What do you think?

craftytony

craftytony

OT Godfather
So I sold my setup to someone and they e-mailed me back saying that one of the metal halide lights is not working and one of the 2 vho ballasts I gave him doesn't work. Everything was working before I sold it to him. Unfortunately he didn't ask to see everything working and I didn't turn everything on for him to see.
For all I know it was damaged in transit or he didn't hook up the system correctly...It sounds like he may want some sort of refund, but I don't think I should as I know (personally) that everything was working before I sold it

What are your thoughts?
 
I've had this happen with individual pieces of equipment and I've always offered to either look at them and correct the problem if I can or let them return it at their expense and refund their money. It's your reputation they will smear if they think you misrepresented the condition of something.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13054610#post13054610 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ppurcell
I've had this happen with individual pieces of equipment and I've always offered to either look at them and correct the problem if I can or let them return it at their expense and refund their money. It's your reputation they will smear if they think you misrepresented the condition of something.
Click to expand...

Total agree. Let'em bring it buy, crack open a couple of beers, try to get it to work. If yes, GREAT! If no, ahhhhhhh, you should probably work something out that's fair. But, the item was sold discounted as part of a package. Fair does not equal its replacement value, since it was not sold at its replacement value.
 
Tough call...since you didn't test if for the buyer at the time of purchase it could possibly been broken, probably not, but it is possible. Like ppurcell said I would have the buyer bring the "broken" items back to you and go from there. Maybe they aren't hooking them up properly.
 
From your pointt of view it sucks to give money back,but from buyer's point of view,if you said it is all working fine,then buyer expects just that,otherwise he/she will feel lied to.But work something out,offer to pay half for a used replacement.That would be fair.
 
Yeah, I sent him an e-mail asking what exactly is wrong. I am hoping he just hooked something up incorrectly.

oh and I know everything was working, because I didn't take anything down until the morning he came over.
 
Send the maddam or madman over to fix it for him and pay for the service call...or offer a service in return. ;)
 
I generally like to plug it in, turn it on, fill it up or feed it before I buy it.

When I don't and the guy tells me he was unaware of the problem I have to believe him.

I think the idea of trying to get it to work makes sense, and a buyback or partial rebate is fair.

It's a thin world.
 
buyer could be at fault here. the fact that he didn't ask for you to test it in front of him is his own fault. It's kinda like a used car sale, if you don't test drive it then how do you know if it is good or not?

I'm assuming the MH is DE ask him to see if it is inserted all the way in the socket, could have gotten jostled around while in transit. I'm actually suspicious of the buyer, what was his post count? Did he test another outlet, check for loose wires, bulb connections, swap bulbs, ect. So many variables, good luck. I say no refund or refund 1/2 of what it would be to get it fixed if it really is trashed.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13055090#post13055090 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 121a
buyer could be at fault here. the fact that he didn't ask for you to test it in front of him is his own fault. It's kinda like a used car sale, if you don't test drive it then how do you know if it is good or not?

I'm assuming the MH is DE ask him to see if it is inserted all the way in the socket, could have gotten jostled around while in transit. I'm actually suspicious of the buyer, what was his post count? Did he test another outlet, check for loose wires, bulb connections, swap bulbs, ect. So many variables, good luck. I say no refund or refund 1/2 of what it would be to get it fixed if it really is trashed.
Click to expand...

What is annoying me is the fact that I know it was all working before I sold it. I know the guy packed his truck up VERY tight to get it all home (an hour and a half away).
And he was asking me some pretty "newby" questions so that makes me think that hopefully it was just hooked up incorrectly.

not to mention he talked me down $50 off my asking price and I only charged him $100 for over 150lbs of live rock. I feel I gave this guy a great deal and I feel like the bad guy because he either broke something or didn't hook it up.....

I guess we'll see what he says in response to my e-mail...
 
Yeah, I've been in the same boat. It's a drag and you have to deal with it or be a hard-arse about it. I usually try to visualize myself in the other guys shoes and try to see their side before I decide what I'm going to do.
 
Which way is he an hour and a half away ??? If hes close to any of us im sure someone can swing by to look at it for you as well....

Was everything retrofits ??? Like could he have wired it wrong and toasted anything ??? It sucks because you know it was working when you sold it, and now it doesnt work... Sounds like user error to me, but who knows. You know if he already talked you down on the price he's going to want you to get him new stuff....

At which point I would tell him to bring it all back and refund his money... Thats just me though. :D
 
Screw him and fdon't worry about your rep, it can't get any wosre than it is.

Oh feel the burn.

It is tuff man. I have had to eat more than 1 think when I KNOW am I being taken advantage of. Hope it is an error in set up. If he is north of you and not to bad of a trip for me, Badass's idea is good, I would be happy to try and help. If it is not an error, find something in the middle and fair. If he is not being fair (and you will know what that is) he is trying to stick it to you. JMHO
 
Re: What do you think?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13054532#post13054532 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by craftytony
So I sold my setup to someone and they e-mailed me back saying that one of the metal halide lights is not working and one of the 2 vho ballasts I gave him doesn't work. Everything was working before I sold it to him. Unfortunately he didn't ask to see everything working and I didn't turn everything on for him to see.
For all I know it was damaged in transit or he didn't hook up the system correctly...It sounds like he may want some sort of refund, but I don't think I should as I know (personally) that everything was working before I sold it

What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...

i think that you like to rip people off :lol:
 
Re: Re: What do you think?

Re: Re: What do you think?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13058176#post13058176 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by moon jelly
i think that you like to rip people off :lol:
Click to expand...
+1
 
Re: Re: What do you think?

Re: Re: What do you think?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13058176#post13058176 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by moon jelly
i think that you like to rip people off :lol:
Click to expand...
Yeah, that guy craftytony sold me some non-stinging anemones on a rock for $30... :D

Seriously though, I would call him as opposed to responding to his e-mail, especially since you told me that he already sent you a nasty follow-up e-mail before you even had a chance to look at his original. That would make you out to look way more accommodating... and probably make him feel like an idiot for jumping the gun on his second e-mail.

I agree with 121a. If there is no physical damage to light fixture from the outside, the problem is more than likely either a bulb not seated properly or a bad wiring job on his part. I know the fixture was working before he took it since I witnessed everything up and running at your house just a few days prior. Those fixtures don't just stop working for no reason.

It's just unfortunate that he didn't ask to see everything working before he loaded it up. Ultimately, this was his responsibility, but it ended up causing more inconvenience for you in the end.

Anyway, give him a call... I'm sure he will appreciate the fact that you are trying to work with him on this.
 
I spoke to him and lo and behold the metal halide fixture is working. He says the bulb is bad. So i'm going to send him some old ones. (Even though I KNOW it was fine before) He says that one of the VHO ballasts i gave him is only HALF working. So i told him i'd buy the ballast back. From his e-mail it sounded like he wants to keep the ballast and for me to send him money so he can buy a new ballast!

ROB TOP - so true...lol - my rep has been at rock bottom for years.

karen & juggy - +1
 
I thought VHO ballasts were all or nothing, at least that's how my icecap is.
 
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you should haave said as is. you should still say that. you gave him a huge discount and some. not everyone has to like you, just the people that matter.
 
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