Ebay Experiences

[slickshoesgui]

They say you get what you pay for.. but really what should i stay away from and what is actually a pretty good deal on ebay.. engine and suspension wise. and specifically 15$ strut bars?

[eazye2000]

You can find Hella' Deals on eBay if you look and wait. There are name brand items on there from reputable sellers. Just stay away from anything, that in the details says, SUPER, EXTRA, or anything of that demeanor. If you check out the KAT forum, there are a few guys who will swear by the eBay Intercoolers as well as a few other bolt on items. I personally rock an eBay intercooler but that's just me. Definitely one seller to stay away from is XS Power or SS AutoChrome. They don't have ANY customer support, and even though they may have decent deals, they are definitely not worth the hassle. I'm sure other people will have some input as well. As always, post it up if you're unsure and you can get a few peoples opinions. If that's not allowed, just hit me up on AIM and I'll try to help you out. EazyE4You

[Edub1]

I go by the smell. If it smells fishey it's probably best to stay away. You can get good name brand parts on Ebay. They are cheap because the seller has no overhead. You do have to be carefull with offbrand stuff. While some is decent, a lot is junk. One way to tell is to study the picture. Does it show in good detail quality craftsmanship? Also, is the sellers feedback over 98%? Common sense plays a roll too. Does that $15 strut bar look like it can withstand heavy torsion at it's weakest point? How important is the part? Are others using one like it? Etc.

Personally, if I ever install a strut tower brace it will be one that bolts firmly between two weld on brackets - not one that is secured by two teeny tiny thin little bolt on dughnut shaped pieces of sheet metal.

Even the name brand companies put out their share of snake oil - you have to be a savvy shopper.

[s13rb25det]

I have bought almost everything on my current 240sx and my last 240 off of ebay. I got a rb25det for a stupid low price!! and the 240 that I have right now I have bought a lot of internal engine parts for it off of ebay. I only got burnt once when I ordered a walbro fuel pump and it never arrived. I got my money back though paypal, I just recently got a true B and M shifter for my ka for $75 shipped!! you just have to stay away from the shaddy sellers and the standard "egay" stuff.

[WDRacing]

Things to avoid specifically are cheapo fuel pressure regulators. I have seen these leak and thats a serious fire hazard. Anything that is safety related as well should be a name brand part.

Anything else, even a strut tower bar can be purchased. So long as you don't hold the highest expectations for said equipment. A T3/TO4 from any of the Chinese markets isn't going to perform as well as a Garret unit or a BB unit from HKS. But, if the center section locks up on you, it only costs $100 for all new bushings and seals. Somthing I've been thinking about alot lately.

Also, alot of parts can be cheaply and easily fixed if a problem does occur. The SSAc knock manifolds can be rewelded, the FMICs can be welded if they crack. So a small investment may be ok so long as you don't mind a little work throughout the life of the parts.

If it looks cheap, then its a POS and stay away from it. Its far to easy to make things look awsome though digital enhancements, if the company can't even do that, stay away.

Another thing to note, is a company that doesn't display the actual picture of what you're getting. Or a company that can't be bothered to type correctly. If the site has misspelled words, move on to the next.

WD

[SilviaSlydSydway]

I buy a lot of stuff on ebay. i just dont buy things that are that important, like Wastegates and Stuff. It is pretty hard to mess up a Cat-back or a Downpipe, so i pretty much buy that kind of stuff. I did by a safc on ebay once and when i wired it up, the screen didn't work. i tried to contact the guy, but he wouldn't cooperate and i got beat $190 .

[Kaleo55]

Another thing to note, is a company that doesn't display the actual picture of what you're getting. Or a company that can't be bothered to type correctly. If the site has misspelled words, move on to the next.

