BEWARE OF E-BAY
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BEWARE OF E-BAY
Posted: February 21 2004 07:30 PM
 
Bert Morgan (aka Duecester) [ View ] [ ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ]
Vineland, New Jersey
(856) 794-3419
 
I hope that all of you are aware of the scams for sale on e-bay that are disguised as parts .Some of these characters are real con artists.You have no protection. When you receive your purchase ,what you see is what you get.Forget about trying to return it because I can quarantee you that 99% of the time that it is a final sale.I wouldn`t purchase anything on there unless it is my neihbors or someone I know so that I can check it out with my own eyes.They describe there item however they want to attract attention and along comes some poor sucker.End of story.They get your money and you are left with your pants down feeling like an idiot .I`am sure that I don`t have to give anyone examples.So for those of you that are new to the street rodding world be careful.
 
 
Comments
 
Posted by Mistrgoodwrench  -  12/20/2003 12:23 PM
While the above is true, there are lots of honest eBay members (like me) who describe what they have accurately and completely. I have bought and sold MANY items, including complete cars like my '36 Chevy without any problems. Read the description VERY VERY carefully. Word-for-word. If you're not sure, ask questions via e-mail. If the seller doesn't respond to your satisfaction, steer clear of them. Just my $.02
Mistrgoodwrench [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Gautier, Mississippi
 
Posted by gm34  -  12/20/2003 05:58 PM
I agree with both of you. This did used to be a hobby where most were honest..ain't that way any more. I also agree there are honest people out there, and on e bay. But the numbers have declined steadly and it is to where you must read everthing, as said word for word , and ask questions.If the answers don't jive ..back away and forget it. I have had several streetrods, some I bought some I built, had not bought anything in several years till a year and a half ago.I sold one I built, bought another, the car looked good, priced about right and I actually liked the guy so I was too quick to accept what he said. I saw several things I would change so roughly calculated that in my head and bought the thing based on his firm assurance that it was built "right" with respect to chasis and drive line. I could go on and on but bottom line is this freindly ass was right up there with Bill Clinton and I don't think anyone can doubt dishonesty even if you do like the Clinton's...they are perfect examples of what is wrong within our society. Anyway, I failed I trusted the guy and will rebuild just about everthing under the car including trashing his fresh and great motor. I don't have all the answers, but man, the next time I buy something there will be some ground rules and I will not waver from them one damned bit.
gm34 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] (location not given)
 
Posted by cbingman  -  02/21/2004 07:28 PM

I have purchased and sold on Ebay. I have not had one bad experience. I returned one purchase as the auction stated it would fit my car-it did not. The seller took it back and refunded ALL my money; the cost, shipping and return shipping. You can't ask for better service. This is not to say that there are not crooks on Ebay. Let's face it, there are crooks everywhere-looking to make a fast buck. On Ebay, that has NOT happened to me as of yet.



As for the feedback, I always leave positive feedback as long as the customer follows through on the purchase. As a buyer, I always give positive feedback after receipt of the purchase. Why do I care to do anything but this?



I think some people dislike Ebay because they were outbid on something they really wanted, but that is the format of Ebay. Next time bid higher.
cbingman [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] west chester, Pennsylvannia
 
Posted by gm34  -  12/20/2003 09:35 PM
Absolutely right, I still trust someone in a streetrod far far faster than anything else and I still meet nice people at rod runs so it ain't all bad...See ya.
gm34 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] (location not given)
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  12/20/2003 08:56 PM

Accurate comments about our ex-president and her husband!



I don't think our hobby is getting infiltrated by dishonest people, just more people are getting into the hobby, therefore more jerks are showing up. As a whole, I'd trust someone driving a streetrod before someone driving any other type of car, stock or modified. But there are always a few out there!



I listed a set of VDO gauges for sale on this site about a year ago. I got a call from a guy who was interested in them. We chatted on the phone for a while until he felt comfortable buying from me. He gave me his credit card number which I ran through my business, I shipped the gauges the same day, and it was done. You can imagine that he must have been aprehensive about giving out his credit card number to a total stranger.



A few days later he calls me, thanking me for the gauges, the good price, and the complete honesty. That made my day!



Same token, another rodder that frequents this board has a set of Sanderson headers for sale. I chatted with him on the phone for a while, feel he is most trustworthy, so I mailed him a check. Upon receipt, he'll be sending the headers.



On the other hand there is a guy on eBay who sells products he calls "like Lokar." They sure look like the same thing, but I talked to this guy on the phone to find out why they were LIKE Lokar, and NOT Lokar. He had zero interest in my inquiry, told me to give him a Lokar part number and he'd give me a price. Enough to scare me away!



