I bid on, and won a HiPo distributor that was the correct date code unit for my car. The ad stated that it was a "Ford 289 Dual Point." Looked good from the photos. Since the seller didn't include the words HiPo, Shelby or GT-350 the ad didn't trip the usual searches. I chalked that up to the fact that the seller had a low feedback rating of 25 but all positive. The seller also stated that they wouldn't accept PayPal. Nothing unusual here, I paid with a money order and in a few days received the unit. Thinking everything was fine, I left them positive feedback. First thing that I noticed was the housing was painted with what looked like Krylon dull aluminum paint. I thought this was strange, but went ahead and striped it down for cleaning. I have disassembled a lot of Ford distributors. By how they come apart, I can pretty much tell if they have been recently been worked on. This one came apart very easily. Still no alarm bells. I took the housing to a friend who I used to work for in a tune up shop to have it cold tanked. When the paint was gone, the scam was uncovered. Someone had taken a Ford single point distributor and removed the vacuum advance canister. Next, they ground off the vacuum advance mounting boss. To finish, they filled in the opening in the side with JB weld. A coating of aluminum paint, add a dual point plate and - Instant HiPo dual point. I compared it to another dual point I have and noticed that the one thing I missed was the absence of the square boss that registers the distributor cap. I immediately contacted the seller, informing them of the situation. The replied that they were selling it for a firend and had no responsibility as to it's condition. Besides, they said, they didn't advertise it as anything "rare or exotic." I told them that I thought they were thieves and I was planning on filing a complaint with EBay. We argued back and forth for a while, exchanged some heated Email. I knew my chances of getting EBay to get me a refund were slim, but I played the cards I had. I resigned myself to the fact that I was screwed on this one. Luckily for me, they blinked. I got a phone call from them, an apology and a refund. Does this affect my attitude toward EBay? Definitely. I am a lot more careful now, I have passed on a number of items but I will still use the service. I have a photo of the cleaned housing I can post.
There is a guy who lists a pair of Shelby shock tower caps on Ebay. Says he found them in a bucket while cleaning his garage. Must be a deep bucket because he lists a new set every couple weeks. If you look @ the picture they are ordinary shock tower caps with hardware store washers welded on top. As always with Ebay its buyer beware. Tim
It seems that everything that was installed on a Shelby, and a LOT that wasn't still gets listed on EBay as "Shelby" Among the many that come to mind: Backup light switch for a 65 Shelby. The HiPo rocker stud extraction tool. Removes the press in studs in HiPo heads. The guy advertising the "Correct 2 1/2" rear brake shoes for a '65 Shelby" I asked him if they had the DS-11 Velvetouch lining like the REAL correct shoes had. No response, he's been advertising 65 Fairlane station wagon rear shoes for months. Some of these people simply do not know what's correct and what's not. A lot of them are simply scam artists.
This is so true. I'm afraid the nature of this particular "hobby" invites it. The whole subject of what is correct and what is not is kept as a dark art. All the information exists but too often it is revealed only on a "need to know" basis. I have met so many owners that didn't have clue what they had... and plenty of others who were just plain wrong about simple things. It can be dissapointing and sad. There is no reason for it. I don't think the value of the true cars is affected in the least. Better information would make this hobby better. But that is just my thoughts. With regards to the fake shelby shock towers being just ford parts with a hardware store washer welded on.. That is exactly what the shelby ones were. If the quality and fidelity of almost all the reproduction parts being sold was as good as those e-bay shock towers.. you "real car" owners would be far better off. jimbo
Le caveat de emptor!! or in English, Let the Buyer Beware!! always ask questions or get a phone number and talk in person with these folks. many people find it harder to deceive others when confronted live . Keyboard Commandoes abound everywhere!
Except for the fact that he is deliberately deceitful by stating he found them in his garage from his Shelby. As far as the quality, the originals have a thick washer and it is a unique size. If I can spot them as fake from an Ebay picture the quality isn't that good.
Somewhere there has got to be a distinction between good fake parts and bad fake parts ... Once again it is the buyers responsibility to make sure he gets what he wants. So... Are these shock towers fake or original? (not for sale on ebay or anyplace else)
Hard to tell with shock in place as inner hole is usually a giveaway but I'm guessing they were made in someones garage. Washer looks a little thin
Fake the washer is too thin; welds too cold, focused too heavily on the tower and double wagged indicating the washer is likely not hardened, nor as thic as the tower. The original washers were off the shelf, primarily used by the powerplant folks.
Whenever I buy anything on Ebay I always send the seller an email with my phone number and ask for theirs. I do this to: 1. See how responsive they are. 2. See if they are willing to talk 3. build a relationship for future dealings Same thing when I sell something, I list my cell phone in the description and say please call me with any questions. If people get the sense you are hiding behind your alias you will not get as many bidders and may create mis-trust without trying to. I think EBay is a great tool and you get out of it what you put into it. Don't just start filling other peoples bank accounts with e-checks and payments, establish some rapport and make a solid deal. I regularly converse with 3 or 4 guys I bought parts from. We help each other find stuff and share pics, meet at shows, share articles etc.. Mike Herman 415-378-4284
All things considered, EBay is worth the effort. A lot of people take shots at it, but I have made some very good deals, both buying and selling. Having said that, the down side is this; The sheer number of daily transactions numbering in the millions dictate that a percentage of them will be fraudulent. It seems to me that this type of anonymous selling can bring out behavior in some people that they wouldn't ordinarily exhibit if they were dealing with someone face to face. Something that they have had for years and know is a POS suddenly becomes an item that they purchased at a swap meet and know nothing about and, as per their stated policy in the ad, they can not he held responsible for. The primary defense is to read every word of the listing and do not be shy about asking questions. Any unanswered question is your first hint that there is something rotten in Denmark with this item and you should pass on it. One thing I have learned over the years. No matter what it is, sooner or later, another one will come along. Good Luck Bill
