"Seen on eBay"

[fwb44]

On another M-B forum that I used to frequent, the 1st one I found, they did have some useful stuff, one item of which was 'seen on eBay'.

How about having something like that here? From time to time some useful M-B stuff does come up on eBay that members might want to be aware of - and at other times there's outright rubbish or worse on there that folks need to be warned about.

Anyone think this is a good idea? Messrs. Moderators?

 

[paulcallender]

I regularly scan the classic cars --> Mercedes section. In fact I have bought 2 cars off ebay now. Occasionally you do see posts on here relating to particularly unusual cars, but since different people are into different things, its probably left to the individual to look out for it.

Also of course, if you're after that sweet car you have your eye on, if there's loads of people bidding on it, then the price will only go up and up.....

I should also point out at this stage, I'm great at buying cars but not too good at selling them. I seem to have acquired 5....

 

[fwb44]

I have bought 2 cars off ebay now

What was the experience like? Were the cars as described? Was the price good? I haven't done it but have been tempted ... & will be in the market again later this year

 

[pascal]

What seems to happen (somtimes) is people just join the forum in order to post a link to things they are selling themselves on Ebay. We don't really want that here.

Some commercial enterprises have attempted to use our 'Spares for sale' section for this in the past.

If something is useful, it will normally get posted on the main pages. That way we do not get the 'outright rubish' you speak of. Also a lot of stuff on Ebay is a rip off (IE The tens of thousands of electronic keys (toys)).

The spares section here, is specifically for members wishing to sell to members. Any more would mean that genuine members items for sale, would be lost in a maze of commercial advertising.

 

[fwb44]

What seems to happen (sometimes) is people just join the forum in order to post a link to things they are selling themselves on Ebay. We don't really want that here.

Yes, I have seen that happening on the other place. They fess up to it in the end but it then becomes embarrassing to bid against members you talk to on the forum...

If something is useful, it will normally get posted on the main pages. That way we do not get the 'outright rubbish' you speak of.

I realise we don't want rubbish. I thought it might be useful to have warnings that stuff is rubbish - because that stuff tends to come around over and over again. What are the electronic keys that are a rip-off?

The spares section here is specifically for members wishing to sell to members. Any more would mean that genuine members' items for sale, would be lost in a maze of commercial advertising.

I wasn't looking to place any advertising BTW in case you thought otherwise ... But overall I get the picture, it's OK to post stuff that you've found on eBay here as and when it might be of any interest, which is good.

 

[paulcallender]

What was the experience like? Were the cars as described? Was the price good? I haven't done it but have been tempted ... & will be in the market again later this year

One was a W114 coupé for £1020, I had seen it advertised 3 times and I bought it at a really quiet time of the year (between Christmas and New Year). I guess you'd be prepared to travel for this type of car. Its got faults, but for the price, I was expecting this. I was more concerned about ferrying it home rather than any detail imperfections. Honest sellers tend to overdescribe the faults, because one of the rules is that if the item is not "as described", the buyer can pull out after winning the auction.

Apparently, there is a scam, where if the price hasn't gone up sufficiently, you ask one of your mates to bid on it, then you never go through with the sale.

The other 'car' I bought was a £250 spares car, I treated this sale with the same approach as buying any other £250 part.

Buying a decent condition car is the same as buying from a local newspaper, or auto trader. Some owners tend to over-value their beloved cars. Many cars receive 0 bids.

 

[fwb44]

Would it be fair to say your eBay purchases were in pursuit of your hobby rather than to equip you with a daily driver/working car &c.?

I think this practice of people getting their mates to bid their stuff up for a fictitious sale is known as 'shilling', for what that's worth. I know it goes on ...

 

[pascal]

Regarding the Elecode keys; see post 10 & 11 http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=11207&highlight=electronic

I wasn't looking to place any advertising BTW in case you thought otherwise

Never suggested anything of the sort. I was trying to explain what this site is about. It may be different. It may not allow rubbish other sites tolerate. These differences are why we the members prefer it to others.

I personally put many hours per week on here, not because I have to, but because I want to. Many of these hours are spent behind the scenes (moving, editing, merging posts/threads) and researching things like the above post. I do this, because I have a passion for MBs. And going by your original post, you too.

Pascal

BTW: This thread will be moved to Feedback

 

[fwb44]

this site...may be different. It may not allow rubbish other sites tolerate. These differences are why we the members prefer it to others.

I personally put many hours per week on here. I do this because I have a passion for MBs. And going by your original post, you too

Certainly, I appreciate the extent you go to, to make this forum different. That's why I'm glad to be here! And hope to contribute accordingly ...

I do have a passion for Mercedes-Benz, and really don't want any other make of car. It's a difficult relationship at times but I'm not going to give up on it ... as you've seen from my posts about future change of car &c.

Thank you and have a great weekend