I hate ebay

[Motorrad]

Why is it .. every time I use ebay.. I get burned somehow?!

Bought some Cometic Oil Seals... Because they were a good price, and listed as NEW..

well they showed up today..

Outer edge is rusty.. Bag open.. and the kicker... the date code on the lable states they are 6 and a HALF years old...

all good till you look up the shelf life and storage of nitrile seals... and find out that under GOOD storage conditions (humidity, sunlight, etc etc).. 5 years is the shelf life...    UGGGG.. Stupid people should be shot.

[maddoggy]

hope they didn't cost you much. some real doozies on ebay. some people have no pride or shame.

[1989kawasaki]

i never had a problem on ebay, well except for one, i ordered a tranny for an 89 kx250, well when i got it, it was for an 89 kx125 !!!!! 6 GEARS!!! i had to open a claim on paypal just to see my refund

[sandblaster]

I know how you all feel.
I bought some new NOS clutch plates and they were all corroded.
However, the difference between a good dealer and a bad one, the good dealer will make good on his mistakes.
Of course a bad one wont.
So, look for dealers who have a long business record with a lot of feedback and a high rating.
Here's some examples.
99.9% positive  = 1 person in a thousand was unhappy enough to leave a negative. 
99.5% positive = 5 people in a thousand were unhappy enough to leave a negative. 
99% positive  = 1 person in a hundred were unhappy enough to leave a negative. 
When I buy I look for sellers around 99.5 or higher.
If you have ever sold anything retail you will soon realize that you can't make everyone happy no matter how hard you try.
Just food for thought 

[maddoggy]

very true sandblaster, however the people selling crap on ebay know they are doing it but don't care. good thing for them that they can hide behind their computer when they put the screws to the buyer. i agree on the feedback thing. i don't buy from anyone that has less than 99% pos feedback. i realize that no seller will ever make 100% of the customers happy but 99% of 100 is good enough for me. there is bound to be at least 1 jerk in a crowd of 100 buyers. i learned my lesson a few years ago and will not forget anytime soon. i never realized that you were oem-cycle on ebay, cool. i will check with you next time i need something. i don't mind giving my business to the stand up guy. i wish nothing but success for you.

[kaw rider]

Motorrad

I will try and tread lightly. With the issue you are having would spending a acouple dollars be worth it with those seal being in a blind hole you can't replace like you can do on a honda and etc. For what you paid you could have bought oem seals for that price. I try to use oem parts 99.9% of the time.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KAWASAKI-KX500-1983-00-OIL-SEAL-KIT-COMETIC-C7659-2-PC-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35a73fff78QQitemZ230439255928QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

At dealer oem seals are

92050  SKU: 92050-057
SEAL-OIL 2 $10.16

[sandblaster]

very true sandblaster, however the people selling crap on ebay know they are doing it but don't care. good thing for them that they can hide behind their computer when they put the screws to the buyer. i agree on the feedback thing. i don't buy from anyone that has less than 99% pos feedback. i realize that no seller will ever make 100% of the customers happy but 99% of 100 is good enough for me. there is bound to be at least 1 jerk in a crowd of 100 buyers. i learned my lesson a few years ago and will not forget anytime soon. i never realized that you were oem-cycle on ebay, cool. i will check with you next time i need something. i don't mind giving my business to the stand up guy. i wish nothing but success for you.

Thanks.
Just be sure to let me know who you are before you buy and that you are a KX Riders member.
I can do you some good.
And, I fully stand behind my stuff unlike so many other who do not 

[Motorrad]

Motorrad

I will try and tread lightly. With the issue you are having would spending a acouple dollars be worth it with those seal being in a blind hole you can't replace like you can do on a honda and etc. For what you paid you could have bought oem seals for that price. I try to use oem parts 99.9% of the time.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KAWASAKI-KX500-1983-00-OIL-SEAL-KIT-COMETIC-C7659-2-PC-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35a73fff78QQitemZ230439255928QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

At dealer oem seals are

92050  SKU: 92050-057
SEAL-OIL 2 $10.16

Not going to hurt my feelings... No need to tread light. Im a big boy..

I have had VERY bad luck in the past with OEM seals (not on a KX500).. as you never know how long they have been sitting on dealer shelfs..  especially from a motorcycle that has used the same parts since 1988.. and hasnt been made since 2004...
Thats the reason I was going with COmetic.. as they date code all their stuff...