No matter what the group, there will be some who can't be trusted. Make sure your friends (like us here) know about the crooks!
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by hotwheels55  -  12/23/2003 12:00 PM
I think the feedback system on EBAY is more often used by sellers as a means to threaten buyers. People comment frequently they are afraid of commenting about unscrupulous sellers for fear that their own feedback will be negatively effected. That's extortion by any definition. There are obviously scammers on EBAY and there is little that either EBAY or PAYPAL seem to be able to do about it. I've only had three experiances with EBAY auctions...as a winner of three items I bid on. In each case, I promptly e-mailed the seller and made arrangements for payment. I chose to send US Postal money orders. In each case I asked that I be notified of the shipping date and a tracking number. That did not occur in any of the auctions. That leaves a buyer with a feeling of helplessness for days or weeks until the item arrives. Luckily, the items were as advertised, but the sellers could have been much more concerned about my apprehension of sending funds to an unknown. Their lack of concern was noted in their feedback from me.
hotwheels55 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Great Britain
 
Posted by hotwheels55  -  12/23/2003 12:00 PM
I think the feedback system on EBAY is more often used by sellers as a means to threaten buyers. People comment frequently they are afraid of commenting about unscrupulous sellers for fear that their own feedback will be negatively effected. That's extortion by any definition. There are obviously scammers on EBAY and there is little that either EBAY or PAYPAL seem to be able to do about it. I've only had three experiances with EBAY auctions...as a winner of three items I bid on. In each case, I promptly e-mailed the seller and made arrangements for payment. I chose to send US Postal money orders. In each case I asked that I be notified of the shipping date and a tracking number. That did not occur in any of the auctions. That leaves a buyer with a feeling of helplessness for days or weeks until the item arrives. Luckily, the items were as advertised, but the sellers could have been much more concerned about my apprehension of sending funds to an unknown. Their lack of concern was noted in their feedback from me.
hotwheels55 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Great Britain
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  12/23/2003 07:47 PM

I just remembered an experience I had with an eBay'er about a year ago. I bought a set of chrome pulleys for my SBC. I specified that I had a short water pump, and he assured me he would send a short pump pulley.



Long story short, it took him 4 weeks to send them and although the pulleys were very nice, the pump pulley was for a long pump. He insisted I didn't know what I was talking about, and the motor I have might be a Ford or Dodge, not a SBC. What an idiot! He refused to refund my money, but said he'd exchange the pulley for something else he had.



I returned the pulley (I paid return postage---under $2.00, so what?) and four weeks later he sent me a generic chrome air cleaner. It included the filter, so it wasn't so bad, but the whole experience was a pain.



Beware of eBay seller "camarovettes". You may have the same trouble I had.
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by Willys33  -  01/06/2004 07:38 AM
One of the things that I like to do when closing a deal on Ebay is to specify that I will be paying for the item (s) with a Postal Money Order and request that the item be shipped USPS. I like to point out the down side to mail fraud!
Get off the trailer and drive [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Alamogordo, New Mexico
 
Posted by keith83  -  12/21/2003 08:36 AM
If you are going to buy from e-bay check the sellers feedback. Also if you should get burned be sure to post it on the feedback area so that others wont buy from the crook. As to buying off e-bay my son has bought MANY machine tools there and never had a problem. Once there were more parts in the box than what was in the photo!! We have got some GREAT bargains and some so so deals but always worth what we paid. Yes sadly there are thiefs everywhere and the computer lets them have access to many people . Be careful. KEITH
keith83 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] louisville, Kentucky
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  12/21/2003 09:03 AM
well they caint all be as honest and purty as me. we live in a dishonest world my friends. it's all about the money, we got babies raising babies and somewhere our grandfathers teachings got lost. if i have to cheat or steal to get it.....i dont need it!
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by gman0046  -  12/23/2003 10:17 AM

I constantly buy and sell auto parts on eBay. I have yet to have any problems. At least on eBay the Feedback System tends to make sellers provide accurate descriptions of what they are selling. Thats not the case when purchasing items elsewhere such as this forum. I have found eBay to be a great source for locating parts you need. Don't overlook it as a source to locate that hard to find part. I've located and purchased things I couldn't find anywhere else.
gman0046 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Anchorage, Kentucky
 
Posted by nhrasg  -  01/05/2004 02:22 PM
I have bought over 250 indivigual items on E-BAY and have had only one bad transaction. Watch the sellers feedback ratings!
nhrasg [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Baxter, Minnesota
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  01/08/2004 11:48 AM
it's not the sellers on ebay that cause the problems. it's the one time seller that gets you. he has no feed back. simply change names and come back for another bite. i would buy from someone with a little bad feed back and a lot of good. at least he's going to be around next week.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  01/07/2004 07:26 PM

Another positive experience, not with eBay, but a streetrodding.com member.



