Here are a couple of suggestions: Never buy used parts unless you have seen then in person or you know the reputation of the seller *and* have seen good photos (or have a friend look at the parts for you, and if possible, even pick them up & ship them for you - lists like this are good for that, and even then, try to stick with somebody who posts to the list regularly and seems to have some integrity). It is *extremely* rare to find a used trim part that can be put onto a restored car as-is. You are usually much better off looking for a NOS piece (and then there's the whole argument about what some people will call NOS), a repro piece, or having your own used parts restored.
Watch out for "package deals" on used stuff because the "extras" are the ones you will most likely get burned on. Some people will offer a package deal because it gives them the opportunity to unload junk that you would not have bought otherwise. Try to avoid the garage sale people and weekend junkyard raiders, and stick with established businesses. People who have put their sweat into starting up a business and building a reputation rarely want to risk it all by cheating somebody or selling junk. The garage sale guys have nothing to lose because they are looking to make a one-shot deal. Understand that used & NOS parts are subject to availability. For the seller, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. If somebody comes by with cash in hand, the seller is likely to quickly forget about the guy who is just thinking about it, and/or wants all kinds of follow-up before making a decision. This kind of thing happens all the time. Also, I would not assume that because you were told that the parts were sold, it means that they never existed. Of course that's possible, but if the seller wanted to be dishonest, and the parts never existed, what in the world would he have to gain by telling you that they were sold? It sounds to me like he was being honest about that, and simply chose to make the easy sale rather than the difficult one. I hate to say it, but you may be very lucky that it turned out this way. It's also a lot tougher to get a refund from somebody who does not have an established business. If you had gotten the parts and were not happy with them, you probably would have been SOL. John Nasta -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 10:26 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Chevelle-List] Buying Parts online Hello I thought I would write to you about a recent experience buying parts online that might help somebody else in the future. I'm restoring a 64 Malibu SS Hardtop and Conv. here, so I'm out looking for parts. As the result, I recently found an individual who stated he had the chrome pieces I needed. I wrote him and told him if he would provide a list of the parts and conditions, as well as a "total package price", I'd more than likely buy them all. He sent me a list of parts with prices and some sketchy details on condition. So, I immediately wrote him back, asking for photo's of the key items in the list. He sent me back a statement that he had just "sold" those items. So this makes me believe he never had these items at all, since I never received any photo's of any of the parts listed. As a result, I wrote him back and told him I'd never do any business with him. It is no different than offering to sell a car to one person, and while they are reviewing the car, it gets sold to another person. I mean, I responded to his emails very very shortly after receiving them here, and never was offered a phone number to be able to call him. So I guess what I am saying is, that if you buy parts online, get photo's before sending funds. I think this guy was just scamming me. Thomas W. Rogers ----------------------------------------------------- To Unsubscribe please visit www.chevelles.net/list.html To start a new topic, send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----------------------------------------------------- To Unsubscribe please visit www.chevelles.net/list.html To start a new topic, send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
