Preliminary vs. "final" service manual
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New Bloomfield Pennsylvania
Preliminary vs. "final" service manual
I may have been a victim of a 'bait & switch,' so I need some suggestions. I recently won a bid on eBay for a 1998 Corvette Service Manual 3-volume set. It was portrayed as the standard service manual. After I won the bid, the vendor contacted me and apologized that it was indeed the "preliminary" service manual, and offered me a "steep discount" on this preliminary set, or a complete refund if I desired. My question is this: Is the preliminary manual pretty much the same as the 'final' one; would it be worth my while to own? Or is the 'preliminary' manual so lame that I'd be better off without it? I'm supposed to get back to the vendor as to my wishes, so any timely answers would be much appreciated. Not a good experience for my first attempt at eBay! Thanks in advance!
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New Bloomfield Pennsylvania
Drifting
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From: Chicago IL
I'd say you got a good seller. It is clear it was not bait & switch, in fact that's pretty hard to accomplish on e-bay. Paypal can easily get your money back if product is falsed advertised. The seller offered you a full refund, so he's not out to screw you.
How much is the discount? I don't know if the preliminary and final are much different, but if they are similiar, and the discount is good, just buy it.
Otherwise, just get a refund. From my dozen of purchase experiences (not many, but enough), sellers mostly care A LOT about their feedback rating. It's hard to really get screwed on e-bay. I've had nothing but excellent customer service. In fact, I bought a garage door opener battery, and it didn't work. Seller refunded without making me send it back, and apologized. I call that good customer service..
How much is the discount? I don't know if the preliminary and final are much different, but if they are similiar, and the discount is good, just buy it.
Otherwise, just get a refund. From my dozen of purchase experiences (not many, but enough), sellers mostly care A LOT about their feedback rating. It's hard to really get screwed on e-bay. I've had nothing but excellent customer service. In fact, I bought a garage door opener battery, and it didn't work. Seller refunded without making me send it back, and apologized. I call that good customer service..
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: LEBANON PA.
Hi There:
Heres the difference:The factory or s/manual tells you everything about a specific car & all the maintenance procedures. A preliminary manual is also for a specific model.It reflects all the new features that are new for what ever year.( in this case a 1998 corvette).It explains these new features.It shows only the repairs of the new features.In other words you won,t be getting what you bid on which was the 3 volumes.
robsc501
Heres the difference:The factory or s/manual tells you everything about a specific car & all the maintenance procedures. A preliminary manual is also for a specific model.It reflects all the new features that are new for what ever year.( in this case a 1998 corvette).It explains these new features.It shows only the repairs of the new features.In other words you won,t be getting what you bid on which was the 3 volumes.
robsc501
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If you want to be sure that the manuals you get have all the pertinent stuff in them, get the final version. Not sure what additional information may have been added, but you might as well get the most current version you can.
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From: LEBANON PA.
1998 Chevrolet Corvette Service Manual: Preliminary Edition
Service Manual
I think this answers the question.
Complete 3-volume set of REAL factory preliminary manuals in good condition. There may be several references to "Refer to the 1997 final editions for full coverage". This set has only what was considered new for 1998, so if you aren't sure these'll do ya, you'd better pop for the more expensive final editions.
These are cheaper than a set of final editions even though they are nearly as thick!
List Price: $75.00
Our Price: $50.00
You Save $25.00!
copied from factoryautomanuals.com
BTW: My s/manual was $167.12 shipped 2 day air from helminc.com
Highland Park,Mi. 48203
As Jack said buy the factory manuals.
robsc501
Service Manual
I think this answers the question.
Complete 3-volume set of REAL factory preliminary manuals in good condition. There may be several references to "Refer to the 1997 final editions for full coverage". This set has only what was considered new for 1998, so if you aren't sure these'll do ya, you'd better pop for the more expensive final editions.
These are cheaper than a set of final editions even though they are nearly as thick!
List Price: $75.00
Our Price: $50.00
You Save $25.00!
copied from factoryautomanuals.com
BTW: My s/manual was $167.12 shipped 2 day air from helminc.com
Highland Park,Mi. 48203
As Jack said buy the factory manuals.
robsc501
Last edited by robsc501; Aug 6, 2009 at 07:55 AM. Reason: additional info.
