caveat emptor

[wbrian63]

First - I am in no way suggesting that the seller is guilty of any improper dealings on eBay. I am offering this experience as a lesson to others and include a caution about doing business.

Now - the story:

I like information.

As part of the "gearing up" for the restoration of my newly acquired '76 Euro 6.9, I've been watching eBay for manuals, articles, etc.

Recently came across an auction buy-it-now priced at $22.89 + 6.80 s&h.

Here's how the auction read:

1976 Mercedes 450SE, 450SEL
Wiring Diagram
With Emission Control
Buy it Now
Check our store for more

Here's the picture:



I believe $22.89 is a reasonable price for a manual from that era for MB's. S&H is a little steep, but I'm not going to quibble over a couple of $.

Item promptly shipped by seller, and I got it in yesterday's mails.

This "item" is 5-1/2" tall and 8-1/2" wide and folds out to A SINGLE SHEET 11"x17".

To be accurate, the condition is good to very good, the only marring is the "do not remove" scrawl in red ink on the front "cover".

However, I was under the impression that this was a manual, not a sheet.

I believe this is a classic case of caveat emptor (buyer beware) - I didn't ask the seller if the item was a manual, I assumed it was.

I should have asked more questions. I would not have paid nearly $30 for a single sheet of paper.

I do not mean to suggest that the seller has been deceptive in their advertising.

I do suggest that they could be more forthcoming in their descriptions.

$22.89 is WAY too much for a single sheet of paper. Items like this routinely sell for between $5 and $10.

I have sent the seller a message via eBay detailing much of what I just stated, including the fact that I would be posting a "caution" email to my friends to learn from my experience.

The seller in question, whose name I will not reveal, has a very high approval rating (99.4) with a lot of activity (nearly 7,500) since 2005. Those #'s led me to be less than guarded in my dealings with them.

Again - they did not attempt to deceive. I "assumed" the auction offered more than I received, and did not ask.

My behavior is easily explained by the following corollary:

"Diamond Ring - $10,000" - one would assume from the price and the description that the ring offered has a large carat count.

Learn from me.

I will update this thread with any response I might receive.

[koan]

Mercedes-Benz might be a little unusual in their approach to manuals and literature compared to other makers.

There are separate manuals for engine and body/chassis which cover the major components but if you are after info on rebuilding a steering box or auto transmission that's not covered, you need  the manual dedicated to that item.

I have the hydro suspension manual, this doesn't add anything to what's in the body/chassis manual regarding the full hydro suspension but does cover SLS suspension which isn't in the body/chassis manual.

So it is a bit of mix what you get, best to inspect what you are buying if possible. The good thing is there's plenty of info around.

koan

[CraigS]

Just count your lucky stars that you don't need a manual for a 300b like I have. To get the complete details, you need the 170, 220, 300 and 300SL manuals ! You can imagine that 300SL manuals do not go cheaply, and each of the others run around EUR 250 - EUR 300 each.

Good, but expensive lesson though and thanks for pointing it out.

[CraigS]

And just to prove my point about the manuals, here is a 300 SL manual that turned up on eBay Australia today

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Mercedes-Workshop-Manual-300SL-Gullwing-in-English_W0QQitemZ180302497665QQihZ008QQcategoryZ125953QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Papalangi]

Be thankful you have not tried two times to get that exact same diagram from MBUSA.com and instead received two diagrams for the 450SL.

I was smart enough to not try a 3rd time but not smart enough to call them and ask whats up.

Maybe someone will take pity on me and call for me since I'm a lazy bum.

http://www.classictechlit.mbusa.com/

Michael

[oscar]

Craig, would people seriously buy a $1000 manual   I suppose I can understand a collector paying top dollar for original as new paper paraphanalia but isn't the one pictured a reprint?  The fact that this seller is a 0 feedbacker I wouldn't go near it unless I could expect it and pay COD (if it was the real thing and I was wealthy ).  But I would've thought these days that amongst the 300SL community there might be enough knowledge on line or shared that a manual wouldn't be necessary.

wbrian, sorry to hear about your disappointment.  I've been there a few times before, bought something on ebay based on the photo and the bargain I received was useless.  So true, must ask more questions to avoid any doubt.  How many pages, email more photos etc etc.  All good in hindsight but sometimes it doesn't seem obvious to ask.  One of my spare steering wheels hanging in the shed looked fantastic on ebay.   Perfect grip like new all for $25AUD buy it now. I snapped it up so noone else here could.   When it arrived the plastic hub was cracked which may have happened in transit but more importantly, the spline was rusted badly.  So now it's a $25 wall ornament.  If only I asked for pics of the spline before hand.