Has any one, or any one know someone who has bought a vehicle using E-Bay. For a while now, I have been looking at Jeep Wrangler's (don't worry, not selling my F150) that are offered on E -Bay, and it just seems weird to me. It seems the final sale price most of the time is no great deal. Especially considering you may not live close enough to check it out first, and then you need to ship it, or take a trip to go get it. Or, if a Wrangler is sold well below its trade-in value, why would a seller settle for that price when they should easily be able to get a better price just selling locally through a newspaper. Jeep Wranglers have great resale value, and I don't understand why people auction them, it seems like a hassle, but there are normally 40-60 to choice from. I can understand this service for rare, one of a kind cars and stuff like that. I have only been looking at the Wranglers and other makes and models may auction differently. I am not bashing E-Bay, I think it great to have the opportunity, I just don't quite know what to make of it. I would like to hear any ones, thoughts or experiences related to this.

Thanks
NSS

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'99 F-150 XLT SC 4x4 5.4L Auto 3.55LS Tow pkg, skid plates, keyless entry, UWS tool box, Superchip, Gibson pipes w/ Flowmaster 40 series muffler, K&N filter, BFG 265/75/16 All-Terrain TA/KO

 

A few weeks ago, one of my tenants gave me a 83 Toyota LandCruiser as rent payment for December. I have done a lot of research on it and have determined that my best option would be to sell it on e-bay once it is ready. I think that e-bay is so big and sell so many other rare items that folks start there when looking for something like a Jeep (CJ or Wrangler). Some of the crap that sells would never sell for as much if it does if it weren't for bidders competing. I have seen some vehicles go for very good prices. I have seen others with no business on e-bay. Who wants to bid on a 92 Grand Am? I'll bid $1.

 

seacrow, I guess it's ok to accept a car for rent payment but, I'd get suspicious if they start offering plumbing parts or built-in appliances!

"Hey man, I'm a little short this month. Would you take 80 boards of sheetrock?"

 

a friend of mine wanted a vw bug (reliving his youth) so he bid on ebay. the first one he won luckily was close enough to go look at before purchasing. it was totally misrepresented. basically a piece of junk.
the second one (glutton for punishment was exactly as presented, however my friend had not asked very specific questions like was the new paint buffed out and clearcoated. ans: no, he did end up with a decent car but not exactly what he expected.
rule of thumb, if you can't go see it only pay what you would pay for that car needing much work, because it probably does. basically if it looks to good to be true it probably is. remember that someone has probably gone to look at the car and if it was that good of a deal they would surely bid higher then the minimum trade in value.

good luck
terry

 

I will bid $2.

 

sorry $1.5

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1999 Ford F-150 xlt .supercab, 4x4 sport pkg. 4.6 Triton, Black with grey int,A.R.E. Lid, ford bug deflector,Q-Forms,eclipes head unit,and speakers,kicker solo's for subs,1000 watt amp. Flow master 70 series, K&N drop in,jet chip .will be geting a superchip.

 

Raoul,

This is about the 5th car I have accepted for rent payment. It started out as a joke a few years ago when one of my tenants was short, I said "we'll you better fork over your Toyota truck". He went in and grabbed the title. I drove it down to the corner and sold it for twice the rent amount. I have been trying to get this LandCruiser for 2yrs. LandCruisers are pretty popular, and for $550 I think I did ok. The 4WD works great too. My insurance agent offered me $3500 already. The real problem I have is when they offer their kids for rent!

 

I won a 72 Chevelle on ebay. The auction stated it had a new paint job, rebuilt motor and Turbo 350 trans. The auction ended at $6400.00. I towed my trailer 2 hrs to the owners house. Once I got there I almost crapped my pants. It had a new paint job alright... right over the rust bubbles that weren't visable in the pics. The engine was leaking oil everywhere, and it was a powerglide trans. not a t350. Needless to say I told the seller where he can shove the car and left. He eventually got kicked off of ebay for misleading buyers. I'm glad I lived close enough to look at it instead of sending him the money and getting it shipped.
I would never buy a car again from ebay without looking at it in person first.

[This message has been edited by my98expy (edited 12-21-2000).]

 

I know there are going to be auctions on ebay that end pleasantly and unpleasantly, but what worries me is on some of the jeeps I looked at, it will says something like,"By bidding on this vehicle you are entering a legal contract and if you are the winning bidder you must go through with the transaction." And, there is a lot of talk about nonrefundable deposits. I know the seller needs to be protected because a lot of people will bid and not be serious, but what happens when you realize that the vehicle is not what you expected? I would have to see the vehicle first.

Seacrow, Has any one ever offered you some sweet lovin instead of rent? Not saying you would accept, or any thing like that.

 

Remember the the rule .. they all look the same in the newspaper!! Same trouble with e-bay. I also took in a car for a partial trade-in on a car I was selling. She didn't have all of the money I was asking, but she had enough to cover the lien on the car I sold her. So I took it in on trade. What a pain in the a$$, all of the running to the title bureau, then to the bank and then to try and re-sell it. I won't do that again, not unless I want to keep it for myself. By the way, Raoul, I'll take the sheet rock, I've still got the basement to finish!

 

NSS, no sweet lovin yet but once in a while one of the landlords in my pack rents to a decent looking stripper. Strippers always get behind on the rent. When that happens, we set up a private "landlords only" show in a vacancy. The stripper's landlord charges admission at the door to the other landlords and their handymen. The stripper is usually required to bring another stripper for a little one on one stripper "action". The handymen pay for hummers or trips to the bedroom. It works out great. The stripper catches up on her rent, the landlords get a great show and the handymen get their jollies. This happens once every few months or so. It is a riot to watch.