I just realized that I have made 4 eBay references in the last three postings. It made me wonder what experiences - good and bad - have you (we) had with using eBay as a source for parts and/or cars.

Personally, I have had great experiences with all of my purchases. I've not yet had any problems with either the items I've received, or the people I've bought from - and I've saved a ton of money.

So let's hear it!

(BTW, I think we can leave Mark S. out of this discussion!)
<img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

 

I purchased my current car, a 1989 S4 5-speed, through ebay in March, my first ebay experience. I live in CT, the car was in San Antonio, TX. I e-mailed back and forth with the PO, had photos sent, etc., and went for it, sight unseen (although not without some trepidation). I flew out (with round trip ticket in hand, just in case), and drove the car home over the next 3 days. I'm pleased to report that the car was as advertised! The trip home was a delightful bonding experience.
The day after I got home our local 928 group had a dyno day. I took the car (still dirty from its trip) and it tested stronger than the factory specs!
My sole ebay experience was indeed positive!

Scott

 

No finer example than Ebay for BUYER BEWARE. It is a broker only, and will not protect you. But that in itself is quite a value expecially for an item like a 928. As everyone knows several of us were ripped off for manuals by a Mark Shackelford, Dallas, TX. That aside, ask questions, don't assume anything. You have to do the work for this "service". When I was in "buy" mode I had to ask or would not have known the A/C was "on the garage floor" or "we don't need it in Vermont" many other less important, but deal killing details, like "it needs tbelt retensioned, mechanic can't do it til next month" I also talked with people who were honest and straightforward. You have to judge who that person is and the phone is sometimes your best/only real contact. Some people talk a good game, but you can protect yourself if you ask enough questions and have your B/S detector on high.

Edit/add: I forgot, the one I won outright on ebay was a "no reserve" that wasn't really no reserve because the seller was a jerk, er naive seller who used to be around rennlist. Higher bids that were all from one slacker led the seller to believe Ebay's suggestion to the seller offer it to me at the second bid. This inflates the price and makes more money for Seller and Ebay. Since all the intervening bids were from the deadbeat I said no. I wouldn't mention it except it is a policy of Ebay's which in this case, which isn't that unusual, results in two pissed off people. Ebay is kinda like life: Don't have high expectations, don't let previous ebay experience dull the BS detector, every experience has the potential to be good or not so good. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

Definitely a "buyer beware" environment. I sold my 1984 Norton Commando on E-bay and did pretty well at the same time as giving a good product to the buyer. I bought my 928 from an E-bayer after his auction transaction fell through, and with the pre-purchase inspection done by Lucky Ekman of Devek, got exactly what I expected. I subsequently purchased a myriad of parts and pieces for bikes and cars as well as some electronics and did very well with the transactions. An then there's Shackelford and "lifestyle_26". The 2 a$$hol@'# that have screrwed up the run of great deals. Since I paid through PayPal (who are owned by e-bay and don't really have any enforcement power or buyer protection strategy) backed up through VISA, it seems that VISA is going to come through on their buyer protection promise, although there isn't any money in hand yet.
All in all, good people out there, but a few electable sniper targets. <img src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" border="0" alt="[blabla]" />

 

Overall I've had great luck with Ebay, both as a buyer and seller - but I think that luck may be important when you're playing on there. My basic rule of thumb is that I know that there is a 10% chance that I'm going to get screwed on any given transaction, so there is a threshold of loss that I'm willing to risk in return for some great deals.

I've gotten any number of motorcycle parts for 50% of what I would have paid for them anywhere else. On the down side, a couple of buyers have disappeared after winning auctions, but I only lost time, not money. I'm not nearly brave enough to buy a car sight unseen on Ebay, although if it were local enough for me to go see it first, I certainly would.

