Buyer Beware!

[Gate88]

The moral of the story is, would you buy a car without starting it up? enuff said, just because it has the right gear on the helly etc doesnt mean its all in good working order!!!!

This proves my point, I wouldnt, unless it was from a trusted source, and my failing was that until now I thought that everyone in the heli flying community had the same values as the members on this forum!

I'm not looking for sympathy you understand, I just look at it as the price of an education, I only posted this tale on here so that others dont fall into the same trap of complacency that I did.

[gramey]

Gate88 I've only just read this thread but I can truly sympathise having made a similar mistake when buying a 2nd hand 600 for my son. I was told everything was fine and ready to fly and that it had been test flown before I bought it.
I took it to my local club whereupon there was neat fuel being sprayed out from the fan housing when hovering. I landed it and myself and a friend started to check it over. Upon closer inspection the front bearing on the engine was shot and the crankcase was cracked at the exhaust port. The exhaust was held on with two extremely long bolts and nylock nuts and the engine was held in with two small philips screws with no thread lock. The baseplate and both side frames were cracked and the head button was held on with a countersunk wood screw.
The best part of all this is that I didn't make a five hour drive to buy it or get it off ebay, nope I bought this from my LHS whom I've dealt with for years.
I probably should have demanded my money back but being the prat that I am I bought all the parts needed, including upgrading to 2mm carbon all round, new engine and pipe etc. etc. They gave me discount on the parts and fitted them free, not that I would have been that stupid to pay them to do it anyway.
Moral of the story is it's not alway's strangers that shaft you, needless to say I won't make the same mistake again!
Glad your all sorted now and enjoying your heli.

[jiberjaber]

The thing I dont get is if I advertise a Knight 3D with engine, muffler, main blades etc for only 200 odd quid, it doesnt sell but a dog eared T600 sells for 3 times the price..... you could have bought my Knight and kitted it out and still had money for fuel left and a better flying heli

Sorry to hear about your experiance though, sounds like it is all fixed in the end. I too can be too impatient sometimes to check things over, I was stung for a 3.2M glider which was actualy 2.6M span without realising untill the next day, so I can understand how it is done

[mark lane]

Sorry to hear about the nightmare experience.

I would only buy from a known trusted seller which i have done a couple of times on here with very pleasing results.

The thing about selling on this forum is it should be a rewarding experience for both the buyer and seller. For me, i would never risk my reputation by selling a less than perfect (or accurately described) heli or other item and so would ensure the kit is spot on before the buyer receives.

For the buyer, there is the security that the seller is not going to risk a slating for selling poorly described or shabby gear so you stand the best chance of getting exactly what you expect.

I'm sure there are some good helis sold on ebay from time to time but it is a massive gamble unless you can fully check it out before you buy.

[LipolyGone]

I'm intrigued & sorry mate you have had
such a bad ebay experience.
you say you recognised the seller.
Maybe you should also name & shame him.
give out his ebay user id etc
Might save someone else here from making the same
unfortunate mistake of buying from him.
I'm with Mark & tony on this one.
Anyone who buys my stuff gets a 100%
money back guarantee if not fully satisfied.
I also offer this on all ebay sales & bmfa sales.
Spent ages getting a 100% positive feedback
on over 130 ebay deals, you cant put a price on that.
I also never deal with anyone who doesnt have 100% feedback
on ebay if they have only ****ed off one person it's one too
many for me to deal with them

[marktigere1]

I have a milestone birthday in January Martin.

What you likely to have on offer in the new year?

[gazza]

it also comes down to is it dirty dirty or just dirty ... theres different dirt levels in my book as well lol....

This is my way of thinking when vetting prospective new birds
Seriously though mate I was sorry to read of your unfortunate experience.
I purchased a Heli from a supposedly trusted and respected member on here a couple of years back and got stung very badly.
The member is now banned due to subsequent dishonesty and ripping fellow members off however, but still, you can't be too careful and I think vigilance is the key.
I wouldn't dream of selling anything on here or anywhere else unless it's 100% Perfect and and as advertised. I always put myself in the buyers shoes when selling and I never sell anything unless in certain the buyer will be nothing short of delighted with what they receive.
Like Martin I always offer a 100% money back guarantee without question.

[waveydavey]

The thing I dont get is if I advertise a Knight 3D with engine, muffler, main blades etc for only 200 odd quid, it doesnt sell but a dog eared T600 sells for 3 times the price..... you could have bought my Knight and kitted it out and still had money for fuel left and a better flying heli

Unfortunately it's like that for Compass. I think the shooting in the foot they done earlier in the year has led them to be as popular as piles. It's a shame but that's why Align have the market

[barney]

Well that wont last for ever Martin. Sooner or later you will get some a&sehole that will try and blackmail you saying stuff was rubbish or broken or whatever just to try and get your goods for nought. These spammers know how valuable your E-Bay reputation is and will try and minipulate the system.

Spent ages getting a 100% positive feedback
on over 130 ebay deals, you cant put a price on that.
I also never deal with anyone who doesnt have 100% feedback
on ebay if they have only ****ed off one person it's one too
many for me to deal with them

[jiberjaber]

Unfortunately it's like that for Compass. I think the shooting in the foot they done earlier in the year has led them to be as popular as piles. It's a shame but that's why Align have the market

Which is a shame as even 2nd hand 600's in the same price range are without main blades and fitted with upgrades to get them to fly right. Such is life

[LipolyGone]

I have a milestone birthday in January Martin.

What you likely to have on offer in the new year?

Could probably do you a nicely upgraded 600 pro lol
Martin

[Gate88]

you say you recognised the seller.
Maybe you should also name & shame him.
give out his ebay user id etc

I havent named him so far because although I dont think he is a forum member here I know he has friends that are and I didnt want to get into a slagging match, bunfight over the whole affair. Especially as he did give me £60 back & it was my choice not to take the refund (less £50 and 5 hrs)

But as you say it might save others suffering the same misfortune.

His ebay ID is rhurley123, if you see anything on ebay under that ID I'd avoid it like he plague!

[crash-alot]

trex 600n super pro with kasama head RTF (600 700) on eBay (end time 20-Aug-09 11:54:38 BST)

[Gate88]

Just found the ad here

trex 600n super pro with kasama head RTF (600 700) on eBay (end time 20-Aug-09 11:54:38 BST)

[waveydavey]

I think I've just clicked who it is. If it is I'm very very surprised. He's a very respected member of our club, unbelievable. He normally maintains them without cost and I've never seen him put one in, ever. Wow!