Intimidation by buyer

jon_burrage

Hi, I sold a TV on ebay a few days ago. I listed it as working 2 months ago (before a house move) but that it had been in storage for 2 months and as such had not been tested since the move, I said that it worked fine and we had never had a problem with it but that as it had not been used for 2 months and I could not test it that buyers should be aware of this and make their decisions with all the information.

Anyway, it sells, the buyer meets me to collect the TV. He asks me if it works, I repeat that it should because before we moved it was fine but that I have not tested it so I cannot promise.

I thought it would work fine but I didnt want to hide any details from the bidders.

I get an email a day later saying it doesnt work and that they are going to come round to my place (which they have the address for somehow) and sort this out, brign the tv and get their f****** money back...sending intimidating messages, phone calls, emails etc.

What do I do? I tried to do everything by the book and I believe that as a second hand item, sold privately with all the information I had made clear, I dont actually have any requirement to refund. I dont want to be intimidated into it by two very large bouncer type people threatening me.

What should I do?

imho

Why didnt you test it before you listed it ? You would have got more money for it if you listed as working.You then could have plugged it in and shown the seller it worked .

iieee

Ditto, why on earth didn't you just plug it in?

Look at it from the buyer's point of view, they've just wasted money and effort collecting a TV that doesn't work, would you be happy? They probably think that you knew it didn't work and said it was untested to cheat them.

DaveLy

so you are able to find the time to not only post here and ebay an item, but not plug a tv in?

The_old_codger

you're going to have to refund him I think!

*Kat*

It seems really dodgy that you didn't just test it prior to selling, I think you probably knew it wasn't working anymore, the guy deserves his money back

cyberbob

I assume this was cash on collection as much as you really should have checked it. The onus was on the buyer to test it before taking it away. If he paid cash there is not much he can do but as you didn't check it either I think morally you should refund on return.

As I said there is not much he can do. If you feel threatened contact the police.

Eyeballs99

Clearly you were trying it on, it all sounds very suss to me. Saying it may not work because of the move trying to cover your back doesn't work.

It takes 2 minutes to plug a TV in to see if it's working. You managed to get it out to give it him. By the sound of it you even met him somewhere to hand it over, but yet no time to plug it in to test. Very Odd

Refund the man, He has every right to be angry.

Some people will try anything

ariarnia

Personally, send them an email then ignore them.

They can do item not as described – but they would have to return the item via tracked mail which with a tv would cost a fair bit. You can offer them this if you’d like – they’re unlikely to take you up on it.

You sold an item as sold as seen - yes, you could have tested it and didn't, but you also never said that you did. I’m not sure why people are saying this is your fault. You could have made more money (possibly) by testing it first, but you are under no obligation to do so and didn’t lie in communication with the buyer.

I suggest you reply politely apologising that the tv doesn't appear to work, but saying that it does say in the listing and you did say to them that you didn't test it and that is was sold as seen, untested.

You are not willing to refund unless they return by a tracked method. You would have considered refunding or doing a partial refund as a gesture but as you find their attitude threatening you will not be doing so.

Finally, if they do turn up unannounced on your property you will call the police and report them for threats, trespass.

I also suggest you call ebay and ask them what to do about threatening emails. They can block the buyer from sending you messages via ebay and you can block them from emailing you directly. You can also block them from bidding maliciously on any of your other items.

Even if he feels he's been done hard done to, there's no excuse for being rude and threatening.

WelshPaul

I agree, sounds like you knew it didn't work but instead of listing it as faulty you listed it in a way you thought would get you more money for it!

Give the poor guy his money back!

Rolandtheroadie

Do whatever you thinks right.
Personally it seems like you've been unlucky and sold it to someone whos got a bit of a bite to his bark. As will his friends.
Nah, keep the money. It may be a valuble lesson for you.