Selling comp parts on eBay - constant DOA problems?

[Jeff7]

It seems that every other time I sell something computer-related on eBay, the recipient reports that they can't get it to work, or it's not doing this right, or some such like that. Anyone else have that problem?
I just sold a perfectly working Geforce2 Pro card, and the guy says that the screen keeps blanking out on him. Is this just a continuation of my usual luck?

 

[RGN]

just your luck. Make him ship it back and test it yourself.

 

[TonyG]

You expect most of the ebay members to know how to properly install and configure computer hardware? I would say that maybe 10% know how to do that where as the rest are properly trying to stick that Geforce2 card in a PCI slot when it actually needs an AGP slot Or try to stick that *High quality* ATX motherboard they just bought, that comes in a a brown box with a beat up static bag, in there old AT case that they have had since they bought there 386 that it is replacing

HEHE, good luck.

 

[Jeff7]

He's in Canada, so that's not too easy. Plus then we got the whole problem of: I get it back, test it, it works, send it back, it doesn't, then I get it back again. I then have blown a good bit on shipping, and then I have to resell it on eBay and hope I get more than what I originally got for it. Hopefully it's just a driver problem.

 

[JohnnyReb]

I had similar problems. Either the people were destroying it out of ignorance, or they were buying my stuff to replace identical items they had that were already bad. I know one guy who did this.

You are not a business, and therefore do not have to guarantee your stuff.

Sell your stuff "as is - no warranty". As long as you know the stuff worked when shipped you have no farther moral obligations.

This really doesn't impact your sales very much, as long as you aren't selling ultra expensive items.

I make a hobby of getting hot deals and selling on ebay.

John

 

[Rickr]

Always put a note such as "I am not responsible for installation problems. I only guarantee that this item was tested and working when it left my possession. No warranty."

I always put that in my computer stuff auctions, and the bids don't seem to suffer because of it.

 

[RGN]

<< He's in Canada, so that's not too easy. Plus then we got the whole problem of: I get it back, test it, it works, send it back, it doesn't, then I get it back again. I then have blown a good bit on shipping, and then I have to resell it on eBay and hope I get more than what I originally got for it. Hopefully it's just a driver problem. >>




NO. He shipps it to you. You test it, it works. You then give him two options. 1) he can pay return shipping. 2) He can get a refund minus the listing and shipping fees.

End of story.

 

[Jeff7]

Ok, thanks; I'll keep that in mind then.
Now it would also be nice if this guy would check his e-mail more than every other day...:\

 

[Burnt]

"as-is, no warranty"

 

[VirginiaDonkey]

I always take screen shots using the item I am selling with a date/time stamp to prove it was working just before shipping. Sandra is an excellent tool for this. I get the time date stamp from the task bar. I print out a copy and send it with the item so the buyer will know that I tested it and have my sh!t together.

if shipping in the lower 48, I buy insurance too that way if it doesnt work, then it must have gotten broken during shipment.

 

[vegetation]

Just state all sales are final and you offer no technical support whatsoever. You'll find a lot of fools who want to "borrow" your hardware for a while, then return it for a refund. Or like someone has mentioned here, substitute a broken device with yours in a pathetic attempt to get new merchandise. In the later case, you'll be really sorry you ever decided to take it back as it's impossible to prove to anyone that you got merchandise that was switched. Therefore, you end up with dead hardware, lost money on fees/shipping, and will probably get a negative anyways because the scammer knows the tricks to destroy every part of you. Be careful.

 

[Jeff7]

All good points here. I never would have thought about people buying stuff to swap with their own dead hardware. It's tough to think like a criminal I guess.
Guess I'll have to take more measures to protect myself in the future. Thanks for all the advice.