Ebay purchase help needed
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Dallas tx
Ebay purchase help needed
If any of you have been following my salvage help needed post the past few days...the time has come. My crazy sister in law still wants to buy this car. So, all that being said, despite my efforts, we are going tomorrow to sacramento to pick this thing up. My question is, once we get there, do we have any outs at that time? What I am hoping for is so much as a light that does not work somewhere in the vehicle so that I can say that his add was misleading and we can walk away from the deal. Is that even possible? Ebay isnt very clear on the subject, but I was wondering if any of you have experience with buying vehicles via Ebay, and have found things a bit different than you were led to believe at the time of delivery? thanks in advance..
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
She is being a d*** fool. I would leave her to her own devices. You are in a no win situation. 
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Too Late?
I didn't read the other threads. Too many about peop trying to buy cars, engines on ebay with no prior look. Crazy, but that's just my opinion, and not my money.
Let me get this straight from the little I've read on this one: you're going from Dallas to Sac. to buy a (potentially) worthless car for your sister?
You're asking about legal "outs"?
Have you talked to a lawyer yet? Why not?
Someone, somewhere is potentially committed, legally, to paying real MONEY. And you're doing this as some kind of a familial thing but you haven't spoken to an attorney---you're asking the intermediary, ebay, what are your outs?
With all due respect, do your homework at least on the legal stuff, before you get there. Or postpone the trip until you do, and know your rights.
Otherwise, the full caveat emptor will not only take precedent, it will apply.
Let me get this straight from the little I've read on this one: you're going from Dallas to Sac. to buy a (potentially) worthless car for your sister?
You're asking about legal "outs"?
Have you talked to a lawyer yet? Why not?
Someone, somewhere is potentially committed, legally, to paying real MONEY. And you're doing this as some kind of a familial thing but you haven't spoken to an attorney---you're asking the intermediary, ebay, what are your outs?
With all due respect, do your homework at least on the legal stuff, before you get there. Or postpone the trip until you do, and know your rights.
Otherwise, the full caveat emptor will not only take precedent, it will apply.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Clemmons NC
Take it from experience...don't buy vehicles on ebay! I made the mistake of trying to buy a vehicle on ebay. I won a auction for a 96 Landcruiser out of WV. I spoke with the used car salesman after the auction was over and he promised the vehicle was in excellent condition. My parents and I drove over five hours (one way). Talk about being upset after I saw the vehicle...thats an understatement. The inside had probably 50 cigarette burns..smelled like a crack head and the paint looked like someone had driven it through the jungle. My dad knew I was really pissed. Later he said he thought I was going to punch the guy (but I didn't). Anyway, the guy admitted he gave a false description of the car and so agreed not to leave negative feedback...what a guy!! 
The pictures definately did not do the vehicle justice!!! I will not make the same mistake again.
The pictures definately did not do the vehicle justice!!! I will not make the same mistake again.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 810
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Originally Posted by LT4CompYell
I didn't read the other threads. Too many about peop trying to buy cars, engines on ebay with no prior look. Crazy, but that's just my opinion, and not my money.
Let me get this straight from the little I've read on this one: you're going from Dallas to Sac. to buy a (potentially) worthless car for your sister?
You're asking about legal "outs"?
Have you talked to a lawyer yet? Why not?
Someone, somewhere is potentially committed, legally, to paying real MONEY. And you're doing this as some kind of a familial thing but you haven't spoken to an attorney---you're asking the intermediary, ebay, what are your outs?
With all due respect, do your homework at least on the legal stuff, before you get there. Or postpone the trip until you do, and know your rights.
Otherwise, the full caveat emptor will not only take precedent, it will apply.
Let me get this straight from the little I've read on this one: you're going from Dallas to Sac. to buy a (potentially) worthless car for your sister?
You're asking about legal "outs"?
Have you talked to a lawyer yet? Why not?
Someone, somewhere is potentially committed, legally, to paying real MONEY. And you're doing this as some kind of a familial thing but you haven't spoken to an attorney---you're asking the intermediary, ebay, what are your outs?
With all due respect, do your homework at least on the legal stuff, before you get there. Or postpone the trip until you do, and know your rights.
Otherwise, the full caveat emptor will not only take precedent, it will apply.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Show up.
Look at the car.
If you don't like it, don't buy it.
What's he gonna' do...sue you?
For what? ....what are his damages?
The other way to look at it is this:
it's your SIL's money, if she wants it.....
Larry
code5coupe
Look at the car.
If you don't like it, don't buy it.
What's he gonna' do...sue you?
For what? ....what are his damages?
The other way to look at it is this:
it's your SIL's money, if she wants it.....
Larry
code5coupe
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Dallas tx
thats what i was looking for. we get free (relatively) airfare so thats not really the issue. I was wondering if anyone had won anything and gone to pick it up and just said NO. I'm not looking forward to the 1700 mile drive home. Who knows if that thing will make it. We do plan on swinging by Vegas friday night, so the trip wont be a complete bust. 
