topic Re: Imported Vehicle radiators in Buying

Imported Vehicle radiators

tims1959 — Sat, 28 May 2022 05:36:09 GMT

Leaking radiators have been brought up now and then on this forum but worth mentioning again. Have purchased two new cheap imported radiators for a commodore V6 ute. First one lasted around 12 months and the second last 7 months. My brother had the same experience with his cheap radiator as well purchased off Ebay. From what I can work out, the plastic tank walls are too thin so over time they swell ( due to heat and pressure) then leak from the sealing ring. Also the sellers so called 12 months warranty means nothing.

So if the price looks too good to be true then it probably is, so steer clear and buy a quality unit. It may cost you two or three times more but whats the price of cooking your motor when your cheap radiator lets go.

Re: Imported Vehicle radiators

jellybirddesigns — Sat, 28 May 2022 06:38:18 GMT

It took 3 radiators for you guys to realise that you get what you pay for?

Why would you even purchase something like this from Ebay as there are no warranties?

How would you expect an overseas supplier (probably in China) to 'honour" a warranty?

Buying cheap ends up expensive.

Buying anything that should have a warranty is always better to purchase direct for a few extra $$ from a shop or a reputable online retailer, never through a random ebay seller.

Re: Imported Vehicle radiators

tims1959 — Sat, 28 May 2022 07:16:36 GMT

Mate. These were purchased in Australia from Australian sellers.Stated on the sellers ad it had 12 month warranty. First rad was outside warranty and thought, ok, maybe a one of dud, the second I asked re warranty after the failure but received no reply. Cost more to post back anyway than it was worth.

Brothers rad was his problem but had same outcome. Leaking after 12 months

Obviously this wasnt posted for your benefit Jellybirddesigns , but am hoping what I had to say may help others in need of a rad, not making the same mistake.

Re: Imported Vehicle radiators

jellybirddesigns — Sat, 28 May 2022 07:58:34 GMT

Buying from an Australian seller on Ebay is meaningless unless they are an authorised distributor. Anyone in the world can put "warranty" information on a listing. You have zero guarantee of quality.

Why would you post anything back at your expense? The only time you incur a postage cost is if you change your mind about an item. If the item is not as described, the seller needs to supply a postage label or funds if they want it back.

Re: Imported Vehicle radiators

sandypebbles — Sat, 28 May 2022 08:31:24 GMT

Mate, it does not matter a dot, if they are not authorised there is no warranty. End of story

It does not matter what the ad said

If you really want to help others, then don't lead them to believe if they buy from a seller in Australia ,that means they get a warranty or if an ad 'says' something it is a fact

Re: Imported Vehicle radiators

tims1959 — Sat, 28 May 2022 09:36:59 GMT

So how do you work out who is 'Authorised'?? What does 'authorised even mean on Ebay??

Authorised to sell radiators??? How does that work??

All I see is this and I quote.

We are professional sellers with many years of successful business experience. Our goal is to provide the most sensational products and exceptional customer service.

Re: Imported Vehicle radiators

imastawka — Sat, 28 May 2022 10:24:40 GMT

I couldn't be bothered looking further, but the last guy you bought a radiator from was based in China.

Don't care what his 'ads' say. That's where it was made and came from.

Check their feedback page and it will tell you where they are based.

Maaate

Re: Imported Vehicle radiators

jellybirddesigns — Sat, 28 May 2022 10:40:46 GMT

@tims1959 wrote:
So how do you work out who is 'Authorised'?? What does 'authorised even mean on Ebay??
Authorised to sell radiators??? How does that work??
All I see is this and I quote.
We are professional sellers with many years of successful business experience. Our goal is to provide the most sensational products and exceptional customer service.

Work on the assumption that there are NO Ebay sellers who can offer a warranty and you'll be better off financially for it. Whilst there are a few big box stores who also run Ebay shops, the vast, vast majority of sellers simply do not offer one, irregardless of what they put in their listing. Their wording is meant to be enticing and lull you into a false sense of belief.

One way you can protect yourself is to be really diligent. As another forums user says, looking at where a seller is REGISTERED (not item location), is a starting point.

