You can call ebay and explain to them.

I backed out on a purchase and had people back out on me. When I called ebay they said they cannot do anything legally but suspend your ebay account at most but that is unlikely...

the add was misleading and did not have much of a description.

 

In the owners defense, there are documented cases where the VIN is correct. Meaning, it was a Ford mistake. Sure reasons to be worried here, just that it could actually be a mistake.

 

That's no factory mistake, seller says right up front "Body and engine changed". It a 6cyl. coupe conversion. Seller just didn't say it plainly that way. I wonder why?:0/

Be that as it may, you are in Scotland and the seller is in Ohio. Tough on the seller for trying to dance around it's pedigree like that. Tell the seller to go pound sand and you are considering reporting him for a thinly veiled attempt to mislead potential purchasers and possible fraud.:shocked:

 

That's no factory mistake, seller says right up front "Body and engine changed". It a 6cyl. coupe conversion. Seller just didn't say it plainly that way. I wonder why?:0/

:

There's another coupe to fastback conversion on Craigslist in Kansas, if anyone is looking for that sort of Frankinstein. Price is $19,500. The ad doesn't mention the conversion, but if asked for details about the car the seller will refer you to his dealership website, where the details are given.

1966 FORD MUSTANG FASTBACK

 

Yep, a 6F07T VIN is a coupe to fastback conversion. Also a
I6 to V8 conversion. Without 100% perfect documentation
from the original owner through the latest seller, you must
assume the car is a conversion. I'm talking Kodachrome pics
and 8mm color home video from 1967 of original owner and
the VIN stamping in the same image. It's extremely unlikely
to be a "VIN mistake" by Ford. For some strange reason, the
number of coupes with K-code fastback VINs seems to be
much lower than the reverse. Hmm, I wonder why?

So your options are...

#1) Let him report you to Ebay and deal with a minor hassle.
Calm down, it's no big deal. You caught the error before handing
over any money, so you really don't have a problem. The seller
is in the wrong, period. He should have explicitly stated that the
car is a coupe to fastback body conversion. The fact he's threating
to report you (oh no! not that! scary!) tells you he's a total jerk
who knew he was perpetrating a scam. I wouldn't do business
with the seller for that reason alone.

#2) Look over the car in person and see if it's a good conversion.
$13k is a good price for a quality coupe-to-fastback conversion,
provided it was not a hack-job. Personally, I'd walk away from
that car. Given the seller is a jerk, I'd assume neither the V8
conversion nor the fastback conversion were done correctly.
Who puts a whale-tale on an early 'Stang anyway? Ugh!

#3) Use capital letters and punctuation in all future posts. This is
not actually an option. It's mandatory.

 

I have a feeling the new owner is going to be on here in a few weeks wondering WTF did he just buy.

On a car like that if the price is to good to be true, it probably is.

 

Didn't look at the car, now I did. Wow, could there be any less description? OP, if you don't want it, don't feel obligated. Next time, have someone over here check out a car for you.

 

I like all the details in the ad:

"the car needs some body work and a paint job.minor mechanical repairs .runs ok.".

It doesn't get much more vague than that. With it stating engine and body have been changed I would have to question whether or not it was actually the vin numbers and title that were really changed. Also I would wonder if you would have any issues with customs on it.

 

Seller states the body and engine is changed yet is adament that the VIN is real???

Wonder if he considers the hacked wheelhouse flares, shiny rocker molding and Shelby style hood with S H E L B Y letters to be a "body change"

As far as the "engine change", it does have Cobra valve covers

 

The VIN IS real. It came on those aprons from the factory and, by law, should continue to follow that chassis until it's crushed. The seller IS stating things correctly...the body HAS been changed...it's a "coupe-to-fastback" conversion and the engine has been changed....from a six cylinder to a V8. I don't see the issue here.... the apron VIN is clearly shown in the photos accompanying the listing. Sorry, but I think the seller and eBay are right...there was ample opportunity to see what you were bidding on, to request additional photos of the conversion work or to have somebody local go and check it out.

 

Needs a paint job because the one he did in his backyard is hiding all the stuff he forgot to do. Like mask the door locks!

 

I live in Canton, Ohio. This car was posted locally on Craigslist about a month ago. Same vague posting and pictures, but he was only asking $6500 if I recall. I left a few messages but he never returned my calls.

 

It would be really hard to get a better deal than that on a 66 fastback, v8 pony interior that runs. Someone else will get a decent buy if you do not buy it. You do not drive numbers on engine apron. Quit your bellyaching. wes

 

Stay away. There is probably tons of bondo under the red.

