browsing eBay for W116 - tips, tricks

[floyd111]

Getting good results on eBay isn't that easy.
For one, I find there is barely a NOS item on eBay that I can not buy cheaper, brand new from MB
The only time I -sometimes- get lucky, is when I use eBay to it's full potential
If you are browsing for an English keyword in ebay.COM via a USA server, you are most likely missing out on 100 other countries offers.
The same goes for me in Taiwan, and so it would in your own territory.
The size of that problem is very confusing to define, because the "offers from international sellers" banner that often appears, seems to appease those fears.
Do not be fooled.

So, try similar English searches in the biggest other countries' eBay sites, like .AU, .DE, .CO.UK, .IT, .ES, etc.
Google translate, or Chrome does the translation for your results, but searching for foreign, translated keywords is essential as well.
Another trick: use your regular Google search page and try your eBay searches, English and foreign words.
It opens up countless "small advert" eBay pages worldwide, and for us especially, German "Kleinanzeigen" can be of great help finding sellers that are not squeezing the system to a max.

[wbrian63]

Good points, all. I've been trolling eBay for years amassing the parts for #521.

Have gotten some amazing deals, but one must be patient and willing to strike while the iron is hot.

The frustration I have is with eBay sellers that violate the terms of the listing policies by creating repeating auctions for the same part that fits a wide range of models. This is typically the tactic of "parts store" sellers that are offering generic replacements.

I have a set of stored searches that I've modified over time to exclude the noise that comes with a standard search. For instance, if I just search Mercedes 6.9, I get 31,147 hits. If I modify that search to mercedes 6.9 -bolts -tire -107 -("car cover") -shark -w100 -dorman -remy -oxygen -android -ford the hit count drops to 13,335. That's still a lot, and there is still quite a bit of junk in the result, but it gets rid of a bunch of stuff I'm not interested in, or is not really related to a MB 6.9.

[slfan]

Great Ebay search tip.  Thanks!

[wbrian63]

Speaking of being patient. Yesterday, I snagged a right-rear window regulator, new in the box, original MB part for

$135.00US, including shipping.

MB still sells these, but they list for $370, if I recall.

Just gotta be patient.

OH - and one other thing - get a subscription to EPC (www.epc.startekinfo.com) - the MB online parts catalog. It may be more difficult for overseas users, but here in the US, it's dead simple.

Why? Because it allows you to verify part #'s. For instance, the auction for the aforementioned regulator stated that it was for the left-hand rear door, when it's actually for the right-hand rear.

I need both, so it doesn't matter, but it still pays to be informed.

[floyd111]

Oh no... that is not fair!
I just received a shipping quote from that seller, and when I clicked on the buy-now button, it vanished in front of my eyes.
That was my window regulator.. sniff, sniff.

[wbrian63]

You can have my old one 

[floyd111]

MB just lowered the prices for those units last week! 195usd, new in the box now...hehehe!