Learning* while trying to mend the exit wounds....

"ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper" (thedlo) 03/17/2014 at 11:30 • Filed to: FML. AVANT, S4, Audi, Wagon, notamiata, Ohlins

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So I did a big no no....I bought used suspension with the intention to rebuild them, and now I need help (I KNOW I KNOW...Please reread the title)

The suspension in question (pictured above how they were received) is a set of Stasis Ohlin Motorsports for my Avant (we all love wagons right?). These are the bees knees for my platform and they retail new for 3800. I got them for a cool 1400, and estimated repair costs at the time were about 1500 (375 a corner). So my total cost would be 2900, and they would be like new or better.

Life is funny though, after being torn down by PSI (Performance Shock inc. google them for suspension porn) it turns out that they were not in the best condition at all. The work order was up to 2500 which would bring my grand total to exactly what they were brand new..and that was way more then I wanted to spend at the moment that's why I went used in stead of new.

The PSI rep I have been working with-bless his soul-Had warned me that there's no way of knowing what the real condition is until they're opened up, and that the only person who could know is Superman with his "X-ray vision", and even in that scenario he would need to be a suspension expert, which he is not.

Armed with what I had been told by PSI I reached out to the seller asking for either a full refund or a partial refund of $1,100 which I felt better reflected their value based on their true condition and what I was willing to pay. I provided him with the the work order, and after he reviewed it and speaking with PSI himself, he agreed to give me a full refund save for shipping a the examination labor cost (roughly ~200). I decided not to make a paypal claim at the time since he was quick to respond, and seemed thorough calling PSI and such (I KNOW I KNOW....STUPID ME).

That was almost a month ago, every time I contact the seller he asks for more time, and last week I found out that I am now just outside of the 45 day PP buyer protection. (Why did I wait so long? I'm an accountant and tis the season for me so I have paper work up to Shaqs head.) My PP is directly linked to my automotive checking account so no credit car protection either.

Above is how they currently sit at PSI, I really wanted these to work out, but for 2500 I can cross out a few major items off my car's "to do" list, like getting a set of cheaper coil-overs to replace my tired 13y/o suspension, buying upgraded the turbos or finally doing the manual transmission swap to which I already have all the parts for (2500 is the quoted labor for the swap and installing the turbos if I can get them before the swap).

Any advise, suggestions on getting my money back etc. please comment below...(obviously I wont be buying used parts on age/mile sensitive parts ever again...)

Also one more picture of the Avant cause we love wagons:

Autophile412 - what's the world got in store? > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 03/17/2014 at 11:25

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Track that sonofabitch down and tie him to a chair and pull his fingernails back until he tells you where your money is.

If you send a note to Paypal Customer Service they will help you out with a claim. Just because you are past the 45 day window doesn't mean much. You got ripped off. Get a hooman on the phone at Paypal and tell them the scenario. Offer to provide them with email exchanges and everything and they will bend over backwards to not lose your future business.

Stories like these make me not want to ever buy anything online again. I still feel like I got lucky buying my car online.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store? 03/17/2014 at 11:38

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That makes sense, because we came to an agreement long before time ran out. I only held out on making a claim in a gesture of good faith. So they should honer the claim based on proof we spoke before the time ran out..