JadeVetti

Long ago has it been since my days of mulling through bids in the Ebay Motors section, and saving up to try and buy one when I was in school. But recently, Ebay has come to my attention again. There are some cars that are listed there that aren't brand new (and I prefer new), but close enough to knock a couple of thousands off the price.

My question is, has anyone used Ebay motors before or knows of someone who has? Is it credible enough to find and purchase cars? I have done research ( I love to research everything), and have found no negatives about it. But this is a car forum, and I feel that I am at an advantage of being able to ask real car enthusiasts their thoughts on it, and base my decisions on what I "hear". Thanks guys!

coolraoul

My Dad already sold a pair of cars through eBay, without any problem. They were old cars however, with a low price...
I think it depends...

You have the reputation system, useful to see. Don't buy to someone without a lot of reputation, or with a bad reputation!
Then you have the power seller, or even the officials that also have a store, and put the cars on eBay, here normally you have no particular risk.

You also have some strange things...often, for us in Europe, you have an offer of a very low-priced recent car sold from someone who bought it but needs to sell it because now he is in England... Once you won, you pay an amount of money and...bye-bye!! Often with a specific bank, whose name escapes me...

Also, never buy something if it is very interesting, very appealing, but nobody seems to be interested...

To sum-up, eBay is a place where there are good and bad things, you have to be careful, but you can buy something without any trouble. Or have troubles. Thing is that you have no real warranty...

I buy lots of things in eBay. However I am not ready to buy my car there. It is too important for me, I want to see it IRL and testdrive it before I buy it. And I prefer to pay a bit more but having a correct warranty and less risk... I was often accused to be a bit old-school...

JadeVetti

Yes I have bought collectible items from there, with no problem. I was looking at those vendors that were near me, so that I could go take a test drive, look it over, etc. I'm just convinced that there has to be a reason why someone would want to sell their Ferrari on Ebay instead of anywhere else, you know?

Your'e right about the power sellers and the dealerships that set up Ebay auction stores, they sound the most legitimate.

Alx

I thought this thread would have been more active, but since it is not I will entertain your curiosity...

E-Bay's credibility should not be in question in regards to a purchase, they are simply upholding a service for sellers, buyers, and window shoppers . Since you have purchased some collectibles you know how the system works...

I understand the scare in buying a MAJOR item without its tangability, especially when sending someone money on the blind. Nontheless, like anything you should take pre-cautions. Contacting the seller is key. Good communication will usually represent good service. When dealing with a actual NEW CAR franchised dealer its more or less the same as being there in person, the legality to the dealership is to severe to risk in any misrepresentation.

Requesting detailed current photographs of the item is second to none on the importance scale. A phone call from the buyer to the seller is probably the most valueable method of representing honesty and validity to the product. Reason being is you can ask them questions that they can only answer if the item is physically there or requires their activation of the item to answer your question. For the most part this proves the item is REAL, and that it works and furthermore that it is actually present.

These little tips can help put you at ease when acquiring something expensive or in the caliber of importance to oneself. Though, it shouldn't justify anything, just give you more assurance in the product and the seller.

As for cars, I have located several of the ones I OWN and OWNED on E-Bay Motors, and at times it has given me a good idea of the market value of a particular unit. More importantly, when looking for something rare, sometimes it is the ONLY way to locate a USED item efficiantly. To name a few, I bought my Audi S4 (yellow/black 6-Speed) in NJ several years ago from a used car dealer on RT.1/9. I located my Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG in Alabama, in the exact color combo that I wanted, with all the options I required and more. Just recently I bought a DB9 (click on my name to see a pic if you like) from a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Florida. Took a couple of days to get some details and questions answered, but it was the best deal for me, on a color combination that was a MUST, again with all the options that i really wanted.

You certainly take all the pre-cautions like CARFAX and Service Records if accessable with such purchases, but for the most part when dealing with high end items, USUALLY (strongly emphasized) these sellers are pretty honest due to the fact that their business is based on repeat customers and refferals. Cars in the high end range are not as easy to sell therefore the sellers and buyers build a repoir for future business.

I hope this answers some of your thoughts and questions in regards to buying and selling vehichles on E-Bay Motors. Being sensible is your only real safety net in regards to expensive purchases, use your better judgements and take all safety measures to make sure what your buying is legit.

drronh

I say its okay to locate cars on ebay, but never buy a car through ebay. I know of many horror stories. I was ripped off myself. You cannot just talk to the seller and look at photos. Photos are not accurate representations of a car. Sellers are car salepersons no matter how nice or honest they seem, period. Once you locate your car and ask your questions, you have to see and drive the car in person. I consider myself a Porsche expert, but I would not buy one unless I took a mechanic/body person with me. If I ever consider buying a car on ebay again, I will fly myself and my car restorer in Connecticut to where the car is to inspect it in person. I also would arrange the shipping myself. The car I bought on ebay sat for 2 months while they were arranging shipping. Finally I had my shipper pick up the car.

PS never ever deal with Schmidt Motors in St. Louis

Alx

OBVIOUSLY, you had quite the episode.... Unfortunate of course...

PPI (Pre Purchase Inspection) very important...

When I bought the DB9, I had (and still have the paper filed) the REPUTABLE MB dealership overnight me a certified/notarized letter from their Service Manager and GM, stating that after careful inspection the vehichle had no paint work ANYWHERE, nor was there any physical damage on the car, nor repairs made... I also had the service record pulled and enclosed as well...

There certainly are SO MANY more pre-cautions that should be taken, and I also have mentioned in my last post, that NO MATTER WHAT, nothing is ever certain.

You should have to be extra careful at times...

But i will still locate/purchase vehichles like I have in the past... never had any issues...

DRRONH, Thanks for the inputm hopefully Ms.JadeVetti here has had most of her questions answered....

drronh

My car had a clear carfax, and they swore body was perfect, no modifications, etc. "The most beautiful Porsche we have ever seen". The paint would have been better if Maaco did it. When confronted they said as far as they could tell no paintwork, etc and in their opionion it was the most beautiful Porsche they had ever seen. When it comes down to it, you have to use your own eyes on the car and a PPI by someone you know personally and can trust. I know people here who have done PPI's on cars I know have problems and they pass the car to help the local seller out. PPI's are not binding, they are just the opinion of the person doing them.