Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2003 19:01:02 -0500
Reply-To: Derek Krueger <Derek.Krueger@DRKRU.COTSE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Derek Krueger <Derek.Krueger@DRKRU.COTSE.NET>
Subject: Re: Buying on E-bay
In-Reply-To: <200306232305.h5NN53N01639@patrosa.canishe.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I bought my 84 Vanagon Wolfsburg Westfalia with Tiico on eBay. That was
almost two years ago and I am very happy with the deal. The van lived
in South Carolina and I in Minnesota. The van is very nice and has
placed first twice at local VW shows (tooting my own horn). I got the
van for less than it is worth to me, and considerably less than others
have valued her at. It should be noted that I was looking both at
online classifieds as well as eBay - eBay is where I found my van.
Why did I buy on eBay?
- I wanted a rust-free van, something not often found here in MN.
- I had some specific wants and needs, and the local selection made it
difficult to find anything that fit the bill.
- I wanted a van with engine conversion.
My buying experience, or How I got my head around it...
- Number one, you have to trust your gut. To me, this van just felt
right.
- The PO was very forthcoming with information. We talked extensively
via email and the phone. He provided me with pictures (dozens and
dozens) and documentation.
- Full maintenance records to 1990. Every thing had been done to this
van. Additionally, the PO went to great lengths to make the van just
right. This is especially true with the Tiico conversion.
- The PO was a list member and VW enthusiast. I could tell he loved the
van and his three other VWs as well.
- To repeat, I trusted my gut. The deal felt right and the price was
below my predetermined "high mark."
I did not inspect the van before purchase - this was not possible. I
did, however, have the option of canceling the sale if when I arrived in
SC and did my own inspection things were not as represented or there
were undisclosed problems or mechanical issues. Ya, I would have been
out airfare but all things considered that was not a big deal.
One of the best purchases I have ever made. Have traveled over 20,000
almost trouble-free miles since purchase.
Cheers,
Derek
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Douglas L Urner
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2003 6:05 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Buying on E-bay
I've been trying to figure out how buying a car on e-bay works. I can't
quite get my head around the notion of buying a car, evan a Vanagon,
sight unseen. Has anybody done this? How did you manage getting the
car inspected?
Thanks, Doug
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