A buyer's learning experience...

[Sudz]

Hey all, I'm lookin' for a little feedback. I drove almost three hours over the weekend to go see a car, and ended up turning it down, because I didn't know if I would have the resources to fix it, because I thought the trouble spots were going to be too much (money and or skill). I'm hoping y'all can confirm that either I over reacted, or if this description depicts an awful tough project. Here's a quick run down:

The rust was in some tough spots. Most of the car was ok, but there were some things that I did'nt know if we were going to be prepared to deal with. There was rust at the top of the windshield, and I'm sure part of it was covered by the windshield trim, and as you know, that could be very difficult to replace...same w/the rear of the roof. There were holes in the trunk, that he didn't tell us about...not good, and I didn't know what it would take to replace them. The rocker panels were actually in pretty good shape, as were the whole doors, but the area behind the B pillar was shot, and would have to be replaced. The entire steel apron above the driver's wheel was toast, and would have to be replaced. The driver's rear quarter was removed, so we could see that. The pass rear quarter was tacked on soooo poorly, you wouldn't believe it and I can't describe it by typing, I just don't have that much time. I can only imagine what that was hiding. They tacked in new floor pans...over totally rotted out floors that weren't removed. The driver's shock tower was rotted inside the wheel well. Surprisingly, tho, the engine bay was in great condition, and if my buddy hadn't gotten down to look at those shock towers, I'd have missed it. The rear deck lid was solid, as was the hood. Had a handful of new body pieces here and there, that hadn't been installed. Lastly, there was some rust beginning to bubble on the pass front frame rail. Didn't seem to be a problem...yet...

Over all, I didn't know well enough to determine if we were getting a good deal or not, so we decided to chalk it up to a learning experience, and leave it at that.

Thanks for your input,
Sudzy

 

[Sudz]

Nice, now the seller doesn't want to return my paypal deposit claiming that I wasted his time by going to look at the vehicle before buying it. He even went so far as to say in email that the deposit was refundable, and that the email messages were binding.

Now, he's backing out of it. Pending resolution of this issue, I will make public the events and email transcripts and the seller's identity, such that nobody else is foolish enough to leave him w/a deposit in the future.

Ya' know, if you say you're going to do something, you do it. Don't back out of it, or be a little coward - stick to your word, and don't swindle somebody out of their money because things didn't turn out as you expected, especially if you misrepresent the condition of the car.

Man, I'm irritated.

 

[390Fe]

I can sympathize - I once went to look at a '70 Mach 1 - about an hour and a half drive. About the ONLY thing the guy said that was straight up was it was a 70 Sportsroof. - Car was an "F" code auto with a FULL rollcage hacked and chopped in - and that was the ONLY thing keeping the poor car from folding in half from rust.

At least it didn't cost me anything but gas and a day with my Dad (yes this was many moons ago).

I'm not that well versed on ebay stuff... but wouldn't the email constitute a written contract? If so he should be liable for what he put in writing.
Did you contact Ebay regarding this?

Good luck

 

[Sudz]

I've contacted ebay seeking some direction, but I've rec'd no response.

This guy is a total joke, and has no values to speak of. He is clearly not a man of his word.

The issue has until the end of business today to be resolved, or I'll turn to the courts. It's unfortunate that this what I have to do to get this guy to do what he said he would, all over a small deposit.

The auction is still open, tho he claims the vehicle is sold.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2479351157&ssPageName=ADME:B:DS:US:6

 

[candy-a-Mach1]

I went to look at a '70 vert once. I looked underneath at severe frame rail and rocker rust, then opened the driver's door to look at the rest of the floor pans. After lifting the floor mat, I was staring through a hole big enough for a possum to crawl through when my wife began to open the passenger side door. I yelled at her to stop. When she asked why, I told her that I was sure that if we opened both doors at once, the car would hit the ground, because the only thing not rusted all the way through was the transmission tunnel. The owner gave me a nasty look, I thanked him for his time and left. $5,000 Shhheeeeezzzzz. Knowing when to walk away is the best skill you can possibly ask for. (goes for women, too)

 

[zookeeper]

Sorry to hear about your problem, but I wouldn't wait for any help from ebay. Customer service is not what they are about. Huge profits is exactly what they're all about. You did the right thing by walking away from that car though, if that's any consolation.

