Won ebay auction at 60K for E90 M3, BMW of Lincoln refusing to honor

[Chris_Lee]

I joined to show my support in this situation. This type of unethical business behavior needs to be rooted out of ebay. I sent a emial to the GM to show my support. All that read this and are shocked by Huskers ebay activities should do the same. If I had bid $80000 on the car and won the auction they sure would be expecting me to pay up. Here is the message that I sent:

Subject: Attn: Fil Catania.....Unethical business practices.

In reference to ebay auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ksid=p3907.m32

It has been brought to my attention that Husker Auto Group have refused to sell the winning bidder of ebay auction 230233277471. The auction was for a 2008 BMW M3 Sedan. If you list an item for sale on ebay and there is a winning bid. You have entered into a contract with that person and are required to complete the sale. Your behavior reflects poorly on your dealerships business ethics and negatively impacts all dealerships all across the country trying to conduct fair auctions on ebay. If this is how Husker Auto Group does business, please refrain from selling anymore automobiles on ebay. Husker Auto Group should be ashamed of their behavior in this situation. We in the ebay community expect Husker Auto Group to do what is right in this unfortunate situation.

A Concern ebayer

[Spazdoc]

Originally Posted by ganjadude

im sorry but the way i see it, i just did the SAME EXACT thing they did to him. nothing more nothing less. im all against sending them spam or harassing them in other manors, but what i di was not a big deal, other than it killed the employees time and stifled their productivity. i do feel bad for jeff though, he was a legit nice guy and he didnt try and screw me (i sell cars myself)

This is the sort of thing that can hurt Dooma in the end. By trying these antics, mailbombing, and sending threats, you are steeling their defenses against Dooma's cause. He is still in the midst of negotiations, and this sort of action can be viewed to legitimize their treatment of Dooma.

Of course, it does not hurt to let the dealership know how far their bad press has reached.

[hacman]

Just throwing my support into the ring here.

[kingdaviswaco]

vantuylgroup.com

Phone:
Kansas: 913-895-0200
Texas: 972-560-3300

Maybe it's time to talk to the manager's manager (or at least let them know what's going on with their crappy dealership service...)

[achien]

You should start taking logic classes mooseman.

The analogies you stated below are "apples to apples" comparisons (dollar vs. dollar), with no other factors involved.

What you have here is a commodity (M3) and a price (in dollars). The OP here does not know what kind of conditions the M3 is in, knowing he is bidding for a $68k car for a $60k price. He is willing to take the risks that this $7k difference could be a Demo car, a car that did not pass BMW QA, or a previously driven car by BMW employees.

Originally Posted by mooseman

I know this is my first post, and the only thing I have in common, apparently, with any of you is that I own a BMW, which I enjoy driving.

But, as far as this situation goes, here is my take: I find the whole ordeal disgusting. I've been to a restaurant where the waiter gave me change for $100 when I paid with a $50. Naturally I returned the money. I've been at the bank where the teller gave me more money than the check I cashed. I obviously returned the money.

Here, we have a very analogous situation. You were bidding on the car with full knowledge that the vehicle was listed for less than invoice. You knew it was most likely a mistake. Did you e-mail the lister to find out if they intended to sell it under invoice? No, you wanted to profit from the mistake of another.

Now you want to post in here about how the dealer "screwed" you. Although I don't know what they have "cost" you in refusing to "honor" what was obviously a mistake on part of an agent of their organization. Rather than sympathize with the poor bastard who might lose his job in this worsening economy, all you can do is pout and pitch a tantrum like a 4 year old.

Seriously, and what is worse the constant support from others in here who believe that you are somehow "owed" that deal. Am I the only person who find you a morally reprehensible spoiled brat?

No wonder I never get anywhere in this world. I'm too worried about morals, ethics, principles, empathy and the other useless traits that tend to keep good guys down.

Good luck with your purchase, I hope you get your car, but it won't be worth what you paid for it, namely your humanity.

[UsedCarSalesmanwCombOver]

Ganjadude probably works for the dealership.

[KL2DC]

OP, stick to the fight!

I am very astounded and touched by all the support/help dooma has received from all over. This is what a community is about.

Good luck with everything.

[hak87]

Keep your head up son... The Cornhuskers definatly don't like anyone from California after what USC did to them last year... Porn V Corn

[Doesn't Drive]

So... the salesman left a voice mail saying they won't honour the deal...
Time for OP to up the ante. Call a lawyer, local media, etc.

As for the other helpful folk harassing the dealership, it's not helping, as much fun as it may be.

[Gig103]

"How reassuring is it to know that their credibility was only worth $5000"

[gobuffs]

Long time BMW owner...active on BMW forums, first post on here...

