Buying on e-Bay advice needed!

[Ski]

Has anyone had experience buying a car on e-bay that is at least half-way cross country? I'm keeping my eye on an older T-bird but am not too familiar with the process including inspection and shipping so any experience or advice will be appreciated. Much thanks, in advance.

[TexasWhiteBird]

Re: Buying on e-Bay advice needed!

I have not personally purchased a car on Ebay (although there have been plenty of wants), however, my job has almost all of our customers puchase through Ebay or directly via telephone and wire transfers. I work for Collector Motors as the lead mechanic for the past 5 years.
I highly recommend two things...and this is by no means meant to be negative or insulting, I am just blunt!. Know the car that you wish to purchase as well as you can so that upon arrival there are no surprises. ie is it supposed to have 14 or 15 inch wheels, is it supposed to have a vinyl top with Landau bars? These are obviously examples and ultimately may not ebev matter depending upon your plans with the car, the point is that you must be sure of that which you are purchasing!
Secondly,is, i would not consider any car without an inspection of some type, whether it be professional or somebody you know that lives down the block. one mans junk is another mans treasure when it comes to vehicles! And your assessment may or may not agree with the sellers. we see a lot of "passion" buying and the here of trivial critcism because of either the auction was read thouroly or something is thought to be missing or whatever the case may be and it is always from those who forgo an inspection.
I believe Hagerty has apprasiers available as well as some sources online. Most shipping companies are at +- $1.10 a mile.
Oh and if it is a really nice car then be sure to define your own definition of "perfect" and "needs nothing" for the same reason as stated earlier. Hope I was a little helpful...and if not just ignore me! alan

[SunnyDayz]

Re: Buying on e-Bay advice needed!

I bought several cars on ebay. One I flew down to Florida to get. The seller was a dealer that had sold 400+ cars on ebay and had a 100% positive feedback rating. The car has been excellent.

In one other case, the seller had 100% feedback on a lower number of sales. As it turned out the "check engine" light had burned out and I didn't know at the time of purchase that codes were being thrown. Either the seller intentionally put a burned out bulb in there or the bulb had burned out because it had previously been on for so long it just burned out.

The key here is to look at all the indicator lights on the dash and when you first start the car, make sure all of them light up!

There are dealers and private parties that sell cars on ebay because they're not able to unload them locally, so be careful.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Buying on e-Bay advice needed!

I've bought a few cars on eBay and/or the Internet sight unseen. Three were newer vehicles. They were a 2000 Volkswagen Eurovan purchased in 2001 with 15,000 miles, a 2004 Lincoln Navigator purchased in 2004 with around 8,000 miles, and a 2005 Ford Thunderbird purchased via this web site in 2008 with 12,000 miles. I wasn't overly concerned as they were newer vehicles, two were still under warranty, and the dealers had some positive feedback ratings from past auto sales in terms of the 2 eBay sales.

I also bought a 1925 Ford Model T and a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle off of eBay some years ago. I went with a trailer or tow bar to inspect and pick them up personally as they were both in California and was not disappointed. With older vehicles, I look for plenty of detailed photos and are also close enough that I can go pick them up personally even if I have to take a few days off.

I also bought another 1963 Beetle off of the Internet that I came across in another enthusiast forum much like this one here. The car looked pretty decent in the photos but when I went to pick it up personally, the mechanical condition was far from what was represented. My wife and I went to pick it up but came home with an empty trailer. Eventually I did end up buying this car too but I got it for $3,000 instead of the $10,000 we initially agreed upon due to all the work the car needed.

So, if you're looking on eBay for a classic vehicle, here is my advice:
1. Look for plenty of detailed photos and descriptions.
2. Ask questions.
3. Upon winning the auction, pay nothing more than a minimal deposit until you or someone you can rely on (friend or paid inspection service) has inspected the vehicle to make sure it was fairly and accurately represented.

[Leroy]

Re: Buying on e-Bay advice needed!

I found my car on Ebay, but didn't actually buy it through Ebay. I bid on it but was out bid at the last minute. About 3 days later I was contacted by the seller by an Email asking if I would still be interested in the car. The car was at a Mecedes-Benz dealer in Lancaster, PA. about 1200 miles from me. I called them and found that the high bidder could not get the car finaced because of credit problems, they said I could have it if I wanted it, I told them I might consider it only for what my highest bid was, they agreed. I paid them a $500.00 refundable deposit over the phone with a credit card to hold the car. About 3 days later we drove there and I bought the car and drove it home. I paid cash for the car with a cashers check from my bank. I didn't have to pay any sales tax till I registered the car in Indiana. Leroy

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[Ski]

Re: Buying on e-Bay advice needed!

