Skyline Parts On Ebay Scam?

[335]

Hello

I was looking at ebay and noticed a lot of Skyline turbos and parts for kinda cheap. I know the State's prices can be cheaper than Japan, but some of things on there look as if its not what they claim it to be. I have never seen non stock turbos for 300 dollars.

I noticed that a lot of the sentence stucture for the product descriptions is wrong as if someone who doesn't speak English natively is writing the product descriptions.

Does any one know if it is generally safe to order Skyline parts off of Ebay?

Help needed

Edited May 24, 2008 by 335

[-_-StRyDeR-_-]

yeh go and buy all the parts you want... BUT, dont expect anything to last or perform aswell as properly made products...

some items would be ok to buy, but the turbos stay away from!!

Edited May 24, 2008 by -_-StRyDeR-_-

[skyboy33]

ask them to do C.O.D.

[335]

ask them to do C.O.D.

Why ask them for C.O.D?

[-_-StRyDeR-_-]

so you dont pay for something and then it not turn up

[GeeTR]

Ebay prolly isn't the place to be buying critical engine parts for your hipo import full stop.

[Brokenz]

I bought 1/2 my upgrade parts from ebay. Main problem are cheap turbos with no warranty but other parts are usually fine.

[pj-33]

ebay rocks

[R31Nismoid]

Ebay prolly isn't the place to be buying critical engine parts for your hipo import full stop.

agreed

and most of it is shit

manifolds are crap

turbos are crap

Cheap prices look attractive, but you'll end up paying double.

[335]

agreed

and most of it is shit

manifolds are crap

turbos are crap

Cheap prices look attractive, but you'll end up paying double.

Sounds scary. Maybe I will just buy from the online stores in Australia and Yahoo Japan

[paulr33]

hi,

a few words of advice

bargain hunting

as always, everyone is out to get the best bang per $ for their car. there are some cheap parts out there, and some cheap bargains etc

but there is a lot of junk too and some complete rubbish. known baddies are out there, here are some of the the usual suspects

known baddies

- cheap chinese manifolds

- cheap turbochargers - to4 with no useful specs, t3/t4 with no useful specs and other wierd spec turbochagers with no brand backing (ie: a turbo thats sub $300 is junk)

- cheap cam gears - know baddies, only go with trusted items and brand names

- fake knock offs - there was a swarm of fake apexi turbo timers, be sure u know how to identify a legit from a fake

- incorrect models listed to lure suspects - ie listing a powerfc pro as a pro but its a std PFC - again be sure u know how to identify a legit from a fake (or model change)

typical junk cam gears

cheap junk turbochargers

research before you buy

but like anything do your research, check the seller, check the item, call them up or msg them etc, ask for proper photos etc

if you are buying a Xeplex Twin turbo manifold to suit BCNR33 search on google for the item, if you find no matches or hardly any info, chances are its junk

search on SAU for what you are buying, if you see a KKR turbocharger for $250 search on SAU for "KKR" youll find out why its "SO Cheap"

understand the risks

and like always with online auction style bidding be prepared for risks, if you buy a set of pistons for $800 there is a risk they may not arrive

im not saying it happens every day, but it does happen and has happened to people in the past. there is always a risk with online face-less auctions when buying from indivdual people.

this level of risk is removed when dealing with places such as online parts shops such as nengun, greenline, importmonster etc as there is tracking, you are covered and can get refunds etc

much like when you goto a local shop to buy say a new water pump, you can take it back, get a refund, ask for support if its dodgy or non-legit etc.

good news & bargains

but the good news is there are bargains out there. people write off their cars and want to sell stuff cheaply. people buy lots of apexi avcr's in bulk and then them cheap individually etc.

people sell their old hardware taking up space in the garage so they sell it cheap. demand drives the price with the ebay style auctions so if a few dudes want it, its going to go up, and up etc.

if no one wants it, youll get it cheap or at least at the lowest price the guy is prepared to auction it up for. check the users feedback and read the comments.

the feedback doesnt guarantee they wont rip you off, but it helps prove they are half legit and do sell/send their items correctly.

understand the standard price before you bid

ie GTR R34 front calipers will go for $1000 cos people want them. if you see GTR 34 front calipers for $400 with a "buy it now" option, theyre probably fake or non-legit or he is a rip off.

however if they start at $400 and the guy has decent feedback and no-one else is bidding on them then you might get them significantly cheaper. he might not know what they are worth which could also explain the low price. this is unlikely but could be possible. but just remember, beaware of the risks (see part #4 above) and that you may not get them item if they are a dodgy trader.

a hks turbocharger (any model) is going to be at least $1000 sub because of the brand, so if you see a pair of hks 2530s for $900 then it wont be legit, or they are shagged.

a decent ball bearing turbocharger is about $1500 and a pair of good GTR twins is around $2000 at least. a stock rb25 turbo is around $300 and a pair of stock GTR turbo's id say $500-$600.

shit costs money - whats the real cost

theres no magic secret, a turbocharger costs money, a manifold costs money, so dont expect a good turbochargers for your std car for $350, its going to be junk.

and lastly cheap items like turbochargers etc may work and be ok, but they may require lots of work to make them fit and bolt up.

the flange is different, the gate is different, the flap opens the wrong way, the bearings are poo and so on, so look at the whole package and not just the single item your buying.

much like buying a set of EVO calipers, sure you might get them cheap but if its going to cost another $500 to make them fit and line up with rotors etc it could be easier/cheaper in the long run to buy Skyline stuff in the first place.

[paulr33]

someone please sticky this - im not ttyping all that again next time someone asks why an ebay turbo is $350

[GeeTR]

Damn Paul, thats a lengthy piece of literature, nice one

[Chi100188]

so would this guy be a scam then? cause his RB pistons are cheap as chips!!!!

http://stores.ebay.com/Erics-Performance-Parts

Cheers

Chi

[saliya]

Awesome detailed response, paulR33. Should be in a FAQ

so you dont pay for something and then it not turn up

Because Australia Post won't let you open items before you pay the COD charges,

this is no protection against being sent an empty box or a box of the wrong stuff,

or a box of stuff that doesn't look exactly like it did in the photos.

It's only protection against being sent no box at all...

Regards,

Saliya

[335]

Will stick with buying from Australia and here in Japan

[Adriano]

so would this guy be a scam then? cause his RB pistons are cheap as chips!!!!

http://stores.ebay.com/Erics-Performance-Parts

Cheers

Chi

I doubt he is a scam, as

*He is an online store

*He has a massive trader rating

*All his stuff is advertised as "name brand"

[datsqik]

There are a lot of cheaper places around than eric's. Compare:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CP-Pistons-...16513QQtcZphoto

http://www.frsport.com/CP-SC7310-Forged-Al...5-1_p_8501.html

I have bought pistons from frsports on a weekend and they have been on my doorstep thursday morning

[-_-StRyDeR-_-]

Dont forget to check if the prices are in US or AUS....

[Angus Smart]

so would this guy be a scam then? cause his RB pistons are cheap as chips!!!!

http://stores.ebay.com/Erics-Performance-Parts

Cheers

Chi

looking at eric's feedback, its legit. you will find alot of engine parts in America for good prices.