In a message dated 6/30/02 8:21:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
kshertz@bellatlantic.net writes:
>
> Anyone care to share a story?
>
>
I've purchased 2 MG's through the BBS (www.mgcars.org), 68 BGT and a 52 TD.
I've also purchased many parts through that source.
As far as e-Bay goes, it is a great parts source, but one day, a fairly close
69 B caught my eye. I watched the price rise, put in a bid, was quickly
outbid, and let it go. It went for around $1400. Ad said solid car, need
minor mechanical work & tune up, and the 2 pictures included looked very nice.
I recognized the e-Bay name of the guy who won, and had seen him win several
MG's (midgets, B's, A's -- he even outbid me for a Midget in south jersey)
and then would see the same car back up a few weeks later. I then put 2 + 2
together and figured him to be a habitual deadbeat (maybe some kid having
laughs?!?), so I sent the seller an e-mail saying if the sale fell tthrough,
give me a call.
Well, 2 weeks later I get an e-mail that the sale fell through, and if I was
interested it was mine. Since they were only about 40 minutes away, I
arranged to view the vehicle. BOY AM I GLAD!!!! Had I won the auction, I
would have been pretty pissed when I went to collect the car. Significant
rust throughout (floors, inner sills, trunk, lower fenders, etc.) the car
failed the refrigerator magnet test all over, basically a major restoration.
The previous owner had replaced the outer sills and done some major bondo
work, so that he could have an outwardly nice appearing car. Hence, the good
pictures.
I told the guy I would have to think about it, then ended up offering a
couple hundred. He accepted. A few weekends in the garage and I got the
engine running okay, discovered it had an O/D transmission, the trunk which
was stuck shut finally opened to reveal a bunch of spares. Plus, the guy
gave me several boxes of spares as he wanted to rid himself of MG's. Bottom
line was we were both happy, but only becasue I inspected the vehicle before
setting the $$.
You take a risk with cars on e-Bay, no question. If I was in the market for
another MG (boy, I really need an MGA!) I would consider e-Bay, but would
establish contact early with the seller, ask plenty of very specific, pointed
questions, get several extra e-pics, and get an agreement that if the car is
not as represented upon final inspection, the deal would be off. Therein
lies the key. I doubt I would pay full for the car and have it shipped (more
$$$) sight unseen. I figure I would travel to get the car, and give it a
review before handing over the final cashier's check.
...but that's just me....
Steve in NJ
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