bike thefts reaching 115,902 in 2011/12, Bikesoup wanted to provide an effective barrier to the trade of stolen bikes. This is achieved by the requirement of all sellers to pay for their adverts in advance by debit or credit card, hence declaring a physical address not only an email one.

By opening up the lines of communication between buyer and seller, Bikesoup also addresses a flaw in the online marketplace business model. This freedom of choice allows the buyer the opportunity to go and see the bike, find out more about it, check for fit – an important part of a bike purchase – and get a full history of the bike.

The buyer is safe in the knowledge that they are parting with their money for something that is right for them, rather than guesswork based on online images and an often sketchy product description.

Those looking to purchase a new or used bike will find a huge choice, ranging from £100 pub bikes through to £7,000 time trial superbikes. The website search engine allows a detailed search, putting the visitor in direct contact with dealer stock and private sellers.

The Cyclopedia tool delivers specs and images on over 4500 bikes with results linking directly to live adverts on Bikesoup. Coming very soon is the Store Finder, with a fully searchable brand database, which will link to both the Cyclopedia and magazine review content.

All sections of the site work harmoniously, linking where relevant, providing the user with a seamless experience. Whatever your requirements, it is a quick and efficient way to gain information and shop for a bike.

If you are looking to sell your bike, Bikesoup couldn’t be simpler to use as your shop window and with a captive audience, it’s a much more efficient and targeted process. The Bikesoup model also benefits sellers, protecting them from problems of shipment and complaints that the product didn’t match the description. By allowing direct contact with the buyer it limits miscommunication and sales falling through at the last hurdle.

For bikes below £500, there’s a one off cost of £4.95; for bikes between £500 and £1000, it’s £9.95 and for anything over £1000 it’s £14.95. There’s no additional or hidden costs and for this you receive a bold advert and can add up to 12 high resolution pictures.

Along with the Store Finder, ‘Click & Collect’ will be available soon at all UK based dealers allowing direct purchasing from the Bikesoup website. And you’ll soon be able to make a ‘Cheeky Offer’ to a private seller too.

 

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