Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rootes75]

Is it me or is ebay a horrible way of buying / selling classics!

I wont give details but we were very interested in a small classic commercial, of the 6 messages to the seller only the first was answered, no phone number was given either. I got quotes to transport it the 170 odd miles back to our yard also.

Now I see that even with no bids it has been removed by the seller, so I have messaged and still no replies. My presumptions are it was sold off ebay or they thought it would only get the starting bid.

I suppose at least we didn't buy it and travel the long distance only to be messed about.

Doesn't it just p**s you off sometimes. Face to face dealing is always best.

[62rebel]

it seems that ebay sellers often have irons in many fires when they're out to shift something. they probably had it listed in several places and neglected to keep track of, or respond politely, to all callers. I've had to sell a few and tried as best I could to respond to all inquiries.

that said, I've tried a few times to contact sellers when I've been keen on something and found it sold only moments before I reached them.
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nothing is ever so far gone as to be unsalvageable. see this bolt?.....

[ukdave2002]

Wherever you buy; there will be good and bad sellers, ebay just reflects this, I have to say most sellers of classic cars and associated bits, in my experience tend to fall into the class of better sellers .

Dave

[Rootes75]

I agree with you Dave, wherever you buy you have to be careful. Up till now I still haven't had a reply to any of my messages of the last 3 days. I don't think I'd mind so much if I was just told politely that it had already sold.

I think with any 'chase' to buy something you build your hopes up a bit and its only human nature to be disappointed when things don't turn out like you'd hope.

Nevermind, I already have a couple o classic Hillmans and Commers so I am happy with my lot

[baconsdozen]

I think Ebay tries to make it harder to contact sellers incase people then try and do a deal outside of ebay which of course means ebay lose out on their fees.
Sellers seem to spend lots of time finding ways of getting round this and using an advert for say,a wheel nut,to advertise a who;e car breaking for parts which means they get to list for free.
I think ebay itself is too big to police such things properly and its fees are now to high to provide the bargains that it once did.
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Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).

[Rootes75]

I agree, you certainly don't find as many bargains on ebay these days.

[bsa500]

I think bargins are possible take me. Looking for a project and saw the Ashely 1172 rolling wreck and got outbid. Turns out that was a time waster and I got it for the sum of 500. Turns out this car is a SSII chassis with Wolseley Hornet rear axle and 12 inch hydraulic brakes and a standard sidevalve and SS spec gearbox. Lots of work to come but is a sound chassis engine etc for a 1930's special two seater

[Rick]

I find ebay invaluable for finding parts, but as with anything it - and the sellers - have to be approached with a modicum of caution.

RJ
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