E Bay

[Classicblast]

I saw a 74 Ford van on Ebay that I would love to have and I placed a bid. I need something like this about as much as I need a hole in the head but its like the work vans the family business had when I was a kid only its not a cargo style its a finished conversion van. So I will buy it if the bids don't go too unreasonable. I'll post details if I do buy it.

[Jersey]

It isn't the same as it used to be, but sometimes great deals on eBay can be found and grabbed if you use the right approach. I'm currently keeping my eye on a pair of original 90s era saddlebags for my motorcycle that are at a really reasonable price, so we'll see if they stick around.

On the other hand, it can be a complete nightmare for sellers. eBay owns paypal, and unfortunately buyer abuse and fraud has been rampant since eBay changed the feedback rules to heavily favor buyers while screwing over sellers. Sellers can no longer leave negative feedback for buyers, and it's incredibly difficult to win a case against a fraudster unless you have definite proof. One scam that's been getting bad is a buyer that pays for the item, the seller ships it out, then the buyer turns around and files a case claiming they never received the item or that it arrived damaged or broken. Because eBay and PayPal favor the buyers and not sellers, funds are automatically locked and removed from the seller's paypal account, effectively denying them their money until they can prove that the item was shipped and that it was shipped undamaged. Buyers can drag this out for a week or more, and are sometimes successful if the seller made a mistake or lost the tracking number or something. Then the buyer is under no obligation to return the item even though eBay tells them to (hence the inability of sellers to leave negative feedback calling a spade a spade), so they get a free item AND their money back.

My mother in law sells on eBay, and I guarantee this happens every third sale.

That's why I'll only use eBay for buying anymore if I turn to it.

[Phil]

I have some experience with this too. My father's old car and tractors were often bought or sold through E bay or other internet means. My father died just about the time Craig'slist was coming into the foreground. We just passed my father's 3 year anniversary of his passing. And E Bay was well established by then but Craig'sList was just getting there. I don't know if he used Craig'sList or not but he did a lot with E bay.

There's things you can do. My father was a guy sometimes hired by potential buyers outside the area to look it over and see if it was worth the buy. He also used similar informants when he was lurking.

A time in particular there was a 'No such address' He was given a phone number that was not real and only a random E mail address. He sent a man to locate the old car he was bidding on the man confirmed there was no such street and said he had experienced that before in the area.

My father attempted to have these people blown in but I think all he could really do is have E bay block their account.

But at least he didn't put a deposit in that item.

He did have success with E bay though over at least a 12 year span.

[Classicblast]

I'm the high bid right now I'll know for sure tomorrow night if I win it.

[_glitch_]

Did you win?

I know what you guys mean about eBay's policies... my in-laws' family business does a lot of business over eBay, and we've nearly been screwed out of quite a lot of money on numerous occasions. We do enough business so that it's worth the hassle, but I don't think I'll ever sell something of my own on there. I'd rather deal with people face-to-face, via Craiglist or Facebook or whatever.

[Classicblast]

Yes I got it.

Now I have to have it transported.

Blastgirl's brother Dannyboy at Lewasite will go get it with a flatbed. The van is about 10 hours away.

[Classicblast]

It looks pretty much like this. This one is a 1970, the one I bought is a 1974

[_glitch_]

Nice! I love the classic lines! Is it in that good of condition?

[Classicblast]

From the pictures it looks to be. Its that color. I think it doesn't have the back most windows though. It has the two windows on the side doors and on the back doors but not on the quarter panel. It has real little hubcaps too.
It has this kind of hubcaps


I think police cars of that era had them too

[Kimm]

Its kind of cool but a green one would be better

[Classicblast]

I'm actually kind of excited. I haven't bought a toy for myself in a long time. My Mstang is kind of a toy but it is also a functional car.

[Phil]

Those are kind of cool. I like the flat front end.

[Classicblast]

I like them too. And its a 74 model the year I was born and the last year like that. After that they had a slightly longer hood.

[Phil]

It should be a cool novelty, I hope it works out.

My father made some dealings with e bay. Most times what he bought was what it appeared to be but once or twice the picture looked better than the real thing.

[Kimm]

It could make a nice camping van.

[Classicblast]

Danny just brought it home this afternoon. Its pretty nice. It needs a little work but is drivable. I'm going to drive it around a bit and have my father in law massage it a bit. Brakes could use some rotors and stuff it pulsates a little, it could probably use wires, it runs good but it has a mild miss.

[angel607]

i like the picture of your van looks like it has a lot of space in it which is nice.

[Classicblast]

Feb 9, 2014 17:25:22 GMT -5 angel607 said:

i like the picture of your van looks like it has a lot of space in it which is nice.

Its an old novelty. Its a 74 and that's the year I was born. I'll post more pictures as it goes.