Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: 69280sl on June 09, 2005, 01:56:00
-
In September of last year, I bid on a 280SL on eBay. I was the high bidder when the auction ended, but the car did not meet the seller's reserve. The next day I had an email from the "lister" who put up the car and was paid a fee by the "owner". The lister said that I was close to the reserve,that we could work out a deal, and arranged a conference call with the owner who answered all my questions (falsely as it turned out) and we made a deal. Within 10 minutes of receiving the car I was on the complaining about gross misrepresentations. The sheet metal was not original, the A/C did not work, the upholstery was not leather, there was no documentation to verify the claimed original milage, etc, etc.
The lister said don't worry and the seller never responded. After two fruitless months of phone calls and emails, I filed suit against both in Cook County, Ilinois. Since the lister was in Indiana and the seller was in West Virginia, prosecuting the suit was going to be lengthy and costly. Both parties ignored the complaint, so on May 20th we had a court date to obtain a default judgement for the amount paid plus fees and costs. A few days before the 20th, the lister called my attorney and offered a settlement. Eventually a satisfactory arrangement was reached.
I have today received the money and am in the process of buying a 1968, signal red, 280. It is a super solid car which has spent at least part of its life in Arizona and is a marked contrast to the first car. As soon as I am sure I can reliably make the trip (and if Joe has room for one more), I hope to meet some of you at Blacklick.
Gus
-
Gus
Glad things worked out for you. We have a small subgroup up here on the North Shore (Illinois) that try to get together monthly. We are all novices but have learned a lot about our cars from this forum and each other. So far three of us have plans to go to Ohio in July. Another traveling member would be very welcome.
Bruce; 268Blaugrun(green) 1970 280SL; IL
-
Glad to hear that all worked out. It is disheartening to hear about all these horror stories...
Let the lesson be learned: Do NOT buy a car sight unseen, ever. If you can't afford to go and see the car, you probably shouldn't buy it. If you are dealing with any kind of foreigner (that could be an American if you are overseas, so please don't anyone take offense here)deal in CASH ONLY for the amount of the transaction only--and make sure it isn't counterfeit. Unscrupulous individuals who want to screw you, will. Even "certified checks" can be "recalled", etc.
Bottom line is if you SEE the car and inspect the car, then there will be no surprises...
Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored
-
Michael, I belatedly could not agree more. When it comes to buying a Pagoda, don't take anyone's word for anything.
Bruce, Thank you for the invitation to join you on the drive to Columbus. As soon as I satisfy myself that the cars performance is in keeping with that kind of round trip, I will be in touch.
Gus
-
Bring it on Gus!
Plenty of room here! Keep us up to date.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
-
Gus, congrats on resolution. That kind of experience really does hurt ebay's credibility.
My experience was better.
I found a car on ebay but refused to buy through ebay due to caveats. Negotiated a price by phone subject to inspection. Traveled the distance and met an inspector for assessment. The car was represented as a "1-"...on inspection, it was at best a well maintained "2-"...a 25% difference. We still came to agreement at a lower price (which was still probably too much), but I drove the car 200 miles home that day.
Ironically, it's very well documented car, so I was able to contact the owner of 35 years in Long Beach CA will negotiating the deal...so I got the whole story...
-
Good that you saw it all the way through Gus - fraudulent people count on their victims not having the stamina. See you in Blacklick!
Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic
-
Hi Guys,
For a totally different story, Gus, see my writeup two issues ago in Pagoda World about buying my 68 red 280 on eBay. It was a wonderful experience, and sight unseen. She is in very good shape and continues to hum like a top 3 years later. I was extremely lucky to happen on one of those honest people out there. We put her on the hoist at Twin Cam racing motors last month, and Steve the mad master racer (and notoriously silent Englishman) said and I quote, "Wow, she's in great shape." It renews your hope for mankind.
Trice
1968 280SL US, signal red/bl leather, auto, kinder
Sarasota FL; Alsace France