E-Bay Scammer Caught In The Act
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E-Bay Scammer Caught In The Act
I found this a rather interesting read from the porsche board.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showt...hreadid=204585
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showt...hreadid=204585
A few days ago I called on a car in Florida listed in AutoTrader. 1987 911 Carrera with 173,609 miles, but only $12000 asking price. The private seller turned out to be a really nice guy, a fellow enthusiast, and very honest and candid about the car. He owned the car since 1989 and had every receipt documenting its care, including an upper-end rebuild at 102K ($5400). He was even upfront enough to tell me about a couple boo-boos that required a body shop, and tell me what the car may need (A/C inop due to incorrect replacement fan w/ wrong pulley). He emailed me some pics, and the car was gorgeous. Really.
Nice guy, nice car, nice price.
THE AUTOTRADER AD (173K mi):
Monday night, someone else bought it. He was nice enough to email and tell me: "FYI, a guy from Lauderdale came by my house last night with a stack of $100s and drove off with a 1987 carrera. Good luck with your search!"
That would be the end of the story: my woes for missing a great car, lesson learned.
READ ON......
I continued my search. Came home tonight (Thursday) and pulled up all the new additions to eBay. A couple were of interest. One was a 1987 Carrera, Black on Black, with only 76K miles. With a Buy-It-Now of $17995. As the images loaded, I noticed the same pedestrian Michelins.... the same Alpine stereo.... the same disconnected A/C belt..... could it be?
The VIN proved it.... THE SAME CAR! But now with only 76k miles!?
THE eBAY AD (76K mi):
So how does this happen? I understand that our VDO mechanical odometers are infamously easy to roll back. This car was a prime candidate having a 'last odometer statement' from 1989. CarFax may not pick up on it. Also, Florida treats 'old' cars as exempt from odometer statements. The guy that buys this car may have no recourse when he/she finds out the fraudulent truth.
And the stacks of receipts lovingly kept all those years by the second owner....... that 'proof' is surely in a dumpster somewhere. Like nails on a chalkboard to fellow Porsche enthusiasts.
Nice guy, nice car, nice price.
THE AUTOTRADER AD (173K mi):
Monday night, someone else bought it. He was nice enough to email and tell me: "FYI, a guy from Lauderdale came by my house last night with a stack of $100s and drove off with a 1987 carrera. Good luck with your search!"
That would be the end of the story: my woes for missing a great car, lesson learned.
READ ON......
I continued my search. Came home tonight (Thursday) and pulled up all the new additions to eBay. A couple were of interest. One was a 1987 Carrera, Black on Black, with only 76K miles. With a Buy-It-Now of $17995. As the images loaded, I noticed the same pedestrian Michelins.... the same Alpine stereo.... the same disconnected A/C belt..... could it be?
The VIN proved it.... THE SAME CAR! But now with only 76k miles!?
THE eBAY AD (76K mi):
So how does this happen? I understand that our VDO mechanical odometers are infamously easy to roll back. This car was a prime candidate having a 'last odometer statement' from 1989. CarFax may not pick up on it. Also, Florida treats 'old' cars as exempt from odometer statements. The guy that buys this car may have no recourse when he/she finds out the fraudulent truth.
And the stacks of receipts lovingly kept all those years by the second owner....... that 'proof' is surely in a dumpster somewhere. Like nails on a chalkboard to fellow Porsche enthusiasts.
Kimbo Slice
Joined: Mar 2002
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jeez that really was a nice car, and for just under $13k.
Seems like the ebay guy is good at this, he has a feedback of 100%. If it wasnt for you talking to the previous owner there is nothing to prove that it has any more than 76k miles on it.
Wonder how he gets around the miles if someone carfax's it with the same vin.
Seems like the ebay guy is good at this, he has a feedback of 100%. If it wasnt for you talking to the previous owner there is nothing to prove that it has any more than 76k miles on it.
Wonder how he gets around the miles if someone carfax's it with the same vin.
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There is a dusting you can do that will show up finger prints on the inside or back side of the instument cluster. I don't remember the chemicals name but you either put it on like the police would or use comprressed air and spray it so at least some gets behind the cover. Then turn on your black light and see the finger prints show up.
There are plenty of valid reasons why body oils can be found on instrument clusters, so to be sure you don't accuse someone of the wrong thing you need to make sure the actual numbers on the odometer glow from the test. Even then its no garauntee, but should be a good way to look out for possible tampering.
There are plenty of valid reasons why body oils can be found on instrument clusters, so to be sure you don't accuse someone of the wrong thing you need to make sure the actual numbers on the odometer glow from the test. Even then its no garauntee, but should be a good way to look out for possible tampering.
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You don't like it? So sue me. Don't take me seriously though.
You don't like it? So sue me. Don't take me seriously though.
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The state should come down on this guy like a ton of bricks but if I had to bet on it I would guess that they won't even investigate.
If you look at all the other cars the guy is selling it looks like he does this for a living.
If you look at all the other cars the guy is selling it looks like he does this for a living.
s10_male
Joined: Dec 2003
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Why would they- once a car hits certain age mileage is exempt- when you go to the DMV- they won't even ask you for the mileage. So really doubt anything could happend to him- although don't get me wrong- kinda low to try and make a fast buck by lying.
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