Re: Imported Vehicle radiators

countessalmirena — Sat, 28 May 2022 10:52:22 GMT

tims1959,

I appreciate the intention of your post. You wanted to give a warning and you have clearly learned something from your own experience.

The other posters here are pointing out that it’s even worse than you concluded. The seller isn’t Australian, but you probably concluded that he was from the “Item location” information in the listing.

To find out if a radiator seller is authorised, look at the brand and then check with the Australian distributor or the manufacturer to see whether a seller is acknowledged as an authorised dealer for that brand.

If the Brand item specific says unbranded, you will know enough. Not made of the correct components, cheapest possible raw materials that are not up to spec, not covered by any conceivable warranty.

If the seller is not registered in Australia, any so-called warranty information in the listing is piffle.

Re: Imported Vehicle radiators

sandypebbles — Sun, 29 May 2022 01:36:25 GMT

For a start, I would'nt be buying such a thing on ebay

If you insist on doing so, the very, very least most basic place to start

The left side of page is 'show only'

an option under that is

'Authorised seller'

And it means what it means anywhere someone offers a warranty

If they are not authorised to sell or re-sell the product/brand

there is no warranty

As has been explained already, just because an ad says something does not make it true

Anyone can write anything

Same as an ad saying item location Australia does not mean it really is here

Check the feedback page, that shows where the seller is registered

The feedback shows if they lie about the item's location

Much better still is to follow the advice given already for finding an authorised seller

Re: Imported Vehicle radiators

jellybirddesigns — Sun, 29 May 2022 08:10:26 GMT

Just to add an additional point, in case the OP comes back to read:

When you purchase an item on Ebay, you only have 30 days from the date of receipt to open a claim/dispute.

That is why you did not get any response from the seller as they are under no obligation to rectify or respond to an issue after than time period. Sellers of poor quality items/knockoffs rely on the fact that they will work for a period of time....usually long enough to pass the 30 day period, but after that you're on your own.

For future reference, don't rely on what is just written in the description. Look where sellers are registered, and even more importantly, take serious note of what their feedback is like. Negative reviews should be scrutinised for issues of poor quality, items not being delivered and sellers response/non-response to concerns raised.

Buy from genuine Australian bricks and mortar stores for proper quality parts manufactured to Australian standards and with genuine warranties. This way you'll be helping our economy too.

Re: Imported Vehicle radiators

springyzone — Sun, 29 May 2022 23:05:42 GMT

@tims1959 wrote:
So how do you work out who is 'Authorised'?? What does 'authorised even mean on Ebay??
Authorised to sell radiators??? How does that work??
All I see is this and I quote.
We are professional sellers with many years of successful business experience. Our goal is to provide the most sensational products and exceptional customer service.

---------------------------------------

I think you have highlighted a couple of really common problems on ebay.

The first is that many people read an ad, see a comment such as that highlighted in red above and believe they have a reputable seller with a real guarantee, especially if the seller seems to be located in Australia.

The second issue is buying from authorised sellers. A lot of buyers aren't necessarily aware of any need to do this but if you weren't buying a particular brand name, it isn't something you would necessarily look into. I learnt something today and that is that there is actually a spot where you can tick 'authorised seller', or at least there is for car radiators. What I suspect is people think they can go into any store and buy something like a radiator and the guarantee will be valid and they assume it is the same online. It's not.

I was probably a bit the same years ago before I started coming on this forum and had my eyes opened.

So you have fallen into the trap a lot of buyers fall into, although you are right, if a price is super cheap, be suspicious because it is probably either a cheaply made one or else a counterfeit.

On ebay, you can find out a lot of information before you buy, but it won't all be in the ad, you as buyer have to work at it (which is why a lot get caught out).

You can't believe an item is located in Australia just because it is listed as such. You need to do a few more clicks to check out the seller and where they are located. Then check their feedback.

But even so, when it comes to a lot of items where the guarantee matters, ebay isn't the best place to buy.

Nothing is stopping a buyer from buying cheap but you have to weigh up the risks.

I know you meant this as a warning, which it is, but this is just a smallish forum and I would guess most regulars here would not buy a cheap radiator (or phone or electricals etc) on ebay ina fit. You're talking to the already converted.😁