Trust NO-ONE on Ebay and other on-line websites

[bull]

There are plenty of scammers on Ebay but part of the problem is how people interpret things. My idea of a good restoration may not be the same as your idea of a good restoration. Some people have high standards while others can let a lot of things go without issue. Some people fuss about every nut and bolt while others think that as long as it runs and drives there's nothing wrong. This is why you should either look at the car yourself or hire a bipartisan third party inspector to look the car over before any money changes hands.

[64dartgt]

Took my lumps. 

Bought my Wife an 89 Jag XJS for $2800.  Photos on greedbay were of a gold car with chrome wheels, fog lights and a tan interior.  Rust free!  Even spoke to the owner on the phone multiple times.

Drove down to drive it back (DC to Boston) after putting another $1800 into it at a local shop.  Gold car...black interior...no chrome wheels...no fog lights...rust and bondo.  Clearly fraud.  Drove it back.  Ebay was less than useless.  Called the guy and told him I would take him to court for fraud.  He refunded $500.  Still a bad deal for me as I wanted a clean southern car to restore.

Second time around.  Bought my 73 Charger as a non-running project car for $2K.  Probably overpaid, but had rare options like a sunroof, slap stick, power windows and AC.  Was oversold as an AZ car.  Spent ten years accumulating a little bondo in MA first, but still a solid project car.  No regrets, but still should have gone to see it as it was nearby in CT.  Frame and floors are rock solid and roof is good.  Accumulated new fenders and a drivers door while in AZ apparently.  If it was a 73 Charger I'd have paid 3-5X that for a shell!

I don't buy anything off ebay if I can't afford to lose all the money involved.  No expensive cars for me.  I can walk from $3K, but not $30K! 

[Bigblocktony]

ive sold 15 cars on ebay
not 1 come back/ bad feedback--- nothing
had a few deadbeat bidders,,
sold mostly high end cars and trucks
shipped 90% of them----
and sold tons of mopar parts / generator parts// ect ect
i dont know maybe im one of the honest ones
ive bought a couple local cars of ebay- craigslist, they werent totally honest about the cars
but when your buying classics/muscle cars/ old parts  you got to deal with well known high feedback ratings
ect.ect
then again ive been on there since they started the auction thing

[stripedelete]

Years ago I was buying a 69 Camaro Pace car in Ohio from Ct where I lived. I talked to the guy almost every day. The day came my girlfriend took off work and drove me to the airport. It cost me 300.00 one way. I took a taxi in Ohio to get a greyhound bus. I called him and said I'll be there in one hour by 5:00. He said ok I'll go get the title.  I got to the station at 5 and called him but no one answered?  I kept calling and at 6 he picked up the phone. I said, where have you been I said I would call you at 5?  He says, I just sold the car.
I said I have been talking to you for 2 weeks, I just spent 300.00 for a plane ticket, took a taxi, rode a bus, and you just sold it?  There was nothing on the other end. I said, ok and hung up. The pain and anger I felt was terrible. I felt like I lost a family member. I just couldn't believe it?  After I cried it out, I got up off the floor put my faith in good things happen and grabbed the local paper. The Pace car was junk, he didn't even think I'd make it back to Ct. But the fully restored 69 Olds 442 Conv I just found was still for sale in the Ohio paper. I made the call. 2 nice guys drove the car to the greyhound station and then took me to DMV for temp plates. I drove the car back home, top down fm radio playing tunes with the worlds biggest smile on my face. This car had every option made including power seats and antenna. Fresh paint and new magnum rims and exhaust tips. One bad bad story that ended up very very good.

Great Story!!!

