eBay be wary on vintage deals

[Rich D]

Hi guys

Just a heads up to be wary about selling vintage shelfers on eBay. Always state that they may not be suitable for running with modern brushless electronics.

I purchased from eBay a Losi xx4 last summer as a SHELF queen. It was rebuilt by someone else who listed the new parts they had fitted. I looked over the car upon delivery and the description seemed accurate. The car was very tidy for such an old model. i left him five stars and positive feedback. All i did was give it a thorough clean, fitted new rims and a new shell. Its been sat on my shelf for six months ever since. I decided to move it on for funding towards new cars so copied and pasted the advert i had purchased the car from and added the additional information as appropriate. Some muppet has purchased it in november, ran it with what I'm assuming is a brushless system and is moaning that the belts have stripped. And there are some threads turned in the car. He wants a refund and has opened an eBay case against me. I see its a bit like wearing some new underpants for a month and then wanting your money back !? Advice would be appreciated. Ill put the links up when I get home.

[Martin Wallace]

Originally Posted by Rich D

Hi guys

Just a heads up to be wary about selling vintage shelfers on eBay. Always state that they may not be suitable for running with modern brushless electronics.

I purchased from eBay a Losi xx4 last summer as a SHELF queen. It was rebuilt by someone else who listed the new parts they had fitted. I looked over the car upon delivery and the description seemed accurate. The car was very tidy for such an old model. i left him five stars and positive feedback. All i did was give it a thorough clean, fitted new rims and a new shell. Its been sat on my shelf for six months ever since. I decided to move it on for funding towards new cars so copied and pasted the advert i had purchased the car from and added the additional information as appropriate. Some muppet has purchased it in november, ran it with what I'm assuming is a brushless system and is moaning that the belts have stripped. And there are some threads turned in the car. He wants a refund and has opened an eBay case against me. I see its a bit like wearing some new underpants for a month and then wanting your money back !? Advice would be appreciated. Ill put the links up when I get home.

All you needed to put was sold as seen. If you listed it as a shelf queen and not a runner I don't see how he has a case tbh. Looks like he got his wires crossed and thought it was a car he could use with today's technology

[Rich D]

Originally Posted by Martin Wallace

All you needed to put was sold as seen. If you listed it as a shelf queen and not a runner I don't see how he has a case tbh. Looks like he got his wires crossed and thought it was a car he could use with today's technology

Cheers Martin, thats pretty much what i was thinking but im a little wary that as eBay arent educated in the specifics of this hobby they may decide to refund him and ill end up with no car and no money for it.

Here is the listing i purchased the car from ....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/rare-vinta...p2047675.l2557


I cleaned it, fitted a new shell and wing as it had a few scuffs and fitted new wheels and wheel nuts. That was it. I didnt strip it apart to verify that every part was as per the listing but even if i had done, how could i or indeed this disgruntled buyer verify whether the belts were new !! ?? I left the seller 100% five star feedback FFS.

Here is my own advert. If im out of line then fair enough but i cant see i am ? Im a bit wary of getting the car back though as i cant imagine what hes done with it .

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...:X:AAQ:GB:1123


The guy must be a bit of a nut job as hes sent me 7 lengthy messages in less than 24 hours despite sitting on it for a month and " spending a fortune on it" before stripping a belt and deciding hes not happy. Idiot.

I now have an open eBay case that i need to deal with so id appreciate advice whether it be in my favour or against it.

Thanks guys.

[Naushad]

I have a xx4we and it can't be massively different from the xx4. I have the magic setup and it runs beautifully.

You can run brushless but pretty mild, say 10.5t, without melting down.

I'm assuming that unless he hasn't done his homework and has got crazy by plugging in 5.5t with wrong gearing etc...the xx4 is unlikely to cope with that.

Can't really comment about the stripped threads but I don't think he has a good case especially after how long has passed! He may have modified it compared to when you last had it. You have also provided a good description so I can't see it getting far.

