eBay Problem Strategy?

[gtd2000]

I recently bought a car on eBay which it turns out used photographs of another vehicle, it was also described as having a full main dealer history and it turns out that it doesn't.

 

Now here's the parts where I fucked up.

 

I bought the car (buy it now/best offer) and asked for an invoice to be sent through eBay but was advised that this couldn't be done (all this is in my emails) due to the type of advert.

 

I still paid the cost for the car via bank transfer but after picking the car up (a few days later) I soon discovered it had the discrepancies mentioned above.

 

There are a few other minor details as well but never mind about that right now.

 

I spoke to the chap a few hours after picking the car up and said simply I wanted my money back as he had not been honest about the sale and the actual car that was offered. He assured me before and also subsequent to the sale that he would/will sort everything out if I was not happy with the vehicle. He supposedly sells a low volume of cars regularly. As we all know, talk is cheap.

 

I've given him a few days to get things sorted out but not got back to him yet but he fully understands that I want a refund of the monies and that the car will be returned to him.

 

Do you guys have any good tactics when dealing with pricks like this - I'm confdent enough in my own abilities to take things up "several levels" but naturally not wanting to resort to anything like that.

 

The car is in fact in generally good condition but it's the whole principle of being sold something that was never for sale that pisses me off severely - that and the fact that the twat might get away with it - even although I know he's legally and ethically in the wrong.

 

Any ideas to go about this smartly....and railroad the fucker into sorting this out ASAP?

[Cavcraft]

Pm sent.

[Minimad5]

It wasn't a Montego was it ?

 

Can't really offer any good advice - Sorry (Ask your local police or CAB ?)

Good luck with this.

[gtd2000]

No, it was a one owner, full Hyundai dealer service history Hyundai Coupe with 66k on it and in immaculate condition.

 

The car in the photographs was truly immaculate.

 

I don't supect the mileage of the vehicle being incorrect but suffice to say the photos are not of the same car - just got off the phone but no answer at his home right now but left a voicemail about getting this fiasco sorted out soonest.

 

The car is in very nice condition to be fair but it's not as immaculate as the one in the advert.

 

The car was described as having as new upholstery, which is not the case whith regards to the drivers side bolster as the leather is ripped.

 

The full dealer history is simply a set of stamps in the booklet from various places (not dealers) which stopped in 2008!

 

I asked if there were any defects at all with the paintwork and it turns out the front valance is scratched but was assured it was perfect all round.

 

Other than that I reckon it needs a new clutch - extremely high bite point and the battery is on the way out as it struggles to crank the engine over.

[gtd2000]

Pm sent.

 

PM replied

[Cavcraft]

Have you tried his mobile number? I have an idea if he's not answering it...

[gtd2000]

If you end up re-negotiating and keep the car, oft-times the "bite" point issue is a cable adjustment if it's a cable-actuated clutch. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

Nah it's a hydraulic clutch on this one

[gtd2000]

Have you tried his mobile number? I have an idea if he's not answering it...

 

Yeah I knew that one

 

I'll get through to him on his home number - he'll answer anyway as he expecting calls about the car he has for sale right now I expect.

 

I've got his home address so it's not long to take a trip up there either... I have some rather large mates (itching to go) as well but I'm really not looking to go down that route as mentioned previously.

 

It's nice to be nice

[Cavcraft]

He's answering his mobile number mate

[meggersdog]

If he regularly sells cars is it a business account ? If so you should be able to get your money back as it was clearly mis-described.The invoice excuse is total crap many of the cars I've sold on ebay were buy it now/best offer listings and I always sent an invoice.It's not an auction it's an advert so he can't come back to you with "auction rules apply".Whether it is main dealer or not,full service history should mean full not some history upto 2008.

[Richard]

[cort16]

You should start an ebay dispute through their resolution centre as they have the power to cancel or suspend the guys account, which he won't like if he's selling cars through it. http://resolutioncentre.ebay.co.uk/

I had a bumper that didn't turn up and the guy wasn't returning emails/being a knob but once I started a dispute I got my money straight away.

