A Used Bowflex - To Buy or Not To Buy

A free article on Fitness Equipment

By: Butch Lewis

Buying a used Bowflex on eBay, from a newspaper add or from a friend is an inexpensive way to having a “total gym” experience at home. If you’re tight on cash, there are several ways to find deals for a used Bowflex.

If you’re buying one locally, you have the advantage of possibly knowing the person who’s selling it or at least being able to check out the machine yourself. But, as an eBay buyer you need to start with a "buyer beware" mentality. Here are some suggestions to help you.

Watch out for sellers with little experience or no reputation. You should be sure that the seller you are looking to buy your used Bowflex from has sold exercise equipment in the past. Buying a machine on eBay is not the same as buying a handbag!

If you’re going to spend close to a thousand dollars or more, you'll want to be sure that your used Bowflex arrives in the condition you expect. Find out if the eBay seller you're considering buying from insures the exercise equipment that they sell. If the package is insured and there is freight damage, one of the biggest risks of shopping on the Internet, the buyer can be assured that the insurance claim will refund their money.

However, even with insurance, there is always the concern of damage from rough handling. You need to find a seller with experience not only in selling exercise equipment but also in packing and shipping equipment as large and heavy as the Bowflex.

You can solve this problem by checking the seller's reputation. Auction sites such as eBay provide each seller with an ID number. Through the seller's ID number, you can read about experiences of other buyers who purchased from that particular seller. Beware of buying your used Bowflex or any fitness equipment from a seller who has absolutely no feedback. You need to know the experience other buyers have had.

Also watch out for sellers who do not provide pictures and detailed descriptions. Read the auction description carefully to be aware of the condition of the used Bowflex you're looking to buy. You can email the seller asking for pictures and more information if you're unsure or the photos are bad.

Make certain shipping is within a reasonable distance and cost. Some unscrupulous sellers are tacking on exorbitant shipping costs to boost their bottom lines. Most auction sites such as eBay provide shipping guidelines on their website.

Remember that there’s no warranty on a used Bowflex so take your time in checking one out. The warranty is only good for the original, registered owner of the equipment. You're on your own, cost-wise, for repairs to the equipment.

Information about the Author:

Butch Lewis is a full-time trainer, fitness coach and free-lance journalist. He’s put together a collection of informative reviews and articles to help you learn more about the Bowflex products. You can find this in-depth information at exercise.knowitallnetwork.com.

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