Warning: Do not buy parts from EBay seller
10-09-17, 02:38 PM
#1
Warning: Do not buy parts from EBay seller
I have a 2001 Lexus RX300 that started to get a check engine rich code. Through research I found the sensor that needed replacement. I usually work on my cars myself and for the most part it works out. I wanted to go with a new OEM Denso Air fuel sensor and found one for a great price; about $55. This was at least $30 cheaper than the next most expensive one for sale.
I bought from EBay member Cool-Angel (Tom), from Hong Kong. I should've never trusted but he had great reviews so I went ahead with it. I made sure that the ad indicated the exact sensor I needed. The part came quick and it was a 10min install. I reset the CEL with my scan tool and started it up. Perfect! I let it run for about 5min. No issues. Later that night I went grocery shopping with my son and out of no where the truck goes into limp mod with flashing CEL and VSC. I was less than 1mile away so I figured I could limp home. Suddenly there was a loud pop. I immediately pulled over and turned the truck off. No issues under the hood but when I looked underneath the exhaust manifold area was cherry red blistering hot! I right away thought my cats just got fried from that stupid part. Leading up to that point before installing the new air fuel sensor the truck drove fine, just ate a bit more gas and had one CEL code; bank 1 rich.
I had it towed to my mechanic. The next day they told me that the sensor I installed was either no good or no made for the truck. He replaced that sensor with a brand new Denso one (from dealer) as well as bank 2 since he said that was bad as well. No more CEL and truck has been running great since. So, had I received the proper working part initially the worst that could've happened was the rich code would've stayed on indicating the other bank needs replacement as well. So, my mechanic bill was $700 for diagnostics, the 2 sensors, labor and tax.
I mentioned this to the seller and after several emails he finally sent me a return receipt where I sent his bad sensor back to him. He refunded the $55 back to me which would be obvious to me or I would simply dispute the charge but I indicated he has some responsibility in this. I wouldn't have incurred this large cost if I would've received the right part the first time around. He is not acknowledging any responsibility and has rejected my request for some monetary reimbursement; even $100. It's the principle of it.
So I vowed to leave negative feedback and tell my story wherever I can so that others don't have issues like I did. You could roll the dice, take a chance and it might work out but this is a warning about this seller.
Thanks for reading
-Nick
I bought from EBay member Cool-Angel (Tom), from Hong Kong. I should've never trusted but he had great reviews so I went ahead with it. I made sure that the ad indicated the exact sensor I needed. The part came quick and it was a 10min install. I reset the CEL with my scan tool and started it up. Perfect! I let it run for about 5min. No issues. Later that night I went grocery shopping with my son and out of no where the truck goes into limp mod with flashing CEL and VSC. I was less than 1mile away so I figured I could limp home. Suddenly there was a loud pop. I immediately pulled over and turned the truck off. No issues under the hood but when I looked underneath the exhaust manifold area was cherry red blistering hot! I right away thought my cats just got fried from that stupid part. Leading up to that point before installing the new air fuel sensor the truck drove fine, just ate a bit more gas and had one CEL code; bank 1 rich.
I had it towed to my mechanic. The next day they told me that the sensor I installed was either no good or no made for the truck. He replaced that sensor with a brand new Denso one (from dealer) as well as bank 2 since he said that was bad as well. No more CEL and truck has been running great since. So, had I received the proper working part initially the worst that could've happened was the rich code would've stayed on indicating the other bank needs replacement as well. So, my mechanic bill was $700 for diagnostics, the 2 sensors, labor and tax.
I mentioned this to the seller and after several emails he finally sent me a return receipt where I sent his bad sensor back to him. He refunded the $55 back to me which would be obvious to me or I would simply dispute the charge but I indicated he has some responsibility in this. I wouldn't have incurred this large cost if I would've received the right part the first time around. He is not acknowledging any responsibility and has rejected my request for some monetary reimbursement; even $100. It's the principle of it.
So I vowed to leave negative feedback and tell my story wherever I can so that others don't have issues like I did. You could roll the dice, take a chance and it might work out but this is a warning about this seller.
