Just purchased some interior pieces for a C3 from Ebay member "awwgdotnet" that turned out to be complete JUNK! I'd be embarrassed to put these out by the curb for trash pickup!

See examples here: Interior Junk

These were purchased thru his Ebay store, but it wasn't an eBay auction; just an outright sale. I used Paypal (owned by Ebay, I believe) so I may have some rights there, but don't think I qualify under Ebay's protection policy...???

His Ebay store website boasts of the good "like-show" quality of his products. I even stated in my original e-mail to him, that dry-rotted and unraveling vinyl would be UNACCEPTABLE (I really didn't think that was necessary...just common sense would indicate that!)

I had one other Ebay "disaster" when the seller took 10 weeks to get my item to me. I filed a bunch of Fraud claims from Ebay's site, as well as others, including one from an FBI site.

Since I did receive these items, is it Fraud? Is "gross misrepresentation" anything I can argue?

If anyone had a similar situation and can point me in the right direction, I would MOST SINCERELY apprciate it!

 

Were there any pictures showing any of this on the auction?

 

I used the "Ask Seller a Question" from the following auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

Note that he claims his items are deemed "serviceable" by NCRS judges!
These are "serviceable" for an incinerator!

First I went to his Ebay store and seen that he had everything I needed. I asked if I could just make an outright purchase so I didn't have to take a chance of not winning a bid, nor did I have to wait for the auctions to end (some still had more than 3 weeks remaining).


I emailed him using the "Ask Seller" feature, as well as privately to "Mike@awwg.net", stating that I was interested in a "package" purchase and that such things as rotted/cracked or vinyl seperation would NOT be acceptable (common-sense!)

In his response to me by private e-mail, he states (and I quote) "I put a great deal of effort into the cleaning and presentation of each item."

Isn't what I received complete "misrepresentation"? I wouldn't consider for one minute to put these items in my car...what I have it in now is considerably better!

 

Do you have a link to where you bought the items?

 

See if this works...

http://stores.ebay.com/AWWGdotNet_W0...eNameZl4QQtZkm

 

WOW....he has TONS of stuff there.
I didnt get to the page with the trim or interior pieces. I got sidetracked on some of his other items.

kdf

 

What was his response when you told him that you were not satisfied?

 

(KDF) I got side tracked too...

Umm I don't know what your rights are. I don't think your chances are vey good...only chance would be to complain to the guy and ask for a refund or you will take further action regarding the matter.

Thats a problem when buying 'off' ebay (ending the auction early to buy now). I have just done that with quite an expensive item which I won't get to see for a while because it is being shipped with my car......Im keeping my fingers crossed everything is ok...if not Im stuffed!

Good luck. I hope things work out.

 

I went back to this website and checked on some items. The part you wrote about his stating it is servicable by a NCRS judge is his standard disclaimer. I cut and pasted below.


...deemed serviceable by a National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) Judge. This does NOT mean they are "show" quality unless stated otherwise.......


This statement is on every one of his items. I think this is covered under implied warranty, or limited liability. That is he stated upfront that there may be marks or blemishes and that he cannot document every item. Each item is sold AS IS with no warranty or gurantee as to correctness of use. From my dealings with contracts at my work I think he is covered with his use of the disclaimer. He offers it as is, and with no warranty. That is unfortuneatly what you bought.

thats my 2 cents worth.
kdf

 

I have bought a couple of items from him and they were as described. Of course my items were exterior pieces. He seems like a reasonable person. But, I agree if your items are not as advertised then he should give you a full refund plus shipping cost.

 

Hey "Miker"...we recently had some speedo drive gear conversations!

Well, I guess I should have stated that I haven't contacted him yet...I was trying to get a feel from everyone, what the best practice was to resolve this.

I want to keep it professional (even though he obviousely isn't a "professional" or even "moral" person), but want to let him know that I will fight this to the end.

