Where does a sellers responsibility stop?


I have a ethics question that I need some input about. I just sold my pre amp to a buyer who made a local pickup. The pre has always worked flawlessly. He demoed it and then we took it out of my system. I started to remove the top to take out the tubes and pack them as they were when I purchased the unit. He said not to bother and so we packed it in all the original boxes.
He called me 3 hours later and said that the pre amp doesn't turn on. I told him that it had never had a problem like that before but, he was welcome to return it. He seemed really miffed at me like I cheated him. Now the problem is, I will be refunding his money but, how will I know that he didn't drop or short out or whatever the unit ?
Did my responsibility stop once it left the door?
agaffer
Agaffer, just to echo what others have said, you are a credit to Audiogon. Your handling of this situation was decidedly above and beyond the normally expected duties of a seller. All the more admirable if the buyer was acting like a clod.
I recommend pointing the buyer to this thread, if there is any more unpleasantness. He should see that there is a consensus opinion on your side of the argument. I also suspect that the buyer has very little experience on Audiogon buying/selling equipment. I've found one or two novice buyers and sellers to be problematic, but have never had any problems with veteran members. Best of luck.
Well, it stops where you and the buyer agree it stops. Not that you did anything wrong, but now know it is always safer to at least say it, or better to make a writing, if that does not seem too chilling. Other than that, it is buyer be ware. The burden of proof is on the buyer. Not that a spite action cannot still be brought to bleed you, however unlikely. I brought in a component to my high end dealer to sell on consignment for 15%. He sold it for $2600 and kept it all. When I went to get the proceeds, he said 'Make me.' I will not sully this august forum with my thoughts. But I controlled myself and called my lawyer at Thor, Zeus and associates. Long story short, he declared bankruptcy.
Agaffer, your responsibility stop when he stopped you from removing the tubes because the unit was working properly and he seen that it was. Removing the tubes was the proper procedure but when he stepped in and stopped you then all responsibility was shifted from you to him. You should had made that clear to him that not removing the tubes could create problems due to the vibration during transport and that you would not be responsible if anything goes wrong once the unit left your house. Sometime you have to be strick about this that's the only way you can protect yourself, I had a customer do the same thing to me but when I told him I would not be responsible for any problem due to not removing the tubes he then said "go ahead and remove the tubes". Sorry you have to go through this. Let us know how it turns out!

Steve.
On March 28, my husband and I sold a home to a couple. At settlement, we put 1900 into escrow to pay for repairs at the result of a home inspection. One of the items was one countertops in the kitchen needed to be tighted. (Recommend by the inspector) My husband asked a contractor for an cost estimate to do the other repairs, and to tighten the countertops. The contractor states the main countertop couldn't be tighten, he said it should be replaced, and he had a countertop to match the remaining countertops. At settlement, the new homeowers agreeded to have this contractor to do the work, they were given a choice to use this contractor or take the money. They chose to use the contractor. Both parties signed agreement for the $1900. The contractor completed the required work from the inspection report. The new homeowners decided to select another type of countertop, now the other two smaller countertops do not match. The new owners realestate agent is asking us to pay for the other two countertops, that were not included in the service order. Are we responsible for paying additional money for their countertops?