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Buyer Warning – Experience with [Removed by Moderator]
Please exercise extreme caution when dealing with this seller, and ensure that all communication and payment are conducted directly through eBay.
In our case, we were offered a discount to complete payment via wire transfer for the purchase of two ONAN generators. Based on the listing, photos, and written assurances, the units were represented as approximately 1,200 hours, tested, in excellent running condition, and covered by a warranty. We were also told they had been personally run and checked.
However, the generators we received did not match those representations. The units delivered have approximately 4,600 hours and were found, upon independent inspection, to be non-operational with significant mechanical issues, including cracked cylinder heads, worn valves, low compression across multiple cylinders, and failing fuel system components. The external condition also differed materially from what was shown in the listing photos.
Our mechanic’s assessment is that the generators are not serviceable in their current condition.
Despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue directly, the seller has not agreed to take the units back, honor the warranty, or provide any meaningful remedy.
As a result, formal complaints have been filed with the New York State Attorney General’s Office (https://ag.ny.gov/consumer-frauds/Filing-a-Consumer-Complaint) and the Federal Trade Commission (https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/).
In hindsight, this situation could likely have been avoided had the transaction been completed through eBay’s platform rather than via wire transfer.
Recommendation to other buyers:
• Keep all transactions within eBay to maintain buyer protection
• Request verifiable documentation (serial numbers, service records, test videos)
• Be cautious of requests to move payment off-platform, even with a discount
This post reflects our experience so that others can make informed decisions.
– Nautilus Liveaboards