[Benji]

Here is why you should PERSONALLY inspect any car you are planning to buy.  A car was listed a car for sale on the 'net seven years ago.  It was represented correctly.  A man from New England called and wanted an independant appraiser to look at it. The seller had absolutely no problem with this, and in fact was excited that a "pro" would be confirming the car's description.  The prospective buyer wanted some additional photos of the body, upholstery, dash, inside the trunk and inside the hood.  The "pro" called and set up an appointment at 5 PM to look at the car.  At 9 PM he shows up. By then it was dark, and the car was parked in a two car garage with another car.  The "pro" snapped a couple of shots with his tiny point and shoot camera, and had his 10 year old son crawl under the car with a penlight to "inspect" the bottom.  The ten year old said the bottom was "perfect" (it wasn't) and the underexposed images his dad shot showed about 1/3rd of the passenger door and about 1/3rd of the right quarter panel.  The rest of the shot faded into inky blackness.  In fact all of the shots he took were about two stops underexposed and showed some shiny stuff and lots and lots of dark areas.

Benji

[64dartgt]

Ditto for boats Benji.  Half the inspectors out there are horrible.  I have heard of guys inspecting sailboats writing up sailboats because they didn't have keel bolts...it wasn't a bolt on style keel...it was molded as part of the hull.  Lots of "professional" idiots out there.

[1970Moparmann]

Case in point....

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,84573.0/topicseen.html

[DonC1]

All very true points...but time was tight and this website is not ebay. Member here Kolnc steadfastedly denies any wrongdoing in my satellite transaction and is using the time elapsed clause as his excuse.
I now refer to my project bird as the ' klink ' mobile   as it languishes in a state of temporary repair while I cut out the trunk floor and donate the rust chunks and small block drivetrain to skippy the scrap metalman....dreams of a nice clean roadrunner clone with matching road wheels squashed over petty greed.  

[64dartgt]

Being a member here grants nobody any special traits and grants no particular guarantee someone is trustworthy.

On a sailing site I frequent related to my boat, another member's main sail was severly damaged mid-season.  I have had that happen before with my jib and it royally sucks because repairing an old sail isn't cost effective, but if you don't you lose most of the sailing season.  I offered to ship the guy a spare main sail I have, worth $500-1000, depending on your opinion, to use for the season FREE then return it if he would send me a $500 deposit, but I refused to sell it outright for $500 because for that amount I would far rather keep it as insurance against the day I need it.  It also had a lot of recent work and was worth closer to $1000.  He never took me up on it.  I thought I was being a nice guy   

A guy also offered to trade me some teak (which he had) and woodworking (he would make me spare set of companionway boards) for a new spare compass I have.  I agreed to it, then never heard another word about it from him.  Was I just supposed to mail him the compass?  I don't know.  He never asked me to.  I probably would have.  I could offer it again...but... 

On the other had, I mailed a guy $400 for my 8.75 rear end from a Craigslist ad.  We stayed in communication and I eventually picked up the rear end four months later (there was snow on the ground and the rear was in a car when I bought it).  He said he was amazed that I sent the money and waited so long.  Turned out he is pastor of his local church.  I left him another $200 to cut a pair of quarter skins for me.  I have to pick those up one of these days!   

[DixieRestoParts]

Here is why you should PERSONALLY inspect any car you are planning to buy.  A car was listed a car for sale on the 'net seven years ago.  It was represented correctly.  A man from New England called and wanted an independant appraiser to look at it. The seller had absolutely no problem with this, and in fact was excited that a "pro" would be confirming the car's description.  The prospective buyer wanted some additional photos of the body, upholstery, dash, inside the trunk and inside the hood.  The "pro" called and set up an appointment at 5 PM to look at the car.  At 9 PM he shows up. By then it was dark, and the car was parked in a two car garage with another car.  The "pro" snapped a couple of shots with his tiny point and shoot camera, and had his 10 year old son crawl under the car with a penlight to "inspect" the bottom.  The ten year old said the bottom was "perfect" (it wasn't) and the underexposed images his dad shot showed about 1/3rd of the passenger door and about 1/3rd of the right quarter panel.  The rest of the shot faded into inky blackness.  In fact all of the shots he took were about two stops underexposed and showed some shiny stuff and lots and lots of dark areas.

