I have both bought and sold used parts over the internet, some items have even involved more than a little money.

I also try to mostly limit purchases to sellers who are within about a 150 mile radius of me. Driving that far is a bit of a drag, but I hate to pay for parts that are over represented for condition, quality, or completeness.

Case in point: I saw an ad for a '67 driver's side fender in Palmdale CA in this forum. Over the phone the seller represented it as "looking like it has never been hit, but needing refinishing". The fender was 130 miles away, and the seller knew I was driving some distance. In person, I could see that the "never been hit" apparently did not mean it was not dented - two dents and one crease (that had some filler in it) actually. One of the dents was palm sized, the other about half that, and all three were along the flaired edge of the wheel opening, and as deep as about 3/4" - one of the more difficult to correctly fix spots on a fender, especially multiple damage along the same area.

Most people will properly represent what they are selling. Just be sure to ask the right questions, especially if the parts in question have been laying about for awhile, and the seller hasn't taken a serious look at them recently.

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"Bomber" '67 El Camino
Beater comes back to life
350/TH350 14.90 @ 93mph!
350,000+ miles on car
Likely 100k+ miles on engine

Ran into the same thing, except I was driving about 7 hours to Minneapolis to look at a fender that was supposed to be perfect. I guess he failed to mention the rust at the bottom, the dent along the wheel opening, the dent at the top crease, and the dent at the front edge.

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Mat Ellison
Lincoln, Ne
70 SS 396 Chevelle
62 Impala Sport Coupe
ACES #2424

I might add one other thing, TIME. It seems that every time that I have been burned, it's because I was in a hurry. Take your time with these type transactions. Get pictures sent to you. Don't be overly optimistic in your expectations, be somewhat cynical. Give the deal an opportunity to come apart, sometimes that's healthy.

Pssssst! Anyone want this stuff?
I've got a Hirst Shifty shifter for a Chevy th390, a set of Moron chrome valve covers, some Eldegrock intake mufflers, and I think a set of Mr Gashket key fob seals. All real cheap. Just email me.


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"A days pay on the wild side"
'67 Chevelle 396/Th400/4.10

I've bought parts over the internet and the only ones that I got "burned" on were less then $20. Like you said though, when I was in a hurry to get parts is when they turned out bad.

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Joe Y.
68 malibu (http://www.mindway.com/~drone)
Bloomington/Normal, IL

Big Block Dave, Just the things I have been looking for. Such collector items. Send me all you have. I'll mail you a check as soon as I get them. Greg

pssst... It's Big Block Dave, I got the stuff... Let me in, it's Big Block Dave, I've got the stuff!

Dave?? Dave's not here.
Believe me I keep a record of all the stuff I buy. If I get a sour deal from a guy once.
I will never buy from that individual again.
I dont limit myself to milage.If a seller wont make good on a deal I'll just fly to where they live and settle up in person.

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Philip Mullaly
72 TPI El Camino
"you did torque the caps right?"

i had this happen to me not to long ago.i contacted a junkard in the west that advertised rust free musclecar sheetmetal.i needed a fender for a 70 chevelle.they told me they had a rust free GM fender,that still had the factory prime showing on the back,had the GM sticker on it but had a small dent over the wheel opening,and it was $200.i was all set to give my credit card nubber and buy this primo fender.I asksd if they could e-mail me a picture,and they did.click on the link to see it.needless to say i did'nt buy it.so as stated earlier,be careful! http://members.spree.com/entertainment/ochrisl/chevelle/Mvc-002s.jpg

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70 chevelle,400cid turbo400.blue with silver stripes.http://members.spree.com/entertainment/ochrisl/

[This message has been edited by 70isfine (edited 07-06-2000).]

[This message has been edited by 70isfine (edited 07-06-2000).]

[This message has been edited by 70isfine (edited 07-06-2000).]

