is it good practice to buy filters on eBay?

[1977c10phxdriver]

I hear of bootleg filters from time to time. what are your opinions on buying oil filters on eBay?

Hard to beat Hastings for 2 bucks each!

 

[sbc350gearhead]

I have bought filters on Ebay that have been fine.

 

[jthorner]

One thing to watch out for is how old they may be. Some of the ebay sellers are clearing out very old stock.

With age the rubber parts will become harder, etc. You might want to ask the seller what the history of this inventory is.

John

 

[seotaji]

quote:

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Some of the ebay sellers are clearing out very old stock.

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i agree with jthorner.

most of the filters sold are old stock someone bought for pennies on the dollar. always ask how old they are.

 

[Ross]

I recently purchased a case of fleetguard filters on e-bay. with shipping it was less than $2 per filter. I sent the date codes into fleetguard and they said that the filters were almost 6 years old. The paint on the filters was also tacky and a few had rust inside. I installed one, and the car mad valve trane nose lick crazy. I learned my lesson!!

Were they seconds or counterfiets? I do not know. But I will buy my filters locally from now on.

 

[Ugly3]

Where do you think the guys on eBay get their filters from so they can sell them cheaper than Wal*Mart? I are scared!

 

[seotaji]

when i purchased my m1 filters on ebay, they were from a kmart closeout (as a bunch of stores were closing). i know this b/c the kmart price stickers were still on them.

 

[BlazerLT]

I would buy them off of ebay.

Just make sure you ask them how old they are and how they got them.

 

[labman]

quote:

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Originally posted by 1977c10phxdriver:
I hear of bootleg filters from time to time. what are your opinions on buying oil filters on eBay?

Hard to beat Hastings for 2 bucks each!

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Cut open one of them, a for sure Hastings from your local jobber, and an ST 13. Post what you find. Maybe check an AC too.

 

[Dan4510]

I bought a dozen fleetguard filters off ebay and no problems, looked fairly new and no problem on the first out of the case used.

Dan

 

[Ray H]

quote:

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Originally posted by BlazerLT:
...Just make sure you ask them how old they are and how they got them.

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And the answer would prove what - that some eBay sellers can lie with a straight face?

 

[JohnnyO]

Unless you're getting a killer deal on an expensive filter like a M1 or K&N, why bother? Once you add in shipping, what are you paying? Sounds sort of like buying tires from Tire Rack.

 

[BlazerLT]

In some cases like coming over to Canada, it is cheaper and they are sometime a lot better filters than the poor choices we have up here.

 

[AstroVic]

Blazer, if you're truly having a hard time finding a good selection of filters at a decent price, send me a message and I'll go buy whatever filter you want and send them to you...at true cost.

I'll buy however many you want and ship them to Canada. Easy as that. I don't want any profit off the deal, either. Just pay the true costs - cost of the filters, taxes, and shipping - and I'll do it for you.

Just call it my "Help a fellow gearhead out" program.

 

[Ray H]

May still have to deal with Canada's "GST", declarations, etc. (contrary to what many Americans believe, Canada's still a seperate country...)

 

[AstroVic]

quote:

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Originally posted by Ray H:
May still have to deal with Canada's "GST", declarations, etc. (contrary to what many Americans believe, Canada's still a seperate country...)

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Really???

I thought Canada was our 51st state.

 

[obbop]

If any of our wacky Canuck bretheren have a hankerin' for oil filters just wait until the recipient's birthday is approaching and send the critters as a birthday present. I believe that will bypass any customs and assorted taxes, etc.

Of course, don't mention the recipient sent shekels to pay for the filters!!!!!