The Dangers of Online-Only Excavator Part Dealers (and How to Stay Safe)

RALPH COPE
3 days ago
5 min read

Because some of these online cowboys will take your money, your time, and your sanity—and leave you with a shiny, useless paperweight.

Let’s get one thing straight: buying excavator parts online isn’t inherently bad. In fact, it can be downright convenient. No traffic. No dodgy coffee at industrial parks. No forklift trying to run you over while you browse.

But—and it’s a big but—not all online dealers are created equal.

Some are solid businesses with great reputations.

Others?

Well, let’s just say they operate more like black market meat vendors than reputable parts suppliers. And if you're not careful, you’ll get burned faster than a rookie welder on his first day.

So, let’s dig into the dangers of online-only excavator part dealers, and how to sniff out the fakes, flakes, and flat-out crooks.

1: The Anonymity Problem

When the "dealer" is just a burner phone, a vague email, and a Gmail invoice.

The first red flag? You can’t find a face, name, or location.

Online-only dealers love this because:

They can vanish after the sale
They’re hard to trace if things go sideways
There’s zero accountability when your “like-new final drive” turns out to be a rusted mess from 1997

If the dealer:

Has no physical address
Can’t provide a VAT number or registration info
Won’t jump on a phone call

Then congrats—you’ve found either a scammer or a ghost.

Good luck getting your money back.

2: Pretty Pictures, Ugly Reality

That “genuine OEM part” may be as real as your ex’s lips.

Some online sellers steal photos from other suppliers. Others post stock images that look great but have nothing to do with what’s actually in the box.

We’ve seen it all:

A “low-hour” pump that looks like it was dredged from a swamp
A final drive full of sawdust to hide noise (yes, that’s a thing)
An “OEM hydraulic cylinder” that leaks like a politician under pressure

Always insist on:

Real, high-resolution photos of the actual part
Photos from multiple angles
Photos showing serial numbers or part codes

And if all you get is a blurry image taken with a potato, run.

3: The “Too Good to Be True” Price Trap

If it’s dirt cheap, it’s probably garbage—or stolen.

Everyone loves a bargain. But online-only dealers know this, and they prey on it. They'll advertise parts at prices that make no sense.

You think: “Hell yes! A CAT final drive for half the price!”

A week later, you receive:

A part that doesn’t fit
A broken component inside a suspiciously sticky box
Nothing. Literally nothing.

And when you call? Crickets.

Remember: a good deal is fair—not fantasy.

4: No Warranty, No Returns, No Hope

A true love story: You. The part. The pain.

Real suppliers stand by their products. Online-only dealers?

Not so much.

They'll hit you with:

“All sales final”
“No warranty due to part being used”
“We’re not responsible once the courier picks it up”

Translation: “We got your cash, mate. Good luck.”

If there’s no written return policy, warranty, or guarantee—walk away.

Because if they won’t back it, it’s probably crap.

5: Fake Reviews & Dodgy Testimonials

"Best service ever!" —Definitely Not the Owner’s Cousin.

Online reviews can be helpful… or completely fabricated.

Watch for:

A website full of glowing 5-star reviews with no detail
Generic testimonials like “Great part. Fast delivery. Will use again.”
Reviews with no names, locations, or photos

Legit businesses will have real reviews from real customers—ideally across multiple platforms (Google, Facebook, Trustpilot, etc.)

Pro tip: Google the company name with “scam” or “review” and see what comes up.

6: Payment Shenanigans

If they ask you to pay in iTunes vouchers, it’s not a good sign.

Here’s how sketchy online sellers operate:

Bank transfer only (to an untraceable account)
No invoicing
No official receipt
“Cash only, no VAT”

The minute they resist secure payment methods (credit card, PayPal, EFT to a business account), ask yourself: “Is this someone I want to trust with R30,000 of my hard-earned cash?”

Spoiler: No.

7: No Technical Support

“What part do you need?” “Uhh… an excavator one?”

A real parts dealer will:

Ask the right questions
Help match your machine with the correct part
Guide you through install or troubleshooting if needed

Online-only cowboys? They’re gone the second the money clears.

If you can't get hold of a tech when something goes wrong, you’re screwed.

8: Bad Parts = Bigger Repairs

The domino effect of buying junk.

The wrong or faulty part doesn’t just waste your time—it can:

Damage your excavator
Void your machine warranty
Force you to replace other perfectly good components

Example: A bad hydraulic pump can cook your cylinders. A dodgy final drive can wreck your undercarriage.

Buying a part online to save R5,000 might cost you R50,000 in collateral damage.

9: South Africa’s Special Challenges

Load shedding and laggy networks are the least of your worries.

Let’s not pretend.

Some online sellers in SA operate in the shadows to:

Avoid tax
Sell stolen parts
Offload broken imports
Flip scrap as “refurbished gold”

We’ve seen parts that were:

Illegally imported
Stolen from job sites
Repainted over rust and flogged as “newly rebuilt”

These jokers rely on you not checking. Don’t give them that power.

10: How to Stay Safe (And Sane) When Buying Online

Now, not all online shopping is evil. But you’ve got to shop smart. Here’s your survival guide:

✅ Buy from Reputable Companies

Search for:

A real business name (registered, visible)
A physical address
A VAT number
A working landline
A legit-looking website (not built with GeoCities in 2002)

✅ Ask the Right Questions

Do you have photos of the actual part?
What’s the part number?
Do you offer a warranty?
Can I collect the part myself?
Can I speak to a technician?

✅ Verify Everything

Look up the company on Google Maps
Call their landline
Ask for a written quote or invoice with branding
Cross-check part numbers with your OEM

✅ Use Safe Payment Methods

EFT to a business account
Credit card (if offered)
Never cash deposits to a random bank account

11: Trust Is Built Offline

A supplier that hides offline probably has something to hide.

There’s no substitute for a supplier that:

Has a yard you can walk through
Has physical stock on the floor
Has people who know what the hell they’re talking about

That’s why at Vikfin, we combine the convenience of online with the credibility of the real world.

You can call us. Visit us. Kick the literal tyres if you want.

We don’t hide behind a flashy website. We are the real deal.

12: What a Real Dealer Looks Like

Here’s what you’ll get from a reputable parts dealer (like, ahem, us):✅ Part condition reports✅ Photos of actual stock✅ Fitment advice✅ Testing results✅ Secure payment methods✅ Real customer support✅ Warranties you can count on

We don’t just sell parts—we sell trust.

Recap: Red Flags to Avoid

🚩 No business info🚩 No physical address🚩 Suspiciously low prices🚩 No return or warranty policy🚩 No technical knowledge🚩 Untraceable payment methods🚩 Photos that don’t match reality🚩 Evasive communication

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Final Thought: Don’t Be the Guy Who Got Scammed

You know that guy on site—the one who swears the part “looked legit” and “seemed like a deal”?

Don’t be that guy.

Buying excavator parts online is fine—but only if you’re buying from someone who actually gives a damn.

And if you’re tired of guessing? Let Vikfin help you sort the real from the rubbish. We’ll give you real advice, real support, and real peace of mind.

Because while your machine might be tough—your wallet doesn’t need to take a beating.