Another one to avoid

[GunnerRob]

Originally posted by sblake01

I think that's the other one. The red FRP car. Sure sounds like his atitude. (I also emailed him) We're talking about the one that has 'been sitting in a basement for over 30 years'.

By golly, you're correct.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention Stephen. At this time I'd like recant my previous statement in this thread.

FWIW, I did send a letter of apology to the seller of the car that's the subject of this thread.

[hls30.com]

What do you think of warning the bidders? These people are soon to be info-hungry on the cars, and primed for membership here! Should we let them know that the pictures and the discriptions don't quite jive? Should we let them know what questions to ask? The last time I checked, the bid was at or about $3000-a person could get a decent 240 driver for that, and an honest idea of what was wrong with it. If we don't help out the newbies, they will get burned, that will lead to disgust, and abandonment of the hobby.

Sharing info is what the club is about, here is a chance to give someone new a lesson on what to look for to make an informed decision.

This may ring like another thread, but I am not one to ignore rust-in sheetmetal or in charactor! I take far more pride in trying to prevent someone from making a mistake than from feeling superior because I knew they would or did.

Will

[koreavet]

Originally posted by hls30.com

What do you think of warning the bidders? These people are soon to be info-hungry on the cars, and primed for membership here! Should we let them know that the pictures and the discriptions don't quite jive? Should we let them know what questions to ask? ...

Will

Just a friendly FYI...

Ebay's definition of Transaction Interference: "Members are not permitted to email buyers in an open or completed transaction to warn them away from a seller or item."

Ebay's penalties for Transaction Interference: "Disciplinary action may result in a formal warning, temporary suspension, or indefinite suspension."

Proceed with caution...

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by hls30.com

What do you think of warning the bidders?

I'll bet I get tarred and feathered for this one, but..............Who appointed anyone here as the Z Police? It is none our our (the collective "our") business. The buyer has the right to ask us for advice, and "we" then can then advise WHEN INVITED TO DO SO, but beyond that it is not our position to interfere.

The buyer should be looking out for his own interest, and the seller certainly (IMHO) has an obligation to be honest and truthful in his advertisment.

OK, I'm standing still here.................shoot me!

[Alfadog]

That's a pretty self-indulged attitude... Would you like to be warned if you were bidding on something described incorrectly? I know I would.........

*BANG!*

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by Alfadog

That's a pretty self-indulged attitude... Would you like to be warned if you were bidding on something described incorrectly? I know I would.........

*BANG!*

And why should I believe some unknown (to me) putz who emails me out of the blue, telling me something that I may or may not already know? I would resent someone contacting me (uninvited) and treating me like I don't know what I'm doing. If I want opinions about a transaction I'm involved in, I'd ask for them. Are you advocating standing in front of the furniture store and advising the customers there about their purchase plans? Same thing!

Actually, it's a free market attitude. It isn't anyone's business what I do as a buyer or a seller unless I invite you to participate.

"Self Indulged" is someone feeling that they have a right to be "Big Brother" to the world at large. This "I know more than you do" attitude" sucks . "Self indulged" is someone thinking that they have a right to interfere with a transaction, or to act like they know what the buyer or seller "doesn't know". Just tad on the arrogant side!

You missed me, I ducked!

[Alfadog]

OK, I wont warn you if I see you being ripped off.

I do not think the furniture store analogy is appropriate. If they claimed their furniture was made of wood when it wasn't then yes, I would warn customers who entered the shop. I would hope others wouldn't be as ignorant as to stand by silently. It's not a "I know more than you" attitude, it's basic consideration for the well-being others.

That's just my opinion, though.

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by Alfadog

OK, I wont warn you if I see you being ripped off.

And I won't warn you or anyone else, unless I am invited to give council on a specific transaction. If you (or anyone) asks, I'll give honest council to the best of my ability. Until that time, I won't stick my nose in someone else's business!