 

If I was you I'd price up the work that needs done on the car to bring it back to as described. He's more likely to refund you some money or get it fixed than take the car back given he's probably sent the paper work back to the DVLA.

 

You got that house finished yet?

[gtd2000]

You should start an ebay dispute through their resolution centre as they have the power to cancel or suspend the guys account, which he won't like if he's selling cars through it. http://resolutioncentre.ebay.co.uk/

I had a bumper that didn't turn up and the guy wasn't returning emails/being a knob but once I started a dispute I got my money straight away.

 

If I was you I'd price up the work that needs done on the car to bring it back to as described. He's more likely to refund you some money or get it fixed than take the car back given he's probably sent the paper work back to the DVLA.

 

You got that house finished yet?

 

I got in touch with eBay this morning but they suggested going to the police..uhm OK.

 

House is basically finished but still got a few things to sort out - I'm just starting on the renovation of the cottage now - oh the joys!

 

Funnily enough the guy hasn't answered any of my calls so far - do you think he might be ignoring me then?

[gtd2000]

If he regularly sells cars is it a business account ? If so you should be able to get your money back as it was clearly mis-described.The invoice excuse is total crap many of the cars I've sold on ebay were buy it now/best offer listings and I always sent an invoice.It's not an auction it's an advert so he can't come back to you with "auction rules apply".Whether it is main dealer or not,full service history should mean full not some history upto 2008.

 

The reality seems to be that he's probably not got the money and hoping I just disappear I think....

 

The stuff that's been sold is a mixture of items not specifically cars though.

 

I've got a few other avenues to explore yet (I think) until I turn up at his doorstep.

[Cavcraft]

The car you bought and the Peugeot he has listed now point to him being a trader. Ditto some of his previous feedback for buying car parts for a couple (at least) different makes.

[gtd2000]

The car you bought and the Peugeot he has listed now point to him being a trader. Ditto some of his previous feedback for buying car parts for a couple (at least) different makes.

 

Just got in here and called ...but surprise surprise no answer

[Cavcraft]

Pm sent

[gtd2000]

Well surprise surprise, the chap called me 2 minutes ago offering to refund me the cash for the car as he just sold one of his other cars (a Honda).

 

Time will tell of course...

[Cavcraft]

Potential good result there then. Can you whizz it up to him asap before he spends it on something else?

[gtd2000]

There's an issue with the taxation class - it was his dads car who had it on the "disabled tax" which has now expired. I've not changed over the document - he gave me the whole V5, including the part he should have sent off.

 

I noticed all the discrepancies 2 hours after getting the car - which followed some 18 hours of travelling back from Florida.

 

I'm not going to drive it without the road tax - so I'll collect him in Edinburgh and he can drive it up the road under all the cameras himself...

 

Of course the car was supposed to be freshly taxed for me (at my cost) for 6 months when I bought the vehicle....

 

The car is currently parked up off the public highway, so there shouldn't be any issues until its driven.

[cort16]

Sounds like a result to me. I've never had any problems buying cars off ebay. They're normally as described because in the end it works in your favour if your honest.

[gtd2000]

I'm not sure what the real story is with this particular case - it may well be that he thought the photos were of the actual car and posted them in good faith.

 

If this gets resolved I'll do a spot the difference for you lot to see how obvious it is.

 

I've only bought one car from eBay before and it was a little cracker - my mothers Kia Picanto.

[Cavcraft]

Hmm, benefit of the doubt and all that but note how he didn't hide the reg. no. of the car he has just sold but did on the one you bought.

[gtd2000]

Hmm, benefit of the doubt and all that but note how he didn't hide the reg. no. of the car he has just sold but did on the one you bought.

 

There is a definite lesson here to ask for un-edited photos!!!