Thanks everyone the advice and pm were very helpful, unlike the running discussion about color choices (as the guilty party I admit to perpetuating that discussion as it tickles my fancy although I do like all the colors). If anyone else has any ideas I would appreciate it.

The auction ended on the car I was considering. The seller did not get to the reserve but it hasn't been reposted so it may well be off the market. He did not respond to my questions about the inspection and shipping but I just saw the ad about 4 hours before bidding closed, as I don't check e-Bay that often.

[TexasWhiteBird]

Re: Buying on e-Bay advice needed!

now that the auction ended, just out of curiosity, what kind of 'Bird was it. Please ignore if I am to nosey! alan

[Ski]

Re: Buying on e-Bay advice needed!

Auction is ended Alan, the car did not sell. It's a '66 Thunderbird Town Hardtop in Austin, TX. It is still available so the next step is to find someone to inspect it. I just spoke to the owner a few minutes ago. Anyone able to help or suggest a good inspector in that area for a classic car inspection service?

(edit) Skip offered to check with ITC to find out if anyone may be down there that would look at it too. Some of the inspection service companies do not do classic cars (older than 1980 or so).

[lostjohn]

Re: Buying on e-Bay advice needed!

I saw mine on Ebay. The first thing I did was call the owner! Live communication is very important. The car never reached the reserve, which was high . The seller later said he'd rather sell the car after the auction ,so he wouldn't have to pay Ebay the percentage, only the listing fee's... One other thing in his favor was no money was transferred through Paypal which is owned by Ebay and more fees for the seller. Paypal does have protection for the buyer-misrepresentation and other problems you can get your money back.
Next I went to look at the car , when I was satisfied with the condition we agreed on price and bought it . One more thing- Don't trust Carfax as to the car never been wrecked or damaged. This is the second car I bought that Carfax said no damage reported... Key word "reported". The T-bird had driver side repainted, later found the quarter panel had been replaced! So bottom line is Buyer beware! John

[snowbird]

Re: Buying on e-Bay advice needed!

Auction is ended Alan, the car did not sell. It's a '66 Thunderbird Town Hardtop in Austin, TX. It is still available so the next step is to find someone to inspect it. I just spoke to the owner a few minutes ago. Anyone able to help or suggest a good inspector in that area for a classic car inspection service?

(edit) Skip offered to check with ITC to find out if anyone may be down there that would look at it too. Some of the inspection service companies do not do classic cars (older than 1980 or so).

John: Ask Skip if he has a number for Harley
Eaton who , I think lives in Keller, Texas. Not sure if that is close to where the car is but he may know of someone in that area. Harley is very knowledgeable on the vintage birds.
MartinB.

[Ski]

Re: Buying on e-Bay advice needed!

Curious, is any familiar with AIM inspection services? They do classic cars nationwide.

I'm sure Skip will see this post and respond. Thanks again everyone.

[TexasWhiteBird]

Re: Buying on e-Bay advice needed!

I will get an inspectors name from work tomorrow and will post. Get an exact address where the car is and I may be able to go as Austin isn't too far from Houston, alan
Dave Richards, what is the mans name here in town that has the blue 428 '66 convertible? I forgot, as I am terrible with names.

[Ski]

Re: Buying on e-Bay advice needed!

Martin, I found Harley's contact info on the ITC website. I will see what develops with Alan first.

[FUN X 3]

Re: Buying on e-Bay advice needed!

I bought tires/wheels on EBay a few years ago, condition not as described, cost me $65 to ship back and a ton of time pursuing it with the seller/EBay/PayPal/Visa. Never again. I won't buy or sell big ticket items there, too much hassle and risk.

[Ski]

Re: Buying on e-Bay advice needed!

Phil, the long distance purchase is turning into a PIA. It may take more patience than I have but this looks like it's worth pursuing. At least for a car there are only so many companies to go to for inspection and shipping. And the buyer controls that pretty much, or at least in this case. And until someone independent verifies this is what it claims to be I am willing to walk away (I'll have to, no wheels).