Thinking about buying a car on eBay? Be forewarned...

if anyone had employed one of the car check companies already,there might be a ready list to go by;saves time and effort on our parts

 

I'll begin to put something together - a main 'post', along with some way participants can get a copy of a worksheet to go off of. I'll probably just e-mail it out to whoever asks. As each new person volunteers, I'll edit the main post to update the list. (Is that do-able, Wagonmaster?)

Also, not sure what section or sub-section to put it into?

 

Is there a member map? If not, maybe we could do one in conjunction with this and have an entry of something like "Willing to inspect within X miles".

Google Docs has a spreadsheet, and it integrates with google maps nicely. Plus the document can be shared easily as well.

 

I'll more than likely be doing it on the 'Open Office' spreadsheet program, and saving it as an Excel doc and as a file with an .ods extension (open Office format). Users can print it off blank, fill it out with pen/pencil at the vehicle location, and either fax it, or scan and save it as a .pdf. Or, they can go to the trouble of Opening the original doc, filling it out on the computer and saving it for e-mailing.

I've got some experience with forms, so it will be worked out.

But, to take your suggestion, I've never worked with Google Docs before. I'll check it out.

 

PVAN, I'm sory to hear about your troubles. I make it a rule not to bid on a vehicle if I don't really want the vehicle. If I do bid, I bid if it is at a good price that I would feel comfortable and if there is positive communication with the seller. I've personally never won an ebay auction for a vehicle. The older I become the more I feel that people should only purchase a vehicle ($2000 and above) after inspecting it in person. I've gone out to see cars posted on Craigslist that I have communicated with the seller. Most of the vehicles have been great dissappointments and a waste of time. I can only imagine if they had been purchased from ebay.

 

Man, this is a GREAT idea! I would be more than willing to pay someone for time, gas and their expertise. It seems like every wagon I'm even mildly interested in ends up inconveniently being on the other side of the country.

Keep us posted on this project!

 

OK - I've got an inspection worksheet together on my computer in .odf (Open Office) and .xls (Excel) forms.

I would like to have a few people look at it and see if I missed anything. I've got it down to just one page, and I'd like to keep it that way. Form will be useful in 2 ways: First, you can print it out as you get it, and then just fill it out as look at the vehicle in pen or pencil. As long as your writing's readable, that's all you need - Just scan it as a .pdf and e-mail, or simply fax it back. Second way is you can open the document on your computer and fill it out there. (Looks more professional). Most of the 'heading' items are in their own cells and are protected, so they can't be erased. 'Fill-In' boxes are preset for proper format.

So, if you would like to take a look, send me a PM with your e-mail address, and the type of document you would prefer - .odf, or .xls (or both)

 

I've been an inspector for two different professional car inspection companies, one doing run of the mill cars off eBay and one that specializes in high-dollar newer cars (Bentley, Lamborghini, etc.) and muscle cars. I'm retired from GM Service Engineering, and I would be willing to help out in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area if anyone needs it.

 

We'll get this thing officially started soon. In the meantime. I'd like to send you the inspection for I made up, to see if I left out anything. Can you PM me your E-mail?

Marshall

 

Don't take for an answer!

Just a quick followup to my original post...

As of today, eBay has relented and is providing vehicle protection coverage if the Mustang I purchased (not listed in a vehicle category, but clearly a vehicle) fails to be produced, or is not as described. It took a couple of unpleasant phone calls, but they "made a one-time exception" in my case.

Further, after several phone calls to PayPal, managed to get them to provide purchase protection on the vehicle even though they it says they don't in their terms of use.

This was a very interesting case as I was told initially that they would not provide coverage. After speaking with two people I was told they could open a claim for non-delivery of my purchase and reach out to the seller. If he didn't respond within 10 days, by default my money would be refunded.

Because my interest was in completing the transaction first, and secondarily to recover my money if there were issues, on day 9 I contacted PayPal once again to see if we could extend the period of time before they would automatically refund the money. I was told they couldn't unless the seller contacted them. They then encouraged me to have the seller contact them assuring me "not to worry, we have you covered."

I can tell you from this experience, do NOT accept a generic platitude, or qualified statement when you are dealing with eBay or PayPal. Ask them to clarify exactly what that means. I normally do, but I was sitting in the driver's seat covered by both eBay and PayPal, and I slipped...

As it turns out, after encouraging the seller to call PayPal to help keep the deal moving along, PayPal immediately cancelled my claim because they don't cover vehicle purchases. The same claim that had been discussed on multiple occasions, and had I not directed the seller to contact PayPal would have seen my money returned so as to protect my money. Honestly, I flipped.

Earlier this afternoon I called back to express my concerns with the way the customer service person I spoke with had totally misdirected me and stripped me of my claim and my ability to recover through PayPal. I was flatly told I was wrong and that vehicles are not covered and they would be happy to show me how wrong I was. Thanks, but I'll speak to your supervisor.

The supervisor gets on the line and begins to read letter of the law to me. PayPal doesn't cover vehicle purchases. I express that for the past 10 days, since the first person who told me they don't cover vehicles but to file the claim anyhow and I would be covered and to every person after, have assured me I would be covered and my money was safe. And until the last one encouraged me to take action that would torpedo my protection, I was covered. Repeatedly I was sited policy. Repeatedly I acknowledged policy and rebutted with stated guarantees by customer service reps.

In the end, the supervisor agreed to review the last phone call with the rep who encouraged me to have the seller call, with a promise to follow up via email. In a nutshell, PayPal says we didn't promise anything BUT, because we could have more clearly described potential outcomes from actions discussed, AND we believe the seller is genuinely interested in completing the transaction, AND you are a good customer, we will cover you.

Thank you eBay. Thank you PayPal. And now...I'm going to have a well deserved adult beverage!