 

[candy-a-Mach1]

E-Bay Policy Q&A:

If I place a bid, how exactly am I obligated to the seller?
If you place a bid at or above the minimum bid amount (or in a reserve auction, at or above the reserve amount), and your bid is the high bid at the end of the auction, you are obligated to complete the transaction with the seller, unless you bid on an item covered by our Non-Binding Bid Policy, such as real estate.

If you are "wanta67mustang", and your bid did not meet or exceed his reserve, you are not obligated to complete the transaction. It's pretty clear. If that's not you, that I don't understand why he is selling it again.

Unless I'm missing something ..... did you do the "buy it now", then go take a look?

BTW: unless that car was a Boss or Shelby, you did good to walk away. There's always twice as much actual rust as you can see when you first look.

 

[one2gamble]

if you sent the money through paypal you should also contact them as they may be able to retrieve the money if you have proof that the payment wasnt binding.

 

[2nd Mustang]

Sorry to hear about your troubles.

If you can see rust, there probably is more hidden somewhere else.

From my experience of looking for cars, $5k buys a project usually.

I've heard horror stories about Pay Pal, so I only use it for small purchases. Try a search on www.complaints.com, there may be some help there for you. I did buy my Stang on E-bay. I guess I lucked out as it was local and the seller took a cashier check.

Good luck.

 

[Sudz]

I'm not sure if I posted the update here, but about two hours after I went through EBay's customer service thing, he sent me an email saying he would 'be the better man' and refund my deposit. Well, I guess that somehow makes him better than me - whatever, I just want my money back, and as drawn out and stressful as it was, the ending is right, no matter how whacked the means were.

I noticed he sells an awful lot of stuff through ebay, and runs a small cottage business, w/ebay as his primary life blood for that business. I'm assuming someone read my complaint at ebay, and threatened his account status, who knows.

 

[Snail50]

even from the crappy EBay pics that car looks like a nightmare.

Glad you got out of that one.

Once I drove over 3 hours (each way) to check out a 68 coupe that was GROSSLY misrepresented (I don't know if it was intentional, or if the guy just was a dumbazz). He wanted $6K, by the time I was ready to leave he was offering it to me for $3K, and I still walked away.

 

[Sudz]

It's just hard, 'cause I'm sure you guys know the process - you get all geeked up 'cause you finally have most of the resources in place to build your dream car, so you go chasin' down all these opportunities, and well, they never quite seem to be what you expect, ya' know?

 

[Max Power]

When using Paypal, I always use a credit card rather than have them pull money from my checking. They are lousy at conflict resolution, and with a credit card, you can just reverse the charges.

 

[Sudz]

Yeah, I used my checking acct...foolish, foolish choice. Definitely will never use that again. I could have cut this off a lot earlier.

 

[65fastback2+2]

man that thing looks like a nightmare. its obvious the guy doesnt know stuff so i wouldnt trust him.

"the classic 9" rear end" ummm a 9" on a c code???? someone is mistaken

"The car is 100% complete, right down to the 289 V8 insignia's. " ummm, is it just me or is it missing a grill and air cleaner???

anyhow yeah, that thing is prolly near rusted into a pile of debri, good call walking away from it!

btw, i use paypal to draw from my checking on my purchases, including the $500 deposit i put down on my 67. Paypal is an ebay company. Ive only once ever had to complain about a seller and 3 days after complaint i got a FULL refund. If you use your credit card, you cant just deny or reverse the charges, my parents/grandparents have tried to do this before. You have to prove its an invalid charge, NOT a charge you think should be refunded.

 

[Sudz]

I guess in so much as it being a charge based on an inaccurate description, it's pretty invalid.

Thanks for all the heads up.

So, is this what I should expect for a sub$2k car?