Here is the text of the E-bay auction listing for a Chevy truck dash board pad for which I bid $207 (and paid $20 in shipping):
"this is a new complete dash pad, not an overlay. You must remove your old dash pad to install this new one. For trucks with or without a/c. You must use your existing trim piece that comes off and will be a block off plate or have vents. It is black in color made in the usa by gm restoration parts. This pad retails for over $400!!! Get this pad at a great price. Ships oversize ups."
The dash was not made by "GM restoration parts", it was made by Dashes Direct (www.dashesdirect.com), there was a flier from them in the package, and their name is imprinted under the dash. I don't know if this was a factory reject or what, but the quality is extremely poor and could not be used (the trim from my original dash fit with a 1/4" gap and the A/C vents were so tight they could not move.) Regardless, the listing is blatantly fraudulent because dashesdirect.com lists the suggested retail at $239, nowhere near $400. $400 is about right for an actual GM dash, which is what I thought I'd be getting.
The part about $400 is a blatant lie, and the rest is extremely deceptive. An honest ad would say "urethane replacement dash pad". If I had seen that, I would not have bid. I'm well aware that these are available for approximately $200.
Here's the E-mail exchange:
Me:
"Re: E-bay #*
The auction said 'made in the USA by GM reproduction parts'. What does that mean? The part I received looks like a urethane replacement. Am I missing something? Since you said it 'retails for over $400' I figured it would be an OE replacement, but I can get urethane dashboards for around $200 all over the place. This is misleading.
Let me know if I'm off base."
TPP:
"This is made in the USA and is a licensed GM restoration part. I don't understand the confusion.
Thank You,
The Parts Place"
Me:
"I admit I didn't look into it, but doesn't the wording imply that there is an entity called 'GM restoration parts'? This implies that this entity 'made' the part. Can you point to a single retailer where this part retails for over $400?"
TPP:
(No response)
Finally, me:
"I'm very unhappy with the quality of this product, I'd like to send it back for a refund."
TPP:
"As our auctions say, all Ebay sales are final.
Thank You,
The Parts Place"
How's that for service?
Incidentally, I believe but cannot prove that this guy is pumping up his private auctions by bidding himself.
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