Got burned on e-bay this morning!!!

Eli K · 08-02-2004, 02:20 PM

I purchased the 1974 Porsche 911 with "buy now" option. Within minutes I followed up with the following e-mail.

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On Monday, August 2, 2004, at 12:52 PM, Ilya Karchov wrote:
Hi Chris,
I am the fortunate buyer of your '74 911. I'd like to arrange a time with you to pick it up tomorrow (Tuesday). I'd like to pay cash, if you whish I can paypal you a deposit now. Please advise.
Thanks
Ilya Karchov

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Below is the response I recieved.

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From: Chris England
To: Ilya Karchov
Subject: Re: I am the buyer of your '74 911
Date: Mon, 02 Aug 2004 13:03:48 -0400

Dear llya,

Glad to see you won the auction!
Cash is just fine. I can't meet tomorrow - but Wednesday is
fine.
Understand, the car will be in your name - so you might want to register it before you drive it.
Just email me so we can set up a time.

Thanks,
Chris

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In response I wrote the following

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On Monday, August 2, 2004, at 01:07 PM, Ilya Karchov wrote:

Chris,

Wednesday is fine. Please let me know what time works, best for you, as I am driving from Northern Virginia.
What's a good number to reach you to discuss the details, etc.

Thanks
Ilya Karchov

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From this point on things started getting suspicious...
I recieved another e-mail 2 hours after sending the above message
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>>>From: Chris England
>>>To: Ilya Karchov
>>>Subject: Re: I am the buyer of your '74 911
>>>Date: Mon, 02 Aug 2004 15:39:01 -0400

Dear IIya,
I hate to tell you this - the car is having some BIG mechanical problems.
I went to start it - got huge amount of white smoke - and it is dead.
I had it towed to my mechanic. He tells me that it is a MAJOR problem ( seals and rings ).
So - if you do not want the car I understand. Please email me.
Thanks

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I e-mailed the following in response

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On Monday, August 2, 2004, at 03:52 PM, Ilya Karchov wrote:

Chris,
It's fine, I'll be there on Wednesday as I already booked my ticket. We'll sort it out then. If anything I can get it here on a flatbed.
Ilya

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And his response below

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From: Chris England
>To: Ilya Karchov
>Subject: Re: I am the buyer of your '74 911
>Date: Mon, 02 Aug 2004 16:04:04 -0400

I can't sell it to you.
The car is dead.
I told my mechanic he could have it for parts.
I am sorry if this has caused you a problem.
I hope you really did not buy a ticket - you said you were driving up.
Chris

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I suspect the guy got a higher offer from someone else after I've already elected to buy the car, and the above is his way of trying to back out of the deal. I find it very difficult to believe that 2 hours after we agreed to meet on Wednesday, he
- started the car,

- saw the smoke,

- had the car towed to his mechanic,

- had the mechanic dismantle the engine to determine the problem was caused by rings etc..

Oh well...sorry to rant on...just a bit pissed!!!

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

ask to speak with the mechanic.

JustJordan · 08-02-2004, 02:30 PM

Depending on the price of your ticket, and whether or not you are able to get a full refund, I would consider taking action against him.

vash · vash's Garage

i am with toby. talk to the wrench.

after that, talk to his fairy godmother, because he is making this up. (granted, i am a cynic)

SteveStromberg · 08-02-2004, 03:17 PM

E Bay I just never got the E bay thing. And who in their riight mind would buy a car without seeing it in person?

Eli K · 08-02-2004, 03:47 PM

That's alright...you probably never got the "internet thing" either until recently. FYI, if the car is not exactly as described in the ad, you're not obligated to buy it...give the "e bay" thing a shot, you may like it....

1973911s · 08-02-2004, 04:00 PM

Siberian,

Which car did you buy from Ebay, was it that good of a deal?

Michael

Eli K · 08-02-2004, 05:00 PM

Here is the link...you be the judge....

Good deal???

Icemaster · Icemaster's Garage

Sib, dude,

Seriously. If you tried to pay with stolen Amex travelers checks...I think he might have a case...

Eli K · 08-02-2004, 05:07 PM

that was the guy before me...I offered a cash deal...

North Coast Cab · North Coast Cab's Garage

I think that's a great deal and you got screwed. With any luck the new buyer will leave feedback.

John

JustJordan · 08-02-2004, 05:17 PM

What about the plane ticket? It was bought on false pretense. That is worth a lot more than a bad rap on EBay...

turbo6bar · 08-02-2004, 05:45 PM

You're being screwed. You can either go after him, or you can let his Karma screw him back.

VaSteve · 08-02-2004, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JustJordan
What about the plane ticket? It was bought on false pretense. That is worth a lot more than a bad rap on EBay...

Jordan might be right. If you purchased something (airline ticket) based on reliance on something someone else would do for you (sell you the car) you should be entitled to restitution if the person backs out. I think that you were "induced" into buying the ticket - been a long time since biz law, but searching on that might bring you closer to resultion.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by North Coast Cab
I think that's a great deal and you got screwed. With any luck the new buyer will leave feedback.

John

The "new buyer" will not leave feedback because it was sold off of ebay. Siberian can leave scathing feedback however, enough to render (the seller's) ebay account worthless. And you should.

Unleash holy hell on this punk. Just for the why not. Threaten to sue him for your actual losses and breach if contract, just like he threatens to against non-performing bidders in his listing. Make him squirm, if nothing else, and maybe you can still get the car. Write to him that you know he is lying, that his reason for breaking the contract is not legally valid, etc.... Ask for the mechanic's phone#. Tell him about the feedback you will leave, and sue him as well.

Do you get the feeling that this type of thing chaps my ass?

I just bought a 911 for "buy it now" price on ebay for a good deal, I'll let everyone know how it went down once it's in my hands.

Eli K · 08-02-2004, 06:09 PM

Does that mean you're selling the '82 SC?

speeder · speeder's Garage

Not at this time, Bro.

Bought an early 911 "project", (famous last words around here).

vash · vash's Garage

that is a damn good price, isnt it?

Eli K · 08-02-2004, 06:28 PM

yep....then again, what did I get for it???

turbo6bar · 08-02-2004, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by speeder
Unleash holy hell on this punk. Just for the why not. Threaten to sue him for your actual losses and breach if contract, just like he threatens to against non-performing bidders in his listing. Make him squirm, if nothing else, and maybe you can still get the car.

While I agree with making the guy sweat, I wouldn't be so eager to get this car. The seller could wipe his willy all over the steering wheel before handing Karchov the keys, and that's assuming the seller isn't one sadistic little mofo.