I would like to share some thoughts and experiences about the risky but potentially satisfying venture of buying a vehicle on e-bay. Last month I purchased my 8th vehicle from an e-bay seller. As of now I haven't sold a vehicle on e-bay but plan to do so this coming spring.

 The main lesson I've walked away with is "Buyer Beware".  I can't believe how many sellers there are listing cars on e-bay who have absolutely no qualms about misrepresenting a vehicle just to make a sale. Dealers in particular seem to dwell on the good qualities of the vehicle but fail to mention what is wrong with it or will soon be wrong with it. They'll buy a car at auction, detail it so it shines and list it without ever putting it up on a rack and without going over the car to detect problems. Therefore I think you're safer buying from a private seller, they know the car and can give you some history and I think for the most part are more honest and complete in their descriptions

Of the 8 vehicles I've bought , half have been winners and the others were outright duds.  One of the main problems is that you'll more than likely have to travel to get to where the vehicle is. This is a huge problem if you take a bus or fly in, the seller has you by the short hairs if you don't like what you see. Another big problem is the deposit many sellers require immediately after the auction, an unscrupulous seller again can keep this deposit even if the vehicle is pure junk.  The pictures posted of the vehicle can be very misleading and usually don't accurately represent the condition of the vehicle. A good photographer can make a lemon look like a creampuff.  Bottom line here is that you are putting a lot of faith in the honesty of the description and the honesty of the seller.My recommendations are as follows, ask lots of questions and ask for photos to back up the replies. If you are a short distance from the vehicle, go see it before you bid.  I personally wouldn't send anyone a deposit unless its understood that the deposit gets refunded if the description doesn't match the vehicle. This includes lying by omission which seems to be the norm for some sellers. "You didn't ask " doesn't hold water if the seller doesn't mention a serious flaw or problem with the vehicle. An honest seller will want you to be satisfied with with your purchase.

 My first purchase  was a 1998 VW Jetta which was listed by a seller in Richmond Va. who turned out to be a dealer. I was assured that the car was a beauty so I jumped on a Greyhound for the 350 mi trip to pick it up. I arrived to find a car peppered with dings and scratches but most disturbing was that the interior had burns on almost every surface and the headliner which was to have been replaced before I got there was hanging down to the back seat and hadn't been touched. After much bickering and threats I picked out a Mercedes that I liked and drove home. We still have this car and it has been a great car. I bought a 1964 Triumph TR4 next. My wife and I drove about 200 miles. The car was just as described and I still have it and enjoy it every summer. Shortly after buying the TR I bought a 2000 Saturn wagon from a leasing company who was just a short distance from us and although the description was vague it turned out top be a great deal and again I still have it and drive it every day. Before the Saturn I drove 150 miles to buy a 2000 VW Passat wagon which the sellers touted as immaculate. When I got there I once again was greeted by a dealer and while the car did look nice, there was the raunchiest odor I'd ever encountered when I climbed into the car. Luckily I hadn't sent a deposit and was able to walk away.

The absolute worst deal was a Vixen motorhome I thought I had to have and was willing to spend 22 hours on a bus traveling from central Ohio to the Florida panhandle. The photos were superb the description promised a near show quality vehicle and I was pumped. When I got there I caught a glimpse of it from the bus as the seller agreed to pick me up at the station. I shook hands with him and we got in the home. It honestly looked like something that had been hastily fixed up to sell and the work which had looked so good in the photos was actually very amateurish. Further inspection showed several stars in the windshield, stained upholstery, a sagging headliner, and numerous other defects. Unfortunately I had sent a $500 deposit and the seller wasn't returning a dime. I left for home that afternoon and got about 70 miles when the oil light came on. I put in 2 quarts and turned around. By the time I got back to the guys house the whole back of the home(it was a diesel pusher) was covered with black oil and was dripping onto the ground. Once again the seller refused to return any money and said that I must have ran it too hard. After what nearly escalated to a fist fight I left Florida for Ohio after stopping for a case of oil. 2000 miles later I pulled into my driveway with one quart of oil left. It took a lot of work to get that vehicle fixed up.

My latest acquisition was last week. I bought a 1998 Nissan Frontier 4WD pickup and although it is a nice looking truck, I'm once again not real happy with how it was described. In the week I've had it I've replaced a rear brake drum, all 4 shocks and the muffler is about shot. Once again it was bought from a dealer and while he was very personable he is strictly in it for the money and won't stand behind his description. My feeling is that a seller has the obligation of making an accurate assessment of the vehicle and the buyer has an obligation to complete the deal if the vehicle is as described. I always try to pick up the vehicle the next day so that the seller won't need a deposit. While all buyers are not beyond reproach, for the most part it is the buyer taking the biggest risk. If a buyer travels any distance to purchase a vehicle, that in itself is proof of good faith and if that buyer walks away from the deal I'm sure there is a good reason for him doing so. Just going to get a car can be an expensive proposition  today.

So to sum it up:

BUYER BEWARE

ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS AND REQUEST PHOTOS

BE LEERY ABOUT SENDING A DEPOSIT

BE ESPECIALLY LEERY OF DEALERS

KNOW WHAT YOU'RE BUYING BEFORE DRIVING CROSS COUNTRY

KEEP IN MIND THAT NOT EVERYONE IS HONEST

HOPE YOU DON'T HAVE ANY BAD KARMA