Gary,
Thanks for sharing your e-bay experience with us. I've seen some
appealing ads on e-bay and have been tempted to bid on some of
them myself. Fortunately, you didn't have to make the trip for
nothing.
I think this example is exactly why our directory and e-mail list
asked if we would be willing to check cars for others prior to
purchases. There is no substitute for a visual inspection.
Thanks again,
Paul
From: Gary Speckman <speckman@coredcs.com>
> I would like to share an experience my son had recently when bidding on an
> MG offered in Ebay. Following is the description of the car that was
> provided on the ebay site. There was also a picture of a very nice looking
> BRG Midget. It looked and sounded like a good deal. My son was the second
> highest bidder and became the high bidder after the the original bidder
> backed out of the deal.
>
> This car is 1000 miles from our location, in Wisconsin.
>
> I dont know if the authors of the correspondence are on this list or not, I
> have left out their names/location. I just thought it was a good learning
> experience,.. ALWAYS get specific independant information, if possible, when
> looking to buy a car sight unseen. Thankfully, the high bidder wrote to my
> son with an honest description of the car, saving us a 2000 mile round trip.
>
> I have been off this list for two weeks, if this is all "old news" please
> accept my apologies.
>
> Gar
>
>
> The "ad" as shown on Ebay read:
>
> "Fabulous 1971 MG Midget. VIN # GAN5UC106930G. 85,000 Miles. Clear
> Title. Never been in an accident. >British Racing Green. Black seats
> need recovering. Convertible Soft top is in good condition. No rips.
> The >paint is in decent condition. 4 speed manual transmission.
> Original Paint. Original Engine. No rust/corrosion. >Solid floor pans.
> No a/c. All glass intact. am/fm radio. wire wheels in good condition.
> Tires in good condition. >Runs Great, can be driven away. Dash is in
> good condition."
>
>
> The report back from the first high bidder after backing out of the deal:
>
> "Car was lightly hit drivers front, headlight bodged to accomodate. Car
> has spent considerable time outside, top might be original and while
> not ripped is very very tired w/ completely fogged windows. Both door
> glass have many deep vertical scratches, and barely crank, although
> they do. The car is a rust bucket. There are 6-9" holes in the trunk
> corners behind the rear wheels, (repaired with spray foam) and much
> rust between the top of the rocker and the bottom of the fender
> drivers side front. (Owner claims that is do to abrasion ie. the
> rubbing of the fender to the rocker during use. (hogwash)) The car
> needs inner rockers and it's just starting to show. Going over the
> lower body with a magnet reveals horrors. This car (red originally)
> was bondo'd up some years ago and repainted green. There is LOTS of
> bondo here, in many places the magnet wouldn't stick at all! The
> radio is a piece of junk as is the whole interior. Instrements are
> badly weathered, the top of the dash is SHOT (typically) and is
> covered with a moulded repair dash cover. Looks terrible. Non
> standard, cheap old worn steering wheel. Red engine bay shows much
> corosion and battery damage.
>
> Car has new battery and runs very nicely. I did not check compression
> or drive it.
>
> I traveled 435 miles EACH way towing a car trailer to retrieve this
> car. I declined. I feel this seller was very much less than
> honerable in his ad. He claims his daughter wrote his ad's and that it
> just "got by him"
>
> Buyer beware"
>
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