AA acted again.... (i have to tell someone...)

[farleyd]

Well, i guess that AA didnt like the fact that i questionned - with them privatly i precise - some of their aunctions on Ebay, where the reserve price is pretty close - in some case higher - than the actual selling price.
THEY BANNED ME FROM BIDDING ON THEIR STUFF!!!!!!
They are such a bunch of great guys... Its a chance that we have them to keep the 914’s alive.

[TimW]

Maybe they did you a favor? I mean, now you won’t end up on the receiving end of one of those AA horror stories…

[dwillouby@aol.com]

I have heard about the bad dealings with AA. But I must say that I bought a new item from them through ebay for less than half of the retail price.
It was shipped promptly and was of good quality.

[Rich Hilgersom]

The only way I browse Ebay lately is
"porsche 914 -***********.com" ;-O

[efeinsmith]

I know that AA has been panned a number of times, but my own experiences with George and the crew (since the 1980's) has always been good. I live local, so I often drop over, especially since I'm in the middle of a 914 project, and have always found George to be very helpful. And if anyone asks, I don't work for AA. I actually spend money there like any other customer.

Eric

[farleyd]

What i meant was that AA is very active on Ebay these days. I find in doubtful that a company offers its merchandise on Ebay. Why? Because two people can buy the same item for different prices, which isnt very customer oriented.
Situation one: Imagine i paid a 100US$ for an item that i bought at AA. I see the same item going for 80US$ on Ebay. Frustrating.
Situation two: AA puts a reserve price close to the actual selling price. So, human factor helping, i am buying the item at 150US$!!!! Even if i am aware or not that the part worths 100US$, AA got a higher price that its real value. Not very honest in neither way.

Besides, what is surprising me, is :
1) Most of their aunctions have reserved price. And very high usually.
2) They are offering the items BOTH to walk-in customers AND bidders. Read carefully the small print. So you may end up bidding on an item that wont be available.

In any way i see it, not very honest from a (reputable) company. I know that profits call, but then, honesty is important.

This is exactly what i told them privatly, not in Forums, and for any response, they banned me from their aunctions. I guess they made me a favor.

[David McLaughlin]

I find that many people who bid on ebay items are not very price savvy. One iten I bid on then watched escalate beyound belief. It was a pair of used rubber targa holders. I bit $20 for the pair (Performace Products advertises $32 per pair. The final price was almost $45. I emailed the snipped looser and told him about Pelican and Performance; he hadn't heard of either company.

I bid on an AA poster, max bid of $5 and was very supprised to find out that I won. Since it was such a good price, I figured I would also order the Tech Tips 700 and another poster for the garage (also an AA product). After weeks of calling trying to reach the auction guy, I finally had my wife call from home durring the week. She left several messages and finally got ahold of someone to finalize the auction and take my order. Later that week I ordered a Custome built muffler for AJ's. Guess which came first... Both. Over four weeks for AA to deliver 3 items all of which ARE THEIR OWN PRODUCTS.

Since the PO of my car highly recommended AA (why?) I decided to try another AA auction. This time its for their rubber seals kit. I know thw pieces are repros, but the price was good and they must be better than the ripped and missing seals I have now. I wonder how long I will have to wait this time?



------------------
Dave
1970 914/6
1995 Golf GTI-VR6
1996 Passat TDI
djm914-6@mediaone.net

[TimW]

There is an element of AA selling stuff on eBay that wasn’t mentioned. Advertising. Frankly I’m surprised PP hasn’t gotten on board; or at the very least bought some banner ad space at eBay Motors when “914” is searched on (but I bet it’s really expensive).

As for something going for $80 that sells for $100 “retail”, well, that’s eBay for ya.

My only personal gripe with AA: George never signed my copy of Tech Tips 700 like he was suppose too. Oh well…

[roadtrp204]

The last thing I bid for on Ebay was a bronze pedal bushing set and when it went over the price of what I could get them new here for I decided I had had enough.

PP has had some parts for bid from time to time. In my opinion AA has over done the items in the 914 area, but fortunately you have the option to filter any unwanted stuff out... porsche 914 -(ads, toys, logo, HID, ***********, etc.) I have been able to pick up a few hard to get items, but I had to fight for them. Tail light assys., ext door handles, and German 911 adj front sway bars are just not as easy to find or buy new.

------------------
Chris
75 914 2.0L

[odie]

I've noticed lots of flames about AA over the last couple of years on different 914 forums.

It's been a long time since I bought anything from AA...or anyone else for my 914. My 914 has been on the sideline for the past 4 years (I was overseas) and has been driven maybe 4-5 times (without plates).

Anyway, I've bought lots of stuff from AA and never have I ever been done wrong, cheated, never waited for a part or paid too much.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[Joe Bob]

AA sells on ebay so they can sell the stuff the can't sell retail. On occasion a auction goes nuts and AA profits...

Bottom line AA sucks and and anyone that buys from them gets what they deserve. If that idiot ever comes comes to California, I would love to punch his lights out. Spamming little weenie.

[Conrad W Peden]

On the otherhand....

I had a sale go wierd with them and Steve hepled make it good at no cost to me.

It was a body panel not as seen in the catalog. There are two versions of the sailpanel replacement and i needed the big one. They sent me the small one twice and sent Fed/Ex to my door to pick up the wrong one at thier cost.

Their problem, the panels have the same part number and sales guy din't ask which one i wanted.

So i think some of those guys are good for something.

------------------
CWP/VIR
72 914 L20E in rusto.
73 914 L20E 2.0L in resto.
http://members.rennlist.com/a914lover

[sixbanger]

I got screwed twice by them

[3D914]

I have purchased numerous Ebay items from AA, as well as from PAP. I always check the catalog price before bidding. In both cases the prices on some items are very close to retail price - so I don't bid!

Its almost like going to the grocery store these days. Pick the wrong day and you pay twice as much for a gallon of milk. Why should these guys be any different?

Have seen many items on Ebay from Pelican (hint, hint!)

Gerard