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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Showing 1 response by jameswei

jameswei
883 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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