Did you ask yourself why the seller is concealing his auctions (private auctions)? Why he changes his eBay user name periodically? And why he never uses his legitimate business name in his eBay ads?
The answer is very simple!
The Story:
The 1998 Mercedes C280 arrived on Friday 03/26/2004. The car was very misrepresented in the eBay ad and I am very disappointed. The Seller listed the car as clean, babied, and in well-kept condition. Ad claims there are no signs of any collision damage or body repairs. The ad also stated that the car is in excellent mechanical and physical condition. After a visual inspection by myself, the car appears to have been abused inside and out, with missing floor mats, cup holder, ashtray, etc. After an inspection by a local Mercedes Certified Mechanic and Collision Consultant, they confirmed that the car does have frame damage in the left rear quarter panel, inside the trunk. This would not be obvious in the eBay ad photos. This does confirm that the car has been in a collision and needs over $4100 in bodywork. This amount does not include the other $2400 estimate for the mechanical and cosmetic defects not represented in the eBay ad. This estimate does not include the $1551 labor costs involved as well. Please examine the pictures and compare it to the listing.
I spoke with seller, and he agreed to take the car back, pay his own shipping and refund the total amount of $7000. The title arrived without the Bill of Sale on 03/29/04, the same day I spoke to the seller about returning the car. I mailed the title back to him that same day because we had mutually agreed he would take the car back. After many attempts to contact the seller, he has never returned my calls nor made any arrangements to pick up the car. Later that week, I spoke with one of his associates, and I was told that they will not take the car back and that they would mail me the Bill of Sale and title. As of today, I still have not received the Bill of Sale and title.
April 15, 2004
alrefai222
Update....Update...Update
I received the title on 04/19/04 without the bill of sale. Currently I am working with EBay Auction Insurance Agency to resolve this matter. Unfortunately, the agency has failed to reach a positive conclusion with seller. Therefore, the insurance company is in the process of issuing reimbursement check for partial damages caused by the seller. A copy of the check will be posted in this home page soon. Meanwhile, I already filed a complaint with BBB and in the process of filing complaint with FBI internet fraud division, Attorney Generals office in AZ and NJ, and Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection. Also, I am currently consulting with attorney firms in Arizona and New jersey to evaluate my legal options.
April 27, 2004
alrefai222
Update....Update...Update
Today I received my settlement check from Auction Insurance and I posed a copy in the main page. Meanwhile feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
April 29, 2004
alrefai222
The following are the items that are not declared in the eBay Ad:
1. Power steering pump needs replaced (per certified mechanic inspection)
2. Obvious body repair (poorly done) in the left rear of the trunk (Frame
damage not repaired)
3. Brake Master Cylinder, brake pads, and brake discs needs replacement
4. Front bumper and hood has hundreds of paint chips, the front plumber
cover needs replacement
5. Cup holder missing in center console (as per eBay ad)
6. Obvious evidence of paint work in the front and back of the car
7. Large cut/slash in left rear passenger door near handle
8. Missing/loose buttons on stereo
9. Couple of cassette holders are broken/missing
10. No floor mats (as per your eBay ad)
11. Center console latch broken
12. Ashtray missing
13. Round cup-like mark on the trunk near the right tail light
14. Left passenger door sill missing
15. Couple pieces of rust (see picture)
16. Crack in the windshield
17. Spare tire holder broken due to collision impact (see picture)
18. The car listed as 117900 miles and arrived at 118603 miles