Is ebay for jokers?
Discussion
Thought I'd look at this ad because the "buy it now" price of £37,500 indicated something special (I thought).
No doubt it's a nice car but the owner doesn't even know if it has the original engine or if it was a big block or what (don't think they made on in '64).
"Side vents and fenders are '67 style"? chrome parts? non original wheels? shouldn't it be a 327?
Blimey how much would this guy want if it was totally original, a million quid or what?
Ho Ho, fetures Ebay standard protection covering the buyer up to £120, hello the car is 37 and a half grand! How about that for peace of mind?!
No doubt it's a nice car but the owner doesn't even know if it has the original engine or if it was a big block or what (don't think they made on in '64).
"Side vents and fenders are '67 style"? chrome parts? non original wheels? shouldn't it be a 327?
Blimey how much would this guy want if it was totally original, a million quid or what?
Ho Ho, fetures Ebay standard protection covering the buyer up to £120, hello the car is 37 and a half grand! How about that for peace of mind?!
Sorry Richard, forgot to post the link. Maybe I should be a "carfinder" as I'm always looking at the classifieds to see what's about (as if you guys hadn't spotted that!)
I'd be a good person to take along to view a vette - probably get into plenty of rows where the seller tries to give it copious amounts of b*llsh*t "not for the faint hearted, sex on wheels, etc".
Even made a dealer back down once on his 94 Corvette that turned out to be a 93 and another dealer who had a C5 for sale that had had "no painting done to it at all" Within 5 minutes me and my mate who went to see it had the trader admitting that it had had, a wing and front bumper painted as well as a new door and mirrors. We also found a nail in a tyre and cracked front discs that he said wouldn't be covered under the warranty. I was actually close to buying that car too - £20,500 for a red 98(S) loaded C5 more than 2 years ago looked good value at the time. Doesn't sound that dear now?
What amazes me about cars like the 1964 vette for sale
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2468306913&category=18301
is that people are actually trying to pass them off as a car they don't know much about. If I was buying any car I'd research like a lunatic first. For my current car I emailed Callaway to check the VIN and asked them what to look for, and I found out all the info I could before even looking at it. I didn't go and buy a Corvette and then think "wow, what are those shiny things under the hood, might even be a callaway!?"
I think some of these guys are trying to have you believe that even they don't know what they have, that you might be picking up something real special that'll set you up for life". Like the "low mileage Hemi Cuda that some old lady's kept in a barn that she used to use for shopping" yawn, not that old chestnut again...
I'd be a good person to take along to view a vette - probably get into plenty of rows where the seller tries to give it copious amounts of b*llsh*t "not for the faint hearted, sex on wheels, etc".
Even made a dealer back down once on his 94 Corvette that turned out to be a 93 and another dealer who had a C5 for sale that had had "no painting done to it at all" Within 5 minutes me and my mate who went to see it had the trader admitting that it had had, a wing and front bumper painted as well as a new door and mirrors. We also found a nail in a tyre and cracked front discs that he said wouldn't be covered under the warranty. I was actually close to buying that car too - £20,500 for a red 98(S) loaded C5 more than 2 years ago looked good value at the time. Doesn't sound that dear now?
What amazes me about cars like the 1964 vette for sale
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2468306913&category=18301
is that people are actually trying to pass them off as a car they don't know much about. If I was buying any car I'd research like a lunatic first. For my current car I emailed Callaway to check the VIN and asked them what to look for, and I found out all the info I could before even looking at it. I didn't go and buy a Corvette and then think "wow, what are those shiny things under the hood, might even be a callaway!?"
I think some of these guys are trying to have you believe that even they don't know what they have, that you might be picking up something real special that'll set you up for life". Like the "low mileage Hemi Cuda that some old lady's kept in a barn that she used to use for shopping" yawn, not that old chestnut again...
Hi Malc, I went to look at a '48 Lincoln Continental yesterday in SW8. Priced at £12K! Described as remaining part of a 15 strong ex Japanese collection, in good order but the paint was effected with a few microblisters.
