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Re: Ebay Experience

To: Gary Speckman <speckman@coredcs.com>
Subject: Re: Ebay Experience
From: "Paul A. Dolloff, Ph.D." <pauld@ekpc.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 1999 08:35:20 EST5EDT
Cc: spridgets@autox.team.net
In-reply-to: <199908040011.TAA09534@chaos.coredcs.com>
Organization: EKPC
Reply-to: "Paul A. Dolloff, Ph.D." <pauld@ekpc.com>
Sender: owner-spridgets@autox.team.net
Gary,

Thanks for sharing your e-bay experience with us.  I've seen some 
appealing ads on e-bay and have been tempted to bid on some of 
them myself.  Fortunately, you didn't have to make the trip for 
nothing.

I think this example is exactly why our directory and e-mail list 
asked if we would be willing to check cars for others prior to 
purchases.  There is no substitute for a visual inspection.

Thanks again,
Paul

From:                   Gary Speckman <speckman@coredcs.com>

> I would like to share an experience my son had recently when bidding on an
> MG offered in Ebay.  Following is the description of the car that was
> provided on the ebay site.  There was also a picture of a very nice looking
> BRG Midget.  It looked and sounded like a good deal.  My son was the second
> highest bidder and became the high bidder after the the original bidder
> backed out of the deal.
> 
> This car is 1000 miles from our location, in Wisconsin.  
> 
> I dont know if the authors of the correspondence are on this list or not, I
> have left out their names/location.  I just thought it was a good learning
> experience,.. ALWAYS get specific independant information, if possible, when
> looking to buy a car sight unseen.  Thankfully, the high bidder wrote to my
> son with an honest description of the car, saving us a 2000 mile round trip.
> 
> I have been off this list for two weeks, if this is all "old news" please
> accept my apologies.
> 
> Gar
> 
> 
> The "ad" as shown on Ebay read:
> 
> "Fabulous 1971 MG Midget. VIN # GAN5UC106930G. 85,000 Miles. Clear
> Title. Never been in an accident. >British Racing Green. Black seats
> need recovering. Convertible Soft top is in good condition. No rips.
> The >paint is in decent condition. 4 speed manual transmission.
> Original Paint. Original Engine. No rust/corrosion. >Solid floor pans.
> No a/c. All glass intact. am/fm radio. wire wheels in good condition.
> Tires in good condition. >Runs Great, can be driven away. Dash is in
> good condition." 
> 
> 
> The report back from the first high bidder after backing out of the deal:
> 
> "Car was lightly hit drivers front, headlight bodged to accomodate. Car
> has spent considerable time outside, top might be original and while
> not ripped is very very tired w/ completely fogged windows.  Both door
> glass have many deep vertical scratches, and barely crank, although
> they do. The car is a rust bucket. There are 6-9" holes in the trunk
> corners behind the rear wheels, (repaired with spray foam) and much
> rust between the top of the rocker and the bottom of the fender
> drivers side front. (Owner claims that is do to abrasion ie. the
> rubbing of the fender to the rocker during use. (hogwash)) The car
> needs inner rockers and it's just starting to show.  Going over the
> lower body with a magnet reveals horrors. This car (red originally)
> was bondo'd up some years ago and repainted green. There is LOTS of
> bondo here, in many places the magnet wouldn't stick at all!  The
> radio is a piece of junk as is the whole interior. Instrements are
> badly weathered, the top of the dash is SHOT (typically) and is
> covered with a moulded repair dash cover. Looks terrible.  Non
> standard, cheap old worn steering wheel.  Red engine bay shows much
> corosion and battery damage.
>  
> Car has new battery and runs very nicely. I did not check compression
> or drive it.
>  
> I traveled 435 miles EACH way towing a car trailer to retrieve this
> car.   I declined. I feel this seller was very much less than
> honerable in his ad. He claims his daughter wrote his ad's and that it
> just "got by him"
>  
> Buyer beware"
> 



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