Ebay, do you sympathise with a seller who is screwing you?

[humpbackmaniac]

Bought a "rebuilt" 16v engine for my classic old golf, turned up to collect and the chap had left the exhaust manifold at his mums and she was at work until 5 (he was 30+). I was 240 miles from home and annoyed so he said he would post it on to me. Seemed honest enough so I left, should have retained funds but I'm soft like that he seemed OK.

Two weeks later no bleeding manifold only "Oh ive had a really hard week, stop swearing at me" in reply to text 17, and "Honest I sent it days ago" now ive got an engine out under a bloody Tarp in the snow and I am annoyed. Is it worth a 400+ mile trip for a bashing or just bad feedback. I do sympathise if he is in troubles etc but really dont care I just want my manifold so I can get the car back together.

This numptys manner is now starting me to doubt he remembered to torque up the bigend bolts.

Sorry rant over.

[hornetrider]

humpbackmaniac said:

This numptys manner is now starting me to doubt he remembered to torque up the bigend bolts.

[Tino]

Where does he live? Maybe one of us may be local, and can collect the fannymold, and post it to you?

[andy-xr]

I'd call it quits. I bought an engine from ebay once that had full receipts for a rebuild, turned out the block was cracked and leaked badly. Only found out once the old one was out and this one was in, complete with all ancills

Anything I buy like that now I automatically assume it's going to need a rebuild and price it accordingly

[Rude-boy]

Tino said:

Where does he live? Maybe one of us may be local, and can collect the fannymold, and post it to you?

Best option I'd say. Of course we are assuming it ever existed in the first place...

[SpydieNut]

Tino said:

Where does he live? Maybe one of us may be local, and can collect the fannymold, and post it to you?

if you have a spare one of those....................

[Mandat]

Tino said:

Where does he live? Maybe one of us may be local, and can collect the fannymold, and post it to you?

I'd probably trust a random e-bay seller more than a random poster on PH.

[LukeBird]

Mandat said:

Tino said:

Where does he live? Maybe one of us may be local, and can collect the fannymold, and post it to you?

I'd probably trust a random e-bay seller more than a random poster on PH.

I wouldn't!
Have trusted a few PHers that I've never met

Oh and OP, if you've text him 17 times then no I wouldn't symphatise.

[humpbackmaniac]

andy-xr said:

I'd call it quits. I bought an engine from ebay once that had full receipts for a rebuild, turned out the block was cracked and leaked badly. Only found out once the old one was out and this one was in, complete with all ancills

Anything I buy like that now I automatically assume it's going to need a rebuild and price it accordingly

ANDY! I am trying to be positive here, and not worry about the next problem. (other than fuel pump, engine mount, wiring and CV joints that all need modifying!!)

Now looking at a 4 branch and trying to justify that the extra flow will be worth the £200........hmmm