Is it too much to ask..?

[WMarshy]

I've been in contact with an ebay seller who has some aftermarket coils for sale...they came off a bike that did not run when they dismantled it. I asked the seller if he will guarantee the coils not to be dead on arrival (because they usually sell for a good amount and I don't want to gamble on it). His reply was no... is it too much to ask that they guarantee them against DOA, or just test them before they sell the things!?

He told me that "not even dealers with make that guarantee"...*cough cough*BS*cough cough*. He said he is not responsible if I hook them up incorrectly and fry them. I explained I didnt need to install them to determine if they are bad, just measure resistance...and how does he know the PO didnt hook them up wrong and damage them. They could be the whole reason the bike didnt run... He just told me not to bid...

I'm finding out more and more that they guys selling on ebay do not want to he help responsible for what they are selling. They dismantle them bike and it goes into storage until it sells. They are not willing to go dig it up and test them let alone just go read any number on them (separate issue trying to find out what valve shims were in the buckets for sale). Am I asking too much?

[jwhughes3]

They just dont want to take the time...and probably dont know what to do.

eBay has changed over the years...for most sellers its about get rich quick I think.

There are still some individuals and they are good.

John

[650mark]

too much to ask?

hell no it's not too much to ask, but good luck getting this type of fleabayer to stand behind their sale. i'll bet that if he told you not to bid on that part he knows it is very possibly defective and he'd much rather sell it to a buyer that doesn't know enough to ask important questions about it 'cause it's too much trouble and expense to send it back. they think that by listing a used part and putting in their ad "part has not been tested, but it LOOKS nice" that all the burden is on the buyer. best to just not buy from guys like that. there are usually other listings from which to choose the part you need. i've recently seen "xs1100" parts ads that were for parts from an unrelated model that are not even close to being correct and when i emailed them about it they either do not reply or they reply "gee, i don't know". and one of the ads was from a dealer! BUYER BEWARE

[Cobia]

ebay now has a buyer protection guarantee... for free.
Just look for it in the ad.
That's how I got the fleabayer who sold me the wrong seat to take it back and refund me, although he clearly stated NO RETURNS.
Well, actually I very nicely threatened with complaining to ebay about his item misrepresentation, which would result in soiling his stellar seller rating.
He not only took it back but reinbursed me for the shipping.

[xs11lover]

The price of a deal

He's not sure they work and he's really not sure you can test them or hook them up, or even tell the truth. It goes both ways, if they were tested I'm sure they wouldn't be a deal. Are you going to bite or pay more?????
If I was the seller, I'd refund the cash paid with the buyer paying return shipping, that way the buyer's only risk is the price of shipping, hucksters are usually too lazy to return a part.

[WMarshy]

I just read the terms and conditions for ebay buyer protection and I do not see how it will cover me if I buy them and they dont work...do you know better than I..? His add states they are not tested and are "not guaranteed". Doesnt say they do or do not work... looks like its a gamble. They look new(er) and clean so I dont suspect they are damaged but you can never tell...

He also has my emails saying Im concerned about if they work and he advises me not to buy them b/c he wont return my money or guarantee them against DOA. I guess I should have never asked

[DGXSER]

It is no different than buying any other used item through any other medium. Rule is buyer beware, period. Ebay is trying to crack down on sellers, even neutral feedback is considered bad feedback now. I bought some fuel filters on ebay, no communication needed, just bought them, they shipped them in good timing. I went to leave feedback and was giving 4 of 5 stars for communication since we had none. Ebay gave me a warning that this would hurt the sellers rating.

You asked an honest question, he gave you an honest answer. He did not say "they work" and they did not when you got them, he said he has no idea if they do or not. He gave you information, you get to use that information to make your decision. Can't really blame seller if the answer you got was not the one you wanted. I can appreciate your wanting to let the seller know the lack of definitive information is going to stop you buying them. But it is the sellers right to decide he would rather lose your bid than give you a different answer.

It is alot like going to buy a used bike, and the seller will not let you start the bike or ride it, tells you it has not been started in years. Do you buy it, or walk away? Up to you. Might only take a little gas to start it, but seller is not interested in trying. Just factors into the offer (ie.... Bid) you make.

[DGXSER]

Here is a problem seller

Now if you want to see a problem seller on ebay, look at this ad. Read it, carefully, and you eventually figure out what is being sold is not what it appears to be.

I even wonder if they put the entire rant over shipping in first so you get tired of reading and skip the part where they tell you they are not selling the main item in the pictures. Not that I bid on it, but this IS deceptive IMO.

[natemoen]

Now if you want to see a problem seller on ebay, look at this ad. Read it, carefully, and you eventually figure out what is being sold is not what it appears to be.

I even wonder if they put the entire rant over shipping in first so you get tired of reading and skip the part where they tell you they are not selling the main item in the pictures. Not that I bid on it, but this IS deceptive IMO.

I like how she says msrp is $110 but then her parts diagram link lists them at $42!