Like going to a parts house for a rear main seal for a 350 (2piece rear seal)   they bring it out to you as they are blowing the 6" of dust off, as the box falls appart, the dust being the only thing holding it together.

Perhapse kawasaki is better about that then the manufactures I have had issues with in the past... just scares me a little bit.. thats all

[kaw rider]

nice thing about my dealer is they don't stock nothing so the parts come from the warehouse and the bags looks new.

[sandblaster]

Hating eBay goes both ways.
Here is a great example of what sellers go through.
The following is emails I received and how my manager replied to each one.
I am not giving out the user name,

Customer:
Hi. I recieved the package today, and the swing arm looks good aswell as the brake arm. The only problem that I have is that I assumed the tensioner was still on the swing arm.
All I really needed was the chein tensioner, and I couldn't find one separate online so I bought what I thought was a complete swing arm just to get the tensioner.
Do you still have the tensioner off of it?

Chris,
---------------------
My managers reply:
Hello Chris.
I'm sorry you didn't ask first as I am always happy to answer questions and provide additional pictures.
I sold the guide from this bike.
I have found that the following bikes used the same guide:
FITS 81-83 RM125 RM250, 81-82 RM465, 83 RM500
I checked and neither I nor any of our affiliates have one that will fit.
However, there are several on eBay right now.
I saw several for the 125 RM's so I didn't bother going any further.
Sincerely,
Joe
----------------------
Customer:
I was talking about the chain tensionners at the ends that move the axle back and forth to adjust chain tension.
----------------------
My managers reply:
I believe the axle adjustment blocks have also sold.
I'll check it and get back to you.
Joe
----------------------
Then as a follow up:
Hello.
As I suspected, those parts have sold.
After doing the interchangeability of all those parts I have found that these two models are 100% compatible:
1981 RM250X
1981 RM465X
I was only able to locate one on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUZUKI-RM465-RM250-RM125-X-1981-CHAIN-ADJUSTER-NEW-OEM-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem25608d55e7QQitemZ160533665255QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
Sometimes the part numbers are different but other parts from other years and models will still fit.
I would measure your axle OD and also the height and width of the ends of the swing arm.
Then I would ask some of the sellers that have them for the 81-83 RM125 and RM250 if theirs measures the same.
I'm betting that they will but I have never tried it.
Let me know if I can help further.
Joe

My managers follow up:
Here is a list of the interchangeability of all the pieces as taken from www.bikebandit.com:
35-1:
ADJUSTER CHAIN
1106237
(511248-001) Enter
0-99 $15.71
1981 RM250X
1981 RM465X

36:
DISCONTINUED
1106392
(730034-001) Enter
0-99 $6.32
1981 RM250X
1981 RM465X
1982 RM465Z
1983 RM250D
1983 RM500D

29:
SPACER CHAIN AD
1112234
(513867-001) Enter
0-99 $22.92
1981 RM125X
1981 RM250X
1981 RM465X
1982 PE175Z
1982 RM125Z
1982 RM250Z
1982 RM465Z
1983 PE175D
1983 RM125D
1983 RM250D
1983 RM500D
1984 PE175E

16-1:
DISCONTINUED
1111895
(513632-001) Enter
0-99 $3.24
1981 RM125X
1981 RM250X
1981 RM465X
1982 RM125Z
1983 RM125D


17:
WASHER CH ADJ G
1112240
(513871-001) Enter
0-99 $6.44
1981 RM250X
1981 RM465X
1982 PE175Z
1982 RM250Z
1982 RM465Z
1983 PE175D
1983 RM250D
1983 RM500D
1984 PE175E


18:
DISCONTINUED
1112254
(513882-001) Enter
0-99 $7.17
1981 RM250X
1981 RM465X
1982 RM250Z
1982 RM465Z
1983 RM250D
1983 RM500D

