Maybe I'm off-base here, but...

[WillyBWright]

I have a nearly complete MerCruiser motor that I've offered for sale. Two different prospective buyers found the same short block on eBay and decided to go that route instead, and that's fine. I wish them the best of luck and hope they're on the water with a good reliable motor ASAP. But I have serious doubts about the rebuilder that I'd like to relate...<br /><br />There is a rebuilder out there apparently using eBay for free advertising. He sells 4.3 short blocks for $1,050, but the starting bid is $1,000. I became suspicious of this rebuilder when these two different prospective buyers found the same motor within days of eachother referring to the same eBay short block. Amazingly enough there were no bids on that short block. Both buyers contacted the rebuilder directly, and based on my conversations with them, I expect that both ended up buying short blocks directly rather than going thru the bidding process.<br /><br />While I have no indication that the product offered is inferior (He sure makes it Sound good! Too good for the price if you ask me. I can't believe all the parts he claims to replace could be had for $1,050.) I do find the rebuilder's selling tactics Highly Questionable. If he's willing to cheat eBay by this obvious method to circumvent the bidding process (by selling to prospective bidders directly and get out of paying the commission), who else is he willing to cheat??? In my experience, Shady People use Shady Tactics to sell Inferior Merchandise. Let the Buyer Beware!<br /><br />Any feedback would be appreciated. I'd especially like to hear from anybody that has dealt with this sort of thing to see if the product is all it is hyped to be. The particular rebuilder seems to be a frequent seller on eBay, so if you'd like to know who I'm talking about, I'm sure he's selling his wares there as we speak.

 

[anesthes]

Re: Maybe I'm off-base here, but...

Originally posted by WillyBWright:<br /> I have a nearly complete MerCruiser motor that I've offered for sale. Two different prospective buyers found the same short block on eBay and decided to go that route instead, and that's fine. I wish them the best of luck and hope they're on the water with a good reliable motor ASAP. But I have serious doubts about the rebuilder that I'd like to relate...<br /><br />There is a rebuilder out there apparently using eBay for free advertising. He sells 4.3 short blocks for $1,050, but the starting bid is $1,000. I became suspicious of this rebuilder when these two different prospective buyers found the same motor within days of eachother referring to the same eBay short block. Amazingly enough there were no bids on that short block. Both buyers contacted the rebuilder directly, and based on my conversations with them, I expect that both ended up buying short blocks directly rather than going thru the bidding process.<br /><br />While I have no indication that the product offered is inferior (He sure makes it Sound good! Too good for the price if you ask me. I can't believe all the parts he claims to replace could be had for $1,050.) I do find the rebuilder's selling tactics Highly Questionable. If he's willing to cheat eBay by this obvious method to circumvent the bidding process (by selling to prospective bidders directly and get out of paying the commission), who else is he willing to cheat??? In my experience, Shady People use Shady Tactics to sell Inferior Merchandise. Let the Buyer Beware!<br /><br />Any feedback would be appreciated. I'd especially like to hear from anybody that has dealt with this sort of thing to see if the product is all it is hyped to be. The particular rebuilder seems to be a frequent seller on eBay, so if you'd like to know who I'm talking about, I'm sure he's selling his wares there as we speak.

He's only cheating ebay if he's selling the item that was up for auction. If he has 50 of these in his shop, he can sell 49 of them over the phone.<br /><br />$1k for a 4.3 short block is reasonable. Why dont you point us a link to the ad?<br /><br />-- Joe

 

[Bondo]

Re: Maybe I'm off-base here, but...

I really don't see it as Shady.........<br />ebay Isn't just for Mom + Pop operations........<br />Many, Many Businesses use ebay as a selling tool.........

 

[dtigner]

Re: Maybe I'm off-base here, but...

I'm a reseller on Ebay and what he's doing does SEEM shady but not uncommon.However just as anesthes pointed out if he has a few sitting why not contact him direct and find out??Hes cheating Ebay BUT also paying ebay to post the items anyway(better some money than nothing)is my opinion of what Ebay thinks.If a buyer is interested he has the option to contact him via email about the item through Ebays moderated email system if ebay didn't like what he is doing I'm sure they would warn him of his tatics. On the other hand its all about saving money on both parties if he can sell a engine without reposting another and paying the listing fee again so be it. soon or later his listing will expire and he will probably post another for 7 days and pay for that listing.Ebay always will make money on the deal even if its not on the commision.So everyones making and saving and hopefully getting a good product.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Maybe I'm off-base here, but...