Benji

I hear these stories all the time from customer's. It makes me want to spit nails. I also spend quite a bit of time talking to guys prior to buying a car, especially the ones that aren't car guys or Mopar guys. It's really bad, especially the brand X guys that think buying parts for a Mopar is gonna be as cheap as a Camaro/Mustang.  I hope I've helped a few not make a costly mistake.

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

Being a member here grants nobody any special traits and grants no particular guarantee someone is trustworthy.

I could spot 95% of all the BS when it comes to 1969 Dodge Chargers. There are some on this site that could get all 99% right.

Why only 99%    I leave 1% for what Mopar built as 1 of 1 cars 

Now when it comes to certain years of Corvettes, there is quite possibly nobody more qualified than myself to be the SME. I didn't write the "book" however I did make corrections, once it was published 

[1970Moparmann]

Here's yet another one...

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,86275.0.html

Ad says -

Up for bid is a beautiful 1971 Dodge Charger Rt 440 numbers matching car with all docs included . This is a beautiful Lazer stright car that runs great .The interior is Beautiful and like new .This car has only 24000 original miles and I just put new tires on car.I have driven car and is very dependable.the frame rails are rust free and truck is nice. The pics dont do this car any justice this is a show stopper car . If you buy this car expect to talkj about car 30 minutes when getting gas.If you ever wanted a real RT charger this is the one. call me 1 843 992 2789 for more info.I have 2 buld sheets and two fender tags for car.and the original tag issued new back in 1971.


Reality is-

Originally a Triple Green stripe delete car.

Interior is painted red.  (Red not available in a 71 Charger).

24k miles sinse rebuild of second motor.  Original 440 included needs rebuild.

Quarters, trunk, doors, hood...all replaced.

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

Here is my latest:   no response to my past message...

...a quick "google" of the VIN, and it turns out it has been a "scam" vehicle for years   Even used pics I found out, from a REAL AD in New York.  

From: xxxxxx@live.com
To: xxx@aol.com
Subject: RE: Cars.com used car lead for - 2005 Ford Excursion
Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:54:34

Christopher,

I will be in Santa Fe, NM tomorrow and ready to buy the truck if it is as described.

I am sure you have many interested and can appreciate your time. I will not be purchasing through eBay, as the buyer protection services you mentioned as ONLY for vehicle transactions COMPLETED THROUGH eBay, not the classifieds as you have listed. But surely you knew that...

I am looking at a few of these trucks and yours is just one of many. Please let me know the address in Santa Fe where I can go and see the truck and make a purchase in person. I am available this week.

Regards,


To: xxxxxx@live.com
Subject: Re: Cars.com used car lead for  - 2005 Ford Excursion
From: xxx@aol.com
Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:46:58


Hi,

We could do the deal in person if this is what you are looking for but working on a oil rig is kinda difficult to come and go on a daily basis.
I usually go home once every 3 Months and we could do the deal in person.I am on the oil rig right now, I am not home right now.The only way I would come home and deal in person
would be if we will have this transaction registered through eBay Motors to make sure that both of us will get what we are looking for.
One think I want to mention I have many people interested and I think you are aware everyone wants to buy it and if someone decide to purchase it through eBay I will deal with him once I got the chance.
If you wish to reserve the vehicle for yourself I need the following details from you :

-Full name
-Shipping address
-Your phone number

I forward your details to eBay, they verify it and start the transaction, eBay will assist you with the purchase.
Thanks a lot for your interest and patience

Call me anytime  (xxx) 701-5753



-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxxx@live.com
To: xxx@aol.com
Sent: Mon, Nov 14, 2011 8:44 am
Subject: RE: Cars.com used car lead for  - 2005 Ford Excursion

Christopher,

I am traveling on business and will be in Santa Fe, NM in fact, tomorrow night. This is actually perfect, as I thought the vehicle, per the ad, was located in New York.

Anyways, I looked at the pictures on your link and would like to know what time I can see your truck - it would either be tomorrow night or Wednesday during the day. I will test drive and inspect it then, before my purchase.

