Selling for parts or not working as a business seller

[gsm.commerce]

Hi I'm looking for advice.

https://ebay.co.uk/itm/375827853155

Here is my listing the buyer has received the item, tested it and decided it isn't working.

I think truth be told I think he knows how to run the system and wanted to chance  it etc, my opinion if I was purchasing this item reading the listing my expectations of working condition would be low, and I believe etiquette in this instance I wouldn't buy it with a view to return it for not functioning.

What would you do in this scenario, I know reality is I'm snookered but as a second question what would you do with similar items moving forward, it seems sad that you can't dispose of faulty damaged items without risks of returns, in this case its done as a defective case too which seems almost a bit more unfair.

I know some will suggest not to sell such items, but there are lots of expensive components and parts inside, in an era of so much electrical waste, using this one to save another makes environmental sense and I'm sure every other bidder on the item was expecting to buy it just as parts but obviously I'd love to minimise exposure to such problems in the future, I'd welcome feedback maybe I've left it amigious etc.

[lucy_farmer]

You sold it as 'Parts or not working' etc .

In my opinion the buyer was taking a chance that they could fix it easily and discovered they *couldn't*.

Depends how much you want to have a broken machine sitting around or take it to bits and scrap it yourself, or have another go at fixing it!

I'd be tempted to give the buyer their tenner back and let them take it to the tip

It doesn't matter if you sell things as 'spares and repairs' or whatever; if the buyer wants to return, ebay will let them..... 

No way around this , sorry.

[gsm.commerce]

@lucy_farmer  It was a bit more than 10 Pounds unfortunately, I already know the ship has sailed on this one I was more after any thoughts for lowering someones expectations further.

It was received and return requested in same day actually a few hours so I do actually believe the buyer, he literally added the line tried with my own cable as I have one and it doesn't work.

I think there should be a way to sell for parts or not working as scrap without returns and indeed he has stated he wouldn't have purchased if he couldn't return but he didn't read the listing body text etc.

If it had been damaged or smashed in transit I'd have no issue with it, but for not working when sold as not working for faulty.

I'm more looking for ideas to limit such happenings in the future, I know the underbidder was interested in purely the water container element as he messaged stating if I get messed about to message him etc, these machines themselves fetch 200-300 in full working order so 50 you would probably expect it not to, especially when it is listed as not working.

[lucy_farmer]

Perhaps take it to bits and sell any interesting components separately?

A pain on posting more than one thing, but it might work....

(I'm very much with you on 'avoiding the land-fill'. My husband is a very keen repairer and 'take it apart to scrap it' type, so I sympathise with your knowlege that there *are* people out there who do want stuff to canniblise and fix other stuff with....)

[clocksandbits]

Might be better not to say 'untested' - this leaves it slightly ambiguous and might encourage someone to take a chance on it, knowing you would have to accept a return. Also, not bother with so much description. The less the better I find if you're selling for parts. It does mean you might get less than otherwise, but so long as you make some profit it's better than having to deal with a return.