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Message |
    
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 1018
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 9:20 pm: | 
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My husband just put his Jeep up for sale on Ebay, and already he's had several messages from folks asking if he'd be willing to end the auction early for a cash offer. This is our first time selling anything on Ebay, so we don't know if this is unethical, or a scam, or what. I should mention that the car is in pretty bad shape (fully disclosed in the listing), so we're frankly flattered -- and a little suspicious -- about the attention it's receiving. Any thoughts, advice, etc. would be GREATLY appreciated |
The Libertarian
Citizen
Username: Local_1_crew
Post Number: 1629
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 9:25 pm: |
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it happens all the time and is ethical. feel free to take a good cash offer |
Jersey Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 270
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 9:51 pm: |
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Be aware that offers resulting from an ebay auction are (sort of) a contract. You can at least report a dud bidder if you go through ebay. When you stop the auction. It's over. The guy can show up with the plan to negotiate the price down and you're stuck with his offer alone. It becomes a "take it or leave it" not an auction. And since you went outside of ebay's system, you have no virtual recourse.
Perhaps The Libertarian is who made the offer.
J.B. |
The Libertarian
Citizen
Username: Local_1_crew
Post Number: 1631
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 10:00 pm: |
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i own a jeep. dont need two.
plus you really dont have a recourse on ebay other than the person not being allowed to bid on anymore items |
Jersey Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 272
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 10:16 pm: |
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Yeah, but for ebay regulars that's a big deal. Kind of like being banned on MOL.
J.B. |
Grrrrrrrrrrr
Citizen
Username: Oldsctls67
Post Number: 319
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 10:23 pm: |
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I sold my 1967 Oldsmobile on Ebay last summer. I accepted an offer only after the vehicle did not meet the reserve price. I set the reserve high to allow myself this sort of flexibility. This way, you can send a second chance offer to the person and they can still win the auction nice and legal-like. If someone wants to bring you cash for the car, that's great, but I wouldn't end the auction until I had said cash in my hands. |
LibraryLady(ncjanow)
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 3064
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 10:37 pm: |
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Also be very wary of offers to purchases that are for "overseas shipment". These are usually a scams. There is no need for anyine to purchase your old jeep and send it to South America or Eastern Europe. |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 1019
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 10:45 pm: |
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Great feedback guys, keep it coming!
One person asked us if we'd be willing to set a certain "buy it now" price, that might be a way to close the sale early but still sell "legally" through Ebay, yes?
More questions: when we actually make a deal with someone, on ebay or off, how does the exchange work? They meet us, hand us a check, we sign over the title and that's that? What about insurance? The inspection is not current, should we have mentioned that on the listing? The car is also drivable but not terribly roadworthy (skidplate is rusting off), again we made that fairly clear in the listing but do we have to worry about how a potential buyer plans to get it home or is that not our problem?
Probably should have figured this all out BEFORE we listed the car, but my husband was VERY eager to get it out of our garage pronto . . .
THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 1020
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 10:47 pm: |
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Thanks, LL. We limited the auction to US buyers only, for that very reason. Though I love the idea of our beloved rustbucket getting a new lease on life in Rio or Kiev! |
Grrrrrrrrrrr
Citizen
Username: Oldsctls67
Post Number: 320
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 10:55 pm: |
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First of all, I wouldn't take a checque for payment, certified or otherwise. I would accept C.O.D. only, or tell the people that they have to wait until the funds clear your account (even for a bank check) There are so many scams out there, including ones involving certified checques, that I would suggest very strongly cash as the preferred method of payment. Once you do sign over the title, what they do with it is none of your concern. I sold my car to a gentleman in England and accepted a wire transfer for payment, which was a very dangerous thing to do as well. I did not release the car for shipping until I checked with my bank as to the availability/irrevocability of my funds. I don't think you can set a "Buy it Now" price once an auction has started. You can lower a reserve, but that's about it. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12721
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 9:44 am: |
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I don't see any point in ending the auction. It almost assures you won't get the highest bid. And the promise to pay cash isn't worth anything, since you'll probably insist on either cash or waiting for the check to clear.
I sold a car on ebay and got offers for ending early. I ended up getting much more by waiting for the end. And a local buyer came and picked up the (wrecked) car with a towtruck.
If there are things about the condition you should have included, be honest amend your description. You can't remove words, but you can add. You're not responsible that it's not inspected or insured once it's sold, but you probably should state it. And if it's not insured before you sell it, you probably should not allow a test drive.
Does the high bid current match or beat the reserve price? If so, you're in the driver's seat, so to speak.
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amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 1022
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 8:58 pm: |
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I was hoping you'd chime in, Tom!
I really think we were honest about the car, short of calling it an old rustbucket. Anyone want to take a look at the ebay posting and see if you think it's clear this thing needs work? Here's the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4616966560&ssPageN ame=ADME:B:EF:US:1
The car is currently insured, just not inspected. And we did get our reserve price, which is a huge relief . . . |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 587
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 9:33 pm: |
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It seems to be a nice ad with great disclosure.
I notice that your highest bidder has never yet completed a transaction on ebay. Have you had correspondence with him? Nothing prevents you from sending messages to current bidders to get a level of comfort and to discuss end of transaction details like you wonder about above.
Also, ebay motors must have an faq section or a help desk to provide answers to your questions too.
