OT...Why the E-Bay bashing???

[Greg-slant/cab]

Just wondering why so many people actively look for cars on Ebay to bash? I know I see allot of cars I dont care for and Im sure there are alot of people that dont care for my car. Why spend the time and effort to make commentary on it? It also puzzles me that people seem to blame EBay for these cars. Should you also blame the local newspaper for their advertisements. I have used EBAY to get some great deals on P-parts and have nothing but positive experences with the people on EBAY. Im sure there are some bad people on it, just like there are bad people in every other aspect of life. Okay, im getting off my soapbox.

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Greg-slant/cab
http://www.geocities.com/gregslantcab/

[orbmedia]

It's just entertainment really. Something to have fun with. And it also serves to educate people about what to lookout for. eBay is the target because it is so accessible with pictures and such. eBay itself is not usually blamed by the debunkers on this forum.

[dtw]

I don't think too many of us blame eBay- it is just a vehicle or forum for getting ads out and completing transactions. However, we do post regularly here to share info on shady sellers, for instance many of us have been saved the hassle of dealing with "carrera classics" because of this forum.

On the other hand, we also like looking through the offerings of p-cars to see what's happening. Occasionally, some items are so grossly misrepresented, so outrageously overpriced, that we can't help but share it and get a chuckle out of it. Also helps to sharpen our claws to know what to look for in prepurchase inspections. Many satirical or comical posts, or "bashings" have actually turned into good analytical commentary on what is wrong with a car and how it has been hidden/glossed over by the seller or whatever. This has been beneficial to many of the readers here.

-d

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Dave
1972 911T (E motor) RSR replica project
http://members.nbci.com/dtwinters/garage/

[joehahn]

I have to agree w/ Greg. I never bought a "whole" car on ebay before but many parts for sveral different "project" cars over the years. I am ashamed to admit it but I have always trusted those I have dealt with on internet and ebay and NEVER had a bad experience. This includes blindly sending cashiers checks, etc. on verbal guarantees and so forth. Moronic I know but has worked out. My ONLY bad experience through 2 Porsches, VW Thing, MG, and '63 Land Rover IIA was with a fellow member of our very own Pelican 911 world!!!! Even he eventually sent my $$$ back albeit 4 months later.

[Greg-slant/cab]

Thanks for your replies. I guess looking at it from your perspective it makes a little more sense. If it could save someone some money or headaches from a bad apple I suppose it would be beneficial in that way.

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Greg-slant/cab
http://www.geocities.com/gregslantcab/

[MarkY]

I can see both sides, the entertainment and the education for potential buyers.

If anyone is thinking of buying a complete car on Ebay, they might want to post the link here and let all the members of this forum give their opinions on the deal.

The downside is, if you find a diamond in the rough, you might find some new bidders to compete with.

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1988 black on black Coupe
www.cheaterswayside.com/911/gallery.asp?sort=0&userid=339

[old_skul]

It's the entertainment thing to me.

There's nothing funnier than that Mephisto dude who pimps out tired 2.7s and makes them look like race cars...and has printed in bold print at the top of his ad something about how the "imitators" on Ebay who "pose" their cars for sale similarly to his. LOL!

And then there's the guys asking $60K for a low-mileage SC.

And the late-70s 935 "replicas" that look like they belong on an amusement park carousel.

It's not Ebay. It's the idiots who post there.

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Mark Szabo
1986 911 Targa 3.2
1987 Escort 5-speed 1.9 RIP
The Porsche Owners Gallery

[jbailey930]

I've seen all the ads too lately and enjoy looking there occassionaly. I am looking for 944T or another 911 for DE's and tracking. I like to get a feel for pricing.

So anyway here is a positive story:

Two years ago I tried selling my well maintained 86 Targa through local advertising for two months. It had 130,000 miles, but only 15,000 on rebuilt engine and new clutch. Every caller hung up after I mentioned the miles and before I could, new motor....Another P-car owner suggested using Ebay. He said the adrenaline/testoterone thing would get my car sold for my asking price, $18k. Well it actually worked and the top two bidders were local and inspected the car before the bidding closed. Very easy transaction. Maybe this is an exception. Just my 911 cents.
John
79 930

[roGERK]

I agree that on the whole (except carrea classics!) I've had very positive experiences on E-Bay both as a buyer and a seller.

But, that doesn't mean I don't wet myself laughing sometimes at the utter crap that people think is worth up to six times its true value.

On a more serious note, I agree with dave that its an education to read some of the detailed critiques of cars posted here - it just goes to show that even carefully staged photographs can reveal an awful lot to the expert eye.

- roGER

[GIBSON]

I agree with what's been said about ebay. I've sold lots of parts etc. on ebay and had good experiences. I think ebay offers a real service to sellers and buyers. Perhaps more than most services, it offers great potential for fraud. If you stick to the stuff you know you'll probably be ok.
I collect old Martin guitars, I used to be able to find some pretty good deals but now there are so many buyers that it's rare to find a good deal.
In fact, I purchased my '73 911S on ebay recently. That's another story.
It is fun to ridicule some of the bozo's listing cars on ebay, but again, it's not ebay-it's the dreamers listing cars from another universe.

Bruce Herrmann
73911S

[89911]

Does anyone remember the old SC that was for sale that boasted "Tazor activated alarm system" from the set of some never seen movie that started at soemthing like $75K. I think of Ebay as the want ads for the entire world. Much more items and much potential for fraud. Doesn't mean its all bad. I have purchased some small items from them. I think some use it as a last resort if it fails locally. If a perfect 911 can't sell in your backyard, why would you have to broadcast across the country?

[SuperbikeClub]

I just bought a '75 911S off eBay for $5800. I live in Dallas and the car was in Houston so it was easy to pick up. It's no show car, but it was as discribed and I'll have fun fixing it up. I have also bought several parts for it on eBay without any trouble. In fact, except for oil and filters, I have bought everything for it off the internet. Here is a picture:


-Ed

[Roland Kunz]

Hello

The big benefit from ebay is that i canīt pick the US Autotraders...... in Germany.

So if something is up there it is accesible worldwide and everyone can share on it. This also happens with other things on that board ( Just klick on a hedline with "Look at this..", "Funny pic.." or "Must see")

Saleing a car is allways the same story and the price is allways a agrement beetween saler and buyer.

Pictures donīt tell the whole story but tell some storyies. Also you can see how professional the saler is.

It is also one of those things who bond a comunity. There are only some specialists on the board who can identify a screw by a picture and so we give the others a chance to show there good eyes or make an good input.

No it isnīt bashing on Ebay or the car/saler. It is just the thing you allways doo if you think about a apprysal and have to make your mind up if the price is correct for the item. It is up to you to spend the money. And why not spending 50 000 $ for a perfect SC if you like it ? Jerry Seinfeld would do it becourse he knows how much money goes into a perfect car. Value is not the price.

Grüsse