Ripped off on ebay vehicle

[shanny]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
Maine

My son and I bought a vehicle for him on ebay.
I never had done this before but saw the VPP and that the seller had a very high approval rating.
Vehicle description said "excellent running" and that an " intake gasket coolant leak" would be fixed.
Seller refused first carrier shipment because he said he had to get the radio fixed at dealer on this day(was not working when I received it).
Shipment was delayed almost two weeks, and I had to pay an additional $150.00 to have it shipped, and before I discovered that the vehicle had a bad engine, it was beyond ebay vehicle protection plans 30 days.
When vehicle arrived I ran it and noticed it was leaking coolant, and that the oil pressure gauge was not functioning properly. Took it to mechanic, said the engine was bad.
Seller said he wanted a second opinion...took it to Chevy dealer...said engine was bad
(main bearing problem).
Seller aid I bought vehicle "as is" over internet would not take vehicle back, and offered me $600.00 if I would not pursue case further.
Ebay and paypal did nothing, even though the vehicle was not as described, and seller was not completely truthful.
So far it has cost me $650.00 for used engine and is going to cost an additional 16-24 hrs labor (at $70 an hr) to have engine put in vehicle because the front end has to be removed.

 

[racer72]

You did not discover this when you inspected the vehicle prior to purchasing it?

 

[shanny]

As I stated, vehicle was purchased over ebay, not local dealer.

 

[CraigFL]

I think what racer is trying to say is that you can find inspection services local to the car that can do this for you. I've done it several times. Because used car sales are generally as-is, you will need to bear the expense of repairing it now...

 

[racer72]

Also, if you decide to sue, you will have to do it in the seller's home state. Things like travel expenses and lodging will be on your dime, they are not recoverable. Use this money to fix the car and chalk it up as an expensive lesson learned.

 

[shanny]

Yeah...I hear ya. I am the guy with "sucker" written on my forehead.
I live in a rural part of Maine, so it not always easy to get good vehicles for a decent price...and usually when I buy one...it has problems anyway.
Its actually my sons vehicle. I have never quite done this before...the guy had a good rating, car faxed it(ok), and with the VPP I figured it would be worth a shot.

I do have family in PA...but do I want to bother driving down there for this?
For the potential fraud case (although hard at times to prove) it might be worth it.

I did notify the auctioneering board down their (since he owner in a PA auction service), as well as referal to the AG's office.

 

[CraigFL]

Here are several inspection services. They are never as good as you would like them to be but they certainly would have caught your problem...

Automobile Inspections, LLC.

CARCHEX® - Select. Inspect. Purchase & Protect.

SGS Automotive Services