Keep in mind, we are talking about emailing to people we don't know, and sticking our nose in their business, uninvited AND against eBay policy. We don't know whether the buyer knows the truth about the item, or not; and "he" sure doesn't know if we are knowledgable, or are just nosey, or have another agenda entirely!

Originally posted by Alfadog If they claimed their furniture was made of wood when it wasn't................

So, the average furniture (or car/parts) buyer "NEEDS" (or wants) your unsolicited advice on how to purchase furniture (car/parts)?

Stand in front of MY furniture store and do that and you'd better have your toothbrush and some soap on a rope with you, cause you'll be arrested if I have anything to say about it.

Just my opinion as well.

[sblake01]

Carl, you and I may have had a difference of opinion on an issue or two in the past but I am in total concurrence with you on this one! Unsolicited advice to potential ebay buyers is not only against ebay rules but it's an invasion of privacy. I'ts not much different from the telemarketers who get you name from wherever and call you with 'better' deals for your mortgage. I don't have a problem with emailing the seller with my concerns although I know I probably won't get the response I might expect. But that's still between he and I. Once you become a 'third party' in these deals, you have entered a shady area and you do become somewhat 'big brother-esque'. Better that the potential buyer does his own research on sites like this or wherever he feels he can get good information to substantiate or dispell the sellers claims.

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by sblake01

Carl, you and I may have had a difference of opinion on an issue or two in the past but I am in total concurrence with you on this one! Unsolicited advice to potential ebay buyers is not only against ebay rules but it's an invasion of privacy. I'ts not much different from the telemarketers who get you name from wherever and call you with 'better' deals for your mortgage. I don't have a problem with emailing the seller with my concerns although I know I probably won't get the response I might expect. But that's still between he and I. Once you become a 'third party' in these deals, you have entered a shady area and you do become somewhat 'big brother-esque'. Better that the potential buyer does his own research on sites like this or wherever he feels he can get good information to substantiate or dispell the sellers claims.

Thanks Stephen. We really aren't that different (you and I, I believe), but we are not exactly the same and that's OK. I value your opinions even when they are different than mine. (I also value Alfa-Pup's)

I have contacted sellers with information, and even with links to substantiate the info, and I've never gotten an appreciative response, so I quit even trying to do that. It is wonderful that we (as a club) are here and ready to help people, all they have to do is ask, we are easy to find and VERY willing to help when asked.

(Last post on the subject)

[hls30.com]

You guys are going a little farther than I am talking about, I would send the bidder an invitation to join this club based upon the interest represented by his or her bid on a Z, and include as an FYI, a link to the thread discussing the car! All This would do is introduce opportunity. It is not for me to make up the buyers mind, just to allow him the opportunity to have access to some better information that may or may not enlighten him or her about the true nature of the proposed purchase.

I do not see that an invitation to learn more about Z cars after a public purchase of one as an invasion of privacy. It was not my intention to give a "I'm Going in with guns blazing" appearance to my original post. Sellers may not know enough to give a correct blurb, buyers may not know enough to properly evaluate the blurb-my invitation to the club would go to both-allowing both equal access to the good information provided by our members, and granting the ability to make the conscious choices of whether to modify a discription, and whether to buy a car.

Now-what do to based on the use of that information is for the owner of the money involved to figure out!

I appreciate being a part of a club with members who are as passionate about their opinions as we are!

Will

PS. I am from Georgia, and the popular urban legend, that we kill what we don't understand, may be true. I do understand the alternative points of view, so no gunfire is coming from my garage!

[mdbrandy]

Originally posted by Bambikiller240 I have contacted sellers with information, and even with links to substantiate the info, and I've never gotten an appreciative response, so I quit even trying to do that.

I never contact buyers, but I've contacted several sellers advising them of errors in their "Z" parts listings. Just this week I got a nice note back thanking me on one, and they corrected the listing. That's happened several times. A few times I've gotten nothing back, but more often than not the sellers are appreciative. I generally pose the correction as a question, with information showing why I'm "confused". Maybe that helps, or maybe I've just been lucky.