Author Topic: Ebay Bashing (Read 2537 times)

jaannaktin · « **on:** October 06, 2005, 10:30:14 AM »

I really can't stand Ebay anymore. I bid on a set of matching side panels and a tank. I got the tank and one side panel. The other one went for over 100 dollars, and it was in lousy shape. Now I have an incomplete set that cost too much.

Check out www.dumbauctions.com for a little payback!

6pkrunner · « **Reply #1 on:** October 06, 2005, 10:46:53 AM »

So you didn't bid on a tank and sidecases as one auction item? There were three auctions for the guy that parted one bike? You take your chances like that, and as you found out the hard way its not a lot of fun. and the auction feeding frenzy gets insane as the auctions come to a close. And worse, it's going to be hard for you to sell a tank and one case - unless you eBay them.
What year tank and case? What bike?

jaannaktin · « **Reply #2 on:** October 06, 2005, 03:18:13 PM »

The longer story ...

My 1970 K0 had a pretty crappy tank (no badges, decals or chrome strip) and was pretty damn rusted. The places to mount the badges had been filled with bondo. The original color looked like the candy blue green under a layer of flat red paint. The side panels were in decent condition but also badgeless, holes/recessses filled in and same flat red. Repainting alone looked like an 800 dollar plus venture, and I don't know that the cosmetics of the rest of my "beater" were worth the full monty. Soooo ... along comes ebay. I have yet to find any single seller who sells tank and side panels from a parted out bike as a "set." K0 stuff also gets the moniker "sandcast" since I guess a lot of the "accessories" fit (and no, this was not a crinkle tank).

The tank, from a 1970 bike, is pretty sweet, with just the right amount of wear, with decals, badges and strip intact. Individually I don't think I could have done better pricewise.

It is just an opportunity to rant -- I get sucked into this bidding/pissing match just as badly as the next guy. I suppose by my own rationalization, I should have bid more for the side panel if it really would save me the cost of repainting everything. Now I sound like a woman, buying something because it would save me money! I'll quit while I'm ahead ...

6pkrunner · « **Reply #3 on:** October 06, 2005, 04:47:40 PM »

No no crying at all. I feel your pain. Like getting sniped with 4 seconds or so left in the auction while you're wondering if you should have uped your ante.

And there was a complete turquoise 1969 setup on eGouge last year or the year before - all still in the factory boxes. I won't say NOS as the stuff was bought when it was still purchased through the regular dealer network. Tank, cases, ears, bucket, complete air cleaner - all in the boxes, all unused. I never watched to see what the final bid was, but with two days left it was a substantial coin outlay. Oh- it was offered all in one auction.

Gordon · « **Reply #4 on:** October 06, 2005, 04:52:27 PM »

Ebay is exactly what YOU make of it. No more, no less.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #5 on:** October 07, 2005, 04:14:33 AM »

My name's Terry and I'm an Ebay addict, ha ha! Yeah, sometimes Ebay sucks when you get sniped at the last minute, but it works both ways, so is pretty fair, really. Nowadays it's my single-most reliable source for parts for all my resto's, and has saved me so much money and time that I really can't hold any bad feelings against it.

Ebay itself has a pretty naive philosophy of "basically, most people are honest" that can bite you if you get unlucky with one of the professional thieves that operate within Ebay, but I've gotta say that in 6 years and more than 300 transactions, 99% have been good, and I've met some great people who have become good friends, over the years.

The good thing is that I don't have to wait for an infrequent swap meet, bend ove the counter at my local Honda dealer or bike wrecking yard, or scour all the classifieds in the vain hope that I'll find what I want, I just punch "Honda CB750" into the search box, and normally there'll be 3 or 4 of what I need, just waiting for me to hit the "Bid now" button, ha ha! Oh by the way, does anyone have a credit card that I can borrow? It seems that mine is a little short of funds at the moment, ha ha! Cheers, Terry.

Mark M · « **Reply #6 on:** October 07, 2005, 05:45:05 AM »

Terry,
The nice girl called and told me to cut it up and post it back, but she has sent me a lifetimes supply of bills that I'm happy to pass on........They are very nice .....all in red! With some big lettering and long words. The guy who delivers them is a bit strange, he seems to think I'm someone famous as he always asks for my autograph.

Raul CB750K1 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 07, 2005, 06:27:45 AM »

Jaan, I will be happy to buy than tank from you if you don't want it. If I were going to sell a set I would do it separate. That way they will get a higher value. If somebody only needs the right sidecover, he will not be willing to bid on the whole set. But if the parts are in separate auctions, he will bid to his very last cent, and the ones that want the whole set will have to bite the bullet and bid high in every single item. The seller doesn't mind who will buy the goods; he just want to get the more money possible.

Raul

Quail "Owner of the comfortable k8" · « **Reply #8 on:** October 07, 2005, 06:34:45 AM »

My name's Terry and I'm an Ebay addict....

Yes I have been burned but 99% of the time I come out on top, I would like to chat but that twitch in my left eye tells me it time to check the listings!

Terry (USA)

jaannaktin · « **Reply #9 on:** October 07, 2005, 09:49:40 AM »

I contacted the buyer of the other side panel by e-mail, asking if he would consider parting with it. I got a positive response to my request for a "fair and reasonable amount" over what he paid. I don't know exactly what that will set me back, but I assume that the person never intended to use it, just buy it and sell it at a profit. He is supposed to let me know when he gets it. At this point, I'll stick to my original plan and try to get the "set," although now I need a headlight case and fork ears to match!