Thanks,  



To: xxxxxx@live.com
Subject: Re: Cars.com used car lead for - 2005 Ford Excursion
From: xxx@aol.com
Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:34:59


Hi again,

Here is the VIN#: 1FMSU43P25EB76602 (just in case you wish to run a Carfax).The title is clear in hand with my name on it, no liens.
The vehicle is located and registered in SANTA FE, NM and I suggest we should use eBay Vehicle Purchase Protection, so we can both be protected and insured.I am on the Oil Rig right now, I am not home.
If we manage to complete this transaction within 7 days I could arrange to have it shipped at your door on my expense otherwise you have to pay 50 cents per mile.
We are currently signed up for a protection program offered by eBay Motors and we would like to close the deal through them. If you are not aware of this program you should know that it will allow you to test drive and inspect the vehicle before paying us. In this way you're not buying something sight unseen. You will have a 7-day inspection period to decide whether you want to keep the vehicle or not before they release the funds to us.
If you are interested in a quick sale and you wish to receive the vehicle in front of your door without paying anything for that except vehicle's price please forward me the following information :

-Full name
-Shipping address
-Your phone number
Here are more pictures : xxxxxx
Here is my cell number (xxx) 701-5753 , If you are involved in a loan with your bank Just tell me.


Thank you very much for your interest
Christopher


-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxxx@live.com
To: xxx@aol.com
Sent: Mon, Nov 14, 2011 6:54 am
Subject: RE: Cars.com used car lead for - 2005 Ford Excursion

Hi Christopher - I am still interested in your truck and while I am looking at others this week, I would like to look at yours.

Please send me some better pictures under the hood, and of the interior, including the seating surfaces.


Also, what maintenance records do you have, and how long have you owned the truck?

Where is the truck located, and when may I come and see it?

Also, please send me the VIN # and any other details you have.

Regards,




To: xxxxxx@live.com
Subject: Re: Cars.com used car lead for - 2005 Ford Excursion
From: xxx@aol.com
Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:47:02


Hi,

My 2005 Ford excursion is still available for sale.There is no previous collision damage to this vehicle.This is a garage kept vehicle.The engine is mechanically sound and can be driven anywhere with confidence.
The exterior is extra clean. Extra clean interior (see pictures). Absolutely no rips, odors or abuse, I don't smoke.
It has 49,130 miles with a 6.0L V8 engine.
I am looking to obtain $13,500.00
The reason I am selling this amazing vehicle , I have enrolled into Chevron Job Offers on a oil rig and I have a contract as a drilling engineer for 2 years in Houston,TX and I plan to buy something else with the money I will earn here.I am on a oil rig for the next 3 Months.Besides that me and my wife are expecting a baby and I am start searching for an apartment.
I can provide VIN #. Also, I can send you the pictures and more details too. Just let me know if you are still interested.

Thank you very much for your interest,
Christopher

[67440chrg]

I have only bought 1 car off of EBay and did not even buy it during the auction. I knew mostly what I wanted I can do most of my own mechanic work so i looked for a straight body with decent paint. It turned out to be a good driver as well. I bid on it and asked a lot of questions about the car. It never hit its reserve so after the auction I called him and haggled with him for a couple of days and gave him 3grand less than his reserve. During my several month search I set my search window to withen 250 miles from home. I know it lessened my cars to look at but I wanted to look at it before I paid for it. It was what I wanted and turned out to be a good experience.

[68 Bullitt Charger]

Based on another thread where someone is looking at a car on Ebay, I put on it about how I trust no-one I don't know.  

What is your story??  I figure this is a good time to pound it in some heads of people trying to get into the hobby.  

