The Right to Fleece Others Without Interference

[G B.]

I got a phone call from eBay seller "rsrjr1" one evening about 9:30. It seems Ron had his panties in a tight knot over my auction for new GM shock washers:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=001&item=110003101152&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

He felt I was hurting his eBay "marketing" of "NOS" shock washers by having an auction that revealed the washers were still available from GM for less than $4 each. I'm really not sure why he called other than to ask that I concentrate on bigger fish than him. I told him that I had in the past.

I detected a sense of entitlement in this young man. He implied there was some sort of American Right to take advantage of others with any interference. He also said it was perfectly okay to twist the phrase "New Old Stock" to include parts still available.

Our conversation was pleasant enough. As much as his thought processes reminded me of Sleazebag Willie Clinton, I didn't tell him that. I only told him I would continue to stick to the truth in my auctions. I wasn't going to waste my time doing anything I would be ashamed of, like selling brand new parts described as "NOS".

Maybe some other NCRS members think I've got a stick up my resonator about unethical eBay sellers. That's okay with me. Let me save you the cost of a phone call though. I don't intend to change my attitude. I'll always think eBay creeps with phony auction descriptions are lower than lawyers. And they can go to hell along with the Camaro they rode in on.

[Ralph Harlan]

Re: The Right to Fleece Others Without Interferenc

I like your style!

[Clem Z.]

i was kicked off of the corvette forum for

doing the same thing posting that what the guy was selling was available for GM for free as a TSB.at least thay do not kick you off of e bay.

[Norm C.]

Re: The Right to Fleece Others Without Interferenc

Right On Jerry!!!!

Since other entities have "adopted" NCRS style/standards, wouldn't it be great if NCRS had a published "base line of definitions" of NOS, OEM, Original New, Original Used etc.

If Corvette part buyers could reference a base of "definitions" we would have a leg up on knowing what we're buying, and more clearly identify who present their products accurately or at least both buyer and seller would be referencing the same definition. Seller's/Ebay/Others won't necessarily at first adopt these definitions, but Corvette part buyers could certainly ask the seller if the part they are describing/selling meets the NCRS definition.

I would bet in a year, it would become a standard with honorable sellers in the automotive parts business. It would seem it would give them a leg up on their competition if they described every part per "NCRS" definition. Wouldn't we as Corvette part buyers, tend to go with them first? If any of the NCRS guru's/judging board see value in this, I, & I bet lots of others would be willing to assist in any way I can to have this become a reality.

BTW,, PartsSuperStore is right up there with the leaders on very deceptive descriptions of their parts,,, many buyers have commented that "made to GM standards" turns out to be off shore repro's. NOS to them seems to mean its been on their shelf for over 30 days.

[John M.]

Re: The Right to Fleece Others Without Interferenc

Amen brother Jerry! The term "NOS" has just been so completely corrupted that it mans almost nothing in an Ebay description anymore!

Regards, John McGraw

[Donald T.]

Re: The Right to Fleece Others Without Interferenc

NCRS already has a definition of terms. It's under the link "NCRS lingo defined" and includes terms like NOS. I don't know that the problem is having a common definition of terms. I think we all know what NOS is and what it is not. The problem is unethical sellers using these terms to take advantage of others.

I'm with Jerry on this one. I'm amazed how many sellers place such a small price on their own integrity.

[Steve Antonucci]

Re: The Right to Fleece Others Without Interferenc

Hey Jerry!

How did the other eBay seller get your phone number anyway? eBay shouldn't
let that out.

I'm with you on this one as well. Let's just ease up on the Camaro references.
All Camaro owners aren't stuck in the "hype". Just seems the idiots wih more
money than brains have changed the dynamic. I love my big block Camaro, but
I'd never pay $80,000 for one today...

BTW, I once had it out with a guy on eBay over the NOS definition. He was
selling an item as NOS that was clearly reproduction. He said that NOS stood
for: Not Original Stuff

Here's a better one: If you search on Yenko, COPO, etc., you will find all
kinds of stuff not original to those particular cars. Think of it like this.
All over this country you often see "Philadelphia Style Cheese Steak" on the
menu at a given restaurant. As one that grew up in the Philly area, I know
exactly what a real Philly cheese steak is. 99 out of 100 times these
"Philly-like" cheese steaks are only that in name. I'm sure many of you have
experienced this as well.

People will always use the hallmark phrase to get your attention. You won't
stop it. None of us will. Boards like this are helpful in getting the word
out to the masses ( so to speak ).

Steve

[lyndon sharpton]

Re: The Right to Fleece Others Without Interferenc

yeah, this has been going on some time on eBay. saying it is NOS and you can see the new style GM box! some people are just that lowdown!

[Steve Antonucci]

Re: The Right to Fleece Others Without Interferenc

Lyndon,

Here's a good indicator for you. I have seens dozens of eBay auctions in which
an old-original NOS part box was prominently displayed. However, you later
learn that the box does not go with the auction. Care to wonder why?

Steve

[Jack H.]

eBay WILL release phone numbers...

subject to certain restrictions (you'll have to 'wade' through their help screens to see the specific conditions). One of the conditions is the requesting party had a bona fide transaction with the requested party...

[Rob Dame]

Re: The Right to Fleece Others Without Interferenc

Jerry listed his phone number in his ad. Rob

[G B.]

My phone number is sorta unlisted.

Well, except for in the local Telephone Directory, all my eBay auctions, my NCRS Profile, my print ads, various internet search engines, and my secret website, www.jerrybramlett.net.

Please keep that to yourself.

[Verne Frantz]

Re: The Right to Fleece Others Without Interferenc

Steve,
In some cases I think that practice is legit. If the package quantity is 5 pieces and the seller wants to sell them one at a time, he needs to display the box in the ad to help prove the part is legit. No matter how honest the seller is, four buyers are not going to get a box. But he needs to state that in each auction.
Verne

[Harmon C.]

Re: The Right to Fleece Others Without Interferenc

They have been selling NOS parts on E-Bay that they have not ordered from the GM dealer yet. If the buyer never checked the GM dealer for the part and paid a price he liked why should I care it's his money. No different than getting people drunk at the auto auctions and selling overpriced cars. I have never sold on E-bay but I have bought some nice parts.

Lyle

[Dale P.]

Re: The Right to Fleece Others Without Interferenc

This simply comes down to good vs evil, honest vs the dishonest and the list goes on and on. This can be applied to dealers, ebayers, private sellers and yes even some NCRS memebers .. it seems if there is a dollar to be made by simply twisting the truth or maybe "creating" some "lost" documentation then "what the heck" no harm no foul ... as long as the prices for the older corvettes continue to increase this will continue to happen and no one can stop it ... I have seen this first hand .. I have been into Corvettes since 1970 .. and my first Corvette was "restored" by a well known person from FL .. it is amasing what a restoration will do ... it went from a small block to a fully documented big block and even changed colors! EVEN MADE IT THROUGH NCRS JUDGING! .. NO ONE cares ... not the one who did the restoration, nor any of the owners since .. they just keep passing the car on as a docuemnted Big Block and ever few years I run into it.
So if "they" are doing it with entire cars .. you can bet your bottom dollar they are going to do it with every part that goes to any Corvette .. NOS, orginal, POP, full documentation ... at one time that meant something .. now there are just words .. BUYERS BEWARE!