I see that there are many Fraud (if applicable) claims I can file w/ Paypal, Ebay, Internet Fraud Complaint Center, etc., just don't know how helpful they are.

I guess I do need to contact him first (only by e-mail, so I have PROOF). I just have this "gut" feeling that he is going to have excuses coming at the wazoo. (ie. I had him dye my parts, but by HIS suggestion! and that he states on his eBay Store site that "used" items aren't perfect, etc)

It sucks that I have to be a PESSIMIST, but in reality, it's usually the best practice!

Sorry for leaving out that bit of info...

So, do I "kindly" ask for a refund, as these parts have absolutely no value to me, and then take it from there? Should I have some "ammo" ready for a negative response? If so, what? Threats of filing these Fraud forms and contacting his local Sheriff's Office...????

Again, any assistance in making this go as smoothly as possible, is greatly appreciated!

 

I guess before we (or I) can comment it would be nice to know what you paid for these items... what you show on the photos looks 1000 times better than my interior....

What you got are original items off a 25+ year old car - to me they are in good condition considering their age.

Unless he stated very clearly "as new" or "show quality" you have not been ripped off (just my opinion)... did you ask for photos before you bought the items ?

 

He's covered by his disclaimer, he does state he will take stuff back, you pay shipping, I would tell him I am not satisfied in a nice way and see if he will work with you

 

I would tend to agree with this, but you did state in an email before purchasing what woudn't be acceptable. I would contact the seller and let him know that you can't use the stuff. He may take the stuff back and refund your money. You'll still be out the shipping though.

 

I guess the camera's flash hides quite a bit of the imperfections...these items are complete CRAP.

I paid $325 (plus $25 shipping) for the items you see from my link. The header bar is so ROTTED it doesn't even support itself (w/o getting phallic, it can't even "stand up", but "flops" from the lack of backing material.) All the vinyl is dry-rotted and either unraveling and/or torn (I "specifically" stated that these conditions were NOT acceptable in my original e-mail to him).

I do appreciate all your responses (even if some are depressing) I'm realistic, and know that I've been screwed here (from the BS loopholes you have all pointed out).

If you seen these items in-person, you would just be amazed that someone would THINK that these would be desired by anyone! Really, if these were FREE I wouldn't consider for a second to install them in my car.

Keep the recommendations coming...positive or negative. I just don't want to jump-the-gun and do something prematurely.

Thanks again!

 

I apologize if it seems as if I'm not reading some of your responses...sometimes I take a good 5 minutes to complete my reply, then see that 3 or 4 others have made comments since!

I'm reading them all and appreciate your thoughts and suggestions!

 

he may take it back - his feedback on Ebay is very good (4 negatives and 480 positives over the past 6 months)... well, you'd be paying for the shipping...

From what I saw on these photos - these items were a great improvement for my interior (the color doesnt match though).....

Like I said earlier: how much $$ did you pay ? If these items were sold for 1/4 of what the repros are then there's no reason to complain.... I would be really upset if I paid $1000 for stuff that's worth $100 or is garbage.......

well, I guess that's Ebay.... send him another email and tell him you're not happy with the stuff and see what he says....

 

I haven't seen this before I replied earlier.... that sounds pretty bad....

still, legally I don't think you have a leg to stand on, unfortunately this was not an Ebay auction..... I'd say $325 is a "normal" price for these items in "used" condition.... I hope you're lucky and he's willing to refund your money if you pay to ship it back.... best scenario is you lost $50 for shipping...
good luck !!

 

Thanks all for the "Well Wishes"...I hope he's a reasonable person too and that "just" $50 is down the tubes.

I must take a break now and feed myself! I'll repond to anything else anyone may post either later tonight or tomorrow a.m.

Thanks for the replies!

 

just as a comment..... you bashed the guy pretty good and told us who he was before giving him the opportunity to fix it....i would have given him the opportunity to fix it before i aired my grievance publically....