ClassicCar

Super6 wrote:

Ebay themselves. I used to sell stuff on there and they kept the money. Them and "PayPal". (now there's a misnomer). When I complained to them about not getting my $$'s transferred to my bank, ebay just said "tough".



There are some crooks on the vendor side as well and like I said, I'm not that desperate that I have to do business with crooks.



I've had this car for almost 30 years and it can sit until I find the spring and handle I need and it won't be on ebay.

Ebay - I do a small bit of selling, and 'my share' of buying...

- My opinion of Ebay as a seller: They charge too much for their services.

- My opinion of Ebay as a buyer:

- They do not 'support' the buyer as well as they could/should.

- They tend to 'look the other way' if the seller violates their rules.

(They will enforce them, if complaints are submitted)

- They do not do even a 'fair' job of preventing fraud/fraudulent sales.



PayPal - I have an account. For convienence, I maintain & use that account, although I do not like them too much either (i.e., they are a means to an end...).



Your comments, concerning loss of $$: As far as I know, Ebay doesn't do collections on purchases, nor does it accumulate anyone's $$ for sales - It does act as a 'conduit' for online transactions via PayPal, to make payment of purchases easier. The only $$ Ebay directly collects are those related to their charges for posting & sales.



Any loss of $$ through PayPal should be resolved with them. If they mis-sent or lost your money, I believe you should continue to attempt to be reimbursed, even if it means going through the courts to do so.



Although PayPal is now 'owned' by Ebay, they are considered separate entities. Any transactions, dealings or disputes with PayPal should go directly to & through them. - 'Complaints' can be filed with Ebay against PayPal, but I seriously doubt that they will be acted upon.



Doesn't do much good to keep that 'chip on your shoulder', and isn't punishing anyone but yourself - Granted the car has been in your possession for quite some time, but you are denying yourself the pleasure of seeing it completed & enjoying it - and more importantly, it's mere presence in it's current state may be a source of aggravation and frustration to you, each time you see or think about it.



There are 'other' venues for getting your parts - This forum, the 'chat' room, the WTN Newsletter, the HET Club and the local Chapter(s), are just some of them...



Good luck on your search, and with any future contact with Ebay & PaPal.

Super6 wrote:

Can you say usury?

Yep, I can & yes they do... My guess is when Webster's updates their dictonary, it will say "usury = See Ebay, PayPal...".



That having been said -

The majority of sales on Ebay are legitimate, by individuals. Their fees are levied against the seller, not the buyer - Although the buyer does see them, in either the minimum bid, or in "Shipping, handling, insurance, etc..." (in spite of Ebay's rules regarding exorbitant shipping/handling charges).



PayPal also levies charges against the seller, and in some circumstances, the buyer as well. However payment of purchases by PayPal is optional, unless the seller mandates that you use that "service". If that is the case, and you object - don't buy the item, or tell the seller that you prefer not to use PayPal (before bidding).



I guess the point here is not to let yourself get 'hung up' on this, as Ebay & PayPal could care less anyway... Use them, don't let them "Use You".



Good to hear that you are moving ahead with the work & this is not slowing you down. Although the "Bear Claw" is not OEM, I am sure it will be safer, considering the suicide doors.



Again - Good Luck.

Geoff C., N.Z. wrote:

This seems to have diverted to a debate about purchasing methods! As has been mentioned, scammers will rip the system off if they can. I have had "Official" requests form ebay, with their logo etc. warning me that my account will be closed and I would be unable to trade unless I "verified" my details, including my Credit Card number, together with the PIN and a click-on return address. HA! You never give these details to anyone. Notify ebay themselves if this happens and they will immediately nullify the scamsters web address.

Geoff.

Agreed - And my apologies for diverting the subject.

While I am not a 'fan' of either Ebay or PayPal - as indicated in my earlier postings - they seem to take the brunt of a lot of criticism from those who are unwary victims of cons, scams and outright theft.

I've been the victim in a couple of these myself, luckily they were minor and totalled less than $100 (Both Ebay sellers - one is in jail, and the other is still selling on Ebay...).

It takes more than 'an ounce' of caution when making web transactions, and those that are not knowledgeable & current on the 'scams' can be "taken", literally!

In quite a few cases, it is the person being 'scammed' who provided the information to the 'con artist' in the first place - by responding to bogus emails which warn of various types of account problems, which always seem to require ALL of their personal information...

Words of advise:

- Treat any requests for information/confirmation on any account you may have that are received via email as 'bogus', fake or a 'con';

- Do not respond to the emails (i.e., do not reply);

- Do not access or open any of the links contained in the suspect emails.



Then -

- Connect directly to the online account, through their website, and verify that your account is current/correct. If necessary, do so by telephone.

- "Forward" suspicious emails (full headers, etc...) directly to the holder of your account.

For Ebay, it is "Spoof@ebay.com" (without the quotes)

for PayPal it is "Spoof@PayPal.com" (without the quotes)



No "friends won here", but -

Just because someone (you) gets 'ripped off' by a buyer, seller, or a 'scam artist' does not automatically make the service provider the 'bad guy' or make them RESPONSIBLE for getting your money or goods back.



NUFF said - I'll get of my "Soap Box", and will try to avoid future postings of this type.