billlvrcs

To those who sell glows on Ebay (some, not all) what's with the nonsense of putting them in a plastic lunch bag then posting the photo? It's obvious you are hiding something.such as missing screws, damage, missing parts etc. Show a clear picture and give a description. Experienced buyers see through this crap immediately.

Jesse Open

Similar ploy;
I buy ham radio equipment from ebay sellers,
Some think it is clever to lay the owners manual on top of a transmitter. Covers up scrapes dents, extra holes etc.

They use word like "excellent condition" in the written description. Then they try to hide behind an "as is- no returns" clause!

I swear that some take pictures in dark rooms, at night with Vaseline smeared on the camera lens.

Oh, dont forget to translate:
" Not tested, but should work"
.... Is eBay speak for "We tried everything but nothing worked"

billlvrcs

I bought an "as new" Magnum 46 a few years ago, Arrived with no carburetor, no prop washer or nut and no muffler plus the front bearing housing looked as if it was hit with a sledge hammer. Ebay refunded my money in an hour or so.

Jesse Open

Yessir,

Even when the seller has tried to hide behind weasle-worded descriptions Ebay usally makes the seller make it right.
I have had to seek several settlements over the last 25 years.
Plead your case, back it up with facts and photos. Ebay had your back.

Outrider6

My Feedback: (2)

Kind of like when people take their ad pictures of their real car, motorcycle, bicycle, canoe, kayak, etc. right after they hosed it off, while it is still wet, and many cosmetic defects disappear behind the glint. But probably half of the time that happens, it is out of just laziness and/or being in a rush. I can't see any legitimate excuse for putting an engine inside a bag, though.

billlvrcs

My Ebay review of that moron with the lousy engine was outstanding. Zeros across the board.

Jesse Open

And you bought an engine from him

billlvrcs

Read my post. Carefully. The pictures were not representative of the product. No bags just pics. What arrived in the mail was NOT what was shown on the Ebay site. I gave the poor reviews and rightly so. Got it now?

Jesse Open

[I read very carefully, always. And you?

I got 100% of what you wrote.

Now, try again,you read what I wrote.

An accurate statement. You did buy an engine, Buyers feedback is very valuable to other potential buyers . So, you had every right to offer up feedback.Note the SMILE!
That is how the system works.

2W0EPI

Buying a 'used' engine on ebay is just plain silly. NIB new in box only. Unless, you are after static spare parts, like a complete carb or crankcase, but expecting a workable engine used forget it, it is too risky.

Looking at current new contemporary model engines, and comparing prices with model shops, ebay is almost always more expensive.

Jesse Open

Speaking for yourself of course.

That all depends on your level of experience.
I have bought several engines on eBay that have worked out extremely well.

2W0EPI

Supposing you are not experienced, like me, for instance, what then?

Jesse Open

Hmmm,

Better still, read what I said.


I was saying your statement, as written is flawed.
You can speak for yourself. Many others have fared better than you.

2W0EPI

Yeah, okay Jesse Ebay is great place to buy second hand used engines. Are you happy now?

Jesse Open

LOL,
Never wasn't.
Seems like you have been a bit unhappy over your eBay purchases. Like I said I consider most of mine as darn good.

Actually eBay "can be"... a great place to find deals on used engines.

Is more like it.

Sorry if you had difficulties.

2W0EPI

I have never bought any used rc engine off Ebay yet and don't intend to for reasons already outlined.


Also, Ebay "can be"... a great place for getting ripped off buying a used engine.

A. J. Clark

Here's some things I look at on a use engine. First if it's in a plastic bag or has parts hidden I wouldn't buy anything like that. I look at the prop nut if it's chewed up or marred I stay away from it. To me it means who ever had it is probably a hack and probably treats everything else the same way. Then look at the throttle arm if it's bent up probably been in a crash or dropped on a hard surface. Stay away from it. Next there should be a good view in the exhaust port. This will tell you a lot about the life it has been through. Don't want a lot of scratches on the piston and no discolored metal. Look at the outside finish . Does it look altered or natural. If it looks to clean or polished I stay away from it. So if a glow engine has been tuned right and taken care of it takes a lot of glow fuel to wear one out.

2W0EPI

Given most sellers ask near new prices for their used engines isn't it justifiable just to give it a miss due to the high risk involved?.

Jesse Open

Not an either/or proposition.

Nobody has even hinted that every engine on eBay is a great deal. What has been said is that there are indeed some good deals to be found.

Some folks should probably look elsewhere.
Probably best to leave the best deals for those with adequate experience.
People can certainly decide for themselves.
Sounds like you are solidly in the former group.


From what I have seen in the last 25 years of participation on eBay with a solid 2500+ , 100% feedback...
Very pleased with my aquistitions so far!

2W0EPI

Yeah, good luck with that, I'd rather buy new.

Jesse Open

LOL
I think you just repeated what I had said!

I guess that is the difference between us.
I understand and appreciate your timidity.

You just can't seem to realize that others have succeeded exactly where you fear failure.
A common thread behind many of your posts.
People like you are wonderful! They leave the very best deals for people like me.

Not "Luck" - Experience vs ignorance.
You admit that you have zero experience buying engines on eBay.

When making my choice, I must weigh my 25 year eBay experience against your lifetime of admitted ignorance..... I win every time.

Thank you

1QwkSport2.5r

Wow. This one has been a doozy it seems. opcorn:

I’ve gotten some great deals on engines on eBay, and I’ve had some lemons. Most of the time, you can ignore the sellers description because they’re loaded with keyword spamming and not entirely true anyway. Pictures help, but until you get it in hand to evaluate the mechanical condition, it’s anyone’s guess If you did well. Most of my eBay engines have been great. I have only had to return one engine. Given the pricing structure these days, I’m not finding eBay to be the place for hot deals anyway, but I do keep my eyes out for a few particularly odd engines on my bucket list.

2W0EPI

I believe you are right, at the end of the day and assuming it is used engine, it's called gambling. Sometimes the buyer wins and sometimes the seller wins.

Jesse Open

Regarding pricing. Not long ago eBay was primarily an auction system . Usually auctions started a dollar and ended at a specific time, high bid wins. Some sellers set a reserve price.
In time the Buy It Now option became more and more popujlar. Often an exceptional price was paid for a pritine, exceptional item for whatever reason, sometimes just a fluke or perhaps a bidding war. A seller with a worn down, scruffy item expected the same price.

Over time the sellers migrated away from straight auctions to buy it now. They tend to list and sit back, waiting for a hit. Yep, prices are often unreasonable, sometimes just plain ridiculous. Still, the deals do show up.

Buyers now have to become more pro-active. The "make an offer" is one of the better tools.
Don't be afraid to shoot a low-ball, especially after a high pricec item has been around for a while. I have had many sellers who were simply picking their prices based on similar items, also overpriced and unsold. When making the offer and explain to the seller that your offer is fair.
This is but one of many tactics I use that works very well. When there is no "Make An Offer" option listed, try the eBay message system.
Be careful though as you cannot try to make a deal to purchase that is consumated outside eBay. You may request the seller considers making a Buy It Now offer and suggest a price.
Yep, it works sometimes.

There are indeed more deals out there. Takes a bit of effort but can pay off well, if played well

A. J. Clark

That's probably true of eb. There is also other good places to find used engines.