Good luck! |
wnb
Citizen
Username: Wnb
Post Number: 334
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, March 4, 2006 - 12:52 pm: |
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I sold a car on ebay and I had a single answer: winning bidder takes the car. If they are that interested in the car they can bid on it. What possible reason could there be to want to circumvent that? If this guy is really willing to bid $x why is it not in your interest to see if somebody else wants to come along and bid $x+?
High bidder wins. End of story.
Also, look at who is bidding. If your high bidder looks suspicious you do have the ability to reject someone's bid unless you're in the last 24 hrs of the auction. For instance an overseas bidder on a US-only auction, or say someone in California if you've specified "Local pick up only." You can always contact your high bidder and question them if needed.
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amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 1025
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 12:26 pm: |
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Thanks, everyone. We've been taking your advice on seeing the auction through, and so far we are thrilled with how it's going -- haven't quite reached the highest amount we were offered off Ebay, but we're close!
The current high bidder has lots of great Ebay feedback so we're not worried about him, but if we were to email other bidders to suss them out what kinds of questions would you suggest I ask? I'm not sure "Why on earth would you be willing to agree to buy a car sight unseen based only on a brief description and some digital photos?" would cut it, though I am DYING to know the answer to that one . . .
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Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4225
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 1:08 pm: |
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I'd be very careful if "fanaticsportsbar" wins the auction. Why, you ask? Because despite being a member since mid January, they haven't had even one transaction. |
Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 950
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 1:24 pm: |
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amandacat, don't worry about the price yet. Usually in auctions done through ebay you see the most bidding and price increase in the last few hours of an auction. |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 1027
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 9:19 pm: |
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Maybe I'm just a sucker, but I don't think it's that odd that someone who registered in January hasn't bought anything yet -- it's not easy winning these auctions! But if it is in fact a red flag, what would you want to know to ease any concerns? |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4239
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 11:14 pm: |
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Make sure they pay through PAYPAL. That way you know you'll get your money. From what I've learned from people who have been on Ebay since day one, a good many of sellers will not accept bids from anyone with a zero bid history. I asked how people create a history then? Was told by bidding on a smaller auction. I thing there is a way to determine if the person has bid on things but lost. I might even ask them what else they've bid on.
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Grrrrrrrrrrr
Citizen
Username: Oldsctls67
Post Number: 339
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 11:54 pm: |
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Paypal takes a 4% vig on all payments made to you...I wouldn't accept payment on a high ticket item via Paypal...like I said before...C A S H |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 1028
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 8:58 pm: |
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Woo hoo!!!! Auction is closed, and winning bid is almost $500 more than the highest off-ebay offer -- your great advice paid off! And winning bidder looks like an ebay pro, with tons of great feedback. Now cross fingers the payment/transfer of vehicle part goes smoothly . . . |
HOMMELL
Citizen
Username: Hommell
Post Number: 45
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 10:14 am: |
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congratulations |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12785
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 10:45 am: |
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Yeah! I haven't checked blue book value, but the winning price looks very good (for you).
Let us know how the rest of it goes.
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Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4263
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 10:53 am: |
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Glad to hear Cat! I'm sure the winning bidder won't be a problem. As you already mentioned, they have a lot of positive feedback. |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 1031
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 12:24 pm: |
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Thanks everyone, we're supposed to make the transfer today, very exciting!
Quick question: I know he pays sales tax when he goes to register the car. Do we have to pay tax too, or are we off the hook? |
Grrrrrrrrrrr
Citizen
Username: Oldsctls67
Post Number: 349
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 12:25 pm: |
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He has to pay the sales tax when he titles it in his name. Once you sign the title over to him you have no further involvement. |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 1032
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 12:39 pm: |
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We don't have to declare the $$$ we received as income? |
The Libertarian
Citizen
Username: Local_1_crew
Post Number: 1659
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 12:44 pm: |
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tell him to put 100 bucks down as the price when he registers. he pays little tax and so do you. just make sure he pays you in cash. |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 1034
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 1:11 pm: |
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So we DO have to declare it as income? |
DRJ
Citizen
Username: Alaska
Post Number: 56
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 1:56 pm: |
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No. |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 1036
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 7:14 pm: |
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The Jeep is gone! And we got way more for it than we expected, without having to deal with test drivers and lowballers wasting our time; as far as I'm concerned, Ebay motors rocks for sellers! That said, I would NEVER buy a car that way, there's no opportunity for taking test drives or making low ball offers! 
Thanks, everyone, for all your help -- you rock too! |
red
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 5093
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 7:54 pm: |
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congrats! |
wnb
Citizen
Username: Wnb
Post Number: 342
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 7:55 pm: |
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It's not true that there is no opportunity to take a test drive of a vehicle bought on eBay... you simply didn't have anyone ask you to let them. |
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 1335
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 8:16 pm: |
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Wnb is right. A friend of mine purchased a car from eBay, and prior to her purchase, she not only test drove the cars, but brought them to her mechanic. A reputable seller will allow that.
Also...the point about being a member with no purchases isn't really fishy. I have been an eBay member for a number of years already, and I have made a total of three purchases and five sales in that time. It's just a matter of interest and of winning auctions. That said, I would ask some questions of potential first-time buyers, just for peace of mind.
And congrats, Amandacat -- sounds like the deal really went your way!! Way to go! |
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