Harold Thompson (known here as "atti2de") contacted me regarding an ad that I posted wanting a set of block hugger headers. He had a left-over set of Sandersons that weren't exactly what I was looking for, but would serve the purpose just fine. We agreed on a fair price, I mailed him a check and he mailed the headers. They arrived yesterday in perfect shape with all hardware included, just as described.



The only downside to this was UPS must have let 90% of their staff go on vacation the day after Christmas, as they took two weeks to get here. That's no fault of Harold's, just sucked waiting for so long!



Thanks for the good deal and honest business, Harold!
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by orphans2  -  01/08/2004 11:23 AM
My wife and I have purchased numerous items via E Bay and even sold items as well. We always review the "seller ratings" for any negative feed back. We don't deal with anyone who has too many negative feedbacks. One or two problems out of several hundred may be as much the fault of the seller as the buyer, but if more than, "Buyer Beware" is appropriate. I purchased a car part recently and even though the part works fine, the seller did misrepresent the part alluding to it being an original part, when in fact it was a repro. I probably paid too much for the part even though it works and it is located in a place where no one will ever see it. The seller had no bad references, so I chalked it up as being my fault for not do greater research before purchase. A friend recently found a car he wanted on EBay and after one on one contact with the seller, made arrangements to see the car and eventually purchased at a reasonable price. Fortuntely the seller was only 300 miles away so a day trip was all that was required. If you can't see or verify the authenticity of a high dollar item it may be better to stay a way. Way too much chance of being taken on internet sites.
orphans2 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Stewartstown, Pennsylvannia Charter Member since November 2001
 
Posted by dmoreland_sr  -  01/27/2004 04:35 AM
Yes!! beware of who you are dealing with!!! personal was taken a couple of times! I bought a 35 ford/with title. from a guy in michigan . ( camaroguru) paid $1400.00 for it , had to send money within 10 days.He didn,t answer answer emails till after auction ended, then he assured me the condition of car and parts were good! like a dummy I paid for car before I seen it. after having it delivered by some of his friends for $800.00 it turn out to be junk. after 5 months still no title. protested with EBay before the 90 day limit for insurance protection. after having an appraiser look at car. and another $50.00 Ebay sided with him ,even after telling them I never recieved a Title!! I got nothing! no help from ebay!so don,t be fooled on that either.. you are on your own. so now I'm going to file charges in Magistrate court to get . my money back .
dmoreland_sr [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Martinsburg, West Virginia
 
Posted by dmoreland_sr  -  01/27/2004 04:56 AM
I bought another car in july of last year from a guy in Pa . 36 ford 5w coupe. he stated 90% done! yhe photos looked good. but you couldn,t see the masking tape he used to cover rust holes., then he primed over to look good. I personal picked up after paying a head of time(time constraints of 10 days to pay) He hid behind his kids when I confronted him or he would have got a little worked over!!so if you can't go and inspect the item don,t buy it! There are honest people out there. but unless you have trust in who your dealing with and have delt with them before . good luck! honesty isn,t everones policy!
dmoreland_sr [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Martinsburg, West Virginia
 
Posted by aroldfut  -  02/02/2004 04:17 PM
I agree with keith83, most eBay sellers are like the buyers and straight shooters. However, life is a crap-shoot and every transaction has its risks. I have been fortunate and never had a bad experince among my 350+ eBay transactions. I wish I could say the same for the problems I've had at a local speedshop...which is what moved me to give eBay a try in the first place. I'll continue to buy on eBay BUT always check the seller's feedback before I bid. Everyone has had a different experience on eBay, mine has been good.
aroldfut [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Russellville, Arkansas Charter Member since August 2003
 
Posted by jeffb34  -  12/20/2003 11:09 AM
hello, you have to lookout everywhere. not only e-bay. this used to be a hobby that most of the people were pretty honest.It's to dad because to day it's not so. where there is money involved you get the scumbags that will tell you anything (and you no who you are)so anybody just getting into hobby beware.believe nothing you hear and half what you see. Now for the positive side. there is still a real lot of folks that will do any thing for you. for nothing but smile.And that is the best part about the hobby
jeffb34 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Norwich, Connecticutt
 
Posted by Topsterguy  -  01/12/2004 12:52 AM
I gotta tell you, I bought a pair of what were supposed to be 32 Ford front fender braces and they turned out to be a pair of butchered model A ones. The picture wasn't too good but the seller assured me they were "brand new 32 Ford braces that we didn;t use". When I got them it was VERY obvious that they had been cut up a fair bit where they mount on the frame and repainted, but they weren't even 32 they were model A! When I questioned the seller on them he still swore they were 32 and fit his buddy's 32, and they bought them as new! I didn't bother sending them back because by the time you send anything back from Canada it costs a fortune and for $50 it just wasn't worth it. Just be REALLY sure of what you're buying!
Topsterguy [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Victoria, BC, Canada
 
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