Ebay motors
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 6
From: Pittsburgh PA
Ebay motors
I've noticed some stange listings on evilbay. Several cars that were listed as sold suddenly reappear with the same identical listing. I'm talking mostly 94-96 car listings that I check everyday. I could see if it was a case of the buyer backing out but that isn't stated. None of them were cars I was interested in but seems strange. Shill bidders??
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Ebay has been a joke for years as far as the cars go. You have a group of people bidding each others car up, looking for that one sucker. (generally speaking). I've noticed prices generally run 30% over Craigs list. The reason they are putting them on EBAY is they can't sell them locally. On non-rare cars, you have to ask yourself, why? It's hard to complain about the cars once you buy them, and most of the buyers are to proud to admit they've been screwed, and often put them back on, trying to recoup some of their money on another sucker. While the odds are better than the state lottery, still not a good place to bet your money.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
I can't believe people bid on cars they have never personally seen..Its easy enough to get screwed when you have a chance to look at a car.. You can really get screwed if you have never seen it...
..WW
..WW
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,837
Likes: 338
From: Database Error Indiana
Car does not bid high enough, have a buddy place the winning bid. No $$$$$ changes hands, everybody gets good feedback, list it again. At least thats my guess. First 4 cars you list during a year, cost very little to list. After that the fees go up. At least it was that way 2 years ago.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 951
Likes: 3
From: Placerville CA
Car does not bid high enough, have a buddy place the winning bid. No $$$$$ changes hands
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 290
Likes: 5
From: Winona MN
I would bet it is mostly idiots bidding that don't have the money to close the deal. Thinking they will get a loan after they win and being declined. The other option is they go to get the car and find out it isn't as claimed and back out.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Eureka Ca
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,837
Likes: 338
From: Database Error Indiana
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 951
Likes: 3
From: Placerville CA
If the car sells, then it's not a fishing expedition then is it?
Or....if you are just being a literalist, OK, I agree that selling a car and fishing are actually different activities. Only one requires a license, and the line is monofilament in one case and BS in the other.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,057
Likes: 5
From: Bay Shore, NY
I found my C4 on ebay 6 years ago and wound up making the deal offsite after the seller found something wrong with the car. If I didn't talk to the seller and feel comfortable, I would not have gone forward with the transaction. He even was willing to do an escrow closing where I wouldn't release the funds to pay for the car until the car was delivered and I was satisfied with the purchase.There was something on the news about a guy buying a 69 Camaro SS for $28k off of ebay that turned out to a clone and reported stolen in 1975 to boot!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 305
Likes: 2
From: Epfenbach BW
I bought a 99 TownCar unseen on ebay and had it shipped to Germany...full risk.
The car was exactly as descibed and now has almost 130k miles.
Still have it and love it. It was risky,though.....
Not all cars are crap on ebay, but many are for sure.
The car was exactly as descibed and now has almost 130k miles.
Still have it and love it. It was risky,though.....
Not all cars are crap on ebay, but many are for sure.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
Cars are cars, sellers are sellers...on ebay or not, there's no difference.
I sold 2 cars on ebay, sold each car 3 times and sellers would back out for no reason other than "oh shi! I won??' because they think bidding is a game. Wound up selling all 3 cars to people AFTER the auction. They would email me, said they were watching and wondering if the deal still went through.
Bought 5 cars on ebay, all local and I could check them out, including both Vettes and my wifes Beamer, all 3 we still have.
The good thing about ebay is
1.) The car is available..unlike the autotrader where most cars are 'in till they sell' and 90% of the sold cars never get removed.
2.) You at least get a good idea of the history through the Carfax thingy they use.
3.) For me, I limit the 'looking to 100 miles' as I won't even bother with a car I can't see/drive first.
The value of the C4 has a huge variable when comparing like models. A 96 6spd can be had for $8k and $15k. Mileage, upkeep and apparent maintenance requirements are already laid out for you if the Ebay ad (like any other) are done right.
I sold 2 cars on ebay, sold each car 3 times and sellers would back out for no reason other than "oh shi! I won??' because they think bidding is a game. Wound up selling all 3 cars to people AFTER the auction. They would email me, said they were watching and wondering if the deal still went through.
Bought 5 cars on ebay, all local and I could check them out, including both Vettes and my wifes Beamer, all 3 we still have.
The good thing about ebay is
1.) The car is available..unlike the autotrader where most cars are 'in till they sell' and 90% of the sold cars never get removed.
2.) You at least get a good idea of the history through the Carfax thingy they use.
3.) For me, I limit the 'looking to 100 miles' as I won't even bother with a car I can't see/drive first.
The value of the C4 has a huge variable when comparing like models. A 96 6spd can be had for $8k and $15k. Mileage, upkeep and apparent maintenance requirements are already laid out for you if the Ebay ad (like any other) are done right.
Advanced
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Fredericksburg VA
My brother in law wheeled and dealed GTOs on ebay, he bought restored and sold and didn't do too bad on it. I think for guys that do that they sort of network with each other and they are a honest bunch of enthusiasts trying to make a little extra side cash.
Not to mention I sure as heck would not buy a car without kicking the tires first.
My issue with the ebay cars are the dealers, those fools are nuts. JMHO
Not to mention I sure as heck would not buy a car without kicking the tires first.
My issue with the ebay cars are the dealers, those fools are nuts. JMHO
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 0
Cars are cars, sellers are sellers...on ebay or not, there's no difference.
I sold 2 cars on ebay, sold each car 3 times and sellers would back out for no reason other than "oh shi! I won??' because they think bidding is a game. Wound up selling all 3 cars to people AFTER the auction. They would email me, said they were watching and wondering if the deal still went through.
Bought 5 cars on ebay, all local and I could check them out, including both Vettes and my wifes Beamer, all 3 we still have.
