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Does anyone still buy cars on ebay?

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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

Great Pumpkin
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Just like I'm beginning to feel about answering the phone ... I wonder why does anyone bother buying cars on ebay.

There are SO MANY cars advertised there. But try to get details!

Example from a recent ad:

<span style="font-style: italic">1963 <classic car> 4dr 6cyl auto 74000 miles has been in same family for 47 yrs and has been stored for the past 15 yrs had new fuel pump on and both carbs rebulid changed oil and filter before running car. car does run and stop but did not check brake lining car has sone rust by left front bumper brace the floors look very good and the body looks good left bucket seat has leather cracks needs fron floor mats all glass good a/c does not work. maybe would del for a fee very fair reserve </span>

Pictures were all exterior shots, from at least ten feet away.

When I emailed and asked for details and pictures of the undercarriage, engine, suspension, and trunk areas, here's what seller replied:

<span style="font-style: italic">
Hi don't know much about it i have a clear ohio title engine is very good floors look to be very
good trunk is very solid susp.seems to be good it looks as if a repair had
been done on rocker ahead of right wheel rust? this is a very solid car
no records Thanks</span>

Gentlemen - why bother advertising if you're not going to answer questions? Do people really buy cars sight unseen? (Does anyone still know how to write a paragraph?)

Jeez.

Tom
 
Mornin', Tom!

What? Didn't eat yer prunes this mornin'? :devilgrin:

Yeah, I agree with you regarding the piecemeal ads and poor writing. Guess if one is interested in a car, it would be best either to go check it out in person, or enlist the aid of someone close by.
 
That's why it's VITAL to have someone local inspect it. Find a friend in the area (which I've done before). OR, I think on eBay you can order an inspection for a remarkably low price and get a report with loads of photos (from someone that is knowledgable with the car in question).
But I agree, some ads are terribly written, and even asking the right questions doesn't take you far. For example, here's a current ad for a 1958 or 1959 Sprite (but he's not sure): https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1959-AUST...=item35baec761d . A pretty laughable description.
 
I was never a fan of eBay due to the long distance for many cars/items.
Have only bought a few things on eBay.

But have bought quite a few things (including cars) on craigslist, because it's local.
Bought my last two Spridgets on craigslist....one was 10 minutes away and the other was 1/2 hour drive..
 
It's been a few years, but I did buy a P/U sight unseen. Owner very easy to deal with, answered all questions, and said when I came to get it, if I was not happy, he would refund all money.

He met me at the airport with the truck, full gas tank, all fluids changed, washed and waxed, perfect.

Like I said, this was probably 5 years ago and I gather things have changed, but if I were in the market and the owner made an effort to answer questions, I would buy again.
 
"THE CAR IS PRETTY MUCH ALL IN TACK..." Just hop on the saddle and ride away... :laugh:
 
I have bought hundreds of cars on eBay, but they all were slot cars. And even then I have bought a few I wish I hadn't, but then I also got some amazing deals on others, so I will still continue to buy the little ones on the bay...but not 1:1 cars.
 
martx-5 said:
"THE CAR IS PRETTY MUCH ALL IN TACK..." Just hop on the saddle and ride away... :laugh:
Click to expand...

Yeah, I thought that was pretty funny too (and he used that "in tack" line in a few places). Pretty amazing that he thinks it's a '58 or '59. Sheesh.
 
Don't think I would buy a car on e-bay. Think I'd just stick to buying my locomotives there.
 
Here in the hinterlands we often have to shop beyond the local market, especially if you desire more unusual cars... It's a rather small population around here compared to some of you guys...

What I can't believe though... Pre-internet people still made purchases out of region, and buyers sent photos through the mail for any potential buyers... I acquired a collection of such images a couple of years ago, majority of them were so poor you could hardly even assess the condition of the car...
 
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