WARNING: Second hand ECU

[Mr nanotech]

I'm not a fan of defamatory posts against other forum users so I'm going to make this anonymous to protect the integrity of the other user involved.

I just want to issue a warning to those of you who might consider buying second hand engine management such as a Wolf, MS2, DIYPNP etc... Make sure you get all the information you need and good quality photos that show things such as solder joins up close and wiring.

A while ago I purchased a DIYPNP second hand from this forum and the photo's looked legit enough as well as the information shown with the sale. On inspection after it had shipped, the real thing told a different story. I'm not going to go into details about what was wrong with it, look to John for his fantastic service and workmanship fixing my ecu http://omgpham.com/megasquirt-diypnp-rework

I'm not telling anyone to stop buying stuff online etc, go or it! Just make sure that you get close ups of the mainboards, solder work and wiring to show the real quality of the product you are buying and don't take for granted the condition. Photos can be misleading. The link I've left in the above paragraph should give you an idea what to look for, for those unsure.

I know you electronic guys and tuner savy car people will be rolling your eyes and groaning at this post, but in reality it's aimed at the more naive users and younger crowd you may hastily rush into buying a dud without realising.

I hope this helps people out there and I'd like to give a huge thanks to John Pham for the leg up. Thanks mate

[Apu]

Understand how you feel Josh. We do place a lot of trust in who we are buying from, and despite my years, have also made the odd bad decision due to impulse. And I do prefer to buy off people who have been around for a while rather than those that show up just to trade.

I'm in two minds on things lime these - but i think what is fair is to try and resolve the matter privately, and if not, I'd give a public warning about the seller. Kind of like the eBay format. Interestingly some other forums also have a seller history and rating system. Very basic but also useful.

And of course, to John, awesomely detailed work as always.

[Steampunk]

Found the thread you are referring to. Another tip is to ask people in the area who might know the person, but unfortunately in this instance it would have done you little good cause no one that I know, knows of this joker and from his posts, he's an obvious fly-by-nighter and only started posting to sell his car and other bits.

Are you going to bother chasing him up through small claims court?

[NitroDann]

If it was sold as a working megasquirt diy then the sale was correct.

Dann

[zero00]

Well done John Pham!!

[Mr nanotech]

I tried contacting the seller via a couple of avenues after the sale but received no reply to any of my ventures to settle things in a mature private fashion. That is why I put this thread up. People can have a look through my posts to find said item but I would like it if nobody referred to them by user name, real name, and would rather if no links to the thread are put here.

I wont be following this up in any legal dispute such as small claim, paypal etc as John has fixed the problems and the management is nolonger faulty or dangerous. To me, it would just be wasting the ti.e of all parties involved as even though there was drama, I did end up with a working well built ecu by the end of it all and thats all that matters.

I just wanted to remind users that often when part of a community you can become all too trusting in the other members and forget the few snakes in the grass that pop up from time to time. Just dont be blinded by well priced electrical goods that seem too good to be true. Although they may not be up for long before someone snatches them up before you, still take the time to properly investigate.

[NMX516]

Buyer beware. Don't buy anything that you aren't prepared to loose your money on. Perhaps you shouldn't have to, but that's the reality when you don't buy from someone you know and trust.

[bruce]

Notwithstanding the seller being an ar$eh0le (there, I've said it), buying a DIY 'anything' is fraught with danger as it is reliant on their level of skill upon construction. At least with a brand name factory constructed ECU there is the assumption of a level of quality.
You wouldn't be buying a DIY from me as my level of soldering is rudimentary!

[Mr nanotech]

Buyer beware. Don't buy anything that you aren't prepared to loose your money on. Perhaps you shouldn't have to, but that's the reality when you don't buy from someone you know and trust.

I think thats the risk we take with buying anything. But there are certain times where you expect the item will be in at least working order, not shorting out and minutes from fizzling in to death.

I have seen a few users sell second hand HD clutches, coilovers and so on said to be in working condition with vague photos. In a way it would be like recieving a set of coilovers with chopped springs or leaky valves because it was something the seller didnt specify, they describe them as working and techincally they do, and it may be very difficult to see if the springs are chopped depending on photo quality. Same with receiving a clutch that a user says is fine but they thought was too aggressive, only to fine its missing pieces or has hardly any meat left on it.

Im ok with what happened to me not upset. I feel for the younger guys on here that might not take it so well. Maybe we could list a few links for them to show avenues they can use to achieve resolution if the seller will not reply or listen.

[NMX516]

I have seen a few users sell second hand HD clutches, coilovers and so on said to be in working condition with vague photos. In a way it would be like recieving a set of coilovers with chopped springs or leaky valves because it was something the seller didnt specify, they describe them as working and techincally they do, and it may be very difficult to see if the springs are chopped depending on photo quality. Same with receiving a clutch that a user says is fine but they thought was too aggressive, only to fine its missing pieces or has hardly any meat left on it.

Hence, buy on the assumption that it might not be something you can end up using, and go into it prepared to lose your money, and/or pay accordingly - i.e offer the seller pocket change.

Sure there are good examples of people getting a good deal on all sorts of things through this and other forums, I have done, but I think people just need to realise that there are no guarantees on second hand stuff, so go into it with your eyes open and be prepared to wear it if the worst happens.

[KevGoat]

Although its something that is difficult (or impossible) to regulate, it has been rather annoying of late the number of people registering on the Forum purely to sell their old parts or their car.

I always look at the number of posts and their history on the Forum and use that as a starting guide, then the kind of correspondence that I receive back from them to my inquiries..

Patience is a virtue as they say and I have learned that I'd rather take my time and make the necessary inquiries and get some sense of the seller, possibly losing the purchase during the process, than rush in and grab the item in a "get a bargain" frame of mind and finish with a dud or no item received at all.

[davekmoore]

Although its something that is difficult (or impossible) to regulate, it has been rather annoying of late the number of people registering on the Forum purely to sell their old parts or their car.

I always look at the number of posts and their history on the Forum and use that as a starting guide, then the kind of correspondence that I receive back from them to my inquiries.

+1

Also applies to buyers.

[AmmoJammo]

Its funny, because as far as I can see, all the "before" solder joints would meet standards (and I do electronics assembly for a living) while all the "after" photos have too much solder!