The cars paint actually looked like a Jaffa orange, the seats had been part re-upholstered in vynil. The car was not registered, the purchaser would need to get an mot, the dealer would then apply for registration documents. The dealer commented 'oh it will sail through an MOT', my reply being with the issues re paint etc. wouldn't it be easier for you to sell if you mot and register it ? His response 'oh it will then be more than £12K' Why are there so many unprofessional people looking for gullible people to buy ?
The cars paint actually looked like a Jaffa orange, the seats had been part re-upholstered in vynil. The car was not registered, the purchaser would need to get an mot, the dealer would then apply for registration documents. The dealer commented 'oh it will sail through an MOT', my reply being with the issues re paint etc. wouldn't it be easier for you to sell if you mot and register it ? His response 'oh it will then be more than £12K' Why are there so many unprofessional people looking for gullible people to buy ?
Though this is not strictly true a trader once said to me "a car with out an MoT is worthless".
What he meant was that a car needs an MoT in this country to legally be on the road (we all hate laws but there you are). Plus without an MoT you can't get tax if it doesn't have tax (sound like that Lincoln couldn't have had it) and then you're open to all kinds of hassle from the cops and who needs that.
If a car will sail through its MoT, then why not sail it through, eh?
When I went to buy my car it only had a month left and my first thought was "holy sh*te, could be paying out big time soon, like what if it doesn't pass emissions, could be off the road (sometimes it pays to think the worst, especially if you're abouyt to spend a load of mone)"
So the guy went off and put a year's Mot on it. Whether the garage "helped him out" a bit I didn't know or care, it just meant peace of mind and one hassle out of the way for a year!
Interestinh how there are a couple fo US cars being advertised as from Japan?
Talking of misdescription: If you've seen the red LT1 Corvette on autotrader (now reduced to £9995) it's advertised as a 96 and it's actually a 92 (grey rocker covers, only year these are fitted to an LT1 is 92) plus look at the interior, it aint no 96.
Why do they have to lie or exaggerate - no I'll stick with lie.
What he meant was that a car needs an MoT in this country to legally be on the road (we all hate laws but there you are). Plus without an MoT you can't get tax if it doesn't have tax (sound like that Lincoln couldn't have had it) and then you're open to all kinds of hassle from the cops and who needs that.
If a car will sail through its MoT, then why not sail it through, eh?
When I went to buy my car it only had a month left and my first thought was "holy sh*te, could be paying out big time soon, like what if it doesn't pass emissions, could be off the road (sometimes it pays to think the worst, especially if you're abouyt to spend a load of mone)"
So the guy went off and put a year's Mot on it. Whether the garage "helped him out" a bit I didn't know or care, it just meant peace of mind and one hassle out of the way for a year!
Interestinh how there are a couple fo US cars being advertised as from Japan?
Talking of misdescription: If you've seen the red LT1 Corvette on autotrader (now reduced to £9995) it's advertised as a 96 and it's actually a 92 (grey rocker covers, only year these are fitted to an LT1 is 92) plus look at the interior, it aint no 96.
Why do they have to lie or exaggerate - no I'll stick with lie.
Years ago I was looking for a particular car and there wasn't many about. I found one advertised right down near the New Forrest I spoke to the guy on the phone and he sounded genuine enough. I told him I would come and take a look but it was along way for me so I wanted to know about any thing that may put me off the car. His only reply was that he had a fire in his garage and so the cars history is incomplete because some of it got burnt. I'm not one for car history anyway so I left to view the car.
You just would not believe the piece of sh*t he was advertising as VGC. He failed to mention to me on the phone that when he had the garage fire the bloody car was in the garage !! All the rubbers, the spoiler and trim had melted in the fire. The car was full of straw, water, all kinds of other crap and was in a really bad way. It ran but had a blown head gaskit and the turbos were so f***ed you would get less smoke by buring a stack of oil soaked tyres.
Did this guy really expect me to drive all the way there and then walk round his car with my eyes shut ?
