Ebay Horror - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ISmellDiesel · #1 12-27-2004, 07:03 PM

Guys: get this. Casually browsing for a 300 SDL in excellent condition and run across one, right here is Southern California, 1987, 71k miles on it, starting bid $ 7,900 dollars. So I call the man, he turns out to make a living brokering cars, which is just fine with me if the 'deal' is right.
I drove out and met with the gentleman, found the car to be quite acceptable with only a very few small blemishes, A/C not converted, a leak around the fuel pump.
I asked if he would be willing to settle a deal outside Ebay, because his listing had no biddings after 4 days. I offered $ 7500 he respnded he already had an offer for that amount so I upped to 7600. He said 'let's wait' and then I asked the question I use in most negotiations: " how much money will you need now to close the deal?" He said "I don't know". What kind of fool?
Anyhow, I returned back home and observed the ongoing of no more deals to his offering until the last day, December 26th, when I was prepared to enter my bidding because I really liked to buy it and was prepared (with cash in the pocket) to give him up to $ 11,000 Dollars THE DAY WE MET.
Also asked if he could contact my confidante mechanic in Pasadena to arrange an exam while the bidding went on.
At the moment I logged into ebay on December 26th, the auction had closed, because the seller added "buy immediately" for 10,000 Dollar and someone jumped on it an hour or two later.
Let me ask you: wouldn't it make sense, if you sell and have 10 grand in mind to say it out loud? Would it make sense to give a call to someone already out and accepting the automobile to advise of a change in status?
Either way, I must have different ethics in selling in general, otherwise I wouldn't be so successful. This was a real disappointment, personally.
Link to auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4513250519

Brian Carlton · #2 12-27-2004, 07:30 PM

I can guess what probably happened here.

Someone contacted the seller, after you had viewed the vehicle, and offered him $10K for it. Now, that was considerably more than anyone else was talking about at that moment (You were at $7,600, as far as he knew), so he decided to accept it.

He puts the "buy it now" on e-bay for the agreed upon $10K and the buyer takes it at that price.

Don't feel too badly about it. Paying $10K for an SDL that you have not checked out thoroughly would be a foolish proposition. You probably did not have the time to check whether the mileage was legit. Mileage below 100K is extremely suspect with these vehicles.

Additionally, it's normally quite difficult to get the vehicle thoroughly checked out prior to the end of the auction. Most of the dealers will never let you take it from their lot and it's not practical to check it thoroughly on their lot. The system is rigged in their favor to unload the vehicle in its current condition.

There is always another one in the future.

BTW, I was perusing AutoTrader and there are several in the $10-$12K range. This would be close to retail and you would want to ensure that you had a real fine example for that price.

rwthomas1 · #3 12-27-2004, 07:41 PM

I hate sellers like that. When I sell something I have a number in mind and when cash is offered and the deal can go down immediately, well, negotiations start. Likely he had nothing to lose holding the car even if it didn't sell. IMHO you should just move on and chalk it up to experience. The right car is out there, you just haven't found it yet. RT

Hector111 · #4 12-27-2004, 07:41 PM

Hi IS

Its an Ebay Jungle out there.

Here is one I found for $4495 Canadian!

http://www.trader.ca/RFMotors/Default.asp?Trader=1&CAT=1&mknm=740&Region=&adid=4117259&dContact=264550&VLot=/RFMotors&ADS=4117259%7C&SRVlot=1&SRslts=1&q1=%3D+1&c1=%40category&q3=740&c3=%40makeid&q5=&c5=%40adcopy&q6=&c6=%40year&q7=&c7=%40askprice&q14=&c14=%40subcategory&mknm=740&mdnm=&Region=&subcategory=&alpha=

I have not seen it but the price is right. - under $4K US.

If you were interested I could assist...

ISmellDiesel · #5 12-27-2004, 08:31 PM

thanks, Hector. I really want something outstanding, meaning also with very little mileage and I am not objected to price, if I find what I want. If my search does not yield anything good within the next couple of months, I am going to resort to an E300 of 1996 and later with up to 60,00 miles. Plenty out there.

#6 12-27-2004, 08:46 PM

Be careful what you ask for because you might get it.

Your missing that car may very well have been a fortunate situation. These cars do have several Achilles heels.

Good luck,

300sdlguy · #7 12-27-2004, 09:01 PM

Yeah, Brian is probably right. I would imagine the other guy offered $9000 or so, and to that, the dealer put a $10,000 "buy it now" on the auction to see if there were any other bites, and the guy who made the offer got scared and paid the full amount.