I really like the tank (from the photos) and will probably hold on to it, thank you Raul! The old tank is free to a good home, assuming I like the new one in person.

MY twitching eye tells me it's time to check the listings again!

Jaan

turnenwheels · « **Reply #10 on:** October 07, 2005, 10:21:06 AM »

Let me know if your in the need for a side panel. Which side of course...I got panels for a CB750K4.
E-Bay does suck when theres a joker on the other end

Raul CB750K1 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 07, 2005, 11:47:29 AM »

Jaan, why don't the three of you work that out? The other sidepanel buyer tells you how much he wants for it, and if you agree on the price you both email the seller, you pay the seller the three goods and pay the winner the difference. The seller sends you the three items together. You don't have to pay for another shipping nor does the other sidepanel buyer.

Raul

jaannaktin · « **Reply #12 on:** October 07, 2005, 02:46:53 PM »

I thought that may be an easy way to handle it, Raul, but one, I don't think the seller will appreciate someone else getting more money for something he still has, two, I don't want to pressure the second seller and somehow sour or render awkward the deal and three, we have not yet agreed on the "fair and reasonable price." This may be a gouging opportunist who wants a premium price, as he has already demonstrated that he is not really interested in using the part himself!

I'll let you know how it goes.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #13 on:** October 07, 2005, 05:57:21 PM »

That new tank looks pretty faded on top Jaan, I reckon I'd wait for it to arrive before you bend over again to buy that sidecover, looks like you'll be up for a paintjob regardless, so you might be better off putting the money towards painting your old sidecover. If you can bear the shipping, send me your tank and side panels and I'll paint 'em for you, I'm doing a couple of tanks soon, now that the weather is warming up! Cheers, Terry.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #14 on:** October 07, 2005, 05:59:34 PM »

Quote from: turnenwheels on October 07, 2005, 10:21:06 AM

Let me know if your in the need for a side panel. Which side of course...I got panels for a CB750K4.
E-Bay does suck when theres a joker on the other end

I need a left sidecover mate, how much? Cheers, Terry.

jaannaktin · « **Reply #15 on:** October 08, 2005, 05:52:58 AM »

Terry,

An offer I couldn't refuse. For the oft quoted eight hundred dollars, I'll fly there and hand you the tank and panels. I was thinking I should use the "new" tank as a spare while the old one was being reconditioned anyway.

Jaan

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #16 on:** October 09, 2005, 04:54:38 AM »

That's it mate, the problem is that Honda used the absolute minimum of paint, and could paint about 50 CB750's with one litre of silver base coat, translucent red color, and a litre of clear laquer. Rumor has it that they didn't even use an undercoat! Over time the red fades away leaving the silver base coat, I've got a gold K1 tank in similar condition here, the sides look great, but the top is faded terribly. Still, the upside is that I know it's nice and straight.

Before you deliver yours to me (personally, or by mail is fine, just depends on how deep your pockets are!) get your other tank stripped to bare metal (either blasted or chemically stripped, don't use an electric sander, that's just silly) so you can see if it's full of bondo, or not. A lot of old tanks were "customised" because the owner threw his bike down the road and put some big dents in it, which is pretty disappointing, and not worthy of a good paint job, in my humble opinion? Cheers, Terry.

ElCheapo · « **Reply #17 on:** October 16, 2005, 08:08:50 PM »

Guys check this out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1970-75-HONDA-CB-750-GAS-TANK-AND-SIDE-COVERS_W0QQitemZ4582187937QQcategoryZ35586QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thinking maybe my bike may become blue

May not be the color you are looking for exactly but it is a matching set all the way around and a fair price to start.

Quail "Owner of the comfortable k8" · « **Reply #18 on:** October 16, 2005, 08:17:35 PM »

I love that color blue, Has anyone out there have a photo of a K in a blue like that?

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #19 on:** October 16, 2005, 08:33:29 PM »

Aaaarrgghhh! I can't access EBay thru the Defence Firewall! Can anyone post a pic? Cheers, Terry.

ElCheapo · « **Reply #20 on:** October 16, 2005, 08:37:30 PM »

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #21 on:** October 16, 2005, 08:53:00 PM »

Thanks Cheapy, well they're not an original Honda color, (the 750 tank was more of an aqua color) but very nice, just the same. I'm not sold on the pinstriped sidecovers though? I might start painting Honda tanks and putting them on Ebay, they seem to generate a lot of interest? Cheers, Terry.

seaweb11 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 16, 2005, 09:21:36 PM »

Back to the 1st post here regarding separate Ebay auctions..............

I just bid and WON a 78 Speedo and Tach. Both separate auctions.
Just come in in the last 30 seconds with a bid you can live with and let the #$%* hit where it sticks.

Why people bid 1 week before hand boggles the mind

P.S. Terry, AU , please P>M> me me your mailing address. I have already emailed Carpy to send you a couple of new faces for the project.

Hope I didn't snipe anyone here............

ElCheapo · « **Reply #23 on:** October 16, 2005, 09:22:44 PM »

I completely agree with you Terry about the pinstriping. I think if you could get good sets and just provide the paint part it could work out to some good bling cash.

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Author Topic: Ebay Bashing (Read 2537 times)

jaannaktin

jaannaktin

jaannaktin

turnenwheels

jaannaktin

jaannaktin

ElCheapo

ElCheapo

ElCheapo