 

Never buy a car from Ohio with first seeing photos of the underside. Auction is closed now, but there are no chassis photos that I can see.

 

Not to mention comprehensively putting a magnet to the body panels. Remember the thread "Beware of fresh paint"?:skullnbones:

 

Bartl, no one is saying the VIN or Texas title are invalid. I suspect
the OP's title is poorly worded in that respect. There's no reason
to suspect the VIN or title are invalid. I'm confident a US buyer
can register and drive the car here in the States with no trouble.

But in the UK? What standards on major body mods exist there?
Is a coupe to fastback conversion even legal in Britain or Europe?
Can it be registered for the road?

Otherwise Bartl, I disagree strongly with giving this seller a passing
grade. This is a textbook unethical and misleading Ebay listing. The
seller is in Ohio, has a Texas title (possibly open), but listed the car
overseas. The seller is clearly looking for a victim who can't inspect
the car in person. The item is described as a "fastback", but the VIN
defines the car as a coupe. There is no WAY the vague phrase "body
and engine changed, made looks like shelby” suggests that the entire
roof, quarters, truck, etc. were changed. Most car hobbyists don't
even know that trick is possible. His rotten grammar tells the average
classic Mustang enthusiast that a Shelby-style hood and side scoops
were slapped on a plain (but genuine) I6 fastback. Such cosmetic
changes are trivial compares to not disclosing the car left the factory
as a coupe.

The seller has sold 5 items on Ebay. But of course Ebay hides the
transactions so nobody can really tell what happened. The reviews
mostly offer anecdotal evidence why Ebay's rating system is totally
worthless. One of his reviews for an ATV sale is favorable. In contrast,
two reviews for what may be road vehicles of some sort don't exactly
scream "trustworthy"...

"i'm happy w/ the buy-(no coolant,no oil,not even enough fuel to
make it 2 miles"

"Not quite as advertized. Hole in floor, flat tire, pictures in ad
not accurate."

Now having said all that, I think $13k for an older, quality conversion
which is complete and mechanically sound is a good deal. But that's
providing the conversion was done right. Either a well done front-clip
swap or a quality full roof and structure change. Ethical sellers are
obligated to fully disclose the nature of such major structural changes.

Obviously, my suspicion is that this car is hacked together and has
so much bondo over rust a large neodymium magnet won't stick to
the sheet metal anywhere. I came to that conclusion before GT_Rich
posted about the local Craigslist ad by this seller, but his testimony
further supports my suspicions that this car could be a deathtrap.

 

Clicking "Buy It Now" does enter you into a legally binding contract as I understand it - but I doubt there will be much recourse against the OP if he doesn't follow through.

My advice to the buyer would be to try and contact ebay and explain things because the seller is now going to be auto billed by ebay and its going to be a fair amount of money. I can see why the seller would be pissed, although they deserve much of the blame for such a vague description of the car.

 

Clicking "Buy It Now" does enter you into a legally binding contract as I understand it - but I doubt there will be much recourse against the OP if he doesn't follow through.

The process may have changed over the past few years but...

A seller's account is charged only after he acknowledges payment.
From the moment an auction ends, there is a two week window for the
buyer to contact the seller and make payment. The seller can do nothing
during this grace period. Once the grace period is past, the seller can
then report the buyer to Ebay who then contacts the buyer and tries to
resolve the matter. This resolution period lasts up to 10 days. These long
wait periods are the main headache for sellers when a deadbeat bidder
happens. You can't relist the item until Ebay closes the transaction.

In Bullit's case, Ebay will ask him to explain the problem. They listen to
both sides in these cases. Be calm, restrain emotions, and simply tell
Ebay that...

#1) The title listing is a lie. Despite appearances, this car is legally
NOT a fastback and the title lies about this critical point. End of story.
Case closed.

#2) Major structural changes to the car were exposed using a VIN
check after winning the auction. These changes to the car are not
described in the title or listing.

#3) If "body and engine changed, made looks like shelby” is supposed
to indicate a coupe to fastback conversion, then the listing description
is vague and poorly worded to the point of being misleading. The text
neither states explicitly the car was modified from a coupe to a fastback,
nor declares if these major structural changes were done legally and
safely. The buyer fears the car is unsafe for this reason.

I think it's unlikely, but Ebay might ding Bullit's buyer rating as minor
punishment for not contacting the seller and asking questions before
using buy-it-now. Fine, it's deserved. But who cares if your ratings are
dinged?! Better than wasting $17k in cash on a worthless pig (don't
forget UK shipping plus VAT). Ebay will watch Bullit's account for further
deadbeat activity, and will ban him later if needed.

I've been through this process several times as a seller. I tried to sell
a car on Ebay a few years back and got nothing but deadbeat bidders.
My listings were eventually stalked by a certain disreputable used car
salesman from Texas known to many people here at VFM. He bought
my car but couldn't find a buyer within the two-week payment window.
So he never contacted me or returned my emails. That is, until I
reported him to Ebay. Then he went ballistic. He threatened me in
emails and eventually libeled me in his review. Not that I cared, but
why would Ebay even allow a deadbeat bidder to leave a review?
Regardless, Ebay didn't charge me any fees. But every time I relisted
the car, Mr Slimy created a new account and used it to foul my auction.
What a petulant child. At that time, sellers couldn't filter bidders with
zero feedback. While Mr Slimy was mildly annoying, I was angry that
Ebay did nothing to track down and stop his fake accounts. For that
reason, I now boycott Ebay due to their complete lack of support for
sellers coupled with a totally worthless ratings system for buyers.

 

In every other monetary transaction there is a waiting period within which the debtor can back out. Typically 3 days.
Does not ebay also give a buyer the same right?....... ???

A bit of research revealed this and it's NOT good....... :shocked:

THIS part: No law gives you the right to cancel a contract to buy a car. But there is such widespread misunderstanding about this that some states require car dealers to specifically notify car buyers that they do not have the right to cancel the contract

Can I cancel a contract within three days of signing it? - Nolo.com

 

Well, the seller did not write up much of a description, but be made no secret that the car was not original-

"1966 Ford Mustang Base Fastback 2-Door 4.7L not original engine"
“body and engine changed, made looks like shelby”

And he certainly made no secret of the VIN.

As for the "wrong title", he claims there is a clear title to this vehicle. Well, as for the T code car having a V8 engine, it seems like there is no problem with that- Every Tom, Dick, and Harry on this forum seems to have done that, or at least thinks it's the only proper thing to do, their only use for T code cars is a base for V8 conversion. As for the fastback/hardtop discrepancy, there have been umpteen threads on fastback conversion on this forum, too.

So, unless the OP can reasonably claim that the seller lied about the originality of the car (that's not gonna fly) or the VIN was fraudulently transferred from one car to another (in-person visits, lawyers, and cops will be involved) he may have a problem.

I don't like it, either, but next time read the VIN before clicking "buy".

 

So what's the seller and/or ebay going to do about it if the OP refuses to go through with the deal? File suit? Good luck with that. Ban the OP from ebay? Big deal. Imo the chances of the seller ever getting any monetary satisfaction from the OP are not good, and maybe non-existent. It's basically not even worth the effort of trying. The seller is in Ohio, the OP across the Atlantic in freaking Scotland. A tough legal scenario to pursue and ever see a dime out of. Just sayin'.

 

I agree and pretty much sums it up there 4ocious. It happens all the time on e-bay..If every one that had a non payer took someone to court with a buy it now or a winning bid e-bay would need to have there own special courts for all the people standing in line..Were just talking one car here..What about all the other million things on there that don't get paid for....DISCLAIMER ---I AM NOT A LAWYER..

 

I say walk away. It may be a bad mark on your ebay account, but it's better than bringing home a POS car. You may have made a mistake by not verifying what the car really was, but we all make mistakes. If you ask nicely to get out of the deal and he is going to be a jerk about it, then walk away. With that type of car, he won't come after you. Bad feedback will be your only punishment.

 

Car had 20 bidders and 21 bids so the bidding really didn't get started..Heck, the guy may get more than $13,000 for it if it does run the course.. Seller does need to work on his description there a little. And for some reason (LOL) didn't.
''the car needs some body work and a paint job.minor mechanical repairs .runs ok.e. '' I'd say that's a little on the vague side...

 

As much as I feel for the OP, I don't think he probably has a lot of recourse. The seller technically did disclose all as the VIN was there and that's what they'll claim. I personally think it's unethical nonetheless as I'm every bit sure their intent was to try to slip this by somebody, as they successfully managed to do.

On the bright side though, I think $13,000 was a fair deal. I'd still keep it if I were the OP.

 

Walk away. Yes the OP made a mistake, but it's also obvious the seller was trying to sneak one buy. F the seller and F ebay if necessary. Never let a con win. 13k is way too much for a fake.


Sent from my stupid phone

 

Hey OP bullit, what's your thinking on this now?:shrug:

 

If the seller has a single brain cell left he'd simply let it go and re-list the car.......:loco:
Especially since the bidding was going well anyway.