If You Think Its Too Good To Be True...........It Usually Is

[Chargerjase]

Well, Iv'e been buying parts for my 73 Charger from all different sources, ebay being one of them. Found some side marker lights for 71-74 Chargers for $5 for 6 of them. Wow what a deal, or so I thought. Now in the pictures they didn't look perfect, but definitely restorable. I checked out the other pictures properly and the lenses all looked good. I didn't bother to ask questions (my bad), but since it was only five bucks..........well you know.

Long story short, I sent them to my buddies house (who I work with) in the US, who in turn hand carried them to me. I got them home to New Zealand and what did I find inside.............Junk. Every lens was cracked or broken through. Packaging was perfect so they definitely started their journey like that.

Who in there right mind would sell something like that? The description on ebay said they were in 'driver condition'. Take that as you will, but I normally think that means in used condition but not perfect. Not total junk.

Anyway moral of the story is, always check out purchases thoroughly before committing to buy, and also ask questions.

Lesson learn't, and only cost me $5........oh plus shipping of course.

 

[Quinterogerardo]

Sorry to hear that, just take it like you donated 5 bucks to help an asshole, get a life. (Your good deed of the week)

 

[WP29440SE]

I don't know why you wouldn't just spend the 40 bucks and get them brand new lol http://www.ebay.com/itm/Side-marker...973|Model:Charger&hash=item4d15da57f7&vxp=mtr

cant beat 10 bucks a piece

 

[Cranky]

The aholes rely on people who don't take a good look and ask questions. Pictures also make things look better in most cases than they are but some cameras make things actually look worse. I feel most people are pretty honest but some will try to hide the truth. For what it's worth, what was his E-bay reputation? I've bought things off of there too and so far, so good.

 

[Bruzilla]

My bad deal was I bought a set of sail panel covers for my Road Runner off eBay that were listed as being for a Road Runner but ended up being for an SE Charger. They cost me $30 plus shipping but it was hard to get too upset about them because in the grand scheme of things I had saved probably 200 times that amount by then by buying parts off eBay. It's tough to bat a thousand in this hobby, but I'm happy with a .999.

Also, intact packaging can be misleading. Wouldn't take too many drops to start cracking 40 year old plastic that's thin to begin with.

 

[kb67mopar]

Things like this are what keeps me from ebay. When it comes to parts for my B-body I buy from people on this site, reputable parts warehouses like classic industries and summit racing, or locally where I can physically inspect the parts.

Beyond that I choose not to look and be tempted. Too many A-holes on ebay.

 

[Bruzilla]

Well, if you can find someone who will sell you a complete slap stick shifter assembly, brackets, and console for $200 someplace else, snag it. eBay saved me a TON of money getting my car back on the road.

 

[Meep-Meep]

I think you have to approach every flea bay transaction as if every seller is out to screw you. Some of these people use these internet sites as a garbage can - plus shipping.

Sorry to hear about your misfortune but it's good to post the good, the bad and the ugly to flag other potential buyers.

 

[Bruzilla]

I couldn't agree more. I think everyone should look elsewhere for their parts and allow me to absorb all the risk of buying on eBay. I am willing to take one for the team!

 

[NJRR]

Caveat Emptor, Let the buyer beware. I buy a lot of different things on Ebay. A few things were "not as described" or damaged or DOA. Ebay has a buyer protection plan. I have never lost money.

 

[kiwigtx]

That is where paying with PayPal can be a saviour. I had two purchases in the last year that never turned up. I wrote to PayPal and was refunded within a week for both. Get your facts straight, be honest and Paypal will back you every time.

 

[Budnicks]

E-scam has gotten worse in the past few years, I'm pretty selective on who I buy from & what I buy anymore, been burned too many times, misrepresentation of the sale... even asking for photos & detailed description, too many hassles, even if you get your money back... I just mostly deal with parts I can see & feel, or from people I know for the most part, far less issues, not always waiting & being disappointed as much anymore... Buyers beware, it's mostly frequent sellers or frequent cheap price shopper/buyers, daily E-scam browsers, that seem to love E-Bay/Scam... IMHFO car parts are a different deal than buying/selling toys, Tv's, furniture, statues, etc.... I know a few people that love it, I ain't one of them people... many companies have now gone to using E-scam for there online sales & listing, it covers a broad spectrum... sometimes if you need something you can't avoid buying thru them... If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck & quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck...

Well, Iv'e been buying parts for my 73 Charger from all different sources, ebay being one of them. Found some side marker lights for 71-74 Chargers for $5 for 6 of them. Wow what a deal, or so I thought. Now in the pictures they didn't look perfect, but definitely restorable. I checked out the other pictures properly and the lenses all looked good. I didn't bother to ask questions (my bad), but since it was only five bucks..........well you know.

Long story short, I sent them to my buddies house (who I work with) in the US, who in turn hand carried them to me. I got them home to New Zealand and what did I find inside.............Junk. Every lens was cracked or broken through. Packaging was perfect so they definitely started their journey like that.

Who in there right mind would sell something like that? The description on ebay said they were in 'driver condition'. Take that as you will, but I normally think that means in used condition but not perfect. Not total junk.

Anyway moral of the story is, always check out purchases thoroughly before committing to buy, and also ask questions.

Lesson learn't, and only cost me $5........oh plus shipping of course.

I'm not really fond of waiting for E-scam auctions to end & all the sill bidding either... I've had really good luck on www.Craigslist.com & www.Racingjunk.com, even some Amazon stuff... mostly just buy from a reputable company I have dealt with already, too many private parties/people selling rusty ol'junk parts for the prices if it was gold {especially Mopar stuff it seems}, misrepresenting them & claiming it's good... due your due diligence... it's a 50/50 shot at best

 

[Chargerjase]

Thanks guys for all the good advice. One thing is for sure, I have learn't my lesson with this and thankfully it didn't cost me much. I will still use ebay as well as other sources but will be a lot more careful with questions I ask etc. Yeah, you are right 77, I was being cheap and as the title of the thread goes, it WAS too good to be true lol. I will probably go for the NOS ones because they are USA made and quality assured, wheras the repro ones are made in China and quality is.......well who knows?

 

[Belvedere418]

I buy and sell regularly on Ebay. I saved thousands building my Mustang and have already scored a couple great deals on parts for my Belvedere build. I can say I have had a couple bad experiences but overall I would recommend Ebay to anyone who like to bargin shop. To the OP,the term driver quality by no means assures your getting quality parts. I learned that the hard way. If the pics aren't good enough ask for more. If you are unsure about anything ask questions. If the items you receive don't match the sellers description he/she is obligated to take them back.

 

[GrabberOrange69]

I use E-bay, and like others here have had mostly good experiences. Just a few bad ones. I rarely put any bid on an item before its closing time. Every good deal I've gotten is through "sniping" right at the end. This clears the shill bidding game a little and has allowed me to save hundred of bucks. But you have to babysit it at the end.

 

[coloradodave]

By far the best recourse is to hit that 'negative' buying experience button and let everyone know what happened after contacting the seller and giving them a chance to make it right. For those that don't check the seller's rating, or don't leave feedback, "you pays your money and takes your chances". I buy and sell a lot on Ebay and don't deal with anyone who doesn't have at least a high 90s rating. It works for me...

 

[khryslerkid]

by far the best recourse is to hit that 'negative' buying experience button and let everyone know what happened after contacting the seller and giving them a chance to make it right. For those that don't check the seller's rating, or don't leave feedback, "you pays your money and takes your chances". I buy and sell a lot on ebay and don't deal with anyone who doesn't have at least a high 90s rating. It works for me...

x2 !!!