How would you list a laptop with a cracked screen on eBay?

DullGreyGuy

Laptop developed a bend a while back after physical damage but worked perfectly so carried on using it for months. The other day a black line appeared down the screen inline with the bend and as the day went on the LCD bled and now there is just one slither of the screen you can see.

Plug in an external display, still works perfectly well. The manufacturer says they won't look at it because of the bend but a 3rd party thought they could repair it with original parts (they're on the manufacturers repairer list).

So going to list it on eBay, what "condition" do I choose from the drop down? Obv going to give full disclosure of the issue(s)

Olinda99

ebay category descriptions for electronics etc

• Used: An item that has been previously used. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or an item that has been returned to the seller after a period of use. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections
• For parts or not working: An item that does not function as intended or is not fully operational. This includes items that are defective in ways that render them difficult to use, items that require service or repair, or items missing essential components. See the seller's listing for full details

https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/listings/creating-managing-listings/item-conditions-category?id=4765

[Deleted User]

Hi,

can the bend be straightened?

Easy enough to change screen yourself, here's a wee video, give you an idea.

DullGreyGuy

frugalmacdugal said:

can the bend be straightened?

Easy enough to change screen yourself, here's a wee video, give you an idea.

No idea, on the basis it was still working I didn't want to try and bend it back and end up breaking it, especially whilst the screen was still working. 

The manufacturer sells the replacement screen but its silly monies and not sure the price difference would be recouped in selling it with a replacement screen -v- damaged screen. As the laptop is actually carried around all the time I was also concerned of having a straight screen on a bent laptop (if it even fitted) that it'd be more prone to damage given it'd be above the body in the middle. 

SimonFF

If it is still working and usable, although damaged, list it as used and make you are as verbose as possible in the description. If you list is as "spare or repair" and it cannot be repaired, the buyer is more likely to request a refund, although in practice any buyer can ask for a refund any time they want.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

is the bend on the lid?

If so, as it's probably plastic, and screen is duff, you could strip down the lid and place it on a flat surface with a bit of weight on it for a couple of hours.

If that doesn't work, then try a bit of heat from a hair dryer on lid first then the weight.

DullGreyGuy

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

is the bend on the lid?

If so, as it's probably plastic, and screen is duff, you could strip down the lid and place it on a flat surface with a bit of weight on it for a couple of hours.

If that doesn't work, then try a bit of heat from a hair dryer on lid first then the weight.

No, bend is the whole computer @frugalmacdugal. Screen and body are in aluminium rather than plastic. 

Spoonie_Turtle

For Parts / Not Working

Not to be too blunt but as a fairly frequent eBay buyer, if someone listed a damaged laptop as simply 'used' it would put me off and I'd make a mental note not to buy from them, as our ideas of 'used' would be so wildly different - and this one is not just damaged, actually not working properly.  People usually buy a laptop as much for the screen as for the computing power.

DullGreyGuy

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Not to be too blunt but as a fairly frequent eBay buyer, if someone listed a damaged laptop as simply 'used' it would put me off and I'd make a mental note not to buy from them, as our ideas of 'used' would be so wildly different - and this one is not just damaged, actually not working properly.  People usually buy a laptop as much for the screen as for the computing power.

I somewhat agree, though don't sell often enough to worry about losing a customer, but at the same time its not dead and so For Parts/Not Working equally is too dramatic... feels like there's a catagory between the two which it would fit in. 

Olinda99

it's not working ! The screen doesn't work.

DullGreyGuy

Other than I am typing this message on it right now... never thought you could browse the web on a device that doesn't work!