 

I've bid on and won dozens of 928 eBay auctions. The only disappointing experience was with an engine block I won for $200. It was supposed to be a good block. But I made the mistake of telling the seller that I intended to make a coffee table out of it. The block that showed up on my front porch was a 928 block, but not the one in the photo and had broken off alternator mount. It will still make a fine coffee table. I feel confident when the seller has 100+ positive feedback with no negatives. That guy that sells all the service info manuals, etc. ships mine right away now without waiting for payment.
I sold my '81 on eBay. I got my '87 from a eBay wholesale dealer cheap and it's a great car. But it was here in town and I test drove it for 3 days and took it to two mechanics for ppi.
Just use common sense.

 

Hey, I'm not the one to complain about eBay. I've been a customer for years and have successfully purchased several cars via eBay. Overall a very POSITIVE experience, IF you know how to protect yourself when purchasing expensive items, like cars or parts...Checking feedback, asking for a contact phone number (and actually talking to the seller), NEVER sending cash (and avoid Money Orders), and be willing to travel. I usually send a small deposit for a car purchased and I personally arranged to check out the car(s) as soon as possible. If the car is in the condition described, then the deal is closed and money exchanged hands. I've had good luck on that department.

EBay first and foremost is an AUCTION place, not a certified car dealership. If you're willing to buy a 928 sight unseen for a couple of thousand $$, then be prepared to fork out some money for maintenance/repair bills...Otherwise, if you need to drive and check out a car before you buy, then a trip to a certified dealer makes sense, who will sell you a 60-day warranty to go along with their inflated prices.

I'll do business on eBay anytime...

Vasilis

 

Bottom line...it's not Ebay that rips you off but the Bay is guilty by association.
A little more than two years ago I started out with enough green for a solid 86 1/2. There was a slump (market glut?) in prices at that time.
But ...
After hitting both coasts, a lot in between, and being placed on the EBAY's (non-paying buyer)stiffs list even after I sent them the the E'mail correspondence concerning a beautiful 85 auto.
Explanation: I won! Requested local airport info for ticket purchase, directions to house or pick-up point, and a phone number for contact. The guy told me he wanted $2K up front. I responded that I wanted to be home with the car before the cashiers check would reach him. I wanted to be there the next morning. He told me I was too demanding and that I was being unreasonable by closing the deal on such short notice?????? This arguement went on for 5 days and I finally wrote him off and had him listed as a non-selling seller. His was the final BUM deal. My boss, and wife - not the same person - had reached the limit on me taking off on a days' notice. I lost a red one by a day north of Dallas. Short version I blew several thousand on short notice air fares, lodging, meals, and ground transportation.
For this I got to see some truly abused sHARKs and damn near came to blows over one wreak that I viewed north of Miami. Don't get me wrong I love my Weissach (Pattycakes) but I was pumped for a
5 Liter, 32 valve, with about 300hp, auto. and
RED.
Ebay wasn't at fault but it is an open door...
anything can walk in.
BTW Grilling by phone did not work for me

 

I view ebay as pretty much a larger version of newspaper classifieds or the auto trader. Ebay simply brings a larger group of buyers and sellers together. One plus for ebay over the classifieds is the feedback rating system. Beyond that, the rest is between buyers and sellers.

Living in a small town, ebay opens a world of choices up to me. I buy allot and sell a bit as well. My experiences have been good.

Greg

 

Great news........ VISA kicked back the Shackelford loss, totally. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" /> I guess all these years of ripoff interest charges finally pays a dividend.

 

I too have had many successful purchases on eBay. I was 'stiffed' on two (out of 150+) for a total of $60.

My largest purchase was my 928 and I have been very pleased with it. The seller was a little taken back when I wanted to pay the entire amount and take immediate possession of the car. Once he realized that I was ready to do that in the same (or less) amount of time that he demanding the deposit he agreed.

Always be cautious, regardless of the forum in which you are purchasing an item (you can even be screwed at a dealership). Each person has a different risk/benefit threshold, for myself, I am willing to take a little more risk in order to save some money.

 

Have never bought a single item from e-bay, haven't even registered with them. However I do go to <a href="http://www.forthehunt.com" target="_blank">www.forthehunt.com</a> and have had nothing but good experiences there.

<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />