Buying parts online

[Airmapper]

I'm by no means new to online purchasing, I buy anything I can online, and thus far have never had any issues. But, I usually buy new from online vendors with good reputations and customer service.

I'm wanting to build up parts for a NP435 swap, and the apparent process of buying used parts online is making me a bit nervous. I'm checking out Ebay and our own CB.com classifieds thus far.

Any of you that deal in it regularly have any tips on how to avoid getting screwed? Even now I found a part on Ebay for what seems to be a good price, but even with a 100% positive feedback the deal looks fishy to me. I'd like some insight on how to protect myself, be able to spot shady deals, and just general tips on being a smart buyer when it comes to stuff you can't exactly inspect.

I just don't want to find a "deal" only to get something that has been worn out already, has a big crack at an angle the camera so conveniently didn't see, or get something I didn't even want. I don't care to try and rebuild something, but I want to know it will need rebuilding and pay appropriately. I'm hoping to save some bucks buying good used stuff, but not get taken so bad I would have been better off buying completely refurbished / new.

I know there is risk in everything, but if I could I'd like to do what I can on my end to minimize it. Thanks for any advice.

 

[thegreatjustino]

With ebay, you are protected through paypal as long as you use them to pay the seller. Plus, if you use a credit card through paypal, you are also protected by your credit card company.

As for not having to deal with the protection in the first place, don't buy on ebay from users with very little feedback. 100% is easy to maintain when all you have is 12 comments. Find sellers that have hundreds or thousands of positive marks.

Here on this board, I think you will have pretty good luck all the time. Only rarely do we hear about bad business between members.

I think the place you have to be the most careful is craigslist. I usually only deal there in person which allows you to inspect the parts before handing over the cash.

 

[jim3326]

Can't say that I would use ebay to find parts when just about anything you would buy from there is on here and from a brother at that, not a scammer, with a higher probability of satisfaction. I have also bought from some of the advertisers and have had great customer service from them. If I miss order something I usually get a call saying the parts don't go together and they offer up the right combination. Just my $0.02.

Jim W.

 

[broncnaz]

Of course there's the otherside of the coin as well some people may have thousands of positive comments that cover up the bad ones so they look good but may not be that good.
But really just ask for more pics or better pics if your worried. A NP435 swap is pretty basic and really I'd only be looking to buy a adapter online. I'd get a tranny locally that way you can see it and turn it yourself before buying. NP435's are pretty tough and can last many years with no maintenace. not only that shipping a NP435 is going to cost more than the tranny is worth. I can usually pick up 435's for less than $100

 

[Airmapper]

Thanks for the comments thus far. I would prefer to buy from fellow members here, provided it's an active member. I do like that Ebay has some form of protection, but the hassle of resolving an issue is almost as bad as getting taken to begin with.

I will probably consider the junkyards a little more than I have. I've not had much luck with them in the past but maybe one will come through.