Problem with Printer bought on eBay

gazfocus

I bought a used HP 2430dtn Laser printer off ebay last week and the seller seemed great and delivered the printer in person and I paid cash on delivery. Upon delivery, the seller told me the printer hadn't been switched on for a year but prior to that had been used in an office. Foolishly I didn't test the printer but I would've only tested A4 and not A5 paper.

Within 48 hours, I was having a hard time with the printer which was jamming paper every time I tried to print on A5 paper (I bought the printer specifically to print some A5 books). I emailed the seller who basically said he had not tried printing A5 with the printer so couldn't really comment. I then replied stating I had found a work around (by using the manual feed) but obviously the problem was still there.

However, today, the printer started jamming on every page I tried to print and now displays a permanent 'rear paper jam' error message and upon contacting the seller, he is refusing to accept responsibility for the problem and despite claiming in the listing that VAT is included in the price and making several references to the company selling the printer, he is claiming he sold it as an individual and as such doesn't have to follow the distance selling regulations or sales of good act.

He's also stated that as I did not ask him to test the printer he shouldn't be held responsible for any issue.

Can anyone advise how I can proceed with this?

theonlywayisup

It is a difficult one as you paid by cash. However there has been a thread on here recently re a person who paid cash for a washing machine which turned out to be faulty (according to the buyer) and Ebay told them they would refund if they returned it. However another buyer reported something similar and was told to take a hike by Ebay.

I would say, you paid cash, you takes your chance.

Ebay may say differently (depending on which call centre you get). You may want to try opening a case and see what happens.

However all of this aside. The seller CANNOT charge VAT unless he is a VAT registered company. So you may wish to remind him of that and or report him to HMRC.

DSR are a waste of time when it comes to Ebay, in so much is it is a costly and lengthy process usually not worth the amount you are trying to claim.

gazfocus

Thanks for your reply.

The seller is now claiming that the printer is not different to the item description as he didn't say it was working (however it was implied) but the listing didn't say the printer was faulty and certainly didn't say it was untested.