Bike theft is rampant across Quebec. According to a Protégez-vous article, some 2,100 stolen bikes are reported every year in Montreal, 600 in Quebec City and 125 in Laval. So what happens if you unknowingly buy a stolen bike?
More and more stolen bikes are cropping up for sale on various online platforms. There are even social media groups allowing victims to ask the online community for help locating their missing bikes. If you turn a blind eye in order to get that great deal, you could be in for a nasty surprise.
Buying stolen goods is a crime
Buying a bike you know was stolen is a crime. And even if you didn’t know it was stolen, choosing not to ask questions and going ahead with the purchase despite the red flags amount to knowingly looking the other way. In legal terms, this is called “wilful blindness”.
Additionally, even though you paid for a stolen bike, you can never actually own it, only possess it. The person it was stolen from retains ownership even if it was resold and money changed hands.
If the true owner locates their bike, they can ask you to return it.
Can you get a refund?
If the bike’s true owner comes knocking, for instance following a police investigation or after spotting their bike on the street, you may be entitled to a refund for the amount you paid.
This sounds good in theory but may be harder in practice. To get your money back, you have to contact the person who sold you the bike. This means not just tracking them down but also getting them to agree to a refund or taking them to court. That’s why it’s so important to confirm the seller’s identity before going through with a purchase.
If you bought the bike at a shop, however, you can request a refund
- directly from the merchant, or
- from the real owner who is asking for their bike back.
In sum, you’re better protected and will therefore have more luck getting a refund if you bought a stolen bike from a shop rather than from an individual.
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How can you keep clear of trouble?
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