I get so tired of this -ebay listing

[240Z-Fan]

Living in the rust belt, I have found that clean Z cars are nearly impossible to find locally. What really kills me is how much people will lie, or hide about there cars.

I cannot tell you how many times I went to see a Z that sounded great "No Rust", "Ready for Paint", only to find out the thing was a basket case.

One time I agreed to meet a guy at a convenient mid way point to see his clean Z . It was just a shell so he was trailering it over. He pulled in and first the thing I see is a wire harness dangling through the rusted out floor. Then I see the bent hood with rust along the crease... Then he mentioned he had a really nice car at his daughters farm across the state. That car was worse. I left so mad at the guy.

Some years later, I took a two-week shopping trip to Arizona and California. The cars I saw in Phoenix and Tucson were rusted and generally in rough shape. The same was true in San Diego.

Finally I guy I talked to in LA described what I was looking for. Hoping for the best, but fearing the worst, I went to see it and a couple of other cars.

The Z was fabulous. It looked it over for hours. I then went to see another car that sounded very good too. No way.

The next day, I called Classic Datsun to verify some things I saw on the nice car, bought it and had it shipped home.

Every so often, I see a Z on ebay that I think may be really nice, but then I remind myself of the countless times I saw cars that were not even close to what the seller claimed.

-Al

[ezzzzzzz]

I recently drove by a 240Z for sale on the side of road. The sale sign didn't state a price. From a couple hundred feet it looked darn nice. Upon closer inspection I couldn't help but snicker. It was held together by the wizz poor paint job. Rust was prevalent. The floor boards were falling out. The hood wouldn't open because it was jamming against the dented up bumper. The interior was totally shot. At best, this was a parts car or good for a demolition derby. I was willing to offer up $400-$500 tops. No one answered the door at the house so I called the number listed. The guy answering said the car had just sold on eBay. I asked the selling price and he said it was $3650! I literally laughed out loud and said "Boy, is that fella gonna be pissed when he sees this. I'm glad I'm not you." He just hung up. I also bought my 240Z off eBay two states away. I paid a dear price (negotiated a buy-it-now) for it but based on what I've seen the value is definately there. Luckily, a friend is a professor at Tennessee State and he drove over to check the car out prior to spending the money. My only regret is the paint job was not as good as it could have been. That can be resolved. It is 'buyer beware' on eBay...no doubt.

[MEZZZ]

My z was actually the 3rd vehicle I had bought on Ebay. In 2000, I bought a '94 Infiniti J30 with 80K on it, flew to Florida and drove it home the next day. The car is still in my family, my neice has it with over 200k on it, still looks and drives great. I bought my daughter a car up in Cleveland, took a Greyhound Bus up, picked it up, she drove it for 4 years before trading it earlier this year on a brand new Scion. I also bought a Harley, owned it 3 years and sold it for $1000 less than I paid for it...on Ebay, and the buyer was thrilled with it.

Then, like Al, I went through the trials and tribulations of looking for a Z around here in Ohio. The few that were for sale in the past year (within 100 miles or so, were pretty shot. So, since I have had luck in the past with Ebay, I turned in that direction. I looked for about 2-3 months before I finally found one that was in my price range, a "mild refreshment" car. Needed seats redone and a new paint job to quote the seller "to be a show car".

I emailed 3 different times, asked alot of questions, talked to the guy. I was told he would be very surprised if I was dissapointed in the car. Its a great Z, true, its 30 years old and it needs a paint job and new seats, got a couple dings in it, but it has NO RUST, no BONDO, bought from the original owner, old retired guy. Ran great, everything but the clock works, etc.

I pay to have it shipped here, go to get it and the thing is a rag! Spray can paint job, overspray everywhere, all rubber, windshield, headlights, tires, bumpers, even on the console! The engine bay is splatttered with silver paint, the inside of the hatch is rusted through all the way across the bottom, there is a 2' hole in the pass. frame rail, a rust hole on the inner fender about 4 inches. Obvious bondo on the front pass. fender that looks like it is a big wad of gum shoved in there. The blower doenst work, nor the radio, the antenna is shot. The brakes sound like a yellow school bus.

Then to top it all off, the PO didnt even had the title in his name! After I finally got Ebay involved and they contacted the Oregon BMV, it turns out that he had bought the car 4 weeks prior for $2250 less than his reserve price on ebay and never so much as even washed the windows on the thing, only lied to enahance its value.

I hate to admit I got duped, like most people. I am telling this just to let people know to be careful. I felt since I had such good luck in the past, it would continue. Obviously it didnt. Now I am going to have to spend alot more time and $$ to get this thing sorted out. I am also going to have to LEARN about these cars, as I have very limited knowledge on them.

That is where all the GREAT PEOPLE on here come in! A very heartfelt thanks to all that have directly or indirectly helped me so far! I have the interior gutted except for the dash, the floors at least are rock solid!

[Exdamyankee]

I bought my car on eBay and what I wound up driving home was pretty m uch exactly what the seller listed. No disappointments. I paid a bit more (maybe $4-500) for mine than a lot of other unrestored 2+2's, but the mileage (86K) was documented and the car was 99% rust free, and I've had it down to bare metal already and that claim was accurate.

There's good and bad on eBay. Caveat Emptor is the name of the game. If you're reasonably educated you're not likely to be burned. If the seller won't communicate with you and you feel something is "funny," trust your instincts and take a pass.

[MEZZZ]

I bought my car on eBay and what I wound up driving home was pretty m uch exactly what the seller listed. No disappointments. I paid a bit more (maybe $4-500) for mine than a lot of other unrestored 2+2's, but the mileage (86K) was documented and the car was 99% rust free, and I've had it down to bare metal already and that claim was accurate.

There's good and bad on eBay. Caveat Emptor is the name of the game. If you're reasonably educated you're not likely to be burned. If the seller won't communicate with you and you feel something is "funny," trust your instincts and take a pass.

I couldnt agree more...I wished I had paid more attention to my latin class, that phrase might have paid off

In my case, the seller answered all my questions to my liking, unfortunately, they were all lies

I love Ebay though and will continue to use it. Over 200 transactions and have had this one bad one and a couple non payers. All in all, Ebay is a great resource and there are alot more decent than decieptful people on there. I had a seller recently offer to send me a strong running L28 he pulled out of a Ferrari replicar he was doing for free, just pay the freight charge. Another offered to send me a F.I. harness and heater fan switch for no charge and told me not to worry about the freight...there are still some decent people in the world

Once I got a freight quote on the motor, I passed on it He lived in the middle of nowhere in the Arizona desert

[Exdamyankee]

Ebay is like the world in microcosm. Some people just flat out suck on eBay, just like in the "real" world. Others are just plain good folks. I'd say that over nine years and a couple hundred transactions, I'm about 95% satisfied. If only my experience with "regular" merchants and buyers was as good! :eek: