Bought a faulty used item. What should I do?

[daventess]

I recently bought an item on here which turned out to have an undisclosed physical fault. No idea if the seller knew about it or not, it's possible they didn't.

I want to return it as it's no use to me as it is, and fixing it will push the price I paid up close to a new item (which will have a warranty, etc.)

Problem is, the seller has gone silent on me. I've made several attempts to contact them, telling them about the fault and my intention to return it. I have seen from their forum profile that they have been online, but I have had no response at all.

I'm reluctant to just send the item back without their acknowledgement, as I may be sending into a black hole and lose both the item and my money. I'm also being deliberately vague in this post as to the seller and the item because there may be a good reason for their silence, though that doesn't help me.

What you you advise?

 

[Two on Tour]

I would have thought that a funster selling something would ensure it was working and if not advise as such. If faulty then a refund should be made. Funsters should not be out to screw other funsters.

I wish that that was the case, but when some are happy to leave dog shit on your pitch and others nick items that you have for sale on your table at rallies you see things in a different light.

 

[chaser]

As far as I have seen there is no mention of the value of said item and what was paid for it.
It maybe isn't worth the cost of sending it back.
On the other hand it could be worth £100s
We just don't know by what's been posted.
If it's just a usb socket perhaps one of these backstreet phone menders could have a look at it.
Btw op have you given it a good blowing out, it might have a bit of what it was packed in, up it.

 

[chaser]

I wish that that was the case, but when some are happy to leave dog shit on your pitch and others nick items that you have for sale on your table at rallies you see things in a different light.

People are people whatever club they are in personally I would throw something away or give it away rather than have folks calling me on here.

 

[daventess]

Did you contact them in a timely manner, within say 48hrs? Contacting a seller a week later would make them suspicious that it was ok when received, you changed your mind or found one cheaper. This is most important if you claim the item was damaged in transit. Its no good saying the item seems to have scratches on it a week later, its your responsibility to check it in a timely manner.
How you message them would also make a difference, rudeness and accusations would make me instantly ghost them.
Saying things like. " I received this item and it was damaged/faulty and i've already bought a replacement would also make alarm bells ring with an experienced seller.

I reported it the same day - the first thing I tried to do was power it up as I was excited to have it. It needed the cable to charge it, so it was immediately apparent. I was very polite, I even explained all the steps I took to try and get it to work. I rang repairers to see if the repair was quick and cheap (yes and no respectively). I asked the seller if there was a knack to using it (no response to that either). No claim to damage in the post, it's obviously a worn power socket. No replacement bought until this is resolved either way.

I think I've done everything right except ask specifically before buying "Does it actually fully work, and does the charging cable work without any special actions required beyond plugging it in?"

I appreciate I may not get a favourable result, but on reflection I don't think I did anything actually wrong. It was clearly described as good condition, I guess I didn't realise I had to expressly also ask if everything worked.

And, of course, it's only been a few days. I'll feel terrible if they've had a heart attack ...

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[lorger]

It always surprises me that folk on here just assume others are nice people, I’m sure the vast majority are but remember this is just another social media platform similar to FB,X and others even though most on here slag those who use social media

 

[daventess]

As far as I have seen there is no mention of the value of said item and what was paid for it.
It maybe isn't worth the cost of sending it back.
On the other hand it could be worth £100s
We just don't know by what's been posted.
If it's just a usb socket perhaps one of these backstreet phone menders could have a look at it.
Btw op have you given it a good blowing out, it might have a bit of what it was packed in, up it.

It's worth £160, and is a satnav. Not the end of the world pricewise. £60 repair was from a back street vendor. I've had quite a few phones have their charging sockets go, and around here £60-£85 is the rate for a common samsung phone repair. This is slightly more specialist and no one would commit to a final price until they'd tried to take it apart. Someone somewhere might give a firm price, but it seems all I've bought is some admin ...

Hey ho.

 

[Chris]

I would have thought that a funster selling something would ensure it was working and if not advise as such. If faulty then a refund should be made. Funsters should not be out to screw other funsters.

I agree, but I was just commenting from a legal perspective.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

I wish that that was the case, but when some are happy to leave dog shit on your pitch and others nick items that you have for sale on your table at rallies you see things in a different light.

Sorry to hear that .the only issues I have had is requesting to buy something to find its been sold previously on e bay and in one other instance the buyer would not respond after I asked him for payment details and after much chasing found he had a change of mind re selling the item.

 

[Bill-H]

Perhaps there could be a click to recommend this seller button as part of the classifieds, at least a positive and a negative option then buyers would decide if they were happy to buy from the seller and the seller could decide if they were happy to sell to the buyer, as I assume there could be issues either way...?

That's ok, but what if it your first 'for sale' item and have no feedback bad or good

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[jezport]

I reported it the same day - the first thing I tried to do was power it up as I was excited to have it. It needed the cable to charge it, so it was immediately apparent. I was very polite, I even explained all the steps I took to try and get it to work. I rang repairers to see if the repair was quick and cheap (yes and no respectively). I asked the seller if there was a knack to using it (no response to that either). No claim to damage in the post, it's obviously a worn power socket. No replacement bought until this is resolved either way.

I think I've done everything right except ask specifically before buying "Does it actually fully work, and does the charging cable work without any special actions required beyond plugging it in?"

I appreciate I may not get a favourable result, but on reflection I don't think I did anything actually wrong. It was clearly described as good condition, I guess I didn't realise I had to expressly also ask if everything worked.

And, of course, it's only been a few days. I'll feel terrible if they've had a heart attack ...

I was just making a few facts public that way help members should you be in this situation. Have you checked if they have been on the forum and read your message? Some people are hear often others not so.

 

[Jim]

I have contacted the seller, they were online today but have not read this thread, I've asked them to read it and make it right.

Meanwhile, as a precaution, I've temporarily removed four other adverts they had in the classified section.

My best guess is they have not seen any messages about the sale. When they are aware, I'm sure they'll put it right.

Perhaps there could be a click to recommend this seller button as part of the classifieds, at least a positive and a negative option then buyers would decide if they were happy to buy from the seller and the seller could decide if they were happy to sell to the buyer, as I assume there could be issues either way...?

We have a full seller and buyer review system, much like eBay's. Click on the Persons Name. Click on Post Feedback, choose what you are leaving feedback for. The sellers recent items will appear. Choose it and leave a review. When you look at any seller in classifieds you can see all of the positive, neutral and negative reviews.. While I can provide it, I can't force members to use it.

 

[pelican]

It's worth £160, and is a satnav. Not the end of the world pricewise. £60 repair was from a back street vendor. I've had quite a few phones have their charging sockets go, and around here £60-£85 is the rate for a common samsung phone repair. This is slightly more specialist and no one would commit to a final price until they'd tried to take it apart. Someone somewhere might give a firm price, but it seems all I've bought is some admin ...

Hey ho.

I saw that for sale but can't recall who was selling it.

 

[daventess]

I have contacted the seller, they were online today but have not read this thread, I've asked them to read it and make it right.

Meanwhile, as a precaution, I've temporarily removed four other adverts they had in the classified section.

My best guess is they have not seen any messages about the sale. When they are aware, I'm sure they'll put it right.



We have a full seller and buyer review system, much like eBay's. Click on the Persons Name. Click on Post Feedback, choose what you are leaving feedback for. The sellers recent items will appear. Choose it and leave a review. When you look at any seller in classifieds you can see all of the positive, neutral and negative reviews.. While I can provide it, I can't force members to us it.

Thank you, Jim - I choose to think that most issues are misunderstandings, and I was concerned they hadn't seen the messages.

 

[Manic]

The only problem I’ve was when Evri lost the satnav I sold on here, I gave Evri several weeks to find it but the were useless, so I refunded the buyer and then gambled I’d get my money back from Evri , which I did 5 weeks after putting in a claims form.
Wouldn’t have been fair to let buyer wait.

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[daventess]

The only problem I’ve was when Evri lost the satnav I sold on here, I gave Evri several weeks to find it but the were useless, so I refunded the buyer and then gambled I’d get my money back from Evri , which I did 5 weeks after putting in a claims form.
Wouldn’t have been fair to let buyer wait.

Don't get me started on Evri - repeatedly sending my parcels to the wrong house on a completely different street with a different name (not even the same house name) and refusing to accept that was not where I live. They actually told me I must be mistaken because that was my house!!!

Drove me half mad ...

 

[Purrfecttune]

Don't get me started on Evri - repeatedly sending my parcels to the wrong house on a completely different street with a different name (not even the same house name) and refusing to accept that was not where I live. They actually told me I must be mistaken because that was my house!!!

Drove me half mad ...

Had exactly the same problems as you describe with Evri. Had to claim money back several times for the same reasons, once even getting my credit card provider involved.

 

[Just smiffy]

All the stuff I sell is guaranteed and would definitely accept a return, even the stuff I sell on gumtree and they pick it up I always say any problem bring it back…

But…. If it’s electrical it’s hard to know if the buyer has done something wrong and blown something so that one’s difficult…

 

[chaser]

I have had a look at the classifieds , never looked before, all I can say some on there are asking stupid prices, don't know why seeing it's sort of a club with all friends you would think they would be putting bargains up not trying to get top price.
And just a tip for sellers , it's no use putting, from a certain price to another, like offers between 25 to ,45, no one is going to pay more than the bottom price.

 

[Dannco75]

Had exactly the same problems as you describe with Evri. Had to claim money back several times for the same reasons, once even getting my credit card provider involved.

Evri leave things on doorsteps so just report it as not delivered and get a free one

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[jezport]

I have had a look at the classifieds , never looked before, all I can say some on there are asking stupid prices, don't know why seeing it's sort of a club with all friends you would think they would be putting bargains up not trying to get top price.
And just a tip for sellers , it's no use putting, from a certain price to another, like offers between 25 to ,45, no one is going to pay more than the bottom price.

Also no use advertising it at an almost new price when someone can buy it with a full manufacturer's warranty!

 

[Peavy]

People are people whatever club they are in

Yes, same with nationalities, etc.

 

[gus-lopez]

. £60 repair was from a back street vendor. I've had quite a few phones have their charging sockets go, and around here £60-£85 is the rate for a common samsung phone repair.

20euros tops we pay at home in Lorca.

 

[Minxy]

I think if it was me I would give the seller a week to respond, if no reply then name and shame on here.

NAME AND SHAME!

And how would that help the 'friendly' image of the forum?

Unfortunately when you buy stuff from others rather than new stuff from a business you take the risk however I do hope the seller sorts this as it sounds like it was something they may have forgotten about when selling it especially if they haven't used it for a long time.

 

[daventess]

And how would that help the 'friendly' image of the forum?

Unfortunately when you buy stuff from others rather than new stuff from a business you take the risk however I do hope the seller sorts this as it sounds like it was something they may have forgotten about when selling it especially if they haven't used it for a long time.

I'm not in the naming and shaming game. I still maintain this is probably not a deliberate deception. My main reason for posting was to get opinions on what is reasonable and what isn't, I guess.

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[A S R]

I'm not in the naming and shaming game. I still maintain this is probably not a deliberate deception. My main reason for posting was to get opinions on what is reasonable and what isn't, I guess.

A decent person wouldn’t be ignoring you would they?

 

[A S R]

I'm not in the naming and shaming game. I still maintain this is probably not a deliberate deception. My main reason for posting was to get opinions on what is reasonable and what isn't, I guess.

Somebody sells something that is knackered regardless of whether they knew or not. They ignore all attempts at contacting them to resolve an issue.

And how would that help the 'friendly' image of the forum?

Not very friendly ignoring someone trying to sort an issue out is it! What would you do if you received a faulty item? Just shrug your shoulders and say oh well, never mind. I doubt it.

 

[Jim]

Somebody sells something that is knackered regardless of whether they knew or not. They ignore all attempts at contacting them to resolve an issue.

Not very friendly ignoring someone trying to sort an issue out is it! What would you do if you received a faulty item? Just shrug your shoulders and say oh well, never mind. I doubt it.

A decent person wouldn’t be ignoring you would they?

You’re not being very friendly, either. How do you know the OP is being deliberately ignored. We have 2000 posts a day here. Many tens of thousands of notifications, messages get missed and lost, Notifications pile up; and plenty of people only pop in for a few minutes a day some only once a week, and many more a lot less than that. Put your pitchfork down and take a deep breath.

 

[Purrfecttune]

Evri leave things on doorsteps so just report it as not delivered and get a free one

Always!

 

[PsychoticBadger]

Fingers crossed it gets sorted out for you. If not take it to your next MHF rally as I'm sure there'll be expert/tinkerer who can sort it. Power ports are notorious for dry solder joints or strained/stressed negative retention springs.

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[haganap]

To use a legal term. You are knackered.

Caveat Emptor and all that.

Unless they are a business then you might have a claim.

OK, so the legal profession have spoken......
but


The real way to deal with this issue is the following....

Firstly, Jim has already contacted and asked for a response.... seems fair...

I then think the Seller, should post on here with all the information pleading their case....
The reciever of the item can then post their case...

Chris will preside over proceedings....

we will select a poll, for the righteous, and determine the rights and wrongs... and establish the one true winner.

wont make either party feel any better, but it makes great TV.