Would you buy a truck on ebay?

The only stuff I've bought on eBay are things cheap enough that I could take a risk without driving miles to see them first. It might be different if it were a fixed price, but if an auction and I have invested time and money getting the vehicle inspected I suspect I would be more likely to keep on bidding beyond the price where I would stop had I not invested that effort in.

Though I suppose the solution would be to decide on the absolute highest amount you will pay before you start bidding and make a resolution not to bid if it has gone over that, and also maybe leave it until the last 30 seconds to bid, and bid that final amount - so there is no room for you to be tempted to counter bid if someone has put in a higher proxy bid. Of course you are still risking spending time and money inspecting something that you decide is perfect for you only for someone else to outbid you.

Steve.

I have bought three vehicles over the internet(long distance), including one on ebay and one on Craigslist 1200 miles away. We have also purchased a used low mileage truck from a dealer 1000 miles away. They were as advertized and have been good vehicles.

You have to be very careful. If you are looking for a good financial deal long distance, its not easy when travel/shipping is included. If you are looking for a particular vehicle or an extremely low mileage vehicle, then maybe it would be worth pursuing. A lot of question asking and also getting lots of photos. Yes, I get the carfax etc. and they do help. Ultimately you just have to look at the vehicle, there is a lot that does not show up in pictures and on paper.

If a vehicle is available locally its almost always the better option to pursue financially.

I have bought 3 antique trucks on eBay over the years, 2 were a little over sold and one was a great deal, still have that one.

I also bought my 2000 F250 diesel on the internet but not eBay, bought it from a dealer 1500 miles away. Talked to them on the phone and they sent additional photos. I sent a down payment with their assurance I would get a refund if it wasn't as advertised. A few items that were either not fixed as promised or didn't show up in the photos were used to negotiate a reduction in price. They picked me up at the airport and I was heading back home with temporary tags in about 2 hours.

Jim...

You also want to look at the seller's Feedback rating. That can tell you a lot. If someone selling cars has 100% feedback, thats a good sign that they are a straight shooter. I try not to deal with anyone who has less than a 99% feedback score, unless its just a small item. Then I might take the chance. I have almost 1000 purchases and sales on ebay and never had a real problem.

I have bought cars, P/Ups. tractors, RVs on EBay . Sold all for more than I paid for them. Most I bought sight unseen but with lot of pictures. Ebay is nearly as good as Craigs List for me. In fact I bought something on Ebay today and bidding on two other items

805gregg wrote:
No, too much flim flam on E-bay

Can you cite several examples of what your are talking about?

I have purchased over 500 items, over the past 10 years from ebay... Including an in ground pool kit, I built myself. Now I have never purchased a car but I have never had 1 transaction go wrong.

6 years ago I bought off of an eBay sale a 1997 Lexus LX450 with 9,789 miles on it for $19,500. Truck sold new for $56,745. I drove the truck 3 years, sold it for $20k after I had put another 30k miles on it. Before I flew into Chicago, I located the dealership that sold the truck, they verified all services done and made the comment that the truck was like new. I took a friend who is a great mechanic to inspect and help me drive it home, After he inspected the truck and we test drove it I handed over the certified cashiers check. I bought thru an estate auto broker in North Chicago. The truck was never out in winter weather, was stored in a heated garage, had an almost new set of tires on it and it appeared to be a new truck. I stopped by the dealership and they gave me a printout of all services performed which based on time rather then mileage was almost unbelievable. One oil change had 338 miles on it but a years time. Tires were replaced because of age not wear. Yes, you can buy off eBay, research it well, inspect it and test drive it. Like any used car/truck, you always take a chance.

No, too much flim flam on E-bay

I just sold a truck on ebay. if you do buy one and ship it don't skimp on the shipping cost, my buyer did and the truck got beat up bad, the buyer had it totaled by the insurance company.