*********** and Ebay, any problems?

Joeaksa · 03-05-2003, 02:32 PM

I purchased a set of early (69-73) front turn signals through a Ebay auction on 13 Feb from Neil of ***********. Paid him via Pay Pal within 24 hours and included my address and assumed that they would be sent my way.

Not a word from him in a week or so and no lights. Sent a note to him and he said that he was waiting for my payment and address. Sent him a copy of my Pay Pal invoice where it has my address and he then checked his Pay Pal account and found the money. He promised that the turn signals would be sent "right out"...

Its now almost three weeks since the auction and nothing in the mail or UPS. I have emailed him a week ago and again yesterday asking for tracking information and not a response. Just checked his feedback on Ebay and its very poor, with three negative comments in the last 6 months and one in the last month.

Anyone else have any dealings with Neil of ***********? Suggestions? I am getting ready to report him to Ebay if I cannot get an answer out of him but really do not want to... however no response at all from my emails leave me little choice.

JoeA

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33717&item=2402816365&rd=1

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Not specifically with Neil....but Automobile Atlanta is a nightmare on the 914 scene. Usually it's an idjut by the name of Treadway that runs all the ebay stuff.

Run a search on the 914 archives and you will get an eyeful. They are the equal to Motor Meister in low down scum ratings....

mikeferg75 · mikeferg75's Garage

I was burned by them on ebay as well. My product was not as described, took forever, ect ect. I'm mainly on the 914 board, and if you do a search, I think you will find many feel the same way. Never again for me, not if they have the last part on earth. Ferg.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Took a look at his feedback. Guy has a 30% (3 out 9) deal complaint rating.

Hope ya used a credit card, Joe.....

Joeaksa · 03-05-2003, 05:09 PM

Just got an email from him saying "I don't think that I haven't been responding to your emails but you will have your lights soon"...

At least I got an email from him! I charge everything on Pay Pal with a AmEx card and they are very good to work with. He now has to the end of the week then I cancel the charge...

Thanks for the input and wonder why people act like this? Life is so much easier to do it the honest and professional way...

Joe

jester911 · jester911's Garage

Living here in the Atlanta area most everyone knows about the shady dealings at ***********. I think their rep is worse locally than it is on e-bay and such
They have been around for years but nobody seems to be able to figure out how.

Joeaksa · 03-05-2003, 06:26 PM

Jerry,

Thanks for the input. I had wondered how they were with the local people but it they are playing games where they live as well then my chances of getting them to stand up to their auction are slim.

I get to Atlanta every month or so and if Neil does not get his act together, and shortly, I will pay him a personal visit, and bring a friend who is a policeman with me. Sometimes that works wonders...

Joe

03-05-2003, 06:35 PM

Joe,
Are you going to use these as molds for the repro signals?

pwd72s · 03-05-2003, 06:41 PM

Better yet...show up with a Lawyer. He doesn't even have to actually be a lawyer, or say a word...just a distinguished looking older guy in a suit, who plops a tape recorder on the desk, drags a legal pad & a Mont Blanc pen out of his briefcase. Then you say: For legal purposes, I wish to record this conversation. Funny as hell, the things that can happen after that...

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

"I don't think that I haven't .... "

A double negative. So he's actually being truthful - he hasn't responded!

-- Curt

mm86911 · mm86911's Garage

I made a small purchase from AtuoAtlanta in December only because they had what I needed locally (couldn't wait). They charged a premium and the place was a dump. I would not recommend buying from them unless you could do the transaction in person - and pay with a credit card "just in case".

Any chance to cancel the order (call credit card company to dispute)?

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

A couple of us on the 914 board were actually taking up a collection to pay for Cousin Guido to go down and perform a drive by slapping on both Treadway and what'shisdick....George Hussey.

914/6now911 · 03-05-2003, 07:54 PM

I bought a stock outside mirror for my '73 T from Neil on ebay 2 weeks ago. It was described as " a beautiful piece....for the concours enthusiast". It went real cheap, so I wasn't expecting a flawless mirror. What I got was junk, basically worthless. Chrome deeply pitted, mirror totally faded around the edges. This was somewhat my own fault, trying to get something cheap, but it was totally misrepresented. I sent him an e-mail telling him I wanted my money back. Haven't heard back from him....I'm not holding my breath. Sounds like a classic ebay scumbag

turbo6bar · 03-05-2003, 08:02 PM

We now have proof crappy companies can survive.

farleyd · farleyd's Garage

Well, heres mine. I remember being banned from bidding (on Ebay) on their items after ive complained that their reserve price was actually HIGHER than the usual selling price.

This guy knows Ebay and its limits very well, and he uses them against us.

We dont see any ads from them anymore. I suspect that they are giving a last puch on the market before closing and selling BMWs.....

carnut169 · carnut169's Garage

Quote:

We now have proof crappy companies can survive.

Yes, but at one time the lot at Automobile Atlanta was full of cool Porsches (mostly 914s and 944s but some early 911s also) and now.... its a bunch of crap. Not even Porsche crap- but other kinds of nastly rides.
My guess is we will see a for lease sign on his fence within 2 years.

Joeaksa · 03-05-2003, 09:46 PM

Mark,

Yes, was wanting to use the turn signals to make repro versions of the front signals. The used ones are getting harder to find and the ones in the picture he sent looked good enough to use. It cannot be that hard and we are running out of good units.

I will give him another couple of days then contact AmEx as well as stop in his place with a "friend" next time we are in town. He is a ex-NYC cop and our head of security and he just calls the local people and asks for a little help in a matter of fraud. Have seen it work wonders in the past but would rather just have the parts I paid for and in the condition shown in the advert!

See what happens... but I can make him hurt a lot more than $80 bux worth if he does not cough up some early front signals by using my friend above and legal methods.

Joe

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

I wonder how they have stayed in business for so long...

-Wayne

racea911 · 03-05-2003, 10:02 PM

After looking at his feedback, it looks to me like he is one or maybe two negative feedbacks away from being banned from selling or bidding on eBay.

That is such a smart (

) business decision by ***********, to burn down their eBay bridge after only a dozen or so deals. Leave the guy negative feedback if he burned you and watch his eBay status change to "Not a Registered User". Then he can't sell anymore junk and then not ship it to his auction winner.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Ahhh Dealing with the Automobile Atlanta. We all have our stories...lies...deceit...outrage...oh well.

Opinion - If you _had_ to, buying a New part or _TRUE_ NOS part from them would be ok. But never never never buy anything used from them.

It's funny, I met a guy who ran a Porsche 914 buy and fixem up shop which used to exist in Escondido in the late 80's. He actually asked about them. I had to tell him the truth. He said back in the 80's they were reputable and provided him with good stuff.

It's amazing what 10 years will do.

Mike - Here's my $10 towards Guido!

James