2. misc-audio
  3. 1034906102

Potential problem with sale.

I didn't see this possible dilema addressed in the archives. My question has to do with a product you sell being properly represented, no functional or comsmetic issues, but not being compatible with the buyer's system. Case in point-- I have recently sold a dvd player (Camelot) which when hooked up to the buyer's 16:9 tv (Panasonic) produces uneven blackbars when playing a 2.35:1 movie in progressive scan mode-thin bar at the top and a wider bar at the bottom. The buyer is going to trade his tv for a Mitsubishi tomorrow and hopefully this will be a non-issue. I had no problems with my Sony XBR2. What is my obligation to the buyer if the new tv performs in the same manner? Am I to let him return the player to me for refund? My opinion is that sales on Audiogon are final and not a trial of the equipment (if properly represented). I have good feedback, and wouldn't want that to change because of this transaction. I am interested in the views and opinions of other Audiogoners as to this situation. Thanks for your time and input.

Jeff Strossner
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dogpile
118 posts
 
Caveat Emptor...it's not like the unit was misrepresented or damaged. You are not obligated to buy back. Anyway, having 1 or even 2 negative feedbacks will do little or no damage, especially if you were not at fault.

my 2 cents
gboren
143 posts
 
Legally, it depends on what was represented. If your ad, or other communications, promised compatibility with all TV's, you certainly are obliged to take it back (assuming that his TV is not defective.) If your ad was silent on the issue, then it is legally his problem.

Having said that, I wholeheartedly agree with Itsalldark and Esun above. It's the right thing to do.
thorman
1,262 posts
 
In my mind if you knew this problem was a possibility and explained that to the buyer,then you are off the hook.If you knew the possibility of a problem and didn't mention it to that person,I feel you are obligated. Only you know where you fit in the problem.Personally I would do everything possible to help the buyer be happy.... Good Luck!
judit
217 posts
 
I, too, agree with Itsalldark and Esun. You can bet I will look for what they are selling here, and buy from them. I do, however, think that shipping should be paid by the original buyer, and that something must be done to ensure that goods have not been damaged by the buyer when returned.

I have legal obligations to my husband, but that is not what builds relationship and credibility when the going gets rough.
jameswei
795 posts
 
I think it's the buyer's responsibility to know about what he is buying. The seller is responsible for the item's condition, not its functionality. I bought a Meridian 598 with progressive scan and didn't discover that it didn't have outputs compatible with my TV until I tried to hook it up. Duh! (I bought a used 565 to solve this.) I bought a remote for one of my components and didn't find out that the component didn't have the circuitry to receive remote commands until I tried to use it. Double Duh! (It's in the drawer now.) These are MY mistakes, not the sellers'. If I had wanted, I could have sold my mistakes on Audiogon.

Now, having said all this, I would nevertheless be willing to take back the Camelot dvd player IF the buyer really wanted to back out of the deal. He should pay for round trip shipping and any transaction costs (credit card fee, etc). I would relist it for sale and hope to get a comparable deal. In other words, he would make me whole financially (presumably not a big number), but I would be willing to put up with the hassle of trying again to sell it. I think this position is reasonable on both sides given the sense of community courtesy and mutual respect shared on this site. No one wants to be taken advantaged of or put at a disadvantage, but I would try to be civilized and understanding about the whole thing.
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