You just would not believe the piece of sh*t he was advertising as VGC. He failed to mention to me on the phone that when he had the garage fire the bloody car was in the garage !! All the rubbers, the spoiler and trim had melted in the fire. The car was full of straw, water, all kinds of other crap and was in a really bad way. It ran but had a blown head gaskit and the turbos were so f***ed you would get less smoke by buring a stack of oil soaked tyres.
Did this guy really expect me to drive all the way there and then walk round his car with my eyes shut ?
Mad aint it! I went to Blackpool once to see an 85 Corvette.
Aftrer speaking to the guy a couple of times on the phone to make sure the car was a good 'un I took the day off and went up there (took over 4 hours each way).
I was expecting to buy this car as the guy sounded like an absolute fanatic, he went on about the Corvette mats he bought specially, new tyres, etc.
When I got there I couldn't believe it. It obviously had a tart-up respray (Ferrari red, he called it and it was a nice colour, better than Torch red IMHO).
What he didn't tell me was what a dog the car was, the car stuttered and stumbled like it was out of gas, tickover was between 200 and 2000 rpm (he told me "they all do that", what when they're new pal?)The door shuts were matt black (why?) the tyres were totally worn out (all 4), it had coat hangers holding the back boxes up (really!!!), the engine and inside of the hood were painted and looked horrible, the interior was worn out (except the mats...)
I drove it and it was obvious the steering rack was dead as I had the wheel partl;y turned in a stright line(!) The thing absolutely scared the life out of me (not fast, I couldn't tell what direction I was going!)
Despite the fact he said he'd take "no offers" on the phone, as I was showing no interest and getting ready to leave, he was knocking off 500, 1000, £1500. I just wasn't interested, the car was a joke.
So in all I wasted about 10 hours of my life and fuel and a meal at a "little chef" each way, and a day off work.
It wouldn't have been any worse if it had been in a garage fire!!!
Aftrer speaking to the guy a couple of times on the phone to make sure the car was a good 'un I took the day off and went up there (took over 4 hours each way).
I was expecting to buy this car as the guy sounded like an absolute fanatic, he went on about the Corvette mats he bought specially, new tyres, etc.
When I got there I couldn't believe it. It obviously had a tart-up respray (Ferrari red, he called it and it was a nice colour, better than Torch red IMHO).
What he didn't tell me was what a dog the car was, the car stuttered and stumbled like it was out of gas, tickover was between 200 and 2000 rpm (he told me "they all do that", what when they're new pal?)The door shuts were matt black (why?) the tyres were totally worn out (all 4), it had coat hangers holding the back boxes up (really!!!), the engine and inside of the hood were painted and looked horrible, the interior was worn out (except the mats...)
I drove it and it was obvious the steering rack was dead as I had the wheel partl;y turned in a stright line(!) The thing absolutely scared the life out of me (not fast, I couldn't tell what direction I was going!)
Despite the fact he said he'd take "no offers" on the phone, as I was showing no interest and getting ready to leave, he was knocking off 500, 1000, £1500. I just wasn't interested, the car was a joke.
So in all I wasted about 10 hours of my life and fuel and a meal at a "little chef" each way, and a day off work.
It wouldn't have been any worse if it had been in a garage fire!!!
The Americans are really bad at selling cars. I've lost count of the e-mails I've sent asking for information on cars being sold on Auto Trader - an open invitation to "sell me the car" but their replies are short. I asked one guy who advertised his car as $39000 or best offer what he would accept as a base line price to conclude a deal today. His amazing e-mail reply was "$39000 or make me an offer".
Another guy was asked to deliver a car 50 miles to a guy who was going to export for me. No, too busy, he said. OK. How about some photos? No, get your guy to take some. OK, can you ring him. No, get him to ring me. OK, good luck selling your car then.
I once went all the way across country to see a Trans Am which needed a few things doing to it and certainly wasn't the mint car being described in the ad. We got within £250 of each other and he let me walk away. He should have been on that car programme.
Another guy was asked to deliver a car 50 miles to a guy who was going to export for me. No, too busy, he said. OK. How about some photos? No, get your guy to take some. OK, can you ring him. No, get him to ring me. OK, good luck selling your car then.
