charlesw said:
I had my second ebay experience today and it was stunningly similar to the first - gross misrepresentation of the condition of the tractor and spray paint directly over the grime and rust. Ok, I admit it, on neither tractor did I actually try to scrape the new paint off. But I bet I could have - no problem. It's really quite depressing to think that people are so venal as to think that doing this is a good idea. Sure, they wouldn't get as much money for their crappy tractors - but at least they would be being honest about them. Right. But who cares about honesty - it's the money that counts.
Well. Poop! 4 months on and still looking for the right tractor...
c
I've bought and sold hundreds of things on EBAY. For the most part, I've got "what I paid for". A few instances, I've got MORE than what I expected (or what I was promised) Every so often, I've bought items that were cleverly disguised as "mint", "restored", or just "good condition", only to RECEIVE a piece of garbage. From what I can see, EBAY isn't much different that any classified adds or even a used car/truck/tractor/ect dealers lot. The only difference? Your buying sight unseen. The level of honesty is about the same though. It varies wildly from seller to seller.
My EBAY sales feedback indicates that I tend to undersell things. I tell everything that wrong and make no false or misleading promise's. That's probably led to a few things selling for less that maximum price, but I can sleep at night.
Over the years, I've bought tractors to fix up and re-sell that were in far worse condition than I was told originally. Wiring that's burnt up. Oil leaks that were "fixed" by lowering oil levels. All sorts of "used car lot tricks". That's led me to one practice when I buy anything. No matter if it's sight unseen or I've had a chance to look it over carefully. BUY LOW or leave it be.
I'm heading out the door in a few minutes to hook up the trailer in order to go pick up a tractor I'm buying. It was advertized as "Like new condition. Low hours. New paint. Engine smokes when first started.". When I went to see it, I was appalled. Like new? They didn't come new with the tie rod all welded up. Low hours? Because the hour meter/tach hasn't worked in years. New paint? Straight out of the Krylon can, runs and all (Wrong colors too) . Engine smokes when first started? It sure does. And it keeps right on smoking until it's shut off. I offered the seller 1/2 what he was asking. 3 weeks later, I get the call to come and get it at my offer. Seems no one else bit on the hype. Next spring, when you see my add for a "recently overhauled and freshly painted International Harvester 574", you can bet it won't be any less than what I advertise. And it might just be a whole lot MORE.
There are still a few people who believe in honesty when selling something.