eBay and Craigslist finds

http://www.gumtree.com/cgi-bin/list_postings.pl?search_terms=madone&search_location=London&ubercat=86

why on earth are so many Trek Madones selling on gumtree for such low prices? They all seem to have relatively good descriptions and stuff..

Because people need to shift them fast before the Feds come round asking about their provenance.

But there are ones like this.

Up for auction is this beautiful 2009 Trek Madone 5.2, in distinctive gloss white finish, with silver and red trim. This gorgeous bike was purchased for my wife, who has ridden it less than 300 miles and concluded she just isn't comfortable competing with cars on the road. It's a shame, because this beautiful Madone delivers a level of performance and a combination of comfort, handling and climbing ease that are uncommon in a compact racing geometry. The frame is virtually flawless, and is a wonderful example of the last year of American-made OCLV carbon frames.
In addition, the frame graphics, paint and decals are as flawless and sharp as the day this bike left the showroom floor.....

Hardly sounds like the usual gumtree-spiv.