MODS: I am not sure where to post this, please move as you see fit.

My once great GT2 was modified by a river rock. Rather than pay Porsche their outrageous bumper price, I looked used. On eBay, I came across this ad for a used 996TT bumper:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_500wt_1182

(See 1st picture below)

I asked the following:
"If it is still for sale, I'd greatly appreciate a brief answer to the
following three questions: Is it OEM, what is the hole in the
center (license plate? insert for a tow hook?), is there any
physical damage to the bumper (paint obviously excluded), and
do you know if anything more is needed to mount the bumper? "

Dan Esteves in New Jersey (estevesdan2003 on eBay) replied:
Bumper is oem and so are the grills and lower lip. The hole in the bumper is for the tow hook, no major damage on the bumper only scratches to paint and lower lip. From what I remember I didnt need to use any additional mounting bolts or clips. it bolts right into the existing hardware.

When it arrived, 4 of the mounting holes were ripped out, there was a major 5-6 inch crack on the bottom, and significant damage around the driver's side air duct. Essentially, this bumper is worthless (please see pictures below). Dan Esteves claims the damage occurred in shipping. Common sense suggests otherwise.

I write this post not as a poor me, but as a warning to fellow members. He tried to sell me other parts, including a different lower lip. If anyone knows this person, or knows of him on these boards, he should be pointed out.

 

that damage doesn't look like it came from shipping .

 

Does not look damage by shipping to me.
If you use paypal,
1.dispute it through Paypal.
2.verify to currier that shipped it and tell them seller claim damage by shipment.
it will send you some paper to use as they did not damage it.
3.send the junk back and keep document of shipment.
4.claim money back though Paypal. It will need all papers, pics.
Get your money back and teach him lesson.

 

Did you get it off eBay or through Paypal? If so, they have dispute processes you can use to get your money back...

 

+1

i am sure if it were from shipping the mounting holes would be perfect still!

 

Wow - sorry about this Dennis. This is very similar to my experience when I purchased a rear bumper skin from Beau @ Wicked Motors.

I feel for your pain. See what you can do through filing a dispute through PayPal/eBay as others have suggested.

Good luck with your claim.

 

that sucks...good luck with the PayPal channels. Would have checked it out for you before you pulled the trigger since I am in NJ...

 

Hey everyone,

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately, I won't be able to get my money back because I did a few foolish things. Hopefully this story will help others...

I saw the ad on eBay for the bumper. (None were available on 6speed at the time) I own a car dealership and sell a lot on eBay. (As an aside, if anyone questions my honesty, this should help: http://feedback.ebay.com/ebaymotors/...edbackAsSeller)

I noticed that the ad was a relist and that the bumper previously sold. I asked what was going on, and he said that it was a deadbeat bidder. Having 30% of winning bidders deadbeat on my cars, that was all that I needed to hear. He had a price of $450. I offered $500 shipped. He said fine if the auction ended and no one bid.

That was my big mistake. I foolishly thought that amongst high end car owners, there's a little more decorum and honesty. At minimum, most of us need a headache less than we need $500. I knew that an off eBay purchase carried more risk, but for the silly reasons cited above, didn't think much of it.

PayPal's official "policy" is that they will not debate the quality of goods, only if the goods were sent. Essentially, if you contracted to buy a diamond and received a rock, you would have no recourse through Paypal -- a diamond is a rock. I would have recourse through eBay, but of course I didn't use them.

I am an attorney and am evaluating my legal options. (I left the world of intellectual property to sell cars!) Is it worth spending thousands to mess with him? Probably. I'll cross that bridge in a few days.

The good news is, as a Top Rated Seller/Power Seller on eBay, I have my own account reps and a lot of clout in eBay. I brought to their attention that both the bidder and seller who first purchased the bumper (the alleged deadbeat) left great feedback feedback. Apparently both accounts are owned by the same person, and it looks like eBay will terminate both accounts and Paypal will terminate his account.

A little bit of justice.

 

Wow, sorry about that, I did have a problem one time with a seller. bought some slightly used tires for one of my project cars. they were supposed to be 295's when i got them they were 265's! Not my fault, I spoke with the vendor he said said since I mounted them i couldnt return them. I told him that they had not been mounted and that it was their mistake, he refused to pay shipping back to him! Long story short, after complaints, disputes and claims, paypal said I would get a refund but I still had to pay for the shipping back. I was so upset with the whole situation I actually stopped shopping on ebay and using paypal.

 

Had the same thing happen w user dvpolinsky who shipped a headlight w cracked housing and tried to pin it to UPS. It seems like the common behavior from seasoned ebay sellers and should def be brought to light.

 

I hate these kinds of things....Why can't people just be honest business people?

 

be cause they arn't business people. real ones a least

 

I am in NJ and if you give me more info on the seller I might be able to help. PM me, no promises though!

 

I got screwed this way a while back, I avoid PP like the plague now!

 

You sure about that? Quote from Paypal:

What you bought was very different from what you actually got
PayPal's Buyer Complaint Policy lets you submit a dispute for an item that is significantly not as described. By doing so, you have the opportunity to resolve your dispute directly with the seller. Visit the PayPal Resolution Center to file a dispute. See eligibility

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/websc...ection-outside