Buying ? Ebay and PPI

rdk409 · 03-21-2007, 05:40 AM

Does anyone know how the process works when buying your Porsche off of Ebay? I see the adds say you have to put down a non-refundable deposit. What happens if you get there and the car fails the PPI and you want to back out, or even if it's not in the shape you gathered from the pictures?

Also, on the PPI. Is that something the seller would pay for, or the buyer? Or is that negotiable? Could it be something like, the buyer pays if the PPI passes and the Seller pays if it fails? What the best way to find a good shop to perform the PPI in the area the car is for sale? Is there a list of Porsche shops on the site somewhere?

Thanks guys!

tonythetarga · 03-21-2007, 05:47 AM

Can't help on the first question.
The PPI is something you pay for. Ask here for a recommendation on a shop in or near the city where the car is located. The results of the PPI usually are used to negotiate the final price depending on items found in need of repair.
If you buy it on eBay, I would expect your negotiation power is little to none as you have already agreed on a price and entered a bid.
If you are buying your first Porsche, IMHO, eBay isn't the place to start. Read about each version of 911 and learn their pro's and con's, then, as has been stated a thousand times, but the best or newest Porsche you can afford.
Good luck.
BTW, there is a classified section here and a lot of stand up people to help you.

hytem · 03-21-2007, 06:03 AM

You expect to pay a lower price on ebay because you can't really inspect the car before the bidding ends unless you live nearby or can have someone just take a look at it. That's why a lot of cars with hidden issues are sold there, so you have to be careful. Just build a discount in when you bid for the unknowns. Look at the amount of investment you are making. If the price is right, it might be worth the risk. Expect to put $2-4K into any car you buy there.

The best way to buy a car on ebay is to find a local listing, see the car and maybe the owner will take it off ebay if you want to buy it. There is an incentive for the owner, since he won't have to pay commission on the sale. Arranging for a mechanical inspection is difficult because of timing.

bkreigsr · 03-21-2007, 06:05 AM

do not get a PPI from someplace the seller recommends.

if the car shows deficiencies not represented in the description, then you might have some negotiating room.

Bill K

rdk409 · 03-21-2007, 06:27 AM

Thanks guys. I think I'm going to pass on the Ebay thing. I think it's too much risk for a first time buyer.

I think I will hold off and wait for the perfect car posted either here, or found locally.

hcoles · 03-21-2007, 06:51 AM

good thinking... unless you can find a known trusted independant PPI, even then it is dicy... IMHO you should also line up an expert body shop place that does a lot of Porsches of the vintage you are buying and have him look at it to find all the repaint and crashes that have taken place. Buying a Porsche for most of us is an emotional experience and it is very hard or almost impossible to take a good look. You didn't say what year(s) you were looking at.

tonythetarga · 03-21-2007, 07:00 AM

Don't give up yet, there are lots of places to look.
http://www.rallystuff.com/pcar_sources.html

Just keep looking. Find a shop that services 911's in your area and go and visit. Find out if any customers are thinking about selling their cars. Ask for a shop tour and what they look at during a PPI. (reference the list in the Tech Articles section and compare it to what they say)
Read up on the model ranges you are interested in so you know what a good deal is and when it's too good to be true (for a reason). Try the Porsche Buyers Guide and Bruce Anderson's book, Porsche 911 Performance Handbook.
The search is as much fun as ownership.

stomachmonkey · 03-21-2007, 08:25 AM

Find out where the car is and then post location.

Pretty good odds you'll find local Pelicans willing to do a quick inspection (not full PPI) to give you a better idea of the cars true condition.

Even a pig can look good in pictures.

Better to get a 1st hand evalution.

And no way would I put down a non refundable sight unseen.

I think sellers throw that in there to weed out the daydreamers who kill their auctions with crap bids.

See if you can engage the guy in an email thread where he agrees to refund if you take the trouble to pay for a PPI and encure the expense of travelling to see the car.

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

if i wanted to buy a nice 911, i'd look for a veteran member's car on pelican's classifieds first.

stomachmonkey · 03-21-2007, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigchillcar
if i wanted to buy a nice 911, i'd look for a veteran member's car on pelican's classifieds first.

yup

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

But if you want a local PPI, I think Ruf has a shop just down the road from you in Plano. They know a little about Porsches.

cashflyer · 03-21-2007, 11:20 AM

From eBay

Quote:

If, after payment, something goes wrong and you do not receive your vehicle or it is not as described, you may be eligible to participate in the Vehicle Purchase Protection Program. This program protects your vehicle purchase up to $20,000, subject to eligibility requirements.

For more information on eBay's Vehicle Purchase Protection Program, please visit the following page:

http://pages.motors.ebay.com/services/purchase-protection.html

I limit my ebay searches to cars that are within an afternoon driving distance. There's no way I would buy an ebay car without checking it out in person first.

PPI is the buyers responsibility. Never use the sellers mechanic.

Not all ebay ads require a non-refundable deposit. This is something the seller has specified. Optimists say that it discourages deadbeat bidders. Pessimists say that it is a way for the seller to turn a buck on their POS car, even if you walk.