Ebay - I Feel Gutted But I Can Turn It Around
Discussion
I'm not going to say the vehicle info (make model etc), but I saw a vehicle on ebay at about £3000 less than normal. Alarm bells ring...
It was on for £8995 or offers and I secured it for £8250, the HPI perfect, MOT mile check perfect, FSH confirmed by Franchised Dealer, various pictures showed very good bodywork with no major issues. A one owner vehicle.
The seller was friendly and easy to chat to, indeed a Company Director.
I paid a £250 depost on Monday then drove a 700 (round trip) to collect on Friday.
A mate was heading to the area that day so he dropped me off on the drive of a big detached house. Everything was looking great.
The vehicle is on the chaps drive, looking fine. My mate drives off...
Oh, it's got a bald rear tyre, not the end of the world, then I notice, yes, another bald rear tyre, again not a massive issue. Then I see a 2 foot long scrape down a nearside rear door, not a big dent or anything but an issue none the less.... And it was NOT in the photos.
The vehicle is full of fuel (oh how kind!), the interior is fantastic and has had a pro-valet.
Then I notice both the drivers and passenger doors have dropped and they are rubbing the front wings. Minor but means more bodyshop time and £££. But about £500 of work will finish off well.
I go for a test drive around the local 30 MPH roads and it drives well, FSH is complete and I think yes, it has some issues but my neighbour is a Director of a pro-coachworks and can deal with it for me.
At this point the guy tells me the vehicle is used by his Church/Friends so I think, do I push for money off here or email later? It's getting dark and I'm thinking if the guy does not want to play ball and offer a discount I could be left out in the countryside 350 miles from home. I pay up.
The journey home is fine bar I notice the gearbox crunches (very occasionally) between 3rd and 4th. I tested reverse on the test drive but must have not got in to 4th on the 30 MPH roads I drove on. Annoying...
A mechanic friends say "syncro mesh" and either put up with an occasional crunch or pay circa £500/£800 for a rebuild or buy a recon gearbox.
At home I also find a nice dent on the roof. Yes, I missed it. What a fool I am...
Anyway, I went with it as the price was right. My Coachwork mate does a stunning job and I can't wait to see the vehicle finished (it's being done this week). The gearbox will be done and I may well sell it for at a £1000-£2000 profit once it's back on my drive.
I did send the vendor an email saying the tank of fuel was appreciated but the photos on ebay were taken 2-3 years ago (at a guess) and he's agreed a £150 refund due to the scrape on the door.
I've learned a lesson but will recover the situation, I hope.
This was a typical example of a good vehicle being neglected (on the outside) and I get enjoyment out of bringing the vehicle back to top condition.
It's also funny that some people are happy to spend £60-£70 on fuel and maybe £100 on a valet but leave tyres bald...
It was on for £8995 or offers and I secured it for £8250, the HPI perfect, MOT mile check perfect, FSH confirmed by Franchised Dealer, various pictures showed very good bodywork with no major issues. A one owner vehicle.
The seller was friendly and easy to chat to, indeed a Company Director.
I paid a £250 depost on Monday then drove a 700 (round trip) to collect on Friday.
A mate was heading to the area that day so he dropped me off on the drive of a big detached house. Everything was looking great.
The vehicle is on the chaps drive, looking fine. My mate drives off...
Oh, it's got a bald rear tyre, not the end of the world, then I notice, yes, another bald rear tyre, again not a massive issue. Then I see a 2 foot long scrape down a nearside rear door, not a big dent or anything but an issue none the less.... And it was NOT in the photos.
The vehicle is full of fuel (oh how kind!), the interior is fantastic and has had a pro-valet.
Then I notice both the drivers and passenger doors have dropped and they are rubbing the front wings. Minor but means more bodyshop time and £££. But about £500 of work will finish off well.
I go for a test drive around the local 30 MPH roads and it drives well, FSH is complete and I think yes, it has some issues but my neighbour is a Director of a pro-coachworks and can deal with it for me.
At this point the guy tells me the vehicle is used by his Church/Friends so I think, do I push for money off here or email later? It's getting dark and I'm thinking if the guy does not want to play ball and offer a discount I could be left out in the countryside 350 miles from home. I pay up.
The journey home is fine bar I notice the gearbox crunches (very occasionally) between 3rd and 4th. I tested reverse on the test drive but must have not got in to 4th on the 30 MPH roads I drove on. Annoying...