Originally Posted by NavNurs

I confess I have only read through page 16 and have a question to pose. Why has this caused such a massive response? What is the symbolism? Why have I, perhaps like many, had such a passionate reaction to a story which may not even be true?

In a word...karma. Over the past 10 years the economy has been so good that the supply of M3s has been less than demand and the dealers could charge $10k, $20k, $50k, $150k (Z8) over sticker and get those prices. Now that the economy sucks it is a bit of revenge for the buyers. I have said for years that the dealers that tried to get over sticker for cars will have problems when the economy turns...well it turned.

The dealership gambled and got bit in the ass. Unfortunately, I don't think the poster will prevail in this (even though I hope he does)....maybe this will be a precedent setting case for law on the internet?

Originally Posted by mooseman

I know this is my first post, and the only thing I have in common, apparently, with any of you is that I own a BMW, which I enjoy driving.

But, as far as this situation goes, here is my take: I find the whole ordeal disgusting. I've been to a restaurant where the waiter gave me change for $100 when I paid with a $50. Naturally I returned the money. I've been at the bank where the teller gave me more money than the check I cashed. I obviously returned the money.

Here, we have a very analogous situation. You were bidding on the car with full knowledge that the vehicle was listed for less than invoice. You knew it was most likely a mistake. Did you e-mail the lister to find out if they intended to sell it under invoice? No, you wanted to profit from the mistake of another.

Now you want to post in here about how the dealer "screwed" you. Although I don't know what they have "cost" you in refusing to "honor" what was obviously a mistake on part of an agent of their organization. Rather than sympathize with the poor bastard who might lose his job in this worsening economy, all you can do is pout and pitch a tantrum like a 4 year old.

Seriously, and what is worse the constant support from others in here who believe that you are somehow "owed" that deal. Am I the only person who find you a morally reprehensible spoiled brat?

No wonder I never get anywhere in this world. I'm too worried about morals, ethics, principles, empathy and the other useless traits that tend to keep good guys down.

Good luck with your purchase, I hope you get your car, but it won't be worth what you paid for it, namely your humanity.

This, and everyone defending this dealership as a, "mistake" is 100% wrong. Maybe this got mentioned in the last 20 pages, but EBay charges you when you set a reserve, based upon the reserve price. So it wasn't that this company "forgot" to set a reserve... this is probably their regular practice in order to avoid the EBay fees and now they're just crying and squirming because it didn't work out for them. They gambled. They lost. Too bad.

(Found via reddit, btw)

[rainsux]

> this is probably their regular practice in order to avoid the EBay fees

Incorrect. They run eBay auctions both with & without reserves.

[timsev]

[Ron21]

I just discovered something very interesting.. possible shill bidding!

Check out the bid histories for these auctions :

BMW : M3

http://offer.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/...m=230223241488

BMW : M3

http://offer.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/...m=230211917973

BMW : 5-Series

http://offer.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/...m=230216844258

Pontiac : GTO

http://offer.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/...m=230205212482

Specifically look at the "r***c" bidder. He bid on the GTO and the M3 auctions.

Then we have that "5***i" guy who bid on all 3 BMW auctions...

Look suspicious to me.

[Neu]

I drive an Audi but I'm here too support you all the way untill you got those M3 keys in your hand.

Good Luck from Sweden!

[Doesn't Drive]

Originally Posted by Keevin

You'll have to ignore mooseman.
-John.

Dirty pool, dude. Everyone's entitled to their opinion, even if it's wrong or unpopular.

[bolmedias14]

Originally Posted by Ron21

I just discovered something very interesting.. possible shill bidding!

Check out the bid histories for these for auctions :

BMW : M3

http://offer.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/...m=230223241488

BMW : M3

http://offer.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/...m=230211917973

BMW : 5-Series

http://offer.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/...m=230216844258

Pontiac : GTO

http://offer.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/...m=230205212482

Specifically look at the "r***c" bidder. He bid on the GTO and the M3 auctions.

Then we have that "5***i" guy who bid on all 3 BMW auction...

Look suspicious to me.

I actually think you have a point.

[Brookzors]

Hello from Lincoln, Nebraska!

I'm sure you can imagine, but this story has already been posted up on all the local forums. This situation is not a surprise to me at all.

Let's just say I have sources at the Lincoln Journal Star, which is the 2nd largest newspaper in Nebraska. I'll be sure to pass this story along to somebody that is itching to fill up a spot in the local news section.....

Good luck.

[Greeney]

Stick with it! If you need any help, send me a PM.

[MadDog]

Best of Luck. Don't know how it will turn out, but I don't think the dealer cares much about negative publicity.

[iluvmycsx]

just read this story saying hello from the great white north

good luck to you Dooma hope everything works out