The miles were a great asset, that I DO agree. IMHO the color was a definite detractor to the value (if that makes you feel any better). I have brokered cars before, and if a Mercedes Sedan wasn't, black, white, smoke silver or silver it was a hard sell. Pearl Gray wasn't too hard to sell, and Diamond blue wasn't either if it had navy leather, but was VERY hard to sell if it had the tan (not parchment) leather. When it was finished in Ivory they would sell at auction for far less money, but prospective buyers would always make the comment "I wish it were white", when it was taupe or gold they would always say "I wish it were smoke silver", when it was teal green they would always say "I wish it were ANY other color." I only made that mistake once. The only Red w126 sedan I brokered sold before I got it out of the auction lot. They are so rare there is always a buyer for one.

Marcb · #8 12-27-2004, 09:07 PM

Quote:

The miles were a great asset, that I DO agree. IMHO the color was a definite detractor to the value (if that makes you feel any better). I have brokered cars before, and if a Mercedes Sedan wasn't, black, white, smoke silver or silver it was a hard sell. Pearl Gray wasn't too hard to sell, and Diamond blue wasn't either if it had navy leather, but was VERY hard to sell if it had the tan (not parchment) leather. When it was finished in Ivory they would sell at auction for far less money, but prospective buyers would always make the comment "I wish it were white", when it was taupe or gold they would always say "I wish it were smoke silver", when it was teal green they would always say "I wish it were ANY other color." I only made that mistake once. The only Red w126 sedan I brokered sold before I got it out of the auction lot. They are so rare there is always a buyer for one.

Funny... I happen to like my Ivory 300D and I've had several people comment on how "pretty" it looks...

300sdlguy · #9 12-27-2004, 11:27 PM

No doubt, and that is why vehicles come in all kinds of different colors. My comments were based soley on what I witnessed at auction and my experiences in selling w201's, w124's, w126's & w140's (never bought or sold any others). I think the ivory is not a bad color, but I personally was not so fond of the STANDARD two-tone on the 126's or the contrast of the gray bumpers on the early 124's & 201's. Solid Ivory like the on the 116's & 123's. was much more elegant. Again IMHO

bbeardb · #10 12-28-2004, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hector111

Hi IS

Its an Ebay Jungle out there.

Here is one I found for $4495 Canadian!

http://www.trader.ca/RFMotors/Default.asp?Trader=1&CAT=1&mknm=740&Region=&adid=4117259&dContact=264550&VLot=/RFMotors&ADS=4117259%7C&SRVlot=1&SRslts=1&q1=%3D+1&c1=%40category&q3=740&c3=%40makeid&q5=&c5=%40adcopy&q6=&c6=%40year&q7=&c7=%40askprice&q14=&c14=%40subcategory&mknm=740&mdnm=&Region=&subcategory=&alpha=

I have not seen it but the price is right. - under $4K US.

If you were interested I could assist...

I wonder how many miles on that car? I really wonder if it's a pain getting it across the boarder. I would assume there would be a lot of import tax issues and paper work.

goldenbear · #11 12-28-2004, 01:10 PM

ISD,

That's a bummer; the car looked very clean. As others have stated, there's another one out there for you, especially if you're willing to pay for a fine example.

goldenbear · #12 12-28-2004, 01:18 PM

ISD - Per Brian's comment, I found this car on AutoTrader. It looks very clean and is located in the Redding area. I'll be in Redding this weekend and could check it out for you if you're interested.

Marcb · #13 12-28-2004, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenbear

ISD - Per Brian's comment, I found this car on AutoTrader. It looks very clean and is located in the Redding area. I'll be in Redding this weekend and could check it out for you if you're interested.

Be careful with that blue one in Redding... I looked at a car from these guys in Portland, OR and it wasn't as nice as the ad said. I think they own a repair shop and buy and sell these at high profit... Just IMO.

tenknots · #14 12-29-2004, 03:41 PM

From Craig's list DC:

1991 Mercedes 350SD Turbo Diesel - $11500
Reply to: anon-53447826@craigslist.org
Date: 2004-12-26, 8:57AM EST

1991 Mercedes 350SD Turbo Diesel. It is in excellent condition and everything works. It has 83,000 miles on it. If you have been looking for a vintage Mercedes-Benz diesel this is the one. Call 757-927-9359 or email.

this is in or around Arlington
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

53447826