Traded goods and what is fair?

embob74

I am a member of a buying/selling forum which has the ethos of enabling mums to buy and sell and trade.
Before Christmas I advertised an electronic game which was BNIP although had been in storage for more than a year when we moved.
A trader asked if I was willing to swap for anything and I agreed to swap for something for DD for Christmas - a glow bear.
I received some lovely books and the glow bear which was quite tatty and unable to be washed due to the light. I didn't feel happy about giving it to DD so haven't.
I had messaged the trader asking them to check the game I sent as I had forgotten to do so and was worried in case it was a present. Lo and behold it doesn't work :mad:
I offered to return the traders items and refund postage so she would be in the same position as before we traded but she asked me to just pay her what I thought was fair.
The problem is I think zero payment is fair! I had put the game on ebay and had to cancel the sale to trade it. It was selling for £17 and cost me £5.50 to post due to weight.
I know if it was an ebay sale and found to be faulty I would have to refund but I would also have the game back so I could ensure it was truly not working.
Any advice on how to proceed as the trader is now pushing me for a response?

victory

Fairness would be back to square one but how come the bnip game not work? Seems strange?

tea_lover

Was it in sealed packaging which she then opened?

embob74

The package was initially sealed but I had opened it to check all the bits were still nestled in their respective slots prior to posting......I should have plugged it in too but wanted to keep it as BNIB

I did think it odd that I mentioned to check it and yet she didn't reply until quite a few weeks later to say it didn't work. I should give her the benefit of the doubt but I do know she is very strapped for cash and I have to wonder why she turned down my offer to return her items and refund postage ??

pulliptears

I agree with Victory, I think returning the swap on both sides would be the fairest way.
Of course their refusal to return their end could of course be because the game works and they are pulling a fast one?