Thanks for reading
-Nick
The following users liked this post:
twsti321 (10-11-17)
10-09-17, 02:41 PM
#2
Warning: Do not buy parts from EBay seller
I have a 2001 Lexus RX300 that started to get a check engine rich code. Through research I found the sensor that needed replacement. I usually work on my cars myself and for the most part it works out. I wanted to go with a new OEM Denso Air fuel sensor and found one for a great price; about $55. This was at least $30 cheaper than the next most expensive one for sale.
I bought from EBay member Cool-Angel (Tom), from Hong Kong. I should've never trusted but he had great reviews so I went ahead with it. I made sure that the ad indicated the exact sensor I needed. The part came quick and it was a 10min install. I reset the CEL with my scan tool and started it up. Perfect! I let it run for about 5min. No issues. Later that night I went grocery shopping with my son and out of no where the truck goes into limp mod with flashing CEL and VSC. I was less than 1mile away so I figured I could limp home. Suddenly there was a loud pop. I immediately pulled over and turned the truck off. No issues under the hood but when I looked underneath the exhaust manifold area was cherry red blistering hot! I right away thought my cats just got fried from that stupid part. Leading up to that point before installing the new air fuel sensor the truck drove fine, just ate a bit more gas and had one CEL code; bank 1 rich.
I had it towed to my mechanic. The next day they told me that the sensor I installed was either no good or no made for the truck. He replaced that sensor with a brand new Denso one (from dealer) as well as bank 2 since he said that was bad as well. No more CEL and truck has been running great since. So, had I received the proper working part initially the worst that could've happened was the rich code would've stayed on indicating the other bank needs replacement as well. So, my mechanic bill was $700 for diagnostics, the 2 sensors, labor and tax.
I mentioned this to the seller and after several emails he finally sent me a return receipt where I sent his bad sensor back to him. He refunded the $55 back to me which would be obvious to me or I would simply dispute the charge but I indicated he has some responsibility in this. I wouldn't have incurred this large cost if I would've received the right part the first time around. He is not acknowledging any responsibility and has rejected my request for some monetary reimbursement; even $100. It's the principle of it.
So I vowed to leave negative feedback and tell my story wherever I can so that others don't have issues like I did. You could roll the dice, take a chance and it might work out but this is a warning about this seller.
Thanks for reading
-Nick
I bought from EBay member Cool-Angel (Tom), from Hong Kong. I should've never trusted but he had great reviews so I went ahead with it. I made sure that the ad indicated the exact sensor I needed. The part came quick and it was a 10min install. I reset the CEL with my scan tool and started it up. Perfect! I let it run for about 5min. No issues. Later that night I went grocery shopping with my son and out of no where the truck goes into limp mod with flashing CEL and VSC. I was less than 1mile away so I figured I could limp home. Suddenly there was a loud pop. I immediately pulled over and turned the truck off. No issues under the hood but when I looked underneath the exhaust manifold area was cherry red blistering hot! I right away thought my cats just got fried from that stupid part. Leading up to that point before installing the new air fuel sensor the truck drove fine, just ate a bit more gas and had one CEL code; bank 1 rich.
I had it towed to my mechanic. The next day they told me that the sensor I installed was either no good or no made for the truck. He replaced that sensor with a brand new Denso one (from dealer) as well as bank 2 since he said that was bad as well. No more CEL and truck has been running great since. So, had I received the proper working part initially the worst that could've happened was the rich code would've stayed on indicating the other bank needs replacement as well. So, my mechanic bill was $700 for diagnostics, the 2 sensors, labor and tax.
I mentioned this to the seller and after several emails he finally sent me a return receipt where I sent his bad sensor back to him. He refunded the $55 back to me which would be obvious to me or I would simply dispute the charge but I indicated he has some responsibility in this. I wouldn't have incurred this large cost if I would've received the right part the first time around. He is not acknowledging any responsibility and has rejected my request for some monetary reimbursement; even $100. It's the principle of it.