Here's the link. The ad I saw expired recently. But this is it all over again. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2482702278&category=50442 <br /><br />I still can't believe you can do everything he claims with the block, put in all new internals of GOOD quality, pay for shipping, and Make Any Money for what he's selling at...or even break even. It's too good to be true! In my experience that usually means it Isn't true. In the $2,000+ range, I'd believe it.<br /><br />Regarding the Guarantee, they're only good if they're backed up. Anyone can say "Guaranteed", but You put it in. He can claim that You screwed-up and that's why the block failed.<br /><br />Maybe I'm too skeptical, but I'd rather pay more from a well known source than risk getting ripped off by someone regularly hawking the same thing over and ovar again on the Internet. I've worked on eBay boats. One of the buyers was justifiably upset when we found serious and major problems with questionably represented merchandise. The boat had a 470 MerCruiser with a blown head gasket. When I took off the head, there was nothing left of the aluminum around the sleeve where the head meets the block. The seller Had to know about this! HE put on the head gasket that blew.<br /><br />That's MY experience with eBay. I want to believe that all is Well and Good in the world, but you Gotta be careful! I'm hoping to sell a thing or two on eBay, but frankly I feel very uncomfortable buying. I've heard of (and seen first hand) what can go wrong.

 

[cuzner]

Re: Maybe I'm off-base here, but...

Hey Willie,I checked out this guys feedback,and did'nt see any negative reports. If he has sold 85 of these and they where not what he claimed I,m sure someone would have wrote about it.<br /><br /><br /> Jim

 

[JB]

Re: Maybe I'm off-base here, but...

Many resellers and retailers use eBay in this fashion, Willy. That doesn't make them shady. It doesn't make them honest, either, but it does make them smart businessmen.<br /><br />If a new item can be purchased for less on eBay than from a traditional retailer who warrants his product and his customers' satisfaction, the price difference is because of the risk a buyer takes and the greatly reduced advertising and marketing costs.<br /><br />A buyer's great advantage on eBay is access to used items. . . sort of a worldwide sight unseen garage sale. . . but it does include garage sale risk.<br /><br />I prefer to pay more for big ticket new items and get them from a reliable retailer who will see to it that I am satisfied.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Maybe I'm off-base here, but...

Your probably dealing with the actual shop, not some warehouse/store that sells them and makes 100% markup on you.<br /><br />As an example, I can pick up a rebuilt starter for $85.00 that sells for $170.00+ anywhere else. The shop told me they supply all the part sellers in the area. I have purchased alternators and starters from him over the years and have always been very pleased.<br /><br />So yes, I believe he can do it for that money. You are dealing direct with no middleman in between.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Maybe I'm off-base here, but...

Thanks to all for the input. I read all of the names of all of the parts he uses and frankly I'm not familiar with many of them. Are they forged pistons, rods and cranks? Or are we talking JC Whitney stuff? I myself am a firm believer in OEM stuff, myself. But then I remember a rebuilt 5.7 from one of the major marine brands that had 5 out 8 rod end caps installed backwards ...I could see it from across the room ... they didn't back-up their product and tried to blame us. And they're supposed to be #1 on the planet? Hard to have much faith in rebuilds, sometimes.

 

[jlshields]

Re: Maybe I'm off-base here, but...

Take a look at his feedback. That tells it all. His buyers will tell all.. good or bad.

 

[anesthes]

Re: Maybe I'm off-base here, but...

Originally posted by WillyBWright:<br /> Thanks to all for the input. I read all of the names of all of the parts he uses and frankly I'm not familiar with many of them. Are they forged pistons, rods and cranks? Or are we talking JC Whitney stuff? I myself am a firm believer in OEM stuff, myself. But then I remember a rebuilt 5.7 from one of the major marine brands that had 5 out 8 rod end caps installed backwards ...I could see it from across the room ... they didn't back-up their product and tried to blame us. And they're supposed to be #1 on the planet? Hard to have much faith in rebuilds, sometimes.

JC whitney sells the same brands that everyone else does. The brands he listed are well known, and many people use them. <br /><br />I doubt he is using forged pistons. All rods however are forged. Why would you waste money on forged pistons for a 200hp motor that should never see a hint of detonation? Same thing for the crank. Cast cranks are good til about 450hp, and then we're talking serious shocks too. <br /><br />He's using a mellings oil pump. Thats good stuff there. and clevite bearings. Sounds like a winner to me.<br /><br />-- Joe

 

[16Pilot]

Re: Maybe I'm off-base here, but...

Willy How do I know your a good source. Why should I spend $2000 rather than $1050 with him? <br />Quote by Willy <br />"but I'd rather pay more from a well known source than risk getting ripped off by someone regularly hawking the same thing over and ovar again on the Internet. I've worked on eBay boats."

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Maybe I'm off-base here, but...

I use OEM stuff whenever possible, but I'm only an employee. My employer has a good reputation (he's kinda new to the marine end) and I don't want to besmirch that by using parts I don't know if I can trust or not. But in the end, the customer gets what he wants. If he wants a thousand dollar short block from XYZ Rebuilders, I'll put it in. But he'll have to get it. I'll also make sure that if the thing spins a bearing or snaps a rod, my labor will be covered to replace it. Replacement guarantees only get you parts, not necessarily labor. The customer needs to know that up front. Then again, so do I.