Here is my story -

I was high bidder on a 70 AAR CUDA about 8 years ago.   As I always do, I asked a ton of questions about the car, asked for more pictures and details.  Well, after all the receipts and information from the seller, I won the auction, picked up a rental trailer and left on a Sunday night at 9:00 to go to NY to pick up the car.   After 12 hours of driving, I pull up to "the house" (what the seller said) and there it was, a 70 Rebodied Baracuda into a 70 AAR.   "The house" was a used car lot with a 1970 ish trailer in a fenced yard.   After spending literally 2 minutes looking at this car, I was so disgusted and frustrated that I was ready to shoot myself.   Now, I had to wait an hour for the "owner" to show up and demand my down payment back.   After 3 hours or argument after argument I finally said I will call the police and then tell them everything about what your doing.   As a reminder, 8 years ago was when all cars were selling for a mint. Rebodies were at a all time high!

After all of this, I got my money back and ate about $500 in gas and the trailer rental.    This was the first time I did this, and last.  TRUST NO ONE!

The sad reality of is some poor sap in Texas purchased this car, off of Ebay, and just had the car sent to them.   I saw this about 3 years after my situation, and yet again, this seller was misrepresenting the car.  I went back and forth with them on Ebay messaging about this car and finally they said "your mistaken".   So here is the snowball affect and yet someone else get's screwed............. One liar after another!!!!

If your getting into cars now, do yourself a favor and NEVER purchase anything without looking at it.



What is your story???

Quick question..... The place where you arrived in NY to pick up Cuda was in Bronx? I would understand if it was!!!!

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

And another... Seems to be a popular truck with scammers 

From: maria.Xxxxx@msn.com
To: Xxxxx@live.com
Subject: RE: Cars.com used car lead for Maria Xxxxx - 2005 Ford Excursion
Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 22:03:33 +0000

Hello,
I am very busy with my job lately I had to travel to Mexico with a project and I'll be staying here for the next 3 weeks. As I still have to sell the car asap the best way to conduct this transaction is using Google Checkout. You can find out more details at their help page at googlecheckouttransactionsupport.com. To use the service you will need a google email account so please sign up for free at www.gmail.com. Then send me your gmail id so I can set up an agreement with google checkout. They will send you all the terms and conditions of transaction first and if you agree we can proceed with the vehicle inspection, test drive, paperwork and payment. I have left the car at a shipping facility near the city and you can pick up the car from there or they can have it shipped to your location. If you have any concerns please get back to me.

From: Xxxxx@live.com
To: maria.Xxxxxl@msn.com
Subject: RE: Cars.com used car lead for Maria Xxxxx - 2005 Ford Excursion
Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:43:24 

Maria,

I sent you a response the other day however, I have not heard anything further. Please let me know if your truck is still available and when I could come look it over.

Regards,
Xxxxx



From: maria.Xxxxxl@msn.com
To: Xxxxx@live.com
Subject: RE: Cars.com used car lead for Maria Xxxxx - 2005 Ford Excursion
Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:16:09 +0000

Hello,

I am Maria Xxxxx and I am emailing you about my 2005 Ford Excursion Limited that I am selling for only $12,000. The Excursion is in mint condition with all maintenance service done on time and no accidents or other damages. Had no major repairs and I had no problems whatsoever with it. I am the original owner. It has 98,500 original miles. The VIN number is 1FMSU43PX5EA23868. The title is clean, clear and ready for transfer. I have uploaded some pictures of the vehicle here: Xxxxx/excursion. The Excursion is currently located in Port Chester, NY and can be picked up for inspection or delivered to your address. If you are still interested and haven't bought a car yet get back to me so we can work out a deal. Thanks.

Respectfully,
Maria Xxxxx

[1970Moparmann]

Quick question..... The place where you arrived in NY to pick up Cuda was in Bronx? I would understand if it was!!!!

I'm pretty sure it was.  He represented the car as 19k original miles, and on and on and on.

[aussiemuscle]

Mike on the show 'Wheeler Dealers' bought a car on ebay sight unseen. If you win it at auction, he says that "if it's 'not as described' you have the right to refuse to buy it and walk away. if it 'IS as described', you are obligated to buy it."

something to keep in mind if you find yourself in that position.