I had purchased a 1998 Ford Explorer from Lakeside Auto sales thru Ebay for $3049.in the auction description the seller listed the vehicle as "Needs NOTHING but a new owner". As I read that I figured this is perfect. I was looking for a winter vehicle so I could store my convertible.
After the auction ended I sent a 500.00 deposit via Paypal. The remaining balance I paid when I picked up the vehicle. I met the seller at a gas station to sign the paperwork and take receipt of the vehicle. After all that was done I was trying to put the key in the door locks. It didn't unlock them.
At this time the seller had returned to say "By the way the key only works in the ignition so don't lock your doors". That was red flag # 1. So I get in the vehicle and proceed to drive it home. As I leave and come to a stop light I hear a clunk coming from the rear end. Figured I would check it out when I got home.
The next thing was the engine temp gauge wouldn't get above "C"-cold and the heat wouldn't blow warm at all. The next thing I noticed is that the brake pedal had a lot of travel.
I stopped to check to fluid, all was fine. I then looked at the rotors and noticed some nasty grooves in them. I was also getting a grinding noise from the rear which I found out was due to the calipers being froze.
As I was heading home I then noticed a sound coming from the engine compartment. Come to find out the manifold was leaking/cracked. I finally arrived at home and decided to have a mechanic check it out. He found bad lower ball joints, bad thermostat and themostat sensor, and a bad u joint in the drive shaft.
The next day I went to back the Explorer out of the driveway and the reverse would not engage for 20 seconds. I'm in my upper 30's and should know better than to buy something site unseen (other than pics on Ebay) but I trusted a fellow human being and got burned. I had put the vehicle back on Ebay just to get my money back but I listed the problems.
I was then contacted by some woman named Krystal from the dealer via email. She threatened lawsuit for using the pics they used of the vehicle in their auction. I threatened to file with the better business bureau (which I have). All she could do was personally attack me and call me a liar in the email. She then made a statement of "What is it with Scott's" which tells me I'm dealing with someone not altogether there to begin with. Not sure if her ex or whatever was named Scott, lol.
Anyhow I told her I wanted no dealings with her but with the owner (s) only. I have yet to hear from them. I'm afraid they're going to try and hold the title and screw me out of selling it anytime soon (we're from Ohio so they did all the title work, I'm waiting to get it from the State but if they haven't submitted it yet it could be weeks!)
I just want people to be aware of this less than reputable dealer. The dealer goes by seller name hunko1 on Ebay. Avoid them like the plague.
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