Date:         Tue, 18 Mar 2003 15:16:06 EST
Reply-To:     BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ben T <BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Buying Vehicles off E-bay Re: The Story Of The eBay Westy
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 3/18/03 8:00:57 AM Pacific Standard Time, vw4x4@FYI.NET
writes:

<< Very good lesson learned here.  "Would I buy another vehicle off eBay? NO!"
 Very well put.  Simple and to the point.   I just can't see being able to
check
 everything on a vehicle that needs inspected over  E-bay.  >>

I've sold a Syncro on Ebay. In my auction I offered to have the vehicle
available for independent mechanic's inspections or personal inspection by
potential Buyers. In my Syncro sale, things did eventually go wrong. I made
corrections to the vehicle despite having already disclosed those defects in
the auction. The Buyer missed that in the description. I wanted thingds to
remain as smooth as possible. Then months later the van blew a headgasket.
That one was a bit out of my control and too expensive to assist with. There
was no evidence of any leaks when I put the van up for sale. I did offer some
referrals to a shop which will discount repairs and conversions in my area.
Never did hear back from the buyer.

I have bought several vehicles online sight unseen as well. It all depends on
who I'm buying a vehicle from and for how much. I once made a mistake on
trying to buy from a listmember who originally posted on Ebay. I was willing
to send full payment prior to delivery as this party is a well established
listmember. I booked my flight to pick-up the vehicle only to find out at the
last minute that this person had removed certain critical items from the
vehicle. I canceled the flight and the sale.

Moral of the story? Don't discount online purchases. Just be careful. And
it's not just Ebay sellers you have to watch out for.  Exercise common sense.

BenT