I agree with Eskimo.
E-bay is no different from AutoTrader, Craigslist or even this Forum's classified ad's. If you take what is written or photographed as fact without any checks or visual inspection then there is a very good chance that you will be disappointed. Buying anything at arms-length without seeing it first or having it checked out is a risky prospect. A Private individual selling a car doesn't normally provide a warranty or gaurantee of money back if you aren't satisfied. E-Bay is no different. Buying from a Dealer either directly or on E-Bay usually provides some money back provision and sometimes a warranty.

Everybody is entitled to their own opinions, but I don't think it is fair to single out E-Bay as the culprit, it is the people selling that potentially are the problem and that is no different from anywhere else.

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1991 M-B 560SEL Arctic White/Grey 99,000 Miles
1987 M-B 300SDL Ivory/Palomino 229,000 Miles (sold but never forgotten)
2006 Volvo XC70 Blue/Beige
1999 Porsche Boxster Arena Red/Savanna Beige
1986 Porsche 928S Goldweiss/Brown

I've been screwed on eBay before, which equated to money out of my pocket, and the only justice I got was the opportunity to leave negative feedback. Whoop de friggin doo.
I still say if you ever want to sleep at night don't buy cars off eBay.

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

Believe me, we understand what you are saying. and saying. and saying. We just don't necessarliy agree. I guess we all need to be wary of ebay and stick with Used Car Salesmen! They never try and hide anything.....

**edit**
Also, I sold the Smoker on ebay, and provided a totally honest assesment of her good points and flaws. I was able to offer much detailed info on ebay, and those watching and bidding asked good questions and the whole thing went well. I'm not saying all auctions go that way, but you are saying that NONE of them do.

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Sound like someone is a tad bitter.

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But what do I know...

1984 300SD 256k

Well, I guess that settles it. You've convinced me that eBay is no good. Your experience simply crushes the more than 200 satisfactory eBay transactions in which I've participated.

I'll miss doing honest trading with buyers and sellers, but there's just no fighting the irresistible power of the overly broad generalization!

Seriously, there are many, many people who find that eBay works for them. If it doesn't work for you, then don't do it.

i give

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

I don't think I can buy a car without seeing, touching, driving and smelling(large part of the buying decision.) I have been in internet sales and been a salesman for around 6 years. I have the infamous quote that we all used. " could you bring that car a little closer to the computer screen" NEVER TRUST A PICTURE.

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Owen

87 300TD 603 I-6
94 Jeep XJ I-6 4.0 (see the pattern)
89 750il
seventy-two hundred feet above sea level (kinda cold up here)

amen

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

Run Forrest Run

That is possible....? Then anything else is also possible.

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PagodaLOVER
1967 230SL, manual
1959 180D, manual