Vintage HiFi Audio Forum
Audio Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: vstarkwell on March 10, 2015, 05:21:24 PM
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I sold an item 15 months ago and the buyer is now contacting me via phone calls & a letter I received in the mail yesterday demanding his money back saying the item doesn't work. He's also resorted to calling me a liar and a thief.
When I spoke with him about a month or so ago I was very polite and willing to listen to his side of the story. His side of the story would never hold up (he was out of the country for the past year and left before he received the item in the mail).
Now he is saying that he had 2 repair techs take a look at the item (a Sony CDP-302, that was in minty working condition by the way) and that they can't figure out what is wrong with it.
When I initially spoke with him I advised to go through channels and communicate via ebay and one way or another this will get figure out.
I spoke with ebay CS today and they basically said he really doesn't have claim and for me to refer him again to them.
I googled him and it seems he's a fan of small claims court, which is the last thing I need especially as he's in CA.
Any advice, suggestions as to how i should proceed? my gut is telling me if I ignore him he might pursue further.
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I'm not a lawyer nor do I play one on TV, but don't see where he has anything to stand on. Anyway try this, demand to see the service reports and invoices he paid to the techs that have the model and serial number of the CDP on them. Since he won't be able to come up with those, you can then tell him to pound sand.
No one would spend a dime trying to repair a CDP that has a value of what, $20.00.
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Do everything through e-bay. No phone calls, no mail. How the hell did he get your phone number anyway?
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Do everything through e-bay. No phone calls, no mail. How the hell did he get your phone number anyway?
Good question Dicky, I asked ebay that today and they tried to explain how he could request it but it didn't make much sense.
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@Jesse,
Here is what I sent him via ebay messaging, If he replies back I'll ask him about his repair techs too.
"Re: Item # 321292089877
When we last spoke again about a month or so ago, per a conversation I had with an ebay service rep, it was suggested that you to contact ebay directly in order to assist in this matter.
I had not heard from ebay on this matter since nor had I heard back from you until yesterday.
In the mean time, in order that I might assist you can you please provide a detailed explanation of the following:
On what date did you receive the item?
Was their any noticeable damage to the packaging of the shipped item when you received it?
Was the item itself damaged?
What is currently wrong with the item?
I look forward to assisting you however I can not assist you if you choose to communicate with me outside of ebay IE; personal phone calls or written letters.
Thanks,
Ian
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f**k him...let him rot. >:(
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That's good Ian.
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I'm not a lawyer nor do I play one on TV, but don't see where he has anything to stand on. Anyway try this, demand to see the service reports and invoices he paid to the techs that have the model and serial number of the CDP on them. Since he won't be able to come up with those, you can then tell him to pound sand.
No one would spend a dime trying to repair a CDP that has a value of what, $20.00.
He spent $69.98 for the item and that included shipping too.
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He spent $69.98 for the item and that included shipping too.
It would cost more than that to put it on the bench. The guy is a putz.
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What an asshat. I can't imagine he has a leg to stand on, by eBay rules or in court. He lacks due diligence, legally speaking.
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Let him work the issue through the eBay process. I think you will win this one in the end due to the time elapsed. And since you've already been paid, he has no leverage on you.
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Don't give in to this fraudster. I would not be surprised if he routinely pulls this.
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Hi Ian -
Sorry to hear about this madness by a buyer. I echo other's advice to ignore the nutball. If you are served feel free to let the forum know and perhaps there are ways we can help (I for one have a lot of lawyers in the family).
My approach for the last year on ebay has been to sell "As is, no returns, vintage equipment is fragile" but also include a video showing the unit in operation to establish that it worked when I shipped. This makes it is hard for the buyer to build a crazy case against me. If the item is damaged in transit I cover that through insurance, adds cost but builds peace of mind. You can still run into nuts like these no matter what you do to try to prevent though. Part of doing business with the full spectrum of human species.
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From what I read he would have to come here to sue in small claims court. If he filed there it would get dismissed. Forget him, and remember to block him as a buyer.
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Thanks for the suggestions everyone we'll see what happens.
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one more thought: take pictures of the packing . I have had the experience where the buyer claims claims inadequate packing to ebay and they end up eating crow after getting 5 picturs of the packing process and final box.
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That is the best advice there by obg. You have to have photos of everything you do when selling on the bay. In the end though, they are your best freind. Also, they help you win and make the complainer look like a fool.
Good luck but as far as I can tell, Im with everyone else. He doesnt have a leg to stand on.
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one more thought: take pictures of the packing . I have had the experience where the buyer claims claims inadequate packing to ebay and they end up eating crow after getting 5 picturs of the packing process and final box.
Agreed and I've been doing that lately with any item I sell, but alas this was 15 months ago and i wasn't taking pictures then.