Ebay seller adding costs...Help

jtdig64 · 12-12-2001, 05:59 PM

We purchased a 93 BMW 325 on e-bay for our daughter. The car is coming out of Florida and we live in Indiana. On top of the winning bid the guy now wants 300 for dealer fee's Plus Florida sales tax..
What should I do?? I e-mailed him back and said no way, but I would like the car..
Any help would be great!

Thanks.

Todd

mwbaum · mwbaum's Garage

All costs should be disclosed in the orig auction posting imo. Blow him off.

mccan · 12-12-2001, 06:10 PM

Go to Ebay. Utilize the official notification process and quickly. Not a bad idea to let the seller know that you are pursuing satisfaction via Ebay. We've had to do this in one instance (computer). It worked for us. If this guy is reliant on Ebay for any volume of business, he will have considerable respect for feedback and reputation.
Is that an improper move, adding tax and fees? Not ethical in my estimation, but is it allowable in Ebay? Is the guy who would add significant $ after the fact going to sell you a decent used car? Just a couple of stray thoughts.

doofdog · doofdog's Garage

I used to sell cars. If you are not a Florida resident you do not have to pay the sales tax. If the dealer fees wern't included in the listing my advice would be to go through ebay if he is not willing to negotiate with you. Ebay will do right by you.

jtdig64 · 12-12-2001, 06:19 PM

Thanks Guys,

I sent him the link of this forum, he just e-mailed me back saying that he "might" be wrong..........What a dirt bag!! Wish my daughter wanted a 944 or something, but no such luck, not enough room for her friends!!!

doofdog · doofdog's Garage

let us know the outcome.

Eric Coffey · 12-12-2001, 06:30 PM

What a load of crap! If the extra fees were not in the listing, you are not required to pay them. Also, in less you are a Florida state resident you are NOT required to pay Florida sales tax!! However, you will probably be required to pay YOUR state's tax when you go to register it. Anyhow, if he doesn't back down, I would tell the guy to pound sand, and leave him negative feedback.

-Eric

Nickshu · Nickshu's Garage

If a seller is dishonest and does not respect the rules of EBay...or ethical business for that matter... then what sort of truthfulness can you expect from him when it came to describing the condition of the vehicle?

I had one bad car buying experience on Ebay where the seller masked mechanical problems on an otherwise nice vehicle.
I have also had two very positive car selling experiences via Ebay...although I was selling genuinely nice, sound cars at a fair price...plus I am an honest and straightforward person!

Best of luck...dont bendover backwards for this one. There are TONS of nice BMW's out there...which are for sale by HONEST sellers with integrity.

Nick.

tmctguer · tmctguer's Garage

if i were you, i would ditch this dude. face it.........suddenly, he claims "he may be wrong". sorry, but either he is a total dumb*****, or he was trying to screw you. that would definitely sour the whole deal for me.

certainly, ebay isn't the only place you can find a '93 325.

i bought a pair of early porsche heat exchangers from a guy on rennlist about a year ago. after mailing his money via a US postal service money order, i suddenly don't hear from the guy for over a week. luckily, i had his home number. i started calling several times each day and night to leave messages requesting contact or a refund.

suddenly, he gets all righteous and offended. he told me in an email "if you don't trust me, then why don't i mail you back your MO." i agreed and when i got it back, i wrote him back explaining why he screwed up.

i truly believe that he sold them to a higher bidder and just jacked me around until the higher bidder actually paid. thank god he sent my money back. i was prepared to go visit him and get money back in cash or otherwise.

moral of the story is, once you suspect the slightest bad intention, bolt while your money is still in YOUR wallet.

scedmonds · scedmonds's Garage

If the seller values his eBay status, he'll be discouraged by your choice to get the matter resolved through eBay.

However, I can't help but believe the seller's "word" on the condition of the BMW you bid on. If the deal falls through because of this issue, it's "good riddance"!

Keep shopping -- I've found 90% of the folks you work with at eBay, sellers and buyers, are honest and worthy of trust.

Cheers!

C.

jtdig64 · 12-13-2001, 04:27 AM

Thanks for all the input!

Still waiting to see what the guy is going to say today! In the meantime we have sent some info to him from Indiana about sales tax. Not sure what this guy was up too, Maybe he thought we were some dumb old hoosiers!!

Thanks again!

patalive · 12-13-2001, 05:36 AM

In my view, if this guy is willing to try and screw you over on the dealer prep and state sales tax, then he would be equally willing to screw you over on the car itself. I wouldn't touch it without an independent PPI down there in Florida. Otherwise, I would run from this "deal". There are far too many honest folks selling cars to mess around with this character!
Chuck

clevy70911T · clevy70911T's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by jtdig64
Thanks for all the input!

Still waiting to see what the guy is going to say today! In the meantime we have sent some info to him from Indiana about sales tax. Not sure what this guy was up too, Maybe he thought we were some dumb old hoosiers!!

Thanks again!

Agreed with staying away from the car. Screw you small, screw you big, people that screw other don't usually differenciate.
There really is more than corn in Indiana! I hope you pelicanheads know this, don't you?

Don Wohlfarth · 12-13-2001, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by clevy70911T

There really is more than corn in Indiana! I hope you pelicanheads know this, don't you?

Didn't know that! I thought it was just a black hole since you guys stopped playing basketball.

More and more dealers are adding "processing fees". Usually these fees are "negotiable".

wdarner · wdarner's Garage

Give us all his email address and we will let him know we question his business practices and announce such to the entire internet world. I would not go through with this deal either. There is more than one "right" car out there. I sold a car on ebay. I let it be known in my ad that no money was to be sent. I wanted the buyer to see and drive the car, and be sure it was right for him. It sold to the first person that came to see it (in less than a week I might add). I would walk away from this bozo. I smell a rat.

jtdig64 · 12-13-2001, 04:48 PM

Well the dealer decided to say, he had enough of me and told me he was going to re-list the car. He was still trying to get Florida sales tax...What a bozo!!
So its off to find another car for her for christmas..

Thanks for all the help!!!

wdarner · wdarner's Garage

And give us his email address. We'll fix him.

MonkeyBoy · 12-13-2001, 05:25 PM

And be sure to leave him negative feedback.

Colby · 12-13-2001, 07:15 PM

Was it a great price for the BMW? If so, ebay bids are legally binding contracts (in states that have passed E-Sign or UETA, most states have). You agreed to buy, he agreed to sell, for the terms listed in the auction. If you really want that BMW, or just want to be a jerk, demand delivery for the price as promised. If he doesn't deliver, and you spend more on a similar BMW elsewhere, he is liable for the difference. Of course these are just legalities, in the real world this may not be the best move (he'll deliver for the promised price, and throw in free of charge a gas tank of sugar).

Further, report him to the State IRS. Trying to collect state taxes (which he'd pocket as the state knows it has no right to them) on interstate commerce, well that's a federal offense.

Colby

Colby · 12-13-2001, 07:17 PM

Hey Todd, I just realized...we both live in Valparaiso! Have you seen me around? I am one of the only 911 Cabs in town (silver).

Colby