E-Bay: Buyer Beware

As I have mentioned in a number of messages here, I bought a Hijet truck listed on eBay. The seller misrepresented numerous facts about the truck. He stated that it was a 1995 and it most definitely is not. My conclusion is that it is a 1993 or 1992. (This might have been an honest mistake.) He told me that so far as he knew, everything on the truck worked, when in fact the fuel gauge, the radio, and one of the front headlights did not work. The front tires did not work on this truck because they were too big. They had been cut and damaged by hitting the body whenever the steering wheel was turned. The seller didn't mention that the body sheetmetal had been crudely cut to accommodate the overly big wheels.

I have just completed a frustrating attempt to get Visa to give me a credit of $300, the amount I put down as a deposit. After numerous contacts with Visa customer service, including phone calls and dozens of e-mails, they have just told me that because I kept the truck, they cannot help me in any way. I did hours of research to establish that the truck was not a 1995 model and sent Visa the proof. I have no idea why they didn't tell me right away that because I am keeping the truck they could not help me. They could have told me this after my very first e-mail to them weeks ago. I can only guess that their staff is incompetent.

When I tried to complain to eBay, they wanted to sell me some kind of warranty policy. So nothing from them.

If you are prepared to return the truck and eat the shipping charge, you might get some satisfaction. I did not want to lose the $700 I paid to get the truck to me and have nothing to show for my money.

The other side of the story is that the truck does indeed run well and seems mechanically sound. It does get me up my steep, eroded logging trail. It has many features that would have cost me extra money if I had bought a stock truck right from Japan. These include a camo paint job, bedliner, brush guard, trailer hitch, three inch lift, custom wheels and big tires (I had to replace the front two), original seat covers in perfect condition, and a CD player. The body has no dents. Overall, I really like this truck very much but I would not have paid full price if I had known all the facts.

Sam

 

Yes, I left negative feedback on eBay.

Loyd Amerson, Douglas, GA. I was surprised eBay blew me off because Amerson had another vehicle listed on the site. My impression is that he works at a tire store owned by his father. Amerson Tire Company. This makes it even more puzzling how he could drive around for six months with the front tires being chewed up by the body. I noticed the very loud hitting noise as soon as the truck was delivered.

The look of the truck appealed to me very much and still does. I have not had it checked by a mechanic. To do that I will have to buy a big trailer and haul the Hijet into town.

Sam

 

Yeah I would always test drive a car before buying it. But with something like that you really can't. Sorry to hear that man. Really makes you want to go :frustration:

 

That's why it pays to buy from someone you know or in person. May cost a little more but in my opinion is worth it.

Glad you are happy with the truck overall though.