eBay motors auction won

[cdti_88]

Just won the following auction: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220956740745?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

The seller has just sent me an email stating:

 

'Sorry been offered an higher offer on another site for £11500 let me know if you can better it'

What would you suggest I reply with?

[edwincluck]

What would you suggest I reply with?

 

How's about...

 

I note:

 

1) your motor trade activity

2) the suspicious nibble-bidding on this auction lot

3) the undisclosed outstanding finance on this vehicle (B1 LYD aka YE58 UWT)

4) the odometer discrepancy (20,000 miles vs 33,000 recorded miles)

and politely request that you sell the vehicle for the realistic price of £3,750.

 

Edited February 28, 2012 by edwincluck

[rebel11]

Why would anybody buy a motor on e-bay?, your just asking for trouble. Don't do it.

 

Note the link below is for E-BAY USA, but you get the idea,

 

http://reviews.ebay.com/How-to-AVOID-[problem]S-and-Purchase-vehicles-on-eBay-Motor_W0QQugidZ10000000001618089

[cdti_88]

Buyer has now sent me a cancel transaction request. He's obviously doesn't want to sell it to me but I thought this was a legal contract being formed. Is there anything I could do?

 

 

How's about...

 

I note:

 

1) your motor trade activity

2) the suspicious nibble-bidding on this auction lot

3) the undisclosed outstanding finance on this vehicle (B1 LYD aka YE58 UWT)

4) the odometer discrepancy (20,000 miles vs 33,000 recorded miles)

and politely request that you sell the vehicle for the realistic price of £3,750.

 

 

Thanks for the reply edwincluck, just a few questions as I'm a bit confused.

 

How can you tell the seller is 'in the trade'?

What indicates to you that there was suspicious bidding?

Where does the seller state a mileage of 20,000?

Did you do a HPI check (I thought you have to pay for them?)

 

Or is this one of those sarcastic forum replies in which case ignore the above...

 

Why would anybody buy a motor on e-bay?, your just asking for trouble. Don't do it.

 

Note the link below is for E-BAY USA, but you get the idea,

 

http://reviews.ebay.com/How-to-AVOID-[problem]S-and-Purchase-vehicles-on-eBay-Motor_W0QQugidZ10000000001618089

 

Hi rebel, you say don't do it yet refer me to a guide on essentially how to buy a car off ebay. I have sold two cars through ebay with no problems at all and assumed it would be just as easy to buy one, obviously not. I don't think your reply is very useful but thanks anyway.

[rebel11]

Hi cdti

 

As I've stated, I don't think it is a great idea buying a car on e-bay, it's risky for lots of reasons. But if you must buy this is a guide of sorts, the US one seems more comprehensive.

 

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/ebaymotors/help/buyerguide/buy_vehicles.html

[edwincluck]

Buyer has now sent me a cancel transaction request. He's obviously doesn't want to sell it to me but I thought this was a legal contract being formed. Is there anything I could do?

Sue him? Or better still, walk away and call it a lucky escape.

 

How can you tell the seller is 'in the trade'?

The car was being simultaneously advertised in the trade press where the same seller advertises other vehicles.

 

http://www.dealerbid.co.uk/ajax_viewcar.php?cari=willed&act=5&src=ph&carid=41560

http://trade-bids.com/details.php?id=821

http://www.dealerbid.co.uk/ajax_viewcar.php?cari=willed&act=5&src=ph&carid=13905

 

What indicates to you that there was suspicious bidding?

There were multiple 'nibble bids' from zero-rated and very low-rated bidders. This is a common strategy of shill bidders who want to discover the maximum proxy bids placed by genuine bidders.

 

Where does the seller state a mileage of 20,000?

From: http://www.dealerbid.co.uk/ajax_viewcar.php?cari=willed&act=5&src=ph&carid=13905

 

Your Selected Advert - B1LYD

BMW 120d M SPORT 1995cc

3 DOOR HATCHBACK Manual

09 - 58 MILEAGE : 20000 miles 2 Owners

LOCATION HAROLD WOOD

Described as 20,000 miles in some adverts, but 33,000 miles in others.. How so?

 

Did you do a HPI check (I thought you have to pay for them?)

In some of those trade adverts, the same vehicle is described as:

 

Outstanding Finance : Yes

 

e.g. see: http://trade-bids.com/details.php?id=821

 

2009 BMW 1 SERIES GREY

Posted on 20 Feb, 2012 | Hits: 1 | Stock No: #0821

Make: BMW

Model: 1 SERIES

Derivative: 120D M SPORT

Year: 2009

Mileage: 33000 miles

Transmission: Manual

Fuel Type: Diesel

Colour: Grey

Body Type: Hatchback

Doors: 3

Engine Size: 1995 CC

History: Full Manufacturers Service History

Total Owners: 2

Outstanding Finance: Yes

Country: England

Postcode: ng24

 

Reg: B1LYD,

MOT Expiry : Over 6 Months

Taxed Until : 3 Months

V5 Available : Yes

Outstanding Finance : Yes

£11,750.00

The original plate (YE58 UWT) is shown in one of those adverts. The outstanding finance is possibly recorded against that plate.

 

£11,500 is a lot of money. It's not even a good price, given the notoriety of the sale venue, the seller's form (or lack of), and the question marks over the vehicle itself. Glass's quotes £9,500 for trade-in.. In the current climate, a private seller would be lucky to get that.

 

Walk away, for God's sake!

Edited February 29, 2012 by edwincluck

[cdti_88]

Wow! A lot of information there that I had no idea of. Although I webuyanycar'd it and they valued it at £10800 so I have no doubt the price was too good to be true!

Thanks.

[edwincluck]

Although I webuyanycar'd it and they valued it at £10800

 

webuyanycar is infamous for its bogus valuations.

 

From http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12934140

 

Webuyanycar.com gave misleading valuations, OFT says

 

Internet car buying company Webuyanycar.com bought cars for hundreds of pounds less than the original valuation, a regulator has found.

 

An investigation into the company found that 96% of customers received less than the original website valuation.

 

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) ordered the company, which advertises widely, to make its operations clearer.

 

The company said that the problems did not reflect current practice.

 

The OFT investigation found that consumers were given the impression that they would be paid the online valuation if the company's onsite inspection matched the condition entered by the seller online.

 

But once at the appointment, some customers found that other factors reduced the final price from the headline valuation, including "market conditions".

 

The OFT also found that vehicle inspectors were set targets regarding the purchase of vehicles, sometimes to reduce the valuation offered by up to 25% when they looked at them.

£10,800 - 25% = £8,100

 

Here's betting that webuyanycar.com wouldn't pay even £8,100, even if that car was free of HP..

[just_jue]

It sounds like you have had a luck escape. Don't agree to cancel the agreement and he will still have to pay his fees.

 

JJ