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Ebay Question

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Jedi Knight
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Just got done looking at Ebay,... needed some practice gritting my teeth. My question is do the people who bid on ebay know about the other sites like the BCF, VTR or MG car club UK, etc. etc, and that they have classifides. Why buy under the pressure of Ebay when you can go through a web site of enthusiasts. I don't think I will ever figure this out, even if it's explained to me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonod.gifebay. I'll agree with you there. What are some of these sellers thinking. My favorite is the people who advertise Stags with leather seats and the proper Buick v-6 conversion. Pleeeez! Oh yeah, look at the treat I bought on ebay in my signature!/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonod.gif
 
I list alot of things on ebay for work. And sometimes I buy Triumph things on ebay if I can find a decent price.
 
The key to Ebay is to know all about what you want to buy. I have seen parts on Ebay sell alot higher than what could be purchased elsewhere. Research is critical!!! Impulse buys will kill a budget in a heartbeat.
 
Ebay does have a few good points, but as far as the cars go, I gave up some time ago while looking for an XJS Conv, the same cars listed as sold one week were back on the next, something just wasn't right. Now the parts section is another story. I've had a lot of luck with hard to find parts and most of the dealers know what they have, but you still have to be up on you car and the new price, watch the shipping and be ready to rechrome for show cars. Wayne
 
I'll echo Waynes thoughts. I have bought very few items on eBay, and all of them were something I needed, and knew the fair value of before bidding. They included a set of rods, a 948 Sprite engine, a differential of the ratio I was looking for, and, well, you get my drift.
In all cases, I knew what my limit as far as bidding was, and if I thought the items were overpriced, I stopped bidding.
I don't think I would buy a vehicle that way, unless I gave it a thorough going over first.
I, too have been disgusted with the vastly overstated claims of sellers, and feel no sympathy for those who get caught in scams of any sort.
Do the research, look for forums of enthusiasts such as this one, and uppermost, Caveat Emptor.
End of rant.
Jeff
 
THose are some great pics of Frankenspit!!!! LMAO! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif
 
TR Roadster,

Never give up...and you can find something like this: https://90xj-s.tripod.com/ It took me 6 months and I used a lot of Jag Technicians in a lot of cities but I found it on ebay (from a dealer) and I would have a lot of trouble being happier. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Mike
 
This is for Frankenstang. I give you all kinds of credit. I've restored some basket cases, but you win the prize. Is there a website that you have that will show the progress. I'd love to follow your restoration, it will motivate me to keep restoring my TR3. Everyone needs a little motivation sometimes. Good Luck and keep everyone posted.
 
I look to eBay first for many parts. As noted, you have to know what you're looking for and what it's worth but you can find good deals if you are in no hurry. There are so many listings that the common stuff will eventually come up cheap with few other bidders. I like to have spares for everything that can go wrong and in many cases NOS or used original are superior to the repros available.

You probably will want to understand sniping if you plan to buy often. Some resent it but it is the only way I bid and the method that can keep the bidding from being run up by over eager buyers.
 
[ QUOTE ]
yep, the last bid wins.

The bidding can get furious in the final minute or so.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, but in the last ten seconds, you will either win or lose (right George?) Sniping keeps the amateurs at bay. If you place a bid too early someone will just have to beat it.
Seems to be "ebay nature".

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif

Mike
 
Well, I have to agree that I've seen some amazing things on eBay. I've only bought one thing there - my GT6. I put in a proxy bid with 30 seconds to go and won the auction at the low end of my proxy range. Since the car was "only" 700 miles away, I went there to see it before I paid anything. I believe a paid a fair price for a runner that needed everything. It did make the 700 mile drive home without incident so it's hard to say I overpaid for a complete '73 GT6 at $3200. The body was excellent and the motor was hitting on at least 3 of 6. ;o) Of course, like everyone else, I now have more in the car than it's worth. On the other hand, it sure is pretty, it runs great after a bearings-up rebuild, and the only way I know to put a bigger smile on my face is something we won't discuss on this forum. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

With the traditional "buyer beware" caveat, you can get a square deal on eBay but you have to work at it. By the way, we can all help each other out in this respect. Whenever possible, I will go check out a car for others and send an impartial report. I did this for the guy that bought that TR6 with the louvered bonnet a few months back and sent him about 2 dozen e-pics. I believe he was quite happy with his deal (but it was private, not eBay). Watching out for each other is, after all, what forums like this are all about!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
With the traditional "buyer beware" caveat, you can get a square deal on eBay but you have to work at it.

[/ QUOTE ]
Having made 87 buys on ebaY and gotten burned once, I strongly recommend you shy away from sellers who accept checks/money orders only. You have no recourse with such payments if the seller doesn't come through. PayPal is your safest route.
 
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