What Do You Think Of This?


I sold a Magnum Dynalab MD100 tuner here on Saturday.  I used it daily for almost 3 years and right up to the day I shipped it to its new owner.  There was never a problem with it, it always worked perfectly.  The gentleman received the tuner yesterday and complained to me that the tuner is broken.  He said that when the tuner is off, the meters still work.  I pointed out to him that it is the way the tuner is designed.  I have had 3 different Magnum Dynalab tuners and all 3 have been that way.  He also said the signal strength meter moves wildly and that he is getting a loud hiss.  I explained to him that it sounds like poor reception.

He wants his money back and I told him I would cheerfully refund him the money via PayPal once I receive the tuner back.  I stated I would refund him the 400.00 that he paid.  He then complained he wanted his return shipping back because I sent him a "broken" tuner and that I stated in my ad that it worked flawlessly (which it did).   I sent him another email which he has yet to respond to that I will cover his return shipping, and that as soon as I get the tuner back I will refund him the 400.00 plus the return shipping.

I am quite annoyed because He lowballed me down to 400 as I was asking 475.00 and this tuner went for 1970.00 new.  I also ate the PayPal fees plus had to purchase a shipping carton as well.  I am positive the tuner is fine and that he just has poor reception.  People here need to realize that we who are selling are not a store, this isn't try and return if you don't like or if the problem is bad reception.

At any rate, I am just going to refund him everything as I have flawless feedback and that means more to me than the money.  Whats your take on this?

128x128stereo5
Man I feel for you as a sellar I would not except anything but a GOLDBAR! LOL Seriously though just know that these people do this on purpose, they want to try out stuff! People are using the return system Paypal provides or a credit card company with little regard to YOUR return policy you listed for the item (means nothing) Tip: get cash or wait for check to clear before sending item sellers, or 50/50 it will come back to you...they protect the money, period! So, if some one complains and sends it back they get there money returned.What a total waste of time and energy, frankly I havent sold anything since this happend to me once, now im un inspired to sell. I'd rather keep my stuff and set up a system for a family member or friend.

Matt M
from long experience i agree with the take-your-lumps-and-move-on advice. if in fact your buyer is an unreasonable schmuck, he'll remain so notwithstanding your fretting and fuming about the injustice of it all, and all you'll do is get more agitated. the vast majority of the folks you'll interact with on these parts are forthright, so take consolation.

Did you consider offering to have him take this to a repair shop for diagnosis? There may not be a repair shop in his area but I would at least have considered that. I think you are being more than fair with this buyer. It seems to me that some people really try to use your good reputation against you in situations like this. I have had good and bad reception from the very same tuner depending upon the location and even the time of day and that may well be the bullet you are now biting with this buyer. 
Little to no feedback is a big red flag!

Have him ship the tuner back at his cost.  If it is in need of repair, then refund his shipping.  If it works fine, no refund of shipping

Have paypal and/or Audiogon assist you in these fair and reasonable terms.  I think Audiogon would block any negative feedback if he returns a perfectly functional tuner.  You could easily prove it's functional status with a video.
Paypal will definitely side with the buyer.  In my 12 or so years selling on agon I have only had one incident like that.  Better to cut your losses and move on.