Date:         Mon, 27 Oct 2003 09:29:35 -0800
Reply-To:     "S.Harrison" <diverseimaging@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "S.Harrison" <diverseimaging@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Be careful what you buy on eBay
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

There are eBay mechanisms in place to deal with misrepresented items, just
as there are those to deal with dead beat bidders. But we're not talking
about misrepresentation in the case you mentioned, just the whim of someone
who may or may not decide to pay for an item that they've contracted to
purchase. For someone to place a bid that obligates them to make the
purchase versus taking the opportunity to first check the item out before
bidding is the real fool. You specifically stated that your "friend" only
bids on items within driving distance. Not a whole lot of credibility for
the misrepresentation excuse as the ability to verify the item first-hand is
available, just not taken due to laziness.

The seller, who pays for the auction to be listed has the feedback system
for potential buyers to judge whether or not he/she has conducted themselves
in a reputable manner. There are avenues to ask the seller specific
questions before the purchase. If there is dissatisfaction in the
information provided the potential bidder should look elsewhere. As an
expensive resort there is even an escrow service, however effective that may
be in some situations.

To place a bid with a laissez-faire attitude that one can just back out of
the obligation because they didn't end up liking what they saw- when they're
now contractually obligated to consummate-  demonstrates a lack of integrity
and honor.

The gentleman who initiated this thread that received the 1.9 vs. the 2.1 is
a victim of seller misrepresentation. For that, I hope he uses all
reasonable means to remedy his situation and gets satisfaction. But don't
equate what happened to this man with the unscrupulous behavior of your
"friend" who "only bids on machines that are within driving distance, so he
can check them out before actually going through with the payment".



----- Original Message -----
From: "Ware, David (EM, PTL, Contractor, ARC)" <David.Ware@PENSKE.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2003 7:05 AM
Subject: Re: Be careful what you buy on eBay


> >>Justifiable flakiness?
>
> No, rather a way of covering one's behind in case the seller in fact
> misreprestented the item.
>
> >>You bid, you buy.
>
> Well, if you agreed to buy a 2.1 engine and drove a few hundred miles to
> discover that it was actually a 1.9 that didn't fit your needs, only a
fool
> would proceed with the purchase.
>