Gotta add a bit of stuff here.
They buyer absolutely must know what he or she is looking for and looking at.
The seller is not obligated to explain the details of what is being sold. This is very different from misrepresenting what is being sold. An "8.8 Ford rear axle" may or may not be a posi, or the gear ratio you want. A truck guy may need 31 spline stuff and has no use for quad shocks. I see this all the time in general classifieds. Ranger truck guys love 7.5 in posis! If the seller states positively an incorrect fact, the seller is at fault. Most sellers will be non committal enough to avoid that.
The buyer should be prepared to ask the questions that will confirm the item is what he wants. If the answers do not confirm it, or if the buyer is not satisfied, the buyer should move on.
Examples:
I bought my 8.8 at a Fun Ford Weekend. It was just what the seller said it was, a Mustang 8.8 with quad shocks, ebrake cables, 28 spline axles and a 273 posi. It really did not matter, it was well priced, $150 or so. But I checked the tag on housing, which confirmed it.
I will change the gears, the axles, and the differential before too long, to 31 spline, c clip eliminator, spool setup. I wanted a housing cheap, and the stock guts did not matter.
Another:
I bought a running v8 donor car from a bunch that swore it was a 5.0. I knew it was a 255, but it was still cheap, and I got what I wanted, all the v8 conversion stuff. If I had not known, and needed the engine, I would have been screwed.
Last one, and my funniest experience:
On the other hand, I bought a small block Ford intake from some guys girlfriend for $35 once. She and I both thought it was a fair deal. The guy freaked, and tried to have security get it back. They explained that it was for sale, I paid what was asked, and if he did not like it, he would be helped to leave. I only wanted a 4 v intake, not a rare old showpiece, so I got my money back, and gave him his $150 used Edelbrock back. I think he still hates me.