WD

Haha... that's a really good tell-tale WD, when a company is selling something they don't even have a correct picture for that's a RED FLAG in my book, or if they can't spell the name of the part or manufacturer correctly. A lot of sellers know SR's related products are hot selling items and will add that prefix to anything the sell, be wary of them too. Beware of sellers s using the words "Style" such as "Greddy Style", just know they are not selling the real deal. If you do your home work and know what you're looking for specifically you'll feel more confident and you can be more specific about your search. Also don't be afraid to ask the seller questions.

[WDRacing]

Also don't be afraid to ask the seller questions.

Excellent point!!! If the sellers don't reply to your questions promptly thats just an example of how good their customer service will be. Analyze what they say in the reply as well. Is it spoken well, is it written correctly?

BEWARE of everything You won't hear people saying that got screwed by being to cautious.

WD

[480sx]

Here are two auctions that ended in the last two weeks. I bought this first one, and would have bought the second if i hadn't of bought the first.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...d=1,1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...d=1,1

Hey, you guys can call it egay all you'd like, but you have to be patient with it. If you consistently check ebay you will find good deals. Like me, who just picked up the majority of a KA-T setup never used for about 900 bucks, all name brand stuff(XS). Or, if i had had 650 dollars i would have picked up that set of Tein HA's

You WILL get in trouble on ebay if you impulse buy. Alot of the times, the killer deals are actually scams in nice wrapping. Checking feedback wont always save you. The best advice iv heard for ebay is on this post, send the guy a message. If you get a response within 24 hours or less that generally means the guy is a serious ebayer. Second best is dont buy important things like FPR's and BOV's at a no name discount, your motor wont forgive you -_-

[babowc]

yes indeed.i just purchased a "Garrett T3/T04E" on ebay..picture was different from what i was sent.

of course, i'll be taking this up with my C.C. company as well as paypal and this fraudulent seller.

anyhow.. it all depends on how you shop.. i was being stupid and impatient, so i got, persay, scammed/fooled

otherwise.. i've had real good experiences than this incident.

[Edub1]

These are all good points.

Ask questions to test their customer service. Keep in mind the complexity of the part - obviously making a turbo is far more precise and complex than making a muffler.

Non-matching pictures piss me off. If the picture isn't 100% they are scammers, period.

Spelling I give some leway because they are probably not English speakers and interprating from say Chinese to English is a major feat in itself.

[babowc]

yes, just like a few people said on here already,dont do impulse buys on ebay.

impulse buy = disaster waiting to happen.on ebay, at least.

[Kaleo55]

Well... if it's only like $10 for a like a license plate holder or a oil cap... no harm done. I know I've bought stuff like that on ebay. I bought cheap "Nismo" (LOL) carpets for I don't remember how much but it wasn't much and they're still in my car and they still look good.

[1995240sxSE]

the type rs and type s style bov's arent bad for 20 bucks and low boost app's work fine. I was always told dont buy anything electrical from ebay companies, but if they are a individual seller ask some q's. I bought my safc II and my msd 6 btm of ebay, but form individuals and they work flawless! I also bought the 50 dollar coilovers, lol dont bother!!!! they must be made of a honda or geo metro. I TRIED to put on and about 10 min later I threw in the garbage!!! I wasnt really expecting them to work but 50 buck coilovers were worth a try. I also got screwed by the guy and the walbro, but got a return of my money! Ebay is awesome if u make it work 4 u and study the item carefully!!!

[SloS13]

I got one of those $20 Type-S knockoffs and installed it on my civic yesterday. Works just like the real thing. The knock-off Tial Wasteagates have been found to be pretty good as well, especially if you replace the diaphragm with a real Tial unit.

The intercoolers are an awesome deal for the price. Sure they're probably not quite as efficient as a spearco, greddy but work just fine and dandy. I've been running one of the small cores on my civic for a while. works great.

I *would* steer clear of most of those chinese turbos though.

[WDRacing]

I'd use a Chinese turbo before I chinese wastegate...

I'd definitly use a Ebay FMIC...I'm pissed that all these things are available now. None of this was around when I sourced all my parts