Did I Make a Bad Purchase Again?,
Did I Make a Bad Purchase Again?,
Hey guys...I recently Paypal'ed (Friends&Family to save money like the idiot child I am, because my entire budget is like $700 to fix my cracked head) a member on here $550 for this cylinder head. Here are the photos from the post.
It was listed as from "a low mileage running 2007 r52 (33k milea), just got back from machine shop with new guide/valve seals. Good compression and leak down test before removal and engine was running strong. All clean and ready to install."
But then after the last message I got in our chain, I just got a really bad sinking feeling about this whole situation. Then I checked his message history...and all he does is for sale posts. And then one of his friends on here writes similarly to him, has very few posts (only on for sale pages), and defended him in a separate post. Here's our messages (identifying details omitted, except for his paypal account, in case anyone has dealt with the same account)...did I just get scammed? Is it too late to do something? Am I just freaking out? Do people even get scammed on here? I guess I did get scammed out of a pulley once, too...am I really this stupid? Nobody teaches you how to buy things safely online...I really can't afford a mistake like this.
It was listed as from "a low mileage running 2007 r52 (33k milea), just got back from machine shop with new guide/valve seals. Good compression and leak down test before removal and engine was running strong. All clean and ready to install."
But then after the last message I got in our chain, I just got a really bad sinking feeling about this whole situation. Then I checked his message history...and all he does is for sale posts. And then one of his friends on here writes similarly to him, has very few posts (only on for sale pages), and defended him in a separate post. Here's our messages (identifying details omitted, except for his paypal account, in case anyone has dealt with the same account)...did I just get scammed? Is it too late to do something? Am I just freaking out? Do people even get scammed on here? I guess I did get scammed out of a pulley once, too...am I really this stupid? Nobody teaches you how to buy things safely online...I really can't afford a mistake like this.
Hey [omitted]!
I just saw your FS post regarding a cylinder head with new valve guides, and I'm actually in the market right now.
Is it perchance still available? If so, would you be willing to do $450 shipped to 85308? That's the quote AllMag gave me, and I'd much rather give that money directly to a member than a big company.
Cheers,
sarom058
I just saw your FS post regarding a cylinder head with new valve guides, and I'm actually in the market right now.
Is it perchance still available? If so, would you be willing to do $450 shipped to 85308? That's the quote AllMag gave me, and I'd much rather give that money directly to a member than a big company.
Cheers,
sarom058
Good Morning sarom058,
Thanks for reaching out for the head. Unfortunately, im from Maryland and shipping to Arizona is so expensive as we are one end on each other. This item is heavy as well so that is another downside. If the Allmag offers you the price shipped, i think you should go for it......the money i spent on machine work is already chewing me much plus shipping to you.....i will lose money. Im sorry that i can't help you sarom058
Thanks for reaching out for the head. Unfortunately, im from Maryland and shipping to Arizona is so expensive as we are one end on each other. This item is heavy as well so that is another downside. If the Allmag offers you the price shipped, i think you should go for it......the money i spent on machine work is already chewing me much plus shipping to you.....i will lose money. Im sorry that i can't help you sarom058
[omitted]:
I completely understand! However, the deck on yours looks really clean, and I really like the idea of a NAM-owned cylinder head. Is the deck already milled?
If I bought AllMag's for $450, I'd probably still have to spend ~$100 on the machine work, all things considered. Is $550 shipped more reasonable? Greyhound offers a pretty sensible shipping solution. I did a quick preliminary quote from 20601 to 85308.
sarom058
I completely understand! However, the deck on yours looks really clean, and I really like the idea of a NAM-owned cylinder head. Is the deck already milled?
If I bought AllMag's for $450, I'd probably still have to spend ~$100 on the machine work, all things considered. Is $550 shipped more reasonable? Greyhound offers a pretty sensible shipping solution. I did a quick preliminary quote from 20601 to 85308.
sarom058
i would only do fedex for 4 to 5 days only.....im afraid the head will get damaged if get transported by Greyhound.....Yeah i can do 550 i won't do Greyhoundbas i am willing to pay extra forbfedex or usps at leasr they will take less time to.deliver to you and less chance of anything happen to the head.
Okay, understood. I'll think about it, double check all my options, and get back to you tonight. But in all likelihood I will be making the purchase tonight. Paypal friends&family okay?
sarom058
sarom058
Understood, that's why i only wanted to offer you fedex or usps for shipping instead of Greyhound. Extra money but i have a piece of mind.
No rush, my PayPal is megiang@yahoo.com
Thanks
No rush, my PayPal is megiang@yahoo.com
Thanks
Hey [omitted]!
Been a crazy weekend, had to move money into my Paypal-linked account, and then figure out an address I can ship to (my parents' mail is , being forwarded to Washington). I'll be paypaling you tonight, along with an address.
Sorry it took so long.
sarom058
Been a crazy weekend, had to move money into my Paypal-linked account, and then figure out an address I can ship to (my parents' mail is , being forwarded to Washington). I'll be paypaling you tonight, along with an address.
