Topic: Am I being an eBay A-hole?

[jsaab2748]

One observation here, and I think 754 is sort of saying the same thing. . . .You have purchased a 30+ year old bike that hasn't been restored or meticulously maintained.  Frankly it would be foolish to expect that the bike would be ready and safe for daily use.  Sooner or later every system on the bike will need to be checked over . . .nuts and bolts and cotter pins, tune up items, compression, carbs cleaned/rebuilt/adjusted, chain, tires, battery, steering head, swingarm, brakes, electrical system (contacts cleaned) etc etc.  You do not want to trust other peoples work and promises on a 30 year old machine.  To me it seems a bit naive to be worried about missing tank rubbers and a locked up front brakes and their associated costs when it is quite likely you will be spending a considerable amount of time and money working on areas you haven't yet imagined.  I am not saying that the seller shouldn't have been more honest and that he shouldn't be reprimanded, but that you really should consider the amount work and money  that your "new" machine will likely require . . .

+11111     VERY true, especially if you are particular. I have the twin to that bike and have 4 grand in it which I'll never get back out, NOS exhaust and all. I first saw my bike in a dimly lit wharehouse, and didn't discover till later that it had had a carbuetor related fire in it's past. It was complete, mostly stock, and only cost me 250.00 tho, and the owner wasn't tryin to hide anything, as the bike was obviously rough. And it never ran while in his posession, he was just flipping it.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

OK my 2 cents, He stated a missing bolt thats neither hear nor there but neglected an unserviceable brake and unsafe gas tank. That to me is deliberate and needs hamering if poss, The Key is a nomater as nearly all keys that age would be cracked

I agree it's foolish to assume a 30+ year old machine would be 100% operational and not need maitenence. But you nailed it, he's talking about missing backrest bolts in the auction and when I get there the tank is flopping around and the brakes don't work. Brakes people! We need those!

You should also know I got the bike for 1025$, but I bid a fair amount more than that. I anticipated picking up a bike that just needed a thorough cleaning and eventual tank repaint. I would have expected to hear something like "No problems, but you'll probably need to rebuild the brakes soon" instead of "Here's your bike. The brakes don't work."

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

And, since I'm a newb here and most of my posts have been crybaby stuff so far, I wanted to post a quick shot of my background - 1949 Chevy panel truck w/ 396 Big Block. My grandpa started building it in the 70's. I've been doing a frame off restoration since '06. Nut & bolt rebuild on the chasis, built the engine too. I've been doing body work for over a year, it's rough.

You see, I have a horrible disease now where I'm equally intrested in tearing things apart as I am in enjoying them. I guess that's why I was bothered about the bike problems, I bid expecting to be able to start riding right away, because I know myself and I'm sure I'll have it in 10,000 pieces by this winter getting a nut & bolt rebuild.

[luder]

Yes,,,

[mgmuellner]

Really should have pulled out a flashlight & get $$ back (or agreed to in writing) on the spot before accepting delivery.  Waiting until you get home & then wanting 60$ is meaningless, you accepted it.  This is a part you would have changed anyway & tank rubbers can be found cheap.  It sounds like all the issues you've described so far are obvious things and something even a quick once over would have caught.      

[sangyo soichiro]

My $0.02:

You should forget about it.  Maybe report it, but leave it at that. 

You don't want to be reminded of an unpleasant dispute every time you look at your bike.



FYI, I paid $1k for the bike in my avatar (except it was stock).  It ran great.  I put about $1.5k into it to get it to where it is now (and I haven't done anything to the engine yet...). 

The point is, a lot of money can go into these bikes.  I lost more than the 60-some dollars just on parts I ended up not using.



Education costs money.  Consider it education and just enjoy your new bike.


P.S.  I think the seller's character is questionable, but I also don't think you got ripped off.  It's still not a bad deal.  Just sucks that people can be dirty.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

Well we worked it out. The claim was 'granted' according to PayPal, but my only option was to return the bike for a full refund. Didn't really make much sense. I conacted the seller and offered to still leave positive feedback if we could work it out. He agreed and I got the 61$. I dismissed the claim and PayPal released the payment for him, which probably had more to do with his agreeing to it.

Don't expect this to be the usual tone of my posts. My Grandpa is all principal, would probably have burned the bike before he would have put it on the trailer. I guess I have a trace of that. I built that engine in my last post barefoot with a heater next to my feet in 25 degree winter, and that's the Lords truth, so I have no qualms with hunkering down and tearing into the bike with no complaints. I'm moving on, ready to get to work on the bike (which unfortunately runs like ass right now, couldn't get the thing to shift out of second coming into a parking lot on the way home and it dies at stops if it falls under 1k). Taking it in to get worked on obviously wasn't the cure. I gotta learn sometime...

Here she is.

[Slayer]

Way to stand your ground, I am glad it all worked out. Now it's between you and the bike!