A mechanic friends say "syncro mesh" and either put up with an occasional crunch or pay circa £500/£800 for a rebuild or buy a recon gearbox.
At home I also find a nice dent on the roof. Yes, I missed it. What a fool I am...
Anyway, I went with it as the price was right. My Coachwork mate does a stunning job and I can't wait to see the vehicle finished (it's being done this week). The gearbox will be done and I may well sell it for at a £1000-£2000 profit once it's back on my drive.
I did send the vendor an email saying the tank of fuel was appreciated but the photos on ebay were taken 2-3 years ago (at a guess) and he's agreed a £150 refund due to the scrape on the door.
I've learned a lesson but will recover the situation, I hope.
This was a typical example of a good vehicle being neglected (on the outside) and I get enjoyment out of bringing the vehicle back to top condition.
It's also funny that some people are happy to spend £60-£70 on fuel and maybe £100 on a valet but leave tyres bald...
Edited by Master Harris on Tuesday 14th December 21:43
cheadle hulme said:
Why didn't your mate wait for a bit. Could have been anything going on. 15 mins wait wouldn't have hurt anyone.
LOL, posh house, one owner car...Also my mate was off to a party in the area, I needed to get home. Even if he waited I would have had a tricky ( and expensive) journey back. The train would have been over £100.
Deva Link said:
I'm not sure if you're boasting or complaining. Sounds like you had a very lucky escape - can't believe the guy refunded you £150, but I guess that would be because he was a company director.
I'm not trying to do either, it's a story and I have learned a lesson that things are never ever as they seem...Master Harris said:
[
Also my mate was off to a party in the area, I needed to get home. Even if he waited I would have had a tricky ( and expensive) journey back. The train would have been over £100.
Your mate drove 350 miles to a party...?Also my mate was off to a party in the area, I needed to get home. Even if he waited I would have had a tricky ( and expensive) journey back. The train would have been over £100.
Down the road from where you bought a car on ebay...?
That was a small stroke of luck...
No idea why, But this story sounds made up for whatever reason.
Why would you mention it after you got home and not at the time? Why not mention tyres at the time?
Your friend was at a part 350 miles away just down from where you bought the car.
Dont know why someone would make it up, But it sounds like a fake story?
Why would you mention it after you got home and not at the time? Why not mention tyres at the time?
Your friend was at a part 350 miles away just down from where you bought the car.
Dont know why someone would make it up, But it sounds like a fake story?
Jo Po said:
No idea why, But this story sounds made up for whatever reason.
Why would you mention it after you got home and not at the time? Why not mention tyres at the time?
Your friend was at a part 350 miles away just down from where you bought the car.
Dont know why someone would make it up, But it sounds like a fake story?
Why would you mention it after you got home and not at the time? Why not mention tyres at the time?
Your friend was at a part 350 miles away just down from where you bought the car.
Dont know why someone would make it up, But it sounds like a fake story?
Sloppy story planning...
Master Harris said:
cheadle hulme said:
Why didn't your mate wait for a bit. Could have been anything going on. 15 mins wait wouldn't have hurt anyone.
LOL, posh house, one owner car...Also my mate was off to a party in the area, I needed to get home. Even if he waited I would have had a tricky ( and expensive) journey back. The train would have been over £100.
mybrainhurts said:
Jo Po said:
No idea why, But this story sounds made up for whatever reason.
Why would you mention it after you got home and not at the time? Why not mention tyres at the time?
Your friend was at a part 350 miles away just down from where you bought the car.
Dont know why someone would make it up, But it sounds like a fake story?
Why would you mention it after you got home and not at the time? Why not mention tyres at the time?
Your friend was at a part 350 miles away just down from where you bought the car.
Dont know why someone would make it up, But it sounds like a fake story?
Sloppy story planning...
STW2010 said:
Master Harris said:
cheadle hulme said:
Why didn't your mate wait for a bit. Could have been anything going on. 15 mins wait wouldn't have hurt anyone.
LOL, posh house, one owner car...Also my mate was off to a party in the area, I needed to get home. Even if he waited I would have had a tricky ( and expensive) journey back. The train would have been over £100.
had he walked away, he would have had a £100 train ticket. clearly, he made the smart choice!
AudiSport said:
This is strange, your story doesn't ad up and there is no objective or angle.
That's what got me, There doesn't seem to be a 'point' to the story and it kinda just...ends. No angle to it, Is it supposed to be a good story, A bad one? Who knows?
What car was it? Just out of curiosity?
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff