GotEuroCorrado Sold me a bad turbo. Won't refund.

[Randol_8o8]

Below is from the private message between me and GotEuroCorrado. I Pm'd him expecting to take care of my issue that I was having with the turbo I bought from him only to get a reply that seems like BS to me. I was under the impression that the worst problems with the turbos he was selling was sticky vanes. To receive a bad turbo with leaking oil seals and not get any sort of help from the seller is riddiculous. I paid him $150 plus ~$60 shipping for what I thought was a working used turbo with 125 to 175k miles on it. Didn't know where I should post this but just wanted people to know what has happened to me with the transaction. I have since asked him explicitly for a refund and am awaiting a reply. Lucky for me my TDI didn't have a runaway.

Also here is the original forum post for the turbos being sold. https://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=460246

9405503699300313345842 usps

Just got the turbo in this past week and finished installing. I suspect the oil seal in the turbo is bad. Blowing tons of oil out the exhaust and white smoke. I flushed the intercooler and piping when I replaced the turbo and I expected a little bit of oil/smoke from the previous turbo but I've driven it for about 5 miles and still not getting any less oil/smoke.

Sorry to hear that. Like I said in the thread I don't really know anything about these. They were removed when bigger units were installed. I never drove the cars they were on. That's why I was selling them for 150 not 350. I'd send you another but I sold the last one yesterday.
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Ok so what happens now?

I don't have anything to offer you. I said i described in detail what I offered. I said I did not know the condition of the units and that they were takeoffs of customer cars.
I sold the part got cheap enough for the buyer to take a risk and roll the dice. I also had several known bad turbos that I gave away to a friend, those with significant shaft play. I would not list those for sale because of obvious faults.
I don't know what you could be expecting /have expected from my description and price.
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You said they were in ok condition and the worst problems was sticky vanes. Please refund my money or I'll have to open a case and let everyone on the forum know how you scammed me. People sell used working turbos all the time for 100-200 dollars when they upgrade. this should have been in working condition. Why would I have bought a bad blown turbo.

hello,
i dont like threats. if you want to open a claim, thats on you. if you want to throw my good name under the bus, thats also your option.
again, i want to point out that i listed these as used turbos that were takeoffs when upgrading customer cars. i stated that i did not drive them and dont know the history or mileage. i did state that often customers come in with turbos that have sticky vanes and that some of the units i have did have that issue. i NEVER stated that the worst that could happen is sticky vanes and i never stated that these are perfect to just toss onto a car.
i have been a contributing member here since 2004. i am also a registered vendor here with perfect feedback. i am very capable of defending myself.

 

[GotEuroCorrado]

ill say it one more time. i listed the turbos as takeoffs for bigger turbos. that means they were removed by me to install new / upgraded units. i had these because customers did not want them back. i did not drive these cars so i dont know the condition of the units. the only thing i did state was that there was minimal shaft play, which was on of the reasons why i was even offering them for sale. i priced VERY CHEAP at 150 each. $60 to ship to HI was my cost from usps. i always prefer pickup so customers can check out the part as well.

i dont recall people selling good working no issue turbos for $100-200 "all the time". it does happen , but not "all the time". if that was the case you should have bought from someone who could offer a guarantee on the turbo.

i myself just bought a used turbo for a passat from another vendor. i paid $300 and i thought that was a great deal. i did not ask for a guarantee, but i did ask the important questions
and decided to take the risk of buying used for $300. if its a bad unit, guess what, its on me. if i want a guarantee ill buy new. $300 was worth the risk.

also, you stated your car was run "low on oil and thats why u need a new turbo". i dont exactly have a ton of faith that you installed the turbo and primed it correctly. but what do i know about installing turbos...

long story short, you bought a used turbo that was listed expressly stating that the mileage and condition was unknown. that the price reflects the chance the user will take on the unit.

if you want to discuss this more in detail feel free to pm me or call me at the number listed below. i am, and have always been available for all of my customers.

 

[Vince Waldon]

Two thoughts, OP:

1) You may still be fine. Most people I know have had to drive a lot longer than 5 miles to clear the oil from a blown turbo. On both my cars it took 30-45 minutes of spirited driving late at night before all the oil was burned away, and not at a leisurely pace either. The engine has to be worked hard during the drive so that it generates a lot of exhaust heat... a runaway saturates the honeycombs of the cat beautifully.

2) Just my opinion, but *anyone* that buys a used turbo has already decided they are fine with rolling the dice on what they get... particularly one with 125-150k on it. They are a wear item, impossible to test in advance, and "look" fine whether they will last another 150K or blow tomorrow, taking an engine with them. No way for a vendor to know or warranty the condition of a used takeoff turbo... even if it was on their own car.

IMHO, of course... I have no horse in this race.

 

[Randol_8o8]

Two thoughts, OP:

1) You may still be fine. Most people I know have had to drive a lot longer than 5 miles to clear the oil from a blown turbo. On both my cars it took 30-45 minutes of spirited driving late at night before all the oil was burned away, and not at a leisurely pace either. The engine has to be worked hard during the drive so that it generates a lot of exhaust heat... a runaway saturates the honeycombs of the cat beautifully.

2) Just my opinion, but *anyone* that buys a used turbo has already decided they are fine with rolling the dice on what they get... particularly one with 125-150k on it. They are a wear item, impossible to test in advance, and "look" fine whether they will last another 150K or blow tomorrow, taking an engine with them. No way for a vendor to know or warranty the condition of a used takeoff turbo... even if it was on their own car.

IMHO, of course... I have no horse in this race.

Thanks for the tip. Against my better judgement I'll get it going on the highway again and smoke the **** out of everyone. Also I don't think that buying a used part means I should expect it not to work. It's one thing if this was sold as a core or known to be bad then I would understand but to just be vague and then when someone finds it to be bad say you won't offer them anything is messed up. The least you could do is offer a partial refund or something to make me whole again. Not to mention I spent 2 weeknights installing this turbo.

If I knew buying a used turbo meant *rolling the dice* I definitely wouldn't have bought one. I would understand if I ran the car for a few thousand miles then the turbo went bad then that's what I would consider to be fair, but to already be bad upon install is not fair.

At the very least I expect the vendor to do something and not just say that he/she has nothing to offer me.

 

[Nevada_TDI]

OP, there are a lot of good ideas here, I recently purchased a used turbo for $135.00 delivered. It had little to no shaft play and so I installed it, and drove it for a couple of months before it died. I did not contact the seller to let him know what happened, I figured "I would roll the dice" as has been said. One thing I did not do was check the discharge pipe for any oil, and I babied the engine as I was waiting on my rebuilt turbo to show up. I would suggest you check the discharge pipe for oil, and if there is little to no oil there then you may just be burning out what was in your tailpipe and your turbo isn't bad. I failed to do two things; check the discharge pipe for oil and blow it out every other day at WOT. Had I of not babied it I wouldn't have had an "oil dam" that backed up and blocked the airflow snapping the turbo shaft when I needed to accelerate into traffic. POP!, white cloud of smoke, dead turbo. Sending PM

 

[tdidieselbobny]

I think when you buy a used turbo,you take a chance. The vendor stated the condition of turbos,why they were cheap,and you bought one. A vendor that has been here for 12+ years,and someone who rarely posts on this site,trying to give the vendor a bad name. Good thing you didn't buy a "new" turbo from our buddy Prothe (Rothenbacher Engineering)-you'd have been lucky to make it 5 miles before a runaway,and then you'd have been really screwed. You really aren't going to get any sympathy here-

 

[GreenLantern_TDI]

I vote this thread be closed....

 

[JDSwan87]

I vote this thread be closed....

I second that motion...

 

[Randol_8o8]

Btw I did prime the turbo with oil by unhooking the IP and engaging the starter for about 10 seconds 3 times.

The condition of the turbos was stated as used, not "broken" or "for parts". It's one thing to try and work something out with the buyer but to just flat out say "I don't have anything to offer you." is unacceptable. I'm not sure how any of you are okay with that. Seems like the seller is using his history here to just get away with this.

 

[aja8888]

If I was King, I would not allow the sale or purchase of used turbos. Period.

 

[sandmansans]

Op, honest question here. Would you expect a refund or a guarantee from a part that you pulled from the junk yard, let's say in the same visual condition and miles as the turbo sold to you?
I'd imagine no, if you are a man of logic. It's a used mechanical, wear and tear part not to mention with a considerable amount of miles on it. I think your point would have more validity if perhaps it came from a car with 50k on it, but even still the seller never implied any sort of warranty on said part. You took a gamble amigo. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. That's the nature of gambling. The key is not to place a bet that will put you under, which frankly in your case you didn't. It's 150 bucks.

Please don't take any of this as an attack on you. I'm sure you're a good person, whoa upset that you lost money and time but also take the seller into consideration as well.

To the seller

It's none of mine or anyone's business how you conduct your business, but as someone else said it might not even be worth the hassle to sell the uses turbos. Customer service is one of the hardest parts of running any business, as "satisfaction " is purely subjective based on the individual.

That or make it very very very very clear that under no circumstances will there be any sort of refund: partial, credit or full. That buyer assumes all risk and maybe include in said disclaimer something about turbo life /reliability on a used, can't be predicted under any circumstances

I'd do the second option if it were me, a little bit of cya. Because there is always a good market for those in need of low cost, used turbos that understand the risk they're taking but at the same time realizing it's a small gamble money wise.

Just my 2 cents.

Wish you both the best.

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[crxgator]

Junkyards like LKQ offer warranties on parts so that junkyard argument is out.

I didn't see the ad but used doesn't mean broken. If this turbo came from a customer's car and was free for you why not refund the purchase price minus shipping charge and call it a lesson learned for both.

 

[bmwM5power]

Junkyards like LKQ offer warranties on parts so that junkyard argument is out.

I didn't see the ad but used doesn't mean broken. If this turbo came from a customer's car and was free for you why not refund the purchase price minus shipping charge and call it a lesson learned for both.

Very wise solution

 

[bubbagumpshrimp]

Junkyards like LKQ offer warranties on parts so that junkyard argument is out.

I didn't see the ad but used doesn't mean broken. If this turbo came from a customer's car and was free for you why not refund the purchase price minus shipping charge and call it a lesson learned for both.

Given the price of the unit and the description that was included...to me...that implied that it might need some work...and that the purchaser shouldn't expect to just bolt it up and run.

If it were me and I just received a 125k+ mileage turbo for $150...I wouldn't have just bolted it up and run it. I would have at least pulled it apart to see if it needed any work. Just my $.02...

 

[GotEuroCorrado]

Junkyards like LKQ offer warranties on parts so that junkyard argument is out.

I didn't see the ad but used doesn't mean broken. If this turbo came from a customer's car and was free for you why not refund the purchase price minus shipping charge and call it a lesson learned for both.

Lkq charges way more for parts then forum "fire sale" prices. If i sold items at that retail cost I'd have no problem giving out refunds on a wim.

Also Lkq only offers warranty on items if they are installed by a professional, try to warranty a turbo through them.

Op, when new turbos are installed, especially after one had blown up, new feed lines are required with the purchase by most vendors to even consider a warranty claim.this is because of possible contamination in your oil system. From your description you did not even remove the feed line to clean it or even change the oil/filter.

If this was a headlight switch, or an alternator I would give consideration because it's hard to botch that install, but not a turbo, and not when I was clear in my description, and especially not when you make post this kind of trash without calling me to have a man to man conversation.

Last, regardless of the cost if an item to me, the item has value. Also take into account the time I took out of my work day to handle the turbos, check for problems, post the ad, answer questions, find a box and packing materials, look for the cheapest carrier and drop the package off. If i went by my hourly shop rate I would be over the value of this turbo already in time spent on this matter. I have bought parts cars for their body panels for $500. Just because I used the $500 worth of panels would I then be obligated to give the rest of the parts away? The answer is no, if you not sure...

