Complaint Review: Midway Powersports

Won an auction on ebay and planned to purchase a vehicle from Midway Powersports.  I have bought several vehicles on ebay motors before and have paid cash for all of them, with no issues.  I usually fly out and pick up the car and drive it back.  After winning the auction, before sending them the $1000 deposit I spent some time doing research on their reputation and feedback.  Ebay score seemed okay, but as soon as I pulled up a few other feedback sites....a very clear picture emerged.  There were many questionable transaction practices from multiple buyers that sent deposit money and paid for the vehicle and were all disappointed in the mechanical condition not matching the sellers description.  Also many references to not receiving the Title after paying.  

I called the owner the next day, after I had already purchased an airplane ticket to fly into Springfield, MO and discussed my concerns over what I had learned.  I told him I didn't want to send any money ahead of time, would pay cash upon my arrival three days later so I could look at the mechanical condition myself.  Immediately the owner's tone changed and he became overbearing and threatening that I had no choice that I had bought the car and I needed to send the deposit money within 24 hours.  Shortly after, the owner had his internet sales manager contact me and the conversation even became more threatening about 'collections', 'ding on my credit', attorneys, etc......  This was all strongarm tactics because vehicles and real estate are considered by ebay and legal circles as 'non-binding' contracts due to the extensive legal signatures required for these high cost items to ensure all contractual agreements are written down and agreed to by both parties.  I tried to explain that I did not plan to send money ahead of time due to my concern over the multiple complaints of innacuracy of their vehicle mechanical descriptions in their advertising, but would be paying cash when I arrived (cashiers check).  The internet sales manager became even more aggressive and threatening, unwilling to work it out.  I told them  I no longer would buy the car.  Tried to leave them negative feedback and discovered that sellers can pay a third party affiliated agency Netneutral to have their feedback removed through a questionable mediation process.  

I am out the plane fare I paid for the airline ticket, but I consider myself fortunate compared to the many other 'nightmare' stories that I have read of others who sent money or purchased their vehicles and have received mechanical 'lemons'.  The seller falls back on 'as is - No Warranty'.  Buyer's beware.  Not to say there aren't any good deals in their inventory, but recommend no monetary transactions based on trust.  Look at their vehicles and have full opportunity to have vehcle mechanically checked before sending them money so that you are fully informed.  I will continue to do my duty as a consumer and try to share my experience with other sites as an open forum so other potential 'Buyers' can see the truth.  I am disappointed in how ebay who is paid by 'seller fees' and this company Netneutral 'questionable' mediation process.  It has darkened my trust in feedback scores.  Something to remember when purchasiing large ticket items.