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Brett Foote
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 617
Likes: 14
From: Loudon, TN
I don't know your sister-in-law but I have a bit of experience with human nature. Anything that goes wrong with that car will be your fault because you should have seen it during the initial inspection and you will be made painfully aware of every repair bill she will have to pay.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Dallas tx
well, i thought that as well, but she's awful stubborn. I sent her an email the other night with a sorta last ditch effort to persuade her against it. I should post her reply, it was pretty interesting, but she is totally aware of the risk and is accepting full blame for anything that may go wrong. I showed the email to my wife and we printed it out for what we're sure will be needed in the future.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland Florida
Not to disagree with everyone here but I've bought 9 cars (so far) off eBay and all but one was a great deal.
A couple of these cars were such a good deal that I fixed a few minor issues with them and then turned around and put them back on eBay for actual cash value.
Alot of people out there know very little about their car.... If a mechanic tells them it needs lets say $1500 worth of work then that usually means it needs about $200 in parts and the rest is labor.
Well to me....If I can save a few thousand on a car and only have to put $200 into it....I've still gotten the better end of the deal.
To answer your question..... Read the description of the car from begining to end. Then go look at the car....If something negative with the car is found that isn't listed your free to walk away.
If the seller does leave you negative feedback you can fill out one of ebay's forms (not sure what they call it) and explain the item is not as described and they will usually remove the feedback...
I've done this once when I car wasn't described correctly.
However i do think it has alot to do with your current feedback score... If you have a low number I'm not sure if they would be so willing to help but in my case I have a higher feedback so they helped me out.
A couple of these cars were such a good deal that I fixed a few minor issues with them and then turned around and put them back on eBay for actual cash value.
Alot of people out there know very little about their car.... If a mechanic tells them it needs lets say $1500 worth of work then that usually means it needs about $200 in parts and the rest is labor.
Well to me....If I can save a few thousand on a car and only have to put $200 into it....I've still gotten the better end of the deal.
To answer your question..... Read the description of the car from begining to end. Then go look at the car....If something negative with the car is found that isn't listed your free to walk away.
If the seller does leave you negative feedback you can fill out one of ebay's forms (not sure what they call it) and explain the item is not as described and they will usually remove the feedback...
I've done this once when I car wasn't described correctly.
However i do think it has alot to do with your current feedback score... If you have a low number I'm not sure if they would be so willing to help but in my case I have a higher feedback so they helped me out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Originally Posted by Ras119
thanks 85A4.
The vin is going to tell all and the dealer will not honor any warranty.
Insurance in my state is a problem.
Resale will be a problem. Water damage will be a problem.
In short to save $4,000 its not a good move.
Try and buy mechanical insurance at the point of sale. Take proof of liabilty insurance with you, without it in my state your car can be siezed.
We bought a late model Lexus LS 400 at a dealers only auction with a clean out of state title, took it to the Lexus dealer for warranty repairs and the dealer checked the vin and it came back a salvage and they refused to repair the car.
We took it back to the auction and got all the money back.
The guy knows what kind of water damage it was involved in.
If the insurer salvaged the car there was a good reason for it.
What can I say women and cars, run!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Dallas tx
You are right about the add not showing the reason for the salvage title. She has emails from him that concerns the nature of the damage. His words were that "light fresh water was found on the carpet." So, we shall see. The crazy thing is that she already was able to line of financing and insurance, full coverage. I was suprised at that fact alone. He is giving her a 6 month warranty on the drive train, although how the heck would we hold him to that from texas?
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
4 months ago (before I got the C4) I "won" a car on EBAY and traveled 70 miles to complete the deal --with cashiers check in hand. The car looked beautiful in the ad and in person. However, a quick inspection uncovered several undisclosed issues - some potentially costly. The one that sent me running was when I asked about the 3 blown speakers he said: "Well the radio works just like I said, who the h*** would check the speakers?" 
Anyway, he never took action against me. I saw he listed the car again in 2 weeks -- with everything I pointed out disclosed (there were probably 5 things more I never found). His feedback trashed me, I trashed him, and no legal problems whatsoever.
If undisclosed problems are found before money changes hands, seller must fix or you can walk. You can pursue legal action afterwards if you do buy a car with problems seller likely knew about and did not disclose, but what a PITA
Good luck with all the "baggage" on this one -- I hope you get to walk away and enjoy the trip!
Anyway, he never took action against me. I saw he listed the car again in 2 weeks -- with everything I pointed out disclosed (there were probably 5 things more I never found). His feedback trashed me, I trashed him, and no legal problems whatsoever.
If undisclosed problems are found before money changes hands, seller must fix or you can walk. You can pursue legal action afterwards if you do buy a car with problems seller likely knew about and did not disclose, but what a PITA
Good luck with all the "baggage" on this one -- I hope you get to walk away and enjoy the trip!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,066
Likes: 3
From: Milpitas ca
Bought my 92 vette off of Ebay for 8500.00 . Only thing wrong when I went to get car was a dead battery. Other than that it was everything I thought it would be and more.
I don't know about buying a salvage car. Just go look at it and if you don't like it just walk away.
I don't know about buying a salvage car. Just go look at it and if you don't like it just walk away.