They can't make their own laws!

paddyrg

I don't believe any B2C consumer laws will apply though, selling secondhand goods with the opportunity to inspect via an auction is not the same as selling new goods by internet shopping.

Sanddseries

Just thought I'd update you. Techbid did eventually pay up. They didn't pay after the required 14 days so I emailed them. They said they'd pay if I returned the faulty item. I said that was a separate matter. So I got an order of execution (not literally unfortunately) and after a couple of weeks the Bailiffs went in - I wish I could have seen their faces, the cheats - anyway they promptly paid up and it cost them twice as much in the end. They haven't changed their T&C's but do point out more clearly that potential buyers should check the gear. However, to do that, you have to make an appointment with them in writing and you only have a window of 5 days! Also they still say that they do not guarantee that goods are of merchantable quality - this is the point at which they break the law. I know that they deliberately auction off broken equipment arrogantly telling the equipment supplier that most of the buyers would never suspect as they are mostly buying in good faith. I don't know how they sleep at night.

vax2002

I do know one company up here that shoot TV soaps, sent a whole lorry full of knackered gear to them, they just wanted the store room clear, none of it worked and none of it could be repaired.

aveylee

Also they still say that they do not guarantee that goods are of merchantable quality - this is the point at which they break the law.

Not to stand up for dubious business practices, which I'm whole heartedly against; but it is not against the law to expressly exclude your implied rights using an express term in a B2B transaction. In fact its quite common.
It is in a B2C contract, which is why you'll see a proviso such as 'Your statutory rights not affected'.
However if they are saying 'absolutely no refunds' as Sandseries says in his first post and they do business with consumers, then they may be breaking the CTRSO (Consumer Transactions Restrictions on Statements Order) which is a criminal offence (Inform Trading Standards in the geographical location the company is base in). A useful consideration for Sandseries should they play hardball with paying the money back.