Nightmare buying parts on-line

east_yorkie

I wanted a replacement car air filter and rather then travel several miles to the nearest auto parts stockist I decided to order on-line. I chose an eBay 'Trusted Seller' and waited for my filter to arrive but what I got was an inferior shop soiled piece of junk that I would never have accepted over a counter. After complaining I was told to return the part (at my expense) and a full refund would be made, eBay also informed me that I should send the part by Tracked post to ensure it was received by the seller! I complained further pointing out that the total cost of returning the item would be close to the amount paid and that in my opinion the buyer should not have to be responsible for returns when the seller was the party at fault. In the end I was given a freepost label, an apology and a full refund. I will add one point here and that is the name of the seller was not the same as the supplier/parent company.

I still needed a new filter and decided to take a chance with another Trusted seller who I asked to confirm that they had the part in stock before ordering, I also stated on the order form that I would not accept an alternative and asked to be informed should any problems with stock arose. A few days later my parcel was delivered (it took longer to arrive then the first one) and with expectations high I opened it - only to find it was the same piece of shop soiled junk I had returned the previous week! It turned out that my second seller was the same Company/same address as the first, just how many names they trade under I would not like to guess.

I've now got a full refund they got their junk back and when I get a hour to spare I'm off to my local car parts supplier were I should have gone in the first place!

DUTR

east_yorkie wrote: »

I wanted a replacement car air filter and rather then travel several miles to the nearest auto parts stockist I decided to order on-line. I chose an eBay 'Trusted Seller' and waited for my filter to arrive but what I got was an inferior shop soiled piece of junk that I would never have accepted over a counter. After complaining I was told to return the part (at my expense) and a full refund would be made, eBay also informed me that I should send the part by Tracked post to ensure it was received by the seller! I complained further pointing out that the total cost of returning the item would be close to the amount paid and that in my opinion the buyer should not have to be responsible for returns when the seller was the party at fault. In the end I was given a freepost label, an apology and a full refund. I will add one point that the name of the seller was not the same as the supplier/parent company.

I still needed a new filter and decided to take a chance with another Trusted seller who I asked to confirm that they had the part in stock before ordering, I also stated on the order form that I would not accept an alternative and asked to be informed should any problems with stock arose. A few days later my parcel was delivered (it took longer to arrive then the first one) and with expectations high I opened it - only to find it was the same piece of shop soiled junk I had returned the previous week! It turned out that my second seller was the same Company/same address as before just how many names they trade under I would not like to guess.

I've now got a full refund they got their junk back and when I get a hour to spare I'm off to my local car parts supplier were I should have gone in the first place!

I agree with your summary :cool:

keith1950

Why bother talking the risk with ebay and then do the same thing again, if you cannot get to a local parts factor try www.carparts4less.co.uk .... good prices and free delivery.

Last week I ordered a part that cost £1.90p and it was delivered free of charge via UPS courier service.

poppasmurf_bewdley

Just to say I have this week had the exact opposite.

On Monday I needed three 40amp blade fuses (similar to car fuses) for my inverter.

Halfords were £2.49 for two, plus fuel to get to me nearest branch £4 plus £1.50 parking.

Ebay - £1.31 for a pack of 10 post free. Ordered Monday, arrived Thursday.

You can't beat that.

east_yorkie

Keith1950 I have bought various items in this way over the years but have never encountered any problems like this. I did not realise that companies were allowed to trade under so many different names and to blatantly breach the Distance Selling Regulations with regard to product description. Thanks for your link to carpartsforless but all the hassle has put me off web traders for now!

londonTiger

ebay is the last place id buy parts from. They dont even name the brand!

poppasmurf_bewdley

londonTiger wrote: »

ebay is the last place id buy parts from. They dont even name the brand!

Can you tell me what brand Halfords fuses are?

east_yorkie

londonTiger wrote: »

ebay is the last place id buy parts from. They dont even name the brand!

That was the problem both sellers named a specific brand but sent an inferior one which was shop soiled - it looked as if it had been kicked, dropped and left out in the sun to be more precise! I don't know but it would not surprise me that they pass off junk like this hoping buyers will keep it rather then have the hassle/expense of returning it to them.

mgdavid

99% of ebay sales have pics - no brand visible in the pic, don't buy. easy.

alastairq

I have to admit....to getting good-to-amazing service from those eBay suppliers I have used.

For example, recently for my Frord fester's pre-MoT..I decided to purchase some new front discs/pads....the old one's were getting near their life's end, but would easily pass the MoT...with the usual, de-rust and clean-up....I happened to find a reasonable offer online for Mintax pads/discs, free delivery, so ordered them on a Monday night.

The following Wednesday morning, I was outside, stripping a front brake off to clean,etc, when I was tapped on the shoulder by a parcels man, who handed me the new brakes! Seemed silly not to slam in the new items, but I was amazed, expecting them no earlier than the following weekend!

The only time I have received the incorrect items occurred a couple of years ago...I ordered a clutch kit, over the Xmas break. It duly arrived a week later, similar but incorrect [correct label, wrong plate.]..I immediately contacted the seller, by email [he phoned me later]....and a new [correct] kit was in the post toot sweet. Also, he told me not to bother sending the original one back, so I kept it.....useful if only for the cover and thrust?

Of course buyer beware..but isn't that the case, even if using a local shop?

arcon5

You purchase 'shop soiled' rubbish from two different sellers -- so it was probably fine and not soiled, just of poor quality.