Ebayer beware, really really look at the photos

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Surfing the net and looking at the Commando stuff on ebay, it amazes me that people can describe things as 'good condition' or appear to be in good condition. Take this one, ebay item number 174491248174 Crankcases with a plain to see cracked casing around one of the rear bolt holes.
Or this one, Mk 3 starter motor, ebay number 353349876749 described as good working condition. Has a hole worn in the end cap and the drive side oil seal is clearly split.
 
The seller does not say they are in good condition ;)

"
NORTON COMMANDO 850 CRANKCASES
THESE ARE MK111 ELECTRIC START
APPEAR TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION

MATCHED CASES

PLEASE INSPECT PICTURES CAREFULLY FOR CONDITION "

The outer half of the camshaft bush missing (fell out ?) would be a check item to me.

In saying that I got a $1000 offer on my bare RH10, many decades old good parts from honest people are getting harder to fine.
Those cases look great compared to this item,even says no numbers ?? with the mill marks not as per factory. sus .
eBay item number:
143915125389
 
There is a scam going on just now, Nortons plus other bikes. One of the pictures includes instructions about dealing outside ebay. I suspect someone (Neil300se) has had his account hijacked, he shows 818 transactions and 100%. Could probably do a search for the pictures used, thankfully no one seems to be biting, however it only takes one I suppose.
 
There is a scam going on just now, Nortons plus other bikes. One of the pictures includes instructions about dealing outside ebay. I suspect someone (Neil300se) has had his account hijacked, he shows 818 transactions and 100%. Could probably do a search for the pictures used, thankfully no one seems to be biting, however it only takes one I suppose.
I saw this too - looks like the Nigerian Princes are upping their game... badly
 
Don't have to look too hard on this one!!

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This is not new, profiles stolen and then used to list hundreds of desirable items at knockdown prices has been going on for years, as soon as one is shut down more appear. By now if you do get scammed on one of these listings by trying to buy direct you only have yourself to blame.
 
Don't have to look too hard on this one!!
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This same scammer appears every few days. Always a different username. They have hundreds of different vehicles for sale. Must hack people’s accounts somehow. You can report the ads to eBay and they do remove them pretty quickly. There’s a “Report ad” button down the right hand side of the ad.
 
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Maybe I’m a rube, but I’ve gotten some great parts on eBay. Nice set of freshly painted Guzzi tonti floorboards with controls for $50.00 come to mind a few years ago. Some parts, like good cylinder heads, have gotten very pricey. Caveat emptor.
 
I have purchased 2,070 items from ebay 50 tops that I have not been happy with nowadays their returns policy is really fair (better for the buyer than the seller). however as Peter warned you do have to study the photos and ask the questions, when the item arrives if it's not as described demand a refund and start return process. With a lot of items it boils down to price and availability.
The MK3 crank cases for example are you going to speculate £500 on Ebay? or order new from Andover Norton and pay £1,200 ? I have spent a lot of money with ANI and never had an issue, I have spent a whole lot more on ebay with only a few problems. "you pays your money and takes your choice"
 
I concur. I have bought and sold many items on Ebay - some of it quite expensive stuff and have not had any notable issues. The few times I was disappointed in something, I discovered that I hadn't thoroughly read the description or carefully looked at the pics.

As noted, Ebay nowadays is totally buyer-oriented. Returns are no issue at all regardless whether a seller says "no returns." If the item is damaged or "not as advertised," you can return it/get a full refund with no questions asked.
 
I've been buying on eBay since last century and selling for 20 years. The selling is winding down - I cannot stand the latest screwing sellers are getting. In fact, I would be off eBay as a seller but you can only delete listings one at a time and it takes seven steps for each one - I'm down to around 100 listings to go.

I've bought many complete motorcycles without problem. Often, they are better than described and once in a while not as good as hoped but always a good deal.

As a buyer, my second purchase was a scam (a laptop) and I've had no other problems. Back then, eBay helped you if scammed so I lost nothing. I do study each purchase hard before buying and never buy from anyone without 100% feedback - 99.9% is not good enough!
 
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