I once went all the way across country to see a Trans Am which needed a few things doing to it and certainly wasn't the mint car being described in the ad. We got within £250 of each other and he let me walk away. He should have been on that car programme.
Is this one of the dodgy scam ones that Malc has mentioned? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6168&item=2467706623 Or really good value at the 'buy it now' price?
If genuine can anyone suggest total cost to get it on the road basing it on the 'buy it now' price.
Mark
Or this one http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6168&item=2467664526 Are these normal prices????
>> Edited by mark387mw on Tuesday 23 March 19:05
If genuine can anyone suggest total cost to get it on the road basing it on the 'buy it now' price.
Mark
Or this one http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6168&item=2467664526 Are these normal prices????
>> Edited by mark387mw on Tuesday 23 March 19:05
These don't stand out as obvious scams, must admit I like the photos of the "buy it now" Z06, looks like Nigel's!
Some of the cars I've spotted recently have been ridiculous. I can't remember the exact details now but you might be able to find the threads of a couple of recent C5 " bargains". I think there was a 2003 Z06 for about £8000 or something. That IS ridiculous, tell me a dealer wouldn't offer you a lot more even to a desperate seller?
Regardless I'd have to see (and drive)a car I was interested in buying, I couldn't just "buy it now"!
Remember the cars you spotted may seem cheap because the dollar exchange rate is in our favour and may even be genuine good -buys even after importing, paying VAT, etc.
If you hunt around the internet a bit you may find that these cars are offerred at a fair market price for the US, especially at a time when people are looking out for the C6.
Some of the cars I've spotted recently have been ridiculous. I can't remember the exact details now but you might be able to find the threads of a couple of recent C5 " bargains". I think there was a 2003 Z06 for about £8000 or something. That IS ridiculous, tell me a dealer wouldn't offer you a lot more even to a desperate seller?
Regardless I'd have to see (and drive)a car I was interested in buying, I couldn't just "buy it now"!
Remember the cars you spotted may seem cheap because the dollar exchange rate is in our favour and may even be genuine good -buys even after importing, paying VAT, etc.
If you hunt around the internet a bit you may find that these cars are offerred at a fair market price for the US, especially at a time when people are looking out for the C6.
Wow, don't tell me they've been rumbled already? All 3 cars have been removed.
Actually I only have room for one car which is a bit of a bind - the 'cuda is the only car I would have actually had an interest in buying.
Here's the text from my email sent on the 'cuda last night (look at the current bid!)
Hi, is this car in the UK. I'd like to view it if it is. I currently own a 90 Callaway Corvette twin turbo 6-speed if you're interested in a trade?
Look forward to your reply. Malc
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Question from: malc350
Title of item: Plymouth : Barracuda
Seller: fizzblue
Starts: 23-Mar-04 21:05:23 GMT
Ends: 26-Mar-04 21:05:23 GMT
Price: Currently US $1,544.00
To view the item, go to: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2469247693
Actually I only have room for one car which is a bit of a bind - the 'cuda is the only car I would have actually had an interest in buying.
Here's the text from my email sent on the 'cuda last night (look at the current bid!)
Hi, is this car in the UK. I'd like to view it if it is. I currently own a 90 Callaway Corvette twin turbo 6-speed if you're interested in a trade?
Look forward to your reply. Malc
--------------------
Question from: malc350
Title of item: Plymouth : Barracuda
Seller: fizzblue
Starts: 23-Mar-04 21:05:23 GMT
Ends: 26-Mar-04 21:05:23 GMT
Price: Currently US $1,544.00
To view the item, go to: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2469247693
Yeah the car has disapperared from ebay. Looking at the seller's profile, he is in the UK but seems to be one of a number of people on ebay who are buying and selling a vast array of items with no concentration on a particlar theme and no track record in say selling cars. As I have said before I have bought loads of Vette models from ebay with no problems. Buying a real car from ebay seems to be an area to be very very cautious about.
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