OT: Experiences with eBay

Hello,

Occasionally, interesting automotive parts are sold on eBay. Unfortunately, one often hears complaints about the business practices of many salespeople there.

What are your experiences with buying and selling there?

Best regards, Rainer.

Hi,

I'm not a power eBay user, because the only things I've ever bid on and won so far are:
- 2-CD tuner.
- Retrofit vehicle registration certificate.
- faulty charger

There were no problems with the business transactions or the quality of the goods.
My wife has bought a huge number of items (around 80) for our son from that place, and only once was there a problem regarding the quality of a shirt.
Well, I don't think that's very informative, but in my opinion, buying on eBay is more or less a game of chance.

Hi,
In my opinion, it's always important to carefully inquire about what's being offered at such low prices.
Okay, gib mir den deutschen Text.
Clear headlight assemblies for the Golf 3, available for immediate purchase at €145. That's an incredible price, usually around €170-€180. However, the catch only became apparent when I inquired further. Instead of the usual Hella headlights, these were likely 'Takamischi headlights from southern Turkmenistan.'
Apart from that, my experiences have been quite positive, and I always include a visit to eBay when buying spare parts.

Best regards, Andy.

Hi,

I managed to buy a set of hydraulic lifters for half the price that my usually very affordable parts supplier charges, and I'm very happy with them. A new injector set and a new valve lifter were also available at a bargain price. With other products, I've consistently had positive experiences, with only one exception.

Hello,

I once bought a used LLK (likely referring to a specific type of equipment or product) on eBay. In the product description, it was stated that the part was for a Passat TDI, but what arrived was a completely oxidized part from an old G60 .
After about 2 months and a lot of back and forth, the seller finally refunded the money.

My overall conclusion: It's really important to ask detailed questions, and I won't be buying used items on eBay anymore!

Best regards, Albrecht.

Hi everyone,

I haven't bought any car parts from e*** yet, and I actually don't want to. I've bought other things before, and often it worked out well, but once it was a complete disaster (causing 340 DM in damages for me).

My conclusion is:

- Only buy small, inexpensive items, especially nothing expensive.
- Only buy items that are either definitely new (meaning a retailer stands behind them), or that are clearly and honestly described as used.
- Avoid using words like "rare" or "uncommon."
- Avoid listings that say "like new, no signs of wear."
- In case of problems, e*** is NOT a source of help.

Best regards,

Jan.

I've only managed to acquire a few older mobile phones so far.
No problem, everything was as described, and the process was smooth.

It might be due to the antiques .

CU Gremlin.

Okay, my experiences are also 95% positive. As mentioned above, it depends on the comparison and, secondly, on carefully researching the specific item. I've found some great deals (e.g., a complete Sensatrack gas pressure sensor, brand new, for under €200). However, many sellers also offer cheap junk and scrap metal at outrageous prices! In my opinion, it's important to look at the seller's ratings.

Those were merchants.
Okay, bitte gib mir den deutschen Text, den du übersetzt haben möchtest. Rear brake discs for Golf III, already fitted with pressed-in wheel bearings, plus pads, at a good price, although the shipping cost to Austria somewhat offsets this.

Be careful when buying used parts, especially electric window regulators, as these are almost always sold without the corresponding original wiring harness (VW's new price is €150).
'I would prefer a replica solution from WAECO.'
This seemingly great deal could end up being a loss!

In my opinion, gathering information is the most important thing. It's crucial to clarify any questions with the seller beforehand and not to get carried away, otherwise it can quickly become an expensive experience.

If in doubt, insist on a trust service, then the risk is zero; also, a legal protection insurance is always a good idea .

I've only had positive experiences so far, except for the issue with the VTG (variable turbine geometry) of the turbocharger, which you now have.

'... I've completed approximately 200 transactions so far. As a seller, everything has been paid for, and there have been no lawsuits (I also make sure that my 'products' are of high quality and I describe them honestly). As a buyer, I haven't had any significant problems either.' It's very important to me that I carefully check the seller's reviews, including the positive ones.
I recently won an auction for a dual-mass flywheel for my AFN with only 49,000 km on it. A certified automotive mechanic confirmed its quality after I bought it, and the clutch was still in place – and all for just 25 euros! What a lucky find! The disc shows absolutely no signs of grinding.
I was just annoyed that I don't check eBay often enough. I bought a set of glow plugs from the 'Association of Poor Businessmen' for 25 EUR each. On eBay, there are regularly new ones (NGK) available for 9 EUR each, and that made me very frustrated. It was just the weekend, and it was freezing cold.
Best regards,
Alchard.

I, too, have had 100% positive experiences on eBay so far, but I attribute this not to the platform itself, but rather to certain precautions I take.
They would be, for example:
-Read the offer very carefully and ALWAYS ask questions to test the seller's behavior.
- For purchases of approximately €100 or more, only buy using a trust account or, at the very least, cash on delivery.
- Carefully review the ratings.


However, the most important thing is to get the seller to provide a very precise description and all the technical details. If he's usually serious and responsive, it's often reflected in his friendly and prompt email communication.

Buying on eBay should be approached with great caution.

There are far more dishonest buyers than one might think. Firstly, the products are often described in a way that exaggerates their qualities, and secondly, you are almost always overcharged for shipping.
Once, I bought a Carbonsport exhaust for my Ninja. It turned out that the carbon fiber was just glued on. Additionally, the seller provided an incorrect account number, which resulted in a €70 fee for that international transfer! The seller refused to reimburse the expenses, which amounted to several hundred euros.

Case 2: KTM engine, tuned, 2000 km, ran until the end.
Sure. Until it's worn out.

Case 3: Purchased a Vespa body with a type approval certificate. The numbers did not match.

etc.

My guess is that you'll be ripped off in 75% of cases.
So, it's always better to ask multiple times and save the confirmations as proof.