RE: IML: eBay

I remember that car, Carl, and if I hadn’t been in the downsizing phase of my life, I’d have been in there bidding on it too – it’s a beautiful car!

Dick

From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Carl F.
Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 7:51 AM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: IML: eBay

No arguments here, Dick!

I bought my '67 Crown Coupe on eBay in October '03. Tons of photos (most of which really didn't do the car justice, in my eyes) and a "Buy it now" link. I drove the car from Merced CA to Las Vegas NV with no issues, other rhan discovering that the brake lights were inoperative (found to be the T/S switch).

My whole experience with the seller & the lady who put their ad together was VERY positive & executed very smoothly.

Would I do it again? You bet! (If only I had the room!)

As you said, watch for those 'catch phrases', contact someone/anyone in the IML to look over the car & the buyer should be OK!

Best regards to all,

Carl Falletta, 1967 CC (Ylw/Blk) in Las Vegas NV

From:  "Dick Benjamin" <dickb@xxxxxxxxx>
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Subject:  IML: eBay
Date:  Wed, 5 Apr 2006 21:33:14 -0700
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>There have been a couple of derogatory remarks today regarding car buying on
>eBay, and while I have sounded off before on the subject, I think it's time
>to speak up again.
>
>I have both bought and sold on eBay almost since they started business, and
>my experience has been overwhelmingly positive, for about 350 transaction so
>far, just about half selling, half buying, and almost all car related,
>either parts, literature, tools, or cars themselves.
>
>My experience is that the private individuals using eBay are about 99.5%
>honest, straightforward people who will not cheat you, and will accurately
>describe items they have for sale.
>
>Of course there are some people who are out to fool you; to sell you
>something that isn't what is represented, but in my opinion they are pretty
>easy to spot.  They usually have very flashy, professionally done auction
>pages, with beautiful artwork, a lot of canned "boilerplate" stuff regarding
>shipping, warranties, etc - all very professional.  Their car descriptions
>use words that would never pass the lips of a serious old car collector -
>words such as "Perfect", "100% Original", "Showroom new", "#1 condition",
>"appraised for twice the reserve", "Rare"(when it isn't) etc.  You can be
>sure their descriptions are exaggerated and full of hype. Certainly their
>pages are beautiful, with lots of pretty pictures etc.
>
>Parts dealers are usually very easily spotted also, as they usually use the
>"buy it now" or "eBay store" features of the site, and they have done
>thousands of transactions.  I know some amateurs do that too, but generally,
>the dealers are doing a higher volume business and find it easier to use the
>professional web page and auction page builders.
>
>When I have sold cars on eBay, (and I have sold 13 of my collection in the
>last few years as I plod through my final active years), I go out of my way
>to post an auction page that lists in voluminous detail everything I can
>think of about the car including every single defect, no matter how small.
>Many on the IML have seen my auctions, and know I speak the truth here.  I
>also give a detailed history of the car, including how long I have owned it
>(usually many years). I show pictures of EVERYTHING!  By that I mean the
>chassis from underneath, seats, carpets, engine compartment, dash, trunk and
>on and on.  Usually I show just the important stuff on the main auction
>page, but I include a link to another page that has 30 or 40 more pictures,
>and much more in the way of narrative discussion of what I have done to the
>car, what it needs, and again, excruciating detail of every single defect.
>
>
>I always start a car auction at $100, and I never put a reserve on the car.
>I've been called an idiot, and worse, for this practice, but in my opinion,
>that method guarantees that the car will sell for fair market value, not
>someone's hoped for windfall amount.  For example, some of you were shocked
>when I listed my 67 Convertible in 2004 for $100 starting bid and with no
>reserve. It finished up at about $15,000, which was, in my opinion a very
>fair price for an unrestored but very nice 84,000 mile Southern California
>"black plate" car. The car went to a true collector, who is delighted, using
>it as a daily driver, and showing it in some of our local shows.
>
>In sum, I think anyone who is moderately cautious, and deals only with
>private parties with clean feedback ratings and a track record of at least a
>few good transactions can expect to be treated fairly.
>
>I think someone who buys a car from a dealer without adequate detail in the
>auction page and/or inspection in person or by a trusted and qualified
>friend is taking a large chance.  But even then, if the feedback rating is
>perfect, and the seller's number of transactions is high enough to inspire
>confidence, your chances are probably better than buying a car from used car
>lot or from a private party whose car is parked on a street corner with a
>sign on it.
>
>An eBay seller has a reputation to protect that is very valuable to him, and
>that is a potent deterrent to shady dealing.  Everything is up front and
>visible about an eBay seller, but you must pay attention to it.
>
>Regarding "professional" appraiser and inspection services, I personally
>don't recommend using them - I think most look up the car in the latest
>value guide, do a cursory inspection, and have no more technical ability to
>evaluate a car's true condition than your brother-in-law. "Appraisals" done
>for "stated value insurance" purposes often simply state what the owner
>wants to hear.
>
>If you are interested in a car that is a long way from you and you don't
>have time to do it yourself, ask here on the IML for a nearby volunteer to
>go look at a car for you - and of course, offer to pay any expenses
>involved.  Ask to have a good set of pictures taken, including ones taken
>from below (up on a lift), and ask for a test drive, long enough to get up
>to full operating temperature, and up to freeway speeds, if only briefly.
>Paying a local mechanic for a looking over is also a good idea, but he has
>to be someone known to be honest and thorough.
>
>OK, I'm done here. If anyone wants to argue with me, I can be reached at:
>dickb@xxxxxxxxx
>
>Dick Benjamin
>
>
>
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