Hey, I need that '68 Camaro fender. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif
Rick
'66 Yenko
'68 SS 427

I guess I lucked out. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif I saw an ad for a campershell for 68-72 El Camino free. I figured it had to be trash, in fact the owner told me he was going to cut it up that weekend if I hadn't e-mailed. E-mailed several times always got good responses, but he didn't have pictures. (hmmm) The shell was 300 miles away. I tried to get a family member to go check it out that only lived 50 miles away, but no go. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/frown.gif I went to look at it, only a couple of minor problems, different color than stated (purple not majenta, no prob gotta paint it to match truck anyway), small broken window, (no prob, $3.00 at local glass shop). With the condition of the rest of the shell, the price (FREE) http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif, it was a great deal. Thanks again Jeff, http://www.chevelles.com/forum/cool.gif I appreciate it, if your still out there. If you still have those drag Centerlines off the same El Co, let me know if your interested selling them. Not all deals on the internet are bad ones.
Be careful, & Good luck. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

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"When the job gets you down, and life's a drag,..........RACE!!"

it was probably backed over by the same truck that hit all the other junk.

A while ago I spent $200 on some scrap sheetmetal I needed for rust repair on my '70 El Camino. Well I got the parts, and I had emailed clear diagrams to the guy that was supposed to cut it and what I got was most of the parts I needed but they weren't cut right, some weren't even what I needed and they all looked like they were cut out with snippers. Turns out it was a kid that did it and all he was in it for was money to pay insurance on his car because thats what he was always complaining about. I ended up giving him he11 for it but I didn't get my money back so that was a waste. So, here's some free advice: be careful when you get some sheetmetal cut off another car when you're not there to do it. And don't buy anything from someone named Chris Merry.

Just got burned!
Here is what I learned: Ask plenty of questions and expect clear answers to your questions, so you are shure of what you are getting for you money!
I personally will not order from these adds anymore unless I can drive to the part and look it over.
I just sent $90.00 3000 miles for parts that were in "really good condition" when I recieved them(two week later after paying for three day shipping) one part wasnt even for my car.
The others were in such poor shape it will cost another 50.00 to make them useable.
I found there are people out there who will lie about the condition of there parts to make a sale.
I ask this guy three or four times about the condition of the parts? "YOU WONT BE DISAPOINTED" he said.
"WARNING" If you ask if the bolt is chrome? expect the answer "yes the bolt is chrome and is in good shape" or "yes the bolt is chrome but has a little rust".
If they wont answer a specific question, your fixen to get ------ !
Once they have your money you can forget any kind of refund.
It's a strange thing that when these people are ripping you off and you confront them with it, they try to turn things around to be your falt. I think it's so they can act all mad and curse you for sending them good money for bad parts?
In there mind it gives them an excuse not to make things rite. I guess if they are mad at you then it's allrite to ripp you off?
It's too bad, I see alot of parts I would like to have, but am afraid to order.
My 02
T.C.

Hey TC, let's disappoint him by pulling his ads. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif
email abuse@chevelles.com with the details and name, email and/or phone number.

We simply do not have to put up with misrepresentations.

We will be getting an entirely new ad program this summer. Top notch system. Should help in keeping scoundrels out.

[This message has been edited by Al (edited 07-07-2000).]

I've gone through this on eBay. I was parting out a firebird and listed some bezals in 'driver condition, been on the car for 35 years.' Long story short, I mailed it to the guy and hes bent out of shape there were couple scratches (they buffed out when I got the stuff back) you know... like a drivers quality piece would have.

But insted of saying tough sh_t I let him mail the stuff back less shipping and sent him his money. I wasn't trying to take anyone for a ride but everyones description of 'good condition' or 'drivers condition' is obviously diffrent. Like the fella before me said, just make sure you ask questions.

I bought (or should I say paid) a dash pad here from about six months ago and never received it. Chalked it up to experiance... now I won't buy parts from anyone here or on ebay unless I get a phone # and actually speak to them on the phone.

Al, that add thing sounds cool. Will it be anything like eBay where you register a nick and people can leave feedback after you complete a sale?

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'67 Malibu - Some assembly required.

Hard work has a future. Laziness pays off now.

Heres one for ya, I bought a dash from a place that restores them amoung other parts. It took forever to get, then they billed me twice for it. I called them several times to straighten it out to no avail. I finally turned it over to the credit card company and got my money back from the second bill.
The dash was very nicely done and complete but i dont deal with them anymore. Beware theyre at Super Chevy in indy every year. I cant remember theyre name.
On the brighter side i bought a floor hump section from a guy in louisana from this site, it was everything he said it was.
I also bought a tach gauge cluster from a guy advertising on this site, except for the clock they all worked and were very nice.
Many thanks to those of you who back what you sell and a special thanks for this site for bringing it into view.