Joe
------------------------
Customer:
I was already all over bike bandit and ebay, and nothing economical to be found.
I'll probably end up wasting another 100 bucks plus shipping on another swing arm that has them mounted.
Now I'm going to have to go way over budget on this bike.
------------------------
My managers reply:
Hello.
If I had another or some special way of getting more I would be happy to send it.
Unfortunately, I don't unless one comes rolling in the door.
Let me know how we can further help you.
------------------------
Customers reply:
I could have bought any other swing arm on ebay for the same money with the adjusters.
I couldn't quite make out if they were on it in the pic, but I assumed they would have come with it.
Now I'm 100 plus shipping deep in 2 dollars worth of scrap aluminum.
Thanks
-------------------------
My managers reply:
Hello.
It sounds like you are unhappy with us.
Yet, we have been more than up front and helpful in resolving your problem.
Our ads are clear in what is being represented.
Further all our ads say if you need better pics, to let us know.
Also, whether you think something should or should not be included, you should Always ask.
If you buy it new, every nut, bolt, and washer is sold separately.
And judging from the blocks I see for sale on eBay my guess is that most do not come with the swing arm.
So, if your unhappy and in any way think this is our fault, feel free to send it back.
You will be responsible for all shipping cost.
Or, simply use your eBay account and sell it yourself.
It is very easy.
If you don't have a digital camera I will be more than happy to send you the pics that I have for you to use.
I will need your direct email address to send them.
Sincerely,
Joe
----------------------
No further emails were received.
We did however, get a negative feedback:
Ad was decieving, and seller did little to rectify the problem.
---------------------
Our final email was this:
Hello.
That was interesting feedback you left for us.
Especially considering all we went through to try and help you.
We did this even though there was zero deception on our part (I read the ad and it is perfectly clear) and you admitted in your first email that it was your fault.
Let me quote, "The only problem that I have is that I assumed the tensioner was still on the swing arm."
There is no mention on the ad that it included anything other than the swing arm.
We looked up all the interchange information and sent it to you as well as looked though all our extensive inventory listed and not listed as well as that of all our affiliates.
We even looked up possible other sellers on eBay and told you what you needed to do to get what you need.
We even offered a full refund.
Tell me, what is it that you wanted from us so that we didn't receive such bad feedback?
This one is a real mystery to me and all my employees.
Sincerely,
Joe
---------------------
Yikes!!!!!
My manger was upset.
But I told him, "No matter how far you bend over backwards, no matter what you write in your ads, no matter how hard you try, you can't make everyone happy."
Now that I have told my tale, I'll get back to work   

[1989kawasaki]

hey oemcycle, that guy sounds like a dick, i would be so pissed if i was you in that situation. i wanna hear more stories. 

[Motorrad]

Sheesh I asked you not to put up our discussions.....


HAH..

on a good note the seal guy handled it VERY well... full refund.. .  Told me just to toss them in the trash can for him.


Wonder if Cometic has any kind of Buy back thing? exchange for new ones?

[Goat]

I doubt they would treat it like it was Sam Adams lol

[sandblaster]

A good seller can have problems.
The difference is he will take care of it and go beyond what is usually required to help someone out.
If we have a problem and I'm fairly certain it is our fault I give an immediate refund and tell them to keep the part.
Then I usually offer some kind of incentive to come and buy again.
It's not complicated.
Just treat people how you want to be treated.

[Hillclimb#42]

 I have been there. Sometimes you get trash, but sometimes you get treasure. Sandblaster makes an important point there. you HAVE to take on some responsibility to be sure you are buying something worth the money spent. You also have to use the options on the side menu along with specific searches. There's alot on there, but if you want "NEW" parts you can specify. If its used, definately ask questions. If the seller wants to slip one past the goalie, he won't answer your questions usually. The picture can be deceiving at times. Sometimes it looks like they make the price look low, but have a high shipping price too. Its not EBAY, its people. Some people suck. Check out there ratings for sure. Auctions are a gamble of quality and price. Buyers remorse or buyers rejoice. Thats EBAY.  One time I got hosed. The ad said "New KDX 200 Clutch Springs." Price was 10 Bucks. I missed that he had "5 available." So I only got one in the mail. I thought that was pretty much BS. I returned it on principle, even though it cost me more to do that than keep it. Got the set locally, at a dealer, for 15 bucks I think. The seller promised me that noone he knew on EBAY would ever sell to me again. Guess he didn't have any friends, cause I still manage to buy too much stuff.

Here are a couple recent scores for me.

Seat Cover Under $30 w/shipping
The Sprockets were 15 plus 15 s&h