Refund or not refund? Pls, read...

Den

Hi, I just started ebay and have only few feedbacks, all are positive. Sold few items and it was all smooth and fine. I had All-in-One HP printer that I did not use as a printer only for fax and scanning but it was too big to keep on my desk, so tested, packed and put on ebay. I got price what I expected... when customer collected printer I open the box and offered to have a look, if he would asked to check the printer I could set it up. Later on the same day he phones me up and tells that printer prints but gives an error, which I was not aware of. On HP website its common error due to cartridges expire date. Other people say that its can be easy fixed. I stated on the website that it was used, but in perfect working condition, as to my best knowledge. Also I don't offer returns and refunds plus other usual conditions. Printer prints, its only error message, rest of the functionality definately work as I used the all the time, except printer.
He did not ask yet for refund and we did not leave feedback for each other. What would shoul I do?

Teerah

Did you test if it was printing ok when you tested it before packing it up?

italiastar

Personally, I'd be inclined to meet them some of the way, but it depends on how much you sold it for. Basically, new cartriges cost as much as the printer would new - if you sold it for a few pounds then I wouldn't bother, but if you've got a good price.....then it's up to you, but you did describe it in perfect order! - how would you feel if you bought it?

Den

italiastar wrote:

Personally, I'd be inclined to meet them some of the way, but it depends on how much you sold it for. Basically, new cartriges cost as much as the printer would new - if you sold it for a few pounds then I wouldn't bother, but if you've got a good price.....then it's up to you, but you did describe it in perfect order! - how would you feel if you bought it?

I agree with you, that's why I asked othe MSEs. Yes, I got realy good price £150, but its less what other people got. I feel little bit guilty, but don't know how to do it right.
Printer was working, and customer confirms that it works. I had original box, full set of software, cables and it was not damaged, so I described it as in perfect condition. Personaly I used it for Fax and scanning. On what conditions should I refund? Or should I stick to my terms and conditions.
If I buy printer with same problem I would try to get my money back. But on other hand I don't want to relist and pay again fees. Thank you for advice!

italiastar

£150 ??? what model was it and how much does it cost new??, how long did you have it? I'm afraid, my rule of thumb with used stuff is 50% of the new price, surely this can't be a £200 - £300 printer?

One part of me says that if they are daft enough to pay that sort of money on ebay, then tough, but at the end of the day it sounds as though you may have got a very good price. One view is wait for them to ask, the other one is give them or get them the cartridges - the danger with this, is are you sure it is the cartridges? - I'm not aware of these dated ones, but I assume there must be a reset tool for those who refill them.

Tojo_Ralph

Den wrote:

I agree with you, that's why I asked othe MSEs. Yes, I got realy good price £150, but its less what other people got. I feel little bit guilty, but don't know how to do it right.
Printer was working, and customer confirms that it works. I had original box, full set of software, cables and it was not damaged, so I described it as in perfect condition. Personaly I used it for Fax and scanning. On what conditions should I refund? Or should I stick to my terms and conditions.
If I buy printer with same problem I would try to get my money back. But on other hand I don't want to relist and pay again fees. Thank you for advice!

OK... So it prints... but gives an error message due to cartridge expiry date?

Is the seller aware of the information on the HP Website?

If the answer to the above questions are yes, then I would hope that I could reassure the buyer that the "error" was a non event, and through dialogue, I'd hope to have a happy buyer. Right now, you have a buyer who is seeing error and hitting the panic button.

Tojo_Ralph

italiastar wrote:

It sounds as though you may have got a very good price.

OP stated earlier...........

I got a really good price, £150, but its less than other people got.

italiastar

Sorry - I missed the bit about the printer actually printing - if it's only a message about expiry, then I suppose it's just a pain. Technically, if it works perfectly, then that's how you advertised it - people can't expect used stuff to be as new - But you should aim to be as truful as possible on eBay.

Teerah

but if the buyer hasnt actually asked for a refund I wouldnt worry too much, he may just be making you aware of the slight prob. As italiastar says, if the printer works ok albeit with an annoying error message then you have sold as stated. Pretty sure you would know by now if the buyer wanted any comeback

italiastar

Tojo_Ralph wrote:

OP stated earlier...........

I got a really good price, £150, but its less than other people got.

I realise that, but if he, say, got £150 for a printer which he used for 2 years and paid £180 for, then what I'm saying is it was overpriced - but then it's down to the person who bid for it. eBay is full of stuff reaching more than what you can buy it new for, but then - more fool the person who buys it. The key is accurate description.

Tojo_Ralph

italiastar wrote:

I realise that, but if he, say, got £150 for a printer which he used for 2 years and paid £180 for, then what I'm saying is it was overpriced

How can an item, that sells at auction, for .... Quote .... "less than other people got" .... Possibly be overpriced?