Bottom line..you should know your stuff before buying. That's why these forums are useful

There are lots of deluded ppl putting 11.1v 3s lipo and 4.5t brushless for "speed" in off roaders. Unless you like to see your car melt and run dizzy in circles this is pointless....

[Darren Boyle]

It is probably more the "age" of the belts rather then their condition, the Losi belts do disintergrate literally over time on their own....

Darren Bloomfield ran his XX4 last year and it was more than up to todays modern brushless (not saying he did not have to keep on top of it, but it did take it OK)

As for eBay they are a law to themselves on things like this and the one reason I never go near the place...

[Oval/offroadracer43]

I dont know about ebay sometimes.

There's alot of people here that have gotten ripped off.
I dont know about the UK auctions as I live in the united states.
Just be careful on what you sell, and be more careful on what you buy.
I have not used Ebay in about 4 years I just dont trust those sellers on there.

[Rich D]

Originally Posted by Darren Boyle

It is probably more the "age" of the belts rather then their condition, the Losi belts do disintergrate literally over time on their own....

Darren Bloomfield ran his XX4 last year and it was more than up to todays modern brushless (not saying he did not have to keep on top of it, but it did take it OK)

As for eBay they are a law to themselves on things like this and the one reason I never go near the place...

Yeah cheers Darren, i didnt wish to knock the Losi in any way, it was and is a fantastic car but its unforgiving in the hands of muppets. Im half hoping that this thread might flush him out if hes on here ??

As for your comments on eBay this is my fear too. Im going to offer to replace the belts that are " hard to find and very expensive from the USA " . Are you getting the picture ?

Cheers

[discothesnake]

I purchased a YZ-10 a month or so back and had some issues at the start.

The car was billed as 'built and unused' but when the car arrived there was pieces missing. I sent the guy a few messages with no reply so I contacted eBay.

To be fair to the guy, he did eventually get back and sent me some new parts.

This guy you're dealing with sounds like he doesn't really know what he's doing. It's unfortunate that you come across characters like this.

[Robby]

Originally Posted by Rich D

Hi guys

Just a heads up to be wary about selling vintage shelfers on eBay. Always state that they may not be suitable for running with modern brushless electronics.

I purchased from eBay a Losi xx4 last summer as a SHELF queen. It was rebuilt by someone else who listed the new parts they had fitted. I looked over the car upon delivery and the description seemed accurate. The car was very tidy for such an old model. i left him five stars and positive feedback. All i did was give it a thorough clean, fitted new rims and a new shell. Its been sat on my shelf for six months ever since. I decided to move it on for funding towards new cars so copied and pasted the advert i had purchased the car from and added the additional information as appropriate. Some muppet has purchased it in november, ran it with what I'm assuming is a brushless system and is moaning that the belts have stripped. And there are some threads turned in the car. He wants a refund and has opened an eBay case against me. I see its a bit like wearing some new underpants for a month and then wanting your money back !? Advice would be appreciated. Ill put the links up when I get home.

As long as you sold it in "As Is" condition, I'd think you'd be OK.

And honestly, I've been running my XX4 with brushless for the last 3 years or so - and since we initially ran them with 10-turn motors I find it hard to believe that was the problem.
Sounds more like "user error" on the buyer's part to me.

Ultimately, being as he's had it over a month I don't see how the problem is yours anyway and I'd be shocked if ebay rule Good luck.

[Rich D]

Cheers for the support fellas, looks like hes accepted £10 for his belts. The case will be closed once his eCheque clears. Luckily i emptied my Paypal account so he will have to wait for that

Amazing how upset some people can get themselves over a £9 belt. The guy is unstable, i was calm and maybe a little condescending which i think was winding him up

[Frecklychimp]

Hi Rich,

Did you specify a returns policy?

Unfortunately ebay will usually back the buyer in claims unless you contact them direct and explain situation, well worth spending time on the phone defending your case and pointing out that the item is consumable

Through paypal you can offer refund on receipt of the item returned in same condition as sold... the return is at buyers expense and when it is returned you simply state the case it is damaged and not as you sent it... use your photos to prove the point.