The good thing about ebay is
1.) The car is available..unlike the autotrader where most cars are 'in till they sell' and 90% of the sold cars never get removed.
2.) You at least get a good idea of the history through the Carfax thingy they use.
3.) For me, I limit the 'looking to 100 miles' as I won't even bother with a car I can't see/drive first.
The value of the C4 has a huge variable when comparing like models. A 96 6spd can be had for $8k and $15k. Mileage, upkeep and apparent maintenance requirements are already laid out for you if the Ebay ad (like any other) are done right.
I sold 2 cars on ebay, sold each car 3 times and sellers would back out for no reason other than "oh shi! I won??' because they think bidding is a game. Wound up selling all 3 cars to people AFTER the auction. They would email me, said they were watching and wondering if the deal still went through.
Bought 5 cars on ebay, all local and I could check them out, including both Vettes and my wifes Beamer, all 3 we still have.
The good thing about ebay is
1.) The car is available..unlike the autotrader where most cars are 'in till they sell' and 90% of the sold cars never get removed.
2.) You at least get a good idea of the history through the Carfax thingy they use.
3.) For me, I limit the 'looking to 100 miles' as I won't even bother with a car I can't see/drive first.
The value of the C4 has a huge variable when comparing like models. A 96 6spd can be had for $8k and $15k. Mileage, upkeep and apparent maintenance requirements are already laid out for you if the Ebay ad (like any other) are done right.
with what he said.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
From my own experiences, craigslist makes ebay look like a utopia. I have sold on both and have encountered scammers almost every time on cl. I made the mistake of calling one out and told him to try working for a living. I almost had to change my email address because of the spam he was sending.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
From my own experiences, craigslist makes ebay look like a utopia. I have sold on both and have encountered scammers almost every time on cl. I made the mistake of calling one out and told him to try working for a living. I almost had to change my email address because of the spam he was sending.
Is your item still for sale
Is this still available
I simply delete these, especially when they start showing up on the same day I placed the ad.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 951
Likes: 3
From: Placerville CA
Originally Posted by socalman
Cars are cars, sellers are sellers...on ebay or not, there's no difference.
I sold 2 cars on ebay, sold each car 3 times and sellers would back out for no reason other than "oh shi! I won??' because they think bidding is a game. Wound up selling all 3 cars to people AFTER the auction. They would email me, said they were watching and wondering if the deal still went through.
Bought 5 cars on ebay, all local and I could check them out, including both Vettes and my wifes Beamer, all 3 we still have.
The good thing about ebay is
1.) The car is available..unlike the autotrader where most cars are 'in till they sell' and 90% of the sold cars never get removed.
2.) You at least get a good idea of the history through the Carfax thingy they use.
3.) For me, I limit the 'looking to 100 miles' as I won't even bother with a car I can't see/drive first.
The value of the C4 has a huge variable when comparing like models. A 96 6spd can be had for $8k and $15k. Mileage, upkeep and apparent maintenance requirements are already laid out for you if the Ebay ad (like any other) are done right.
Cars are cars, sellers are sellers...on ebay or not, there's no difference.
I sold 2 cars on ebay, sold each car 3 times and sellers would back out for no reason other than "oh shi! I won??' because they think bidding is a game. Wound up selling all 3 cars to people AFTER the auction. They would email me, said they were watching and wondering if the deal still went through.
Bought 5 cars on ebay, all local and I could check them out, including both Vettes and my wifes Beamer, all 3 we still have.
The good thing about ebay is
1.) The car is available..unlike the autotrader where most cars are 'in till they sell' and 90% of the sold cars never get removed.
2.) You at least get a good idea of the history through the Carfax thingy they use.
3.) For me, I limit the 'looking to 100 miles' as I won't even bother with a car I can't see/drive first.
The value of the C4 has a huge variable when comparing like models. A 96 6spd can be had for $8k and $15k. Mileage, upkeep and apparent maintenance requirements are already laid out for you if the Ebay ad (like any other) are done right.
with this. And don't forget that Ebay and its corporate partner Paypal offer various types of purchase protection that you don't get in other types of private party sales.You get screwed by the guy next door ("Geez, I didn't know that head gasket was leaking") and there is absolutely nothing you can do but throw yourself on his (ha ha) mercy for a refund -- or punch him out, get a felony conviction for assault, get incarcerated and lose your job, and then find yourself impoverished pursuant to his personal damages suit. At that point your wife will leave you for the old high school flame she has been dreaming about, and take the dog with her.
Now how does Ebay look?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: OC Calif
St. Jude Donor '10
I also with this. And don't forget that Ebay and its corporate partner Paypal offer various types of purchase protection that you don't get in other types of private party sales.
You get screwed by the guy next door ("Geez, I didn't know that head gasket was leaking") and there is absolutely nothing you can do but throw yourself on his (ha ha) mercy for a refund -- or punch him out, get a felony conviction for assault, get incarcerated and lose your job, and then find yourself impoverished pursuant to his personal damages suit. At that point your wife will leave you for the old high school flame she has been dreaming about, and take the dog with her.
Now how does Ebay look?
with this. And don't forget that Ebay and its corporate partner Paypal offer various types of purchase protection that you don't get in other types of private party sales.You get screwed by the guy next door ("Geez, I didn't know that head gasket was leaking") and there is absolutely nothing you can do but throw yourself on his (ha ha) mercy for a refund -- or punch him out, get a felony conviction for assault, get incarcerated and lose your job, and then find yourself impoverished pursuant to his personal damages suit. At that point your wife will leave you for the old high school flame she has been dreaming about, and take the dog with her.
Now how does Ebay look?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 951
Likes: 3
From: Placerville CA
So....all you have to do to dump the 2 biotches is buy a car on Ebay?