No recourse. On the CD, it was a '78 so no CarFax, and was a purchase just before eBay upgraded its buyer protection policies on automobile transactions. Basically the vendor came up with a series of excuses to delay pickup of the car, then did not work with the shipper. After the car was finally picked up it got dumped in Indiana for two weeks with no explanation (I think the shipper lost track of it). So by the time it arrived here, it was over the 45 days recourse that existed at the time. It transpired that the vendor was just curbsiding cars for a shop on eBay. The previous two sales he had feedback for apparently went very well. The one right after mine, a 300d, not so much, but not as bad as mine... that buyer contacted me after I left feedback that more or less shut the vendor down. Never were 120 characters more carefully chosen for maximum impact.

On the parts car, it was many years ago and I think I sent the guy a money order (this was the era before eBay purchased PayPal and made it the default payment system).

I did screw him another way, however, as it occurred to me that US Customs and Border Protection had a copy of the title and bill of sale in their hands -- we have to do this in advance to export cars out of the US -- so I gave them a call and spilled on what he had done to the OIC at the crossing.

Let's just say the old bottom-feeder crank who ripped me off, who by the way talked like one of the supporting characters on Justified, found out the meaning of "intent to commit export fraud" really quick when USCBP arrived at his door. He actually called me up and threatened to come up here and shoot me, I kid you not.

It was only $250 lost that time. Wish I could say that for the Coupe: $2,650 purchase and $1,400 shipping. I just sold it for $1,400 and was insanely lucky to get that given how much worse the body had got here once exposed to the humid climate in this area.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

what are you buying?

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

the wagons are not longer. I'd buy a round trip ticket and fly down. If it disappointed I'd fly home and only be out the flight. A thousand miles can be driven in one very long day or two not so long. Unless the tires are falling apart they should make a trip, but I'd keep an eye on them in hot weather.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

What does a tire look like just before it blows out?

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When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

You appear the be the sole voice of reason in that thread, that is otherwise one of the dumbest things I have ever read in terms of other peoples replies.

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68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

If you need a shop to look over it in Jacksonville, I HIGHLY recommend Herndon's. They took incredible care of my grandfather's 300SDL which is now mine. It's owned by John and Kriss who are both extremely friendly and knowledgeable.

Mercedes-Benz Service Center | Maintenance, Repair, Service, Extended Warranty for Mercedes-Benz Vehicles in Jacksonville

I had them inspect the 300SDL before I drove it from Jacksonville to Michigan last year. If it's the same cost as shipping the car, you might as well enjoy the time to drive it. It'd be good to stretch out its' legs and will give you time to get to know it better. I'm very happy that I drove instead of having it shipped.

I used Mills Transport, Dubuque, IA. to transport an antique MC from Ann Arbor, MI. to Dallas, TX. Very costly, but reasonable versus fetching it yourself, and coming out of pocket for the travel - especially if time is valuable to you.

id go down and get it after a ppi.

ive shipped a few cars and it was a decent experience, but the money adds up, plus the time window can be ridiculous, like 30 days to deliver something you could drive up in two long days.
id just go get it, take a long weekend, fly to florida, have some great fish sandwiches, grab your ride, head back, stop at the smithsonian for a while in DC. would be a nice 4 to 5 day trip, or 3 day marathon flight and drive

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

Thank you to everyone for the recommendations, of shops, shippers, and everything else! It's a wagon for the boyfriend, and we're still figuring things out.

Will update you when the dust settles. All of this info has been very, very helpful.

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1983 300TD 240k Thistle Green Auto (Euro) [sold]
1984 300D 240k Petrol Green Auto
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"You know, times are changing. Ladies can do stuff now and you're going to have to learn how to deal with it."
"What? Were you saying something? Look, I don't speak Spanish."

It's getting closer to settled. I'm asking for a PPI or PPFI (peachparts forum inspection) before arranging to fly down. I'll buy roundtrip tickets and just get back on the plane if it's not worth the money. But I think I've settled on flying down instead of shipping thanks to everyone's advice. Again, thanks!

If there is *anyone* who would like to check it out for me who is in the area, btw, please PM me. It's just outside Jacksonville. Otherwise I'll ask the seller to take it to Herndon's. Thanks for the rec, Lazerboy2000!

Any further advice on arranging the insurance/plates ahead of time? I barely googled this, so please feel free to say LMGTFY.

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1983 300TD 240k Thistle Green Auto (Euro) [sold]
1984 300D 240k Petrol Green Auto
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"You know, times are changing. Ladies can do stuff now and you're going to have to learn how to deal with it."
"What? Were you saying something? Look, I don't speak Spanish."

In Indiana I am allowed by law to pull a plate from another owned car and put it on the new one. This is good for 30 days. You normally have a similar grace period with your insurance company.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Better check with your insurance company. Coverage specifics varies by state and the amount of time and conditions of initiating coverage on a new car can change. Automatic coverage on a new car used to be 30 days in TN. It was down to 7 days the last time I checked. The temporary coverage would likely not be better than what you have on your most expensive vehicle.

Talk to your agent if you have a good one. Otherwise, talk directly to the carrier (and change agents). You need to know exactly what coverage you will have and under what conditions it will be effective.

I have never bought a vehicle that was as represented. Either buy it cheap &/or go see it. If it "only needs tires and an alignment", get those and drive it. It will likely need more.

Perhaps pack or buy a small hand tool set and be sure to include the universal repair tool that fits in your wallet. The old version used to have Ben Franklin's face on one side. Ben still works fine but the newer versions are plastic.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Are you buying from a car dealer or a private party?

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When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

I lived in Florida for the first 22 years of my life and unless things have changed then the car tags will stay with the owner. I would ask the seller for the VIN so you can get everything arranged with your insurance before you fly down. A Florida tag agency might be able to give you a temporary tag to drive home with.

"Give" might not be the most appropriate word to describe the transaction.

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When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.