Don't buy parts on Ebay - my experience

[Hankiss]

I am fed up with Ebay sellers. I recently purchased thermostat listed as compatible with W204 220 diesel engine code 646.811. The listing also included OEM number A646 200 00 15. When the item arrived I discovered that the thermostat is different then mine with A646 200 0015 number. Contacted the seller but he refused to accept return and refund. Although. the item was new as arrived never fitted. Lesson learn again : don’t buy from Ebay, because in most cases the sellers have no idea what they are selling. They copy details and compatibility list from each other not knowing that they are wrong.

 

[ioweddie]

Report it to eBay...You are entitled to your money back...Open a case...Not as described.....eBay will refund you

 

[grahamcol]

I think experiences vary a bit. I recently had to buy a replacement 3rd brake light assembly for my 209. I wanted a genuine brand new part and subsequently ordered it. Arrived 1 day early and was perfect, save for a tatty Merc box. I guess the item had been in stock for years and that would explain the state of the box. However the item itself was absolutely as described and works correctly.

 

[Noddy 99]

Scroll right down to the bottom of the listing and ensure that they offer returns.

 

[Wighty]

If the item is not as described (they said it was the right part , but it wasn’t) , as above inform eBay for a refund and/or item return to the seller if they want .
It won’t be a problem

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Yes, open a dispute on EBay, most sellers offer a return as soon as you do this as they know which way things are going to travel, the item has been misrepresented so falls within EBay returns rules. I’ve found EBay/PayPal very good on this and act very quickly to resolve the issue especially if you have contacted the seller and not been able to come to a resolution

 

[Droverunner]

Since I've been using Ebay I've looked after 14 different cars for myself and the immediate family, all sorts of makes and models. I've probably sourced 90% of parts on Ebay from oil/filters to suspension/braking parts and timing belt kits etc. I'm struggling to remember any new parts that were incorrectly supplied and of many used parts just received two faulty airbag ECUs which were refunded after the briefest resistance and one Viano trim part where a correct replacement was sent next day with genuine apologies and the old part mine to dispose as I wished.

With new parts I often look up the correct part number online with makers or aftermarket catalogues to assist in getting the correct part first time... I also scroll down to see the business address of the seller.... if it's not listed or a flat somewhere I look elsewhere.

 

[Droverunner]

Oh yes... was that extra boss on the housing the only difference... if so and it wasn't drilled through then this isn't uncommon and I'd have fitted it. Wonder if so this could be why the seller resisted a refund??

In fact it seems had you bought from Mercedes on that part number it would have looked like the one you wish to return??

 

[star]

The risk of lots of hassle trying to return and the possibility of a cheap part being sent, isn’t worth the money saved imo.

 

[rf065]

Scroll right down to the bottom of the listing and ensure that they offer returns.

It really doesn't matter if they offer returns or not, if the item is not as described or damaged, Ebay will take the money from the sellers account and refund you.

 

[Taffy7hfa]

Fake, fake, fake, all the parts are fake.
Sounds like a tune ....

 

[Noddy 99]

It really doesn't matter if they offer returns or not, if the item is not as described or damaged, Ebay will take the money from the sellers account and refund you.

Yeah, I get that. But who needs the hassle? Just go with someone who offers returns in the first place...

I have to say, I've been on Ebay for 20 years and have had VERY few problems. Some p*ick just won my auction for a pair of headphones and didn't pay but it's only been things like that, really...

Ooh, wait - when I was on holiday in Portugal in 2007, someone hacked my account and was bidding on a Ferrari... Luckily, Ebay saw it as suspicious (I don't buy many Ferraris) and blocked my account with no damage done...

 

[mioba]

Its getting more rare now on ebay that you get genuine stuff at a good price. I look out for NOS sometimes for the garage shelf, but as said - its getting rare.
What you save just is not worth the hassle re fitment and if the item is fake or just wrong.
Me I just stick to the dealers and ask for discount. At least then you get the right part and a superseded part of relevant.

I only use ebay now for its original purpose - buying someone elses junk if I need it parts (not necessarily MB, but anything at all).

Ebay has become awash with commercial crap and people think ahhh armchair shopping - cheap and easy.

 

[Noddy 99]

Worth bearing in mind that nearly ALL respectable businesses and many authorised dealers trade on Ebay; do your due diligence and you should get exactly the same product as if you'd gone to a Merc dealership.

In particular:

Put in a search filter so it's UK only (or EU for specialist German parts)
Read some of the recent feedback on the seller
Before you buy, send a query (any query) - the quality of the response will tell you much about the seller
Only go with ones that offer no-quibble returns; most do

I'm a wheeler-dealer, a bargain-hunter, a haggler... I'd be lost without Ebay...

 

[Srdl]

Worth bearing in mind that nearly ALL respectable businesses and many authorised dealers trade on Ebay; do your due diligence and you should get exactly the same product as if you'd gone to a Merc dealership.

In particular:

Put in a search filter so it's UK only (or EU for specialist German parts)
Read some of the recent feedback on the seller
Before you buy, send a query (any query) - the quality of the response will tell you much about the seller
Only go with ones that offer no-quibble returns; most do

I'm a wheeler-dealer, a bargain-hunter, a haggler... I'd be lost without Ebay...

Good advice - a little bit of research saves a lot of headaches

It really doesn't matter if they offer returns or not, if the item is not as described or damaged, Ebay will take the money from the sellers account and refund you.

Agreed - very simple to do. Just select “Return”, tick the “Not as described box”, complete a few details and print out a post paid tracked return label. The seller should give you a refund within a few days and Ebay will step in if he doesn’t.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Read Drovers post above ,,, so as the extra part on the casing have a hole blanked off . ? Parts made universal to fit more than one engine .

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Dont know what you asked for but they sent you a W203 housing . Say no more open a case click on item not as described.

 

[Frontstep]

Bought many things off Ebay,sold many things on Ebay few problems.

Bought many things from Mercedes, few problems.

Its people it's life.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

This is W203 housing

 

[daibevan]

15% off today HE HE HE


Just bought a pair of rear shocks from Parts in Motion. Use them regularly.