buyer beware / ebay nightmare
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 21,915
Likes: 61
From: Miami Beach FL
You must have documentation (emails, pics, etc,) that you received during your negotiation period. That's all you have to make a mis-representation case against the dealer (seller). BTW, what's the dealers name and webite address? Post pics! 
Last edited by MagRedConv; May 10, 2008 at 07:18 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 3
From: Rehoboth MA . . . NRA Life Member
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Carfax doesn't tell everything. My 1992 Mustang was in 3 accidents and not one was in the Carfax report when I sold it. Yep all accidents had the police involved, tickets were issued, doctor and hospital bills were paid and the car was in the body shop 3 times and no Carfax report.
I've used it twice on 2 vehicles I was looking at and not one incident showed up. I ended up finding out from 3rd parties some of the damage. My truck was in a head on collision with over $10,000 in damage. The other driver was cited, injury's and hospital stays, and NO CARFAX info..
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 13,007
Likes: 0
From: Happiness is Busch in Victory Lane!
St. Jude Donor '09 & '12, '14
Ebay has buyer protection up to 20k if you have Frame Damage.
You must file within 30 days of auction close.
I PM'd you to do this.
Once you open a dispute do not close it until totally resolved as you can only open 1 per auction.
You must file within 30 days of auction close.
I PM'd you to do this.
Once you open a dispute do not close it until totally resolved as you can only open 1 per auction.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Bellefonte PA
Don't rush the purchase of a used Corvette. You'll end up regretting it. As much as you want one, you still have to take your time and throughly look at everything. It took me 3 months to find mine. If you're not being picky, you're taking a risk.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,510
Likes: 1,842
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Bellefonte PA
I completely agree with this statement!
I've used it twice on 2 vehicles I was looking at and not one incident showed up. I ended up finding out from 3rd parties some of the damage. My truck was in a head on collision with over $10,000 in damage. The other driver was cited, injury's and hospital stays, and NO CARFAX info..
I've used it twice on 2 vehicles I was looking at and not one incident showed up. I ended up finding out from 3rd parties some of the damage. My truck was in a head on collision with over $10,000 in damage. The other driver was cited, injury's and hospital stays, and NO CARFAX info..
I had the opposite experience with CARFAX. I got into an argument with the service manager at an Acura dealer about a TSB they didnt want to perform. Well they ended up performing it in the end. Years later, before I went to sell it, I saw on the CARFAX "possible flood damage". It was dated at the same time it was in the shop for the TSB. I then had to jump through a bunch of hoops with CARFAX to get it removed before I sold it.
CARFAX is a good tool overall, but it isn't foolproof. If people want to get around it, they will. Also, as in my case, it seemed to be unlawfully used because the service manager had a personal problem with me.
I ran CARFAXs on Corvettes before I bought them, and will always run them on high value used cars I am purchasing; however, they DO NOT replace a good inspection of a used car before purchase. You should always inspect it very closely, CARFAX or not. I will never buy a car sight unseen.
Last edited by park83; May 10, 2008 at 09:31 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: san diego cali
i was with my friend when he bought a car from a private seller and turned out to be a lemon. when i was there i made sure that she wrote out in writing that the car was fine (no frame damage, fire, flood etc). well it wasnt and so my friend got all the necessary documents and everything to a small claims court and won pretty easy. my friend and the person who owned the car both are in the navy so its a little different but she was forced to pay the settlement within one month or they would automatically take it out of her pay. sorry this happened to you and best of luck. i think that it will turn out in your favor.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 5
From: Grafton WI
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 0
From: Buckingham PA
I flew down to Naples, FL from Phila, PA to personally inspect my Z16 Z06 before completing the deal...and that car had only 1,200 miles on it....if I'm putting out $$ for anything like that, I need to see it myself.
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 382
Likes: 27
From: Marlton NJ
Ebay nightmare
Hey Buddy: I'm really sorry to hear what happened to you on Ebay. I wish you the best in getting your money back and getting this Ahole off Ebay. Can you tell us his name? The cars look good on Ebay from pictures but I don't see how people can buy a car unseen. Too many crooks out there for sure. I'm like you. I'm in the market for my first used Corvette also. Been waiting for 40 years!! I'm really taking my time. Best of luck!!
Steve
Steve
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,628
Likes: 397
From: Madison Wi
The first time I drove it was after the money changed hands. It drove like it was brand new.
No regrets!
I hope the OP is able to get a return of some kind. Buying a car sight unseen might be ok on some cheaper cars, but not a Vette! I have bought two cars sight unseen myself, my Camaro being one of them.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 408
Likes: 6
From: Santa Clarita CA
Your friend was incredibly lucky that they were both in the military, in the real world so to speak he or she probably would have never seen a dime after winning the judgement (which in itself takes time and effort). Also, taking a case to small claims is MUCH easier, there are no lawyers involved and the entire proceeding is much more laid back. Safe to assume that with a C5 we're definitely talking about dollars that are outside the scope of small claims court so it's not going to be nearly so easy (or cheap).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,488
Likes: 4
From: USA
Hi, I Bought 98 Convert Last Week On Ebay. I Called The Vette Dealer / Expert Selling It A Few Of The Standard Questions Like Has It Been Hit, Does It Have All Orginal Panels And Paint, Suspension All Good , Tracking, Any Issues, Motor Stuff And So On , I DID CAR FAX IT. He Claimed To Be A Vette Dealer For Years And It Was His Specalty , Now I'm Finding Out He Doesn't Know His A-- From A Hole In The Ground And I Wouldn't Let Him Near Your Vette. The Car Shows Up In The Dark ,I Take It To The Local Gas Station For It's First Fill Up And Pop The Door And It Falls Off In My Hand, I Thought This Is Not A Good Sign. The Next Day I Found Things Part Bolted Or Hanging Off, Things Not Working Or Missing, This Is A Huge Nightmare Starting To Unwind. I Take It To A Shop , Put It Up On A Lift And There It Is , Frame Damage From A Hard Hit And Poorly Repaired ( Like A 12 Year Old With A Stick Welder And Torch Set) , So We Look A Little Further And Found Why The Turnsignals / Parking Lights Don't Work ( Would You Believe There Is No Wire Harness )? Continued On Next Thread
Lastly, you need to get a hold of Carfax and let them know what's going on. There are laws in place to protect you in this kind of situation. This is exactly why I don't like Carfax
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,987
Likes: 26
From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,654
Likes: 3
From: Florida
I know that sucks but when you buy a car sight unseen you are opening yourself up for problems. Did you call the previous owner? I would never purchase a car without talking to the previous owner, CarFax, driving the car, having a good mechanic look at it, etc.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Dayton Ohio
I've bought a lot of stuff on ebay and it is only in the last 6 months that I have come across misrepresented items. Some have been outright junk.
Just for your info - several years ago an individual sued a a building owner and won a judgement. The building owner refused to pay, we are talking about a 20 story office building. The individual then got paperwork from the court, went to the sheriff and they padlocked the building on Monday morning. All of the office workers were standing around and some went home. Within 2 hours the court had the check for the individual and the building was unlocked.
Need to talk to an attorney.
Just for your info - several years ago an individual sued a a building owner and won a judgement. The building owner refused to pay, we are talking about a 20 story office building. The individual then got paperwork from the court, went to the sheriff and they padlocked the building on Monday morning. All of the office workers were standing around and some went home. Within 2 hours the court had the check for the individual and the building was unlocked.
Need to talk to an attorney.