So far everyone that I've bought parts from through this site have been excellent!
The only problem I've had was one I received parts for the wrong year car, but the guy refunded them without a problem.
I do agree, you do have to be carefull, none of us know each other from a hole in the wall.
But i have to admit, this has got to be one of the safest places to deal with on the net.


Jeff Litka
72 Chevelle SS
72 MonteCarlo

Ever buy or sell a car over the internet? I sold someone a 68 Chevelle SS396,4 speed,12 bolt posi,factory tach/gauges,buckets,console,functional air,and 4 piston disc brakes.All original,but #'s not match.Nice and solid,good chrome,glass,MINT interior,nice,older repaint that held up VERY well,had a few holes in the stock mufflers and few small bubbles on the bottom of the fenders(NOT holes)but a very,very,nice car overall.Sold it for $8,500.He paid shipping(about a $1,000)Now,he got it,complained it was dirty,(I won't say where it was shipped to,but it was far away from CT,and shipped on a an open trailer)He complained about stupid,stupid crap.I sent him a very,very good video tape.He said he thought the car was worth only 6K(yeah,right)No money back on my part,I knew he got a deal,and so did he.Anyway,a few months later,he's selling it for 12.5K!!!No problem,I don't care about you making money on the car,but don't complain about stupid crap and sell it for more than you paid!! I have had bad luck with a tilt column I bought from someone on this site(Now I'm on the other side of the fence)no big deal.It was a bigger piece of crap than he said it was.And,I get people e-mailing me with "detailed" tilt columns for $450!!Bought one locally,for $75.00 that was mint.I for one,will nor sell or buy any parts on the internet,and for cars,(I'm selling a 69 SS now)NO out area people-there are just too many opinions on "driver" condition,"needs work","mint",etc.Come see it.But don't travel far or buy it by video tape if you're anal.I'm not knocking car/parts for sale on the internet,but you just gotta be careful.I've been on both sides here,and it's tough.Sometimes you can't find the parts locally,and 9 times outta 10,it's easier to point and click than it is wait for the swap meet or local searches to get what you're looking for.Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "Buyer Beware".But,hey,you only live once.Just my twisted .02 and experience. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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1970 Chevelle SS396/L78/M21/4.10
1972 Olds 442 convertible(455,W25,M40)
1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass 350 Olds,TH350(daily driver)
1969 CHEVELLE SS396/TH400/FOR SALE!!
"Be aware of the possible ramifications of the potential outcome"



[This message has been edited by mr 4 speed (edited 07-09-2000).]

.........WWW.IESCROW.COM........


anyone can use it. and if it's not as described, you get your $$ back.. legit guys have no problem using this, but the crooks won't

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My Chev-Hell Page (http://hometown.aol.com/jnkb2cool/home.html)

1970 malibu SS look-a-like well kinda
307 (i just checked)w/350 heads/200-4r (soon to be 355)

Ft.Worth, Tx

Luckily, I've always gotten exactly what I thought I was getting. If I pay 25% of what a part would be new, I don't expect it to not need some refurbishing. I've never been jerked around by anyone selling items on this site, but would appreciate some way to notify the rest of you when a deal does turn sour. The ability to post feedback regarding a member's past transactions would be good. You could read them and make your own decision about whether to proceed with the transaction. Anyway, my 2 cents.

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Gold Member #260
1965 327 Malibu
1999 Ford Contour SVT
Former 68 396 Elky SS &
70 Malibu owner
"Yes, Honey, these parts ARE necessary"

That was my purple-magenta Camino shell, I knew someone could use it for free. The Centerlines are still available Wes...

I was in the National Impala Association for a few years, and they required all parts advertisers to include the phrase "Satisfaction Guaranteed" in their ads. It gave buyers more confidence in buying items sight-unseen, and it also gave them an out if a part wasn't as described. I always include it in my ads here, and it may be something to encourage all TC advertisers to do. Not a cure-all, but it may help. Just my .02

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Rainer Seitz
Vancouver, WA
Team Chevelle Gold #50

'68 SS396 (soon to be for sale!)
'70 LS3 400 Malibu
'70 Malibu convertible 350/300hp
rseitz@chevelles.com