So I vowed to leave negative feedback and tell my story wherever I can so that others don't have issues like I did. You could roll the dice, take a chance and it might work out but this is a warning about this seller.
Thanks for reading
-Nick
10-10-17, 12:12 PM
#4
Lexus Test Driver
I just purchased some parts from eBay but I always make sure it's a Lexus dealer (belllexusnorthscottsdale) and of course it's true OEM parts. Btw, I've sold on eBay before and if the seller refunded your purchase price that's as far as they are (legally) required to go. After that, what you choose to do is up to you.
10-10-17, 03:12 PM
#5
I just purchased some parts from eBay but I always make sure it's a Lexus dealer (belllexusnorthscottsdale) and of course it's true OEM parts. Btw, I've sold on eBay before and if the seller refunded your purchase price that's as far as they are (legally) required to go. After that, what you choose to do is up to you.
As a merchant if you sell a part that's not made for the car depicted in the ad you should be responsible (or at least partially) for the catastrophic effects it causes.
In my case, it was my wife's truck that she needed for work and couldn't spend time finding new OEM sensors for a better deal. The mechanic just installed them without calling me first which was also a disappointment. I would've taken the truck back with the old bad sensor in (with the rich code) and at my leisure wouldve purchase the (2) sensors needed on my own for a better price and do the installation myself. I probably would've saved $400.
10-11-17, 10:21 AM
#6
I can see a Lexus dealer charging that kind of money but an independent should be less. Having said that, the only specialist Lexus independent in my area also charges dealership prices. So I go to the dealer, get free cookies and drinks and a free loaner and car wash.
Trending Topics
10-11-17, 04:44 PM
#8
Lexus Test Driver
SaiyanGS3, RockAuto is FAR from infallible.
Back in 2010, I purchased a number of front-end parts for my 1995 Mercedes E320 (W124) because I'd gotten a new job and needed a solid commuter for 60 mi./day, RT.
I wrestled for a solid day with the lower control arms, but they just would not clear the brake discs properly. They'd clear, but barely.
Time was getting quite tight, so I drove to the closest shop I trusted to take care of putting my old LCAs back in, aligning it, and having it ready for commuting time.
Turns out for 1994 and 1995,the lower control arms were different because of larger brake rotors. This was documented by Mercedes, but difficult to uncover.
RockAuto claimed they worked from 1986-1995, the entire W124 production run. No, that is incorrect.
I returned them with a VERY detailed explanation as to why they don't fit.
After a few weeks, oh, what's this on my front porch? RockAuto returned them to me, with the explanation they'd never had a complaint, previously, and that the company which "made" them (an importer) had all kinds of resources I didn't to make certain they fit properly.
It was utter and complete BS. They will never, ever, get another cent of my money.
Amazon is my online go-to, and if I need it locally, NAPA or Autozone, depending on who has it.
IOW, don't trust RockAuto, blindly.
Back in 2010, I purchased a number of front-end parts for my 1995 Mercedes E320 (W124) because I'd gotten a new job and needed a solid commuter for 60 mi./day, RT.
I wrestled for a solid day with the lower control arms, but they just would not clear the brake discs properly. They'd clear, but barely.
Time was getting quite tight, so I drove to the closest shop I trusted to take care of putting my old LCAs back in, aligning it, and having it ready for commuting time.
Turns out for 1994 and 1995,the lower control arms were different because of larger brake rotors. This was documented by Mercedes, but difficult to uncover.
RockAuto claimed they worked from 1986-1995, the entire W124 production run. No, that is incorrect.
I returned them with a VERY detailed explanation as to why they don't fit.
After a few weeks, oh, what's this on my front porch? RockAuto returned them to me, with the explanation they'd never had a complaint, previously, and that the company which "made" them (an importer) had all kinds of resources I didn't to make certain they fit properly.
It was utter and complete BS. They will never, ever, get another cent of my money.
Amazon is my online go-to, and if I need it locally, NAPA or Autozone, depending on who has it.
IOW, don't trust RockAuto, blindly.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post