Sorry it took so long.
sarom058
Sure. Pls lets me know by the end of tonight or tomorro; all of sudden I have 2 people interest in the head....much appreciate
Oh, crap! I'm doing it. I had the money in cash and I had to deposit it, you should receive $550 by the end of today from [omitted].
sarom058
sarom058
I believe I just got the payment from you sarom058? If so give me a day to pack the head.....this will be a long distance and a lot of money so I just wanted to make sure nothing will happen to the item
Absolutely, take your time! I'll send you a shipping address by the end of tomorrow. I still have to convince one of my neighbors to let me ship to their place, since my house's mail is being forwarded to Washington. 
Oh, one last thing--the head has already been checked for cracks, trueness, and milled, right? (The deck looks brilliant in the photos, I just thought I should do my due diligence before receiving it.) Do you think you could include a copy of any of the machine work receipt with the order?
When I bought my R53 from another NAM member in December, it also had a "milled block/head". It immediately started mixing oil/coolant upon returning to Arizona. When I disassembled it, it had been brillo-padded to oblivion and shantily thrown back together, so I'd like to be able to document the transformation of my humble little R53 in as thorough of a manner as possible. Maybe one day I can send that ****** a folder of what actually caring for a Mini looks like
Cheers,
sarom058
Oh, one last thing--the head has already been checked for cracks, trueness, and milled, right? (The deck looks brilliant in the photos, I just thought I should do my due diligence before receiving it.) Do you think you could include a copy of any of the machine work receipt with the order?
When I bought my R53 from another NAM member in December, it also had a "milled block/head". It immediately started mixing oil/coolant upon returning to Arizona. When I disassembled it, it had been brillo-padded to oblivion and shantily thrown back together, so I'd like to be able to document the transformation of my humble little R53 in as thorough of a manner as possible. Maybe one day I can send that ****** a folder of what actually caring for a Mini looks like
Cheers,
sarom058
To ensure the head is in working order. The machine performed a pressure tested before they released the head to me....so all good. All seal up, no crack and flat to spec....its really nice. I will wrap rocker arms, cam and head all separately.....I will lube pick on cam and rocker arms as well so dont be surprised. Thanks much man
Oh, awesome! Thank you so much for going the extra mile. Is there a receipt you could scan and black-out important information on and include, as well? I'm planning on selling the car eventually and I want to make sure everything is well documented.
sarom058
Is there a receipt you could scan and black-out important information on and include, as well? I'm planning on selling the car eventually and I want to make sure everything is well documented. sarom058
You get me the address yet?
Oops! Sorry about that! Yes, please ship to:
[omitted]
Thank you so much for dealing with my delays! I really appreciate this, you're saving my poor little R53 from the scrapyard
sarom058
[omitted]
Thank you so much for dealing with my delays! I really appreciate this, you're saving my poor little R53 from the scrapyard
sarom058
Yes sir
I will have everything shipped on Friday. I need to buy more packing supply to secure the component. Tracking will be on here on Friday
I will have everything shipped on Friday. I need to buy more packing supply to secure the component. Tracking will be on here on Friday
he seems ok! I guess the question is did you get a tracking number or the item for that matter?
Worst case scenario, you call Paypal and explain the issue. they might refund the money to you.
On another note, the head shipping is in the range of $50 priority USPS
the head (although mine is from an 08 S and without cams) weighs about 36Lbs.
The only thing I see that might be of concern is spelling and grammar on his side. Sometimes a giveaway for foreign scammer. Other than that I didn't see anything to be concerned with. He may also need to wait for PayPal funds to "clear" so might be a slight delay and then of course the packaging and shipping time. How long ago did you send money and provide him you address? Like MiniToBe said - I would ask for tracking number ASAP. If you don't get a reply then I would be concerned.
Good luck!
Good luck!
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,391
Likes: 576
From: earth PNW
I have no idea if this will be a problem transaction. But here are some simple rules I follow:
Never buy from a new poster with no history.
Never buy from someone who only sells stuff.
Never buy online with money you can't afford to lose.
Never buy things online from individuals that might not work and can't be returned.
Never buy heavy large items that cost a lot to ship and returning would cause big financial loss if you had to send it back.
etc. etc.
btw- spelling and grammar isn't a give away, many people in this country have issues, oddly most people I know from other countries are flawless in English compared to most natively born Americans.
Never buy from a new poster with no history.
Never buy from someone who only sells stuff.
Never buy online with money you can't afford to lose.
Never buy things online from individuals that might not work and can't be returned.
Never buy heavy large items that cost a lot to ship and returning would cause big financial loss if you had to send it back.
etc. etc.
btw- spelling and grammar isn't a give away, many people in this country have issues, oddly most people I know from other countries are flawless in English compared to most natively born Americans.
Woah...thank you so much guys. I was really worried, and I'll be sure to remain vigilant. In retrospect, he's been responding very transparently, and he justified why there is no receipt for the work done.
^^ This is very true! I guess I let my fear of losing money affect my perception. He's being really transparent (minus the receipt).
^^ This is very true! I guess I let my fear of losing money affect my perception. He's being really transparent (minus the receipt).
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5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 648
Likes: 38
From: Chicago
Also - it's $15. Spend the extra 3% to save yourself a lot of potential headache, but I'm sure you know that at this point
