sold item on gumtree - buyer trying legal action

monkeydust_2

Need a bit of advice please. I sold a wardrobe on gumtree over the weekend. The product was in good condition had a few bits missing (described in the advert) and the buyer had the opportunity to inspect before handing over the cash as the collected in person.

So what happened is this afternoon I get an email saying that the product has an item missing (that I was not aware of) and that as a result its useless, they will dispose and want me to reimburse the wardrobe cost, cost of them collecting plus disposal cost. If not they will get ActionFraud involved.

This was bit of shock, obviously I will check to see if anything got left behind but regardless who is in the right here for this type of issue or is it simply a matter a civil court would have to decide. I did state on the advert 'sold as seen' if that helps my case. Any advice appreciated.

MD

miduck

What is missing, is it something that can be easily replaced? Was he able to see the item made up before buying, and would he allow you to collect the item?

His reaction does seem a tad extreme, but some more information would help to give context.

UsernameAlreadyExists

Ignore them.
I have never heard anything quite so ridiculous.

I am sure "ActionFraud" would wet themselves laughing when someone phones them asking to take up a case of a mis-sold wardrobe on Gumtree.

McKneff

what ;bit' is missing then. I cant imagine anything being missing from a wardrobe that would render it unusable

If they inspected it before hand and paid you willingly, then I agree with the above poster.

pinkshoes

Ignore him. Do NOT reply! No normal person reacts like that over a wardrobe!

agrinnall

Caveat emptor.

miduck

UsernameAlreadyExists wrote: »

Ignore them.
I have never heard anything quite so ridiculous.

I am sure "ActionFraud" would wet themselves laughing when someone phones them asking to take up a case of a mis-sold wardrobe on Gumtree.

No, do not ignore. Whilst I agree that it sounds ridiculous, if the buyer issues a small claims action and the OP ignores it, the buyer will be able to get a default judgment against them.

arcon5

Even if he did have a case (which I'm not sure he does) then a judge would not award him anything after he has disposed of it!

I suspect he wants a refund and the item and will now make threats hoping you will cave.

If the item was described as 'some parts missing' and he had he opportunity to inspect it then the item is exactly as described

UsernameAlreadyExists

miduck wrote: »

No, do not ignore. Whilst I agree that it sounds ridiculous, if the buyer issues a small claims action and the OP ignores it, the buyer will be able to get a default judgment against them.

You don't ignore a court action, obviously ...

... but they've sent an utterly ridiculous email with outrageous demands. They are taking the p!!! and it doesn't warrant a response.

Is the email even from the person that collected the wardrobe? Have they emailed you before or was it contact via the site, or a phone number? It sounds like a pure con attempt to me.

pulliptears

This is familiar....

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4163419

Seems buying knackered wardrobes is all the rage on gumtree.

monkeydust_2

miduck wrote: »

No, do not ignore. Whilst I agree that it sounds ridiculous, if the buyer issues a small claims action and the OP ignores it, the buyer will be able to get a default judgment against them.

Thanks for responses but yes this was my fear, don't think I can ignore but will just remind the buyer that they had a chance to inspect before handing over cash and it was marked as sold as seen.

It seems weird that they went so harsh in the first email to me, that does suggests a scam.

The other thing i just realised is that the email came from an email address with the word "refund" inside it!? So lets assume the name was james it was - [email]jamesrefund@<emailprovider>.com[/email]. Is it me or does that just smell a bit odd.