I'm a full time mechanic and on the side I offer parts for sale with the best description I can. That's a business made for profit. I don't operate a charity or a non-profit.

If you can't afford the risk of buying used, buy new. If you can't afford the cost of new, perhaps you should get a car cheaper to maintain.

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[miniion26]

Junkyards like LKQ offer warranties on parts so that junkyard argument is out.

I didn't see the ad but used doesn't mean broken. If this turbo came from a customer's car and was free for you why not refund the purchase price minus shipping charge and call it a lesson learned for both.

Well read the add then. The seller clearly states that these turbos go into a junk pile and he does not take the units apart before selling, hence the low price of the unit. It's a crap shoot when buying used turbos, IMO.

 

[bmwM5power]

Lkq charges way more for parts then forum "fire sale" prices. If i sold items at that retail cost I'd have no problem giving out refunds on a wim.

Also Lkq only offers warranty on items if they are installed by a professional, try to warranty a turbo through them.

Op, when new turbos are installed, especially after one had blown up, new feed lines are required with the purchase by most vendors to even consider a warranty claim.this is because of possible contamination in your oil system. From your description you did not even remove the feed line to clean it or even change the oil/filter.

If this was a headlight switch, or an alternator I would give consideration because it's hard to botch that install, but not a turbo, and not when I was clear in my description, and especially not when you make post this kind of trash without calling me to have a man to man conversation.

Last, regardless of the cost if an item to me, the item has value. Also take into account the time I took out of my work day to handle the turbos, check for problems, post the ad, answer questions, find a box and packing materials, look for the cheapest carrier and drop the package off. If i went by my hourly shop rate I would be over the value of this turbo already in time spent on this matter. I have bought parts cars for their body panels for $500. Just because I used the $500 worth of panels would I then be obligated to give the rest of the parts away? The answer is no, if you not sure...

I'm a full time mechanic and on the side I offer parts for sale with the best description I can. That's a business made for profit. I don't operate a charity or a non-profit.

If you can't afford the risk of buying used, buy new. If you can't afford the cost of new, perhaps you should get a car cheaper to maintain.

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Technically you are correct, but if you care about your business and reputation, id refund the buyer if it cost you nothing, minus all of the expenses you incurred

 

[jonferns]

You paid $150 for a turbo and took a chance. Consider it a lesson learned for the future. Goteurocorrado is a standup guy and I've had multiple transactions with him in the past. He does not misrepresent the parts he sells.

 

[TheBlueMax]

Used turbo

If you bought it thru Pay Pal you WILL get your money back ! Open a claim !

 

[miniion26]

If you bought it thru Pay Pal you WILL get your money back ! Open a claim !

Must be a Kalifornia thing.....maybe I just don't get it. Claim for what? For an item that was purchased as is, out of the junk pile? With the seller stating that he does not open the unit al all and they are sold as they were ?
IMO the seller did provide ample details before the transaction took place.

 

[kooyajerms]

I'd like to side with the buyer, but From what the ad states (second post is all we can see now), I'd say he gave good warning of no explicit warranty on these turbos. A customer take off without any inspection is a gamble, and you took it. Other than shaft play, you really can't tell a turbo with bad seals unless you literally take it all apart and are a turbo builder.

No ones tearing down a used $150 turbo, and reassembling it in working condition.
Clean the vanes (that's nothing), Take the turbo cartridge apart (that's where it all gets ufcked), replace the seals (garret parts, you have a source?) then rebalance the turbo correctly in your home garage (don't chime in gurus, you don't count!!). That all costs more than the turbo. We call that a rebuild.

I bought a used turbo and it killed my block, head, injectors and gears in my transmission. Never again. Never risking that gamble to save a couple hundred dollars.

Don't recommend he claim through PayPal, that's TRUE thievery.