I wouldn't offer to replace the belts, the item is as you specified and described and why should you lose out to an idiot?

A model shop wouldnt refund on damage caused by a customer, these items are sold as seen.

[Rich D]

Originally Posted by Frecklychimp

Hi Rich,

Did you specify a returns policy?

Unfortunately ebay will usually back the buyer in claims unless you contact them direct and explain situation, well worth spending time on the phone defending your case and pointing out that the item is consumable

Through paypal you can offer refund on receipt of the item returned in same condition as sold... the return is at buyers expense and when it is returned you simply state the case it is damaged and not as you sent it... use your photos to prove the point.

I wouldn't offer to replace the belts, the item is as you specified and described and why should you lose out to an idiot?

A model shop wouldnt refund on damage caused by a customer, these items are sold as seen.

Hi Mark

Having heard horror stories about eBay refunding buyers whilst they still keep hold of the goods, i decided that £10 wasnt a lot to lose. Im not upset by it. I would be if he had stung me for the £175 it cost by the time it was shipped over there.

Sadly he can only see it as a new car and had made his mind up that the belts werent new after he stripped them.

I specified no returns but in some cases it would seem that this is meaningless. Having had almost 1000 dealings and only this one bad one, its a case of taking the rough with the smooth for the minimum stress

Cheers mate

Rich

[Adam F]

I had a similar problem with an RC heli I sold on the bay...

Sold it to a chap, then he rings me the next day saying he had crashed it as it didn't fly straight and it was my fault as I had sold him a dodgy heli...

He then told me that he had spent £70 on replacement parts and he wanted me to pay for it!!!

Needless to say... I didn't pay him...

I think you are very generous to pay £10... but sometimes needs must....

Losi looks very nice in the ad though... well worth £150!

[Rich D]

Originally Posted by x313

I had a similar problem with an RC heli I sold on the bay...

Sold it to a chap, then he rings me the next day saying he had crashed it as it didn't fly straight and it was my fault as I had sold him a dodgy heli...

He then told me that he had spent £70 on replacement parts and he wanted me to pay for it!!!

Needless to say... I didn't pay him...

I think you are very generous to pay £10... but sometimes needs must....

Losi looks very nice in the ad though... well worth £150!

I feel your pain bud and thanks for the compliment. The car was fine but i would have been dubious about fitting a brushless system into it myself hence the term SHELF queen. It wasnt new built. I dont doubt his belt stripped. Quite likely ! Some muppet with a 27 feedback who made too many assumptions without doing his homework im afraid.

As i had to sort it out through the resolution centre i was left with punting £10 at him, giving him a refund completely after getting a car back he likely wouldn`t have been very sympathetic with or risking them clicking through their list of open cases and refunding him without me even seeing the car again. It was the lesser of the three evils !

[eddscott]

My understanding of typical Ebay rulings in situations like this is that ebay won't find In the buyers favour as they can't comment on condition of the item. I had a problem with an MP777 I sold. Guy was unhappy with condition and opened a dispute. It went to claim and was dismissed.

The YZ10s I bought I had all sorts of problems getting them from the buyer and I even got the refund on both cars. The cars did arrive and like a good soul gave the money back.

[DerbyDan]

It sounds like you came to a good compromise.... but its a shame that it sounds like such a nice car has ended up in the hands of someone who sounds like a bit of a muppet

It appears that the Losi belts do degrade quite badly over time (I can remember the original belts used to be a weak item anyway & would quite often snap) - a fellow RC10Talk.com member has recently completed a Street Weapon IWC rebuild - another ebay purchase, which when it arrived appeared to have had very little use, yet on the stripdown this is what was found;



Of course being a vintage R/C fan embarking on a re-build for shelf display you accept that you may find parts that have degraded &/or need replacing. To the less initiated who sees a car that can be stuffed full of the latest R/C gear for thrashing about, may not appreciate the car's vintage (especially of one that appears almost new!) Maybe dissapointed that the belts had turned to mush