Re: OK, here's an interesting one

"The Older Gentleman" <totallydeadmailbox@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1ig8bgr.u7eifs1qaxwjkN%totallydeadmailbox@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I recently won an auction on a vehicle.

Before handing over the dosh, I checked engine and chassis numbers (as
you should do) and lo and behold, the original chassis number had been
obliterated (though a few characters were still visible) and a new
number rather amateurishly re-stamped.

In fairness, I believe the seller, who'd had the vehicle for over 20
years, had no idea he owned a ringer. He'd just never checked the
numbers.

So 'by mutual consent' no deal was done. I said I would simply not leave
feedback, and he left me a neutral. So I responded with a neutral,
saying that the vehicle was a ringer, but that he had been unaware.

And he's filed a defamatory feedback complaint with Ebay.

I should add that he's also re-auctioned the vehicle and sold it. Hohum.

He's given the chassis number to all sorts of authorities who've all
said: "It's clean." But then they would, because it's a re-stamped
number that *would* come up clean. Not the original. (It's a valid
number from a different country to the UK, by the way)

I pointed out to him the difference in font size between the re-stamp
and what was visible of the original number, and also pointed out that
the font itself was different. Oh, and the numbers were so badly stamped
in that they were uneven. Oh, fukkit: it was as obvious a ringer as I've
ever seen, and I've seen a few.

Well, I've replied to Ebay's enquiry with the information that I have
been intimately involved with aforementioned vehicles for all my working
life, and that I know what I'm looking at. And I've given contact
details of people who can vouch for my expertise and knowledge in this
field.

And told Ebay that this seller refused to have the vehicle checked
independently - that is, by simply taking it to a dealership not one
mile from where he lives, and saying: "Is this right?"

Oh. and reminded Ebay of their efforts to make their system a safer
place for buyers.

And, finally, pointed out that in my feedback I stressed that the seller
was unaware that he had a ringer.

Now, who'd like to place bets on the outcome?


Depends, if he gets a solicitors letter to Ebay they will remove it. If he
can't or doesn't want to go to the expense then they won't. Simple as. (I
looked into this a while back myself out of curiosity after receiving a
particuarly dodgy neg from a twatty buyer)
--

Niel H
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Snowdon-Computers
http://www.ebayfaq.co.uk/


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