 

[bubbagumpshrimp]

Technically you are correct, but if you care about your business and reputation, id refund the buyer if it cost you nothing, minus all of the expenses you incurred

The sellers reputation is not going to suffer as a result of this transaction. Most people are going to interpret the situation as the seller did...the buyer didn't prep the car for the install, didn't inspect the turbo prior to install, and just thought (for whatever reason) that a $150 turbo would plug up and be good to go. That might have been the buyers expectation, but it was not a reasonable expectation.

 

[325_Guy]

Technically you are correct, but if you care about your business and reputation, id refund the buyer if it cost you nothing, minus all of the expenses you incurred

You would, because its not your money. Easy to tell other people what they should do when you have no skin in it.

I HATE that mindset, that the customer is right or deserving of something simply by virtue of being the buyer in a transaction.

Seller is in the right here. You even said it. Why, then, would the buyer be entitled to anything?

 

[passartist]

Paypal WILL side with the buyer.

If the ad stated the worst issue was potential sticky vanes and you have oil blowing out then it's a given. It can be a lengthy process so begin it now.

It is pretty obvious he isn't going to do the right thing so get it done.

 

[aja8888]

I stated earlier that if I was King....

Selling used turbos is like selling a loaded gun to a toddler. Both parties are creating a scenario with a probability for a bad outcome. Like we have here.

I hope a mod closes this thread as it is doing neither affected party any good.

Incidentally, there is a "vendor accountability" thread where this thread should have been opened.:

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=241854

 

[bmwM5power]

You would, because its not your money. Easy to tell other people what they should do when you have no skin in it.

I HATE that mindset, that the customer is right or deserving of something simply by virtue of being the buyer in a transaction.

Seller is in the right here. You even said it. Why, then, would the buyer be entitled to anything?

You have to chill out bud and please re-read what i said, "minus expenses" i said, what money are you talking about? I bet if this happend to you, youd be crying out loud here and filing a claim

 

[passartist]

Personally I think the seller needs to have a word with himself. He took something from his scrap pile and made money on it. To refund $150 is as little a gesture as he is expecting the buyer to do. If it wash;t worth digging out of the pile then you should have left it there.

We can all bang on about the time spent finding a courier, listing the thread but really? that barely registers as an overhead compared to the gain of selling from your scrap pile!

 

[miniion26]

Personally I think the seller needs to have a word with himself. He took something from his scrap pile and made money on it. To refund $150 is as little a gesture as he is expecting the buyer to do. If it wash;t worth digging out of the pile then you should have left it there.
We can all bang on about the time spent finding a courier, listing the thread but really? that barely registers as an overhead compared to the gain of selling from your scrap pile!

Your opinion. The buyer was ok with buying something from said scrap pile, and untested. I see that you have an issue with someone clearly stating terms of sale. What the seller does sell out of said scrap pile is his business. Not ours.
This should not be even up for discussion.

 

[GotEuroCorrado]

I never said these were in my shop scrap pile. I specifically said that I gave away those I knew were bad. I kept the ones that had minimal shaft play. Ones that I used to open and clean myself.

This is getting out of hand with people saying what they would do. When your vendors and have your own retail businesses your all welcome to make your own ads and polices. Then you will know how customers take advantage of vendors.

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[Randol_8o8]

Installed new oil feed line btw. And also changed oil while turbo was off since I didn't know if old turbo would have put any metal shards into the pan. I didn't take the turbo apart because the seller said that I could just force the vanes up and down instead of taking it apart to clean it. This single post is very misleading as he says that this is why they are priced low "STICKY VANES" not leaking oil.

generally i put turbos above 175k in the scrap pile for a friend so i would say 125 to 175k.

as for vanes, i used to take them apart and clean. its not hard to do, but a its a bit time consuming so customers dont ask any longer do it. you can force the vanes up and down on some but i honestly just dont care to pay with it as ive got other things to do.

this is why i priced them at 150.

as of right now i have 2 units left. get one if you need a Saturday project.