Craigslist Woes (a seller's nightmare)

Mr Durand Pierre

Mr Durand Pierre

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Forgive me if this is the wrong forum, but I have found myself in a predicament that may require the advice of the good ol' CAGs.

See, the other day I sold my TV off craigslist for $150. I'd had the TV for the better part of a year and it worked fairly well, though there were a few minor glitches (framing, and some light flickering lines being the primary ones). I told the buyer about these and gave him a lengthy demonstration. He said he'd still take it, but with a slightly lower price which I agreed to. As he packed the TV he put it uncovered and loose in the back of a pick-up bed and I expressed concern about it not being tied down, but he assured me it would be fine. The next day I receive a text message from him saying "fucking TV died."

I haven't heard from him since, but I called him back and left a message giving him my condolences. Though I'm not sure what to do about a refund. He hasn't asked for one yet (all I've received from him since the time he drove away a happy customer was that text message), but I suspect that he will. And I have no idea what to do about that.

On one hand, it's entirely possible that he's lying and trying to pull a fast one on me. I'd have to see the TV again to see if he's telling the truth, which would require him hauling it back (it was a very heavy Tube TV btw). But even if it is broken, this wouldn't be my fault since it worked when I had it and I was honest and forthright about its' flaws. Assuming it really is broken, it would have died due to either him poorly transporting it, an act of god, or likely a combination of the two. So it's not my responsibility. But I still feel bad (assuming he's telling the truth), so should I give him a partial refund? What if he doesn't accept it and wants a full one? Or am I being too generous in even considering any kind of refund as this is pretty much just his problem now and I'd basically be giving what is now my money to a stranger? Has anyone encountered a similar situation that can shed any light on this matter?
 
[quote name='Mr Durand Pierre']Forgive me if this is the wrong forum, but I have found myself in a predicament that may require the advice of the good ol' CAGs.

See, the other day I sold my TV off craigslist for $150. I'd had the TV for the better part of a year and it worked fairly well, though there were a few minor glitches (framing, and some light flickering lines being the primary ones). I told the buyer about these and gave him a lengthy demonstration. He said he'd still take it, but with a slightly lower price which I agreed to. As he packed the TV he put it uncovered and loose in the back of a pick-up bed and I expressed concern about it not being tied down, but he assured me it would be fine. The next day I receive a text message from him saying "fucking TV died."

I haven't heard from him since, but I called him back and left a message giving him my condolences. Though I'm not sure what to do about a refund. He hasn't asked for one yet (all I've received from him since the time he drove away a happy customer was that text message), but I suspect that he will. And I have no idea what to do about that.

On one hand, it's entirely possible that he's lying and trying to pull a fast one on me. I'd have to see the TV again to see if he's telling the truth, which would require him hauling it back (it was a very heavy Tube TV btw). But even if it is broken, this wouldn't be my fault since it worked when I had it and I was honest and forthright about its' flaws. Assuming it really is broken, it would have died due to either him poorly transporting it, an act of god, or likely a combination of the two. So it's not my responsibility. But I still feel bad (assuming he's telling the truth), so should I give him a partial refund? What if he doesn't accept it and wants a full one? Or am I being too generous in even considering any kind of refund as this is pretty much just his problem now and I'd basically be giving what is now my money to a stranger? Has anyone encountered a similar situation that can shed any light on this matter?[/QUOTE]

Unless he knows where you live, I would say you are fine. :D
 
Never had that type of situation, but I wouldn't give any sort of a refund.

Did the demonstration you provided actually have him seeing the TV work? If it was working properly when you showed him, then it's not your problem that it stopped working.

The only reason I say provide no refund is that I would not want to meet up with a potentially dangerous buyer after such an experience. There are enough whack jobs out there to warrant such caution (especially on Craigslist).

I'd just offer an apology, but also let him know he bought the TV in working order. Well, if he contacts you again, that is.
 
Well, you obviously made him aware of the television's problems and even gave him a demonstration. It worked fine, or at least, worked to the degree that you said it did. He agreed to take the television. Hell, you even warned him about securing the television in his vehicle. Beyond that, you aren't responsible, in my eyes.

A few things I have sold on CL are things that I just didn't have the time or patience to demonstrate, so if there is a problem, I'm more than willing to give them their money back. But in cases like these, where I clearly show the thing works and let them know it is quite used, whatever happens after it leaves my hands isn't my problem.
 
[quote name='matters38']Unless he knows where you live, I would say you are fine. :D[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure if that was a joke, but yes, he knows where I live since it was demonstrated in my apartment. But I'm glad to see most people here are seeing things my way, and from what I gathered, he did not seem like a whack job. He even said that he wouldn't blame me if it died in like a month. I just didn't think it would be the next day. Sheesh!
 
it sounds like he found another tv to buy and rethinking about returning yours. but, i would have to agree that all sales are final. even if you dont state it. does he know your address? lets just hope that he doesn't. cause he might just show up at the door with the tv asking for his money back. but you should end your communication with him because it might give him the idea that a refund is ok.
 
Tell him it was your master plan all along to have the TV deteriorate into a broken state the day after the sale and you were looking for some John straight off the turnip truck to buy it.

Really though, you demonstrated. It worked. It was most likely due to his neglect in transporting it. No way it'd die instantly overnight after so long in your possession. User negligence isn't covered by 99% of warranties out there, and even less of a reason on a person-to-person website.

He's done, remind him that dead TV's with CRTs should be recycled so they don't leak chemicals.

You do have the option of simply not responding to his text message too.
 
yeah, you gave him the demonstration and it was working, so i say he has no room to ask for a refund. you lowered your price for one and two you told him about the problems before he bought it. it is not your fault he secured it poorly (if that is even the cause) and it is really out of your hands once he pays in my opinion (unless you hadn't told him it was dead, etc. which is not the case).
 
You are completely in the right here and you don't owe him anything. You gave a description of any and all problems with the TV, providing a demonstration that it worked, and he still took it as-is. It was his decision whether or not to purchase the item, and like another poster said, Craig's List is an "all sales are final" between private parties and individuals type of business.

I give you credit because your heart is in the right place and you feel bad, but you did everything absolutely by the books. Put it this way, in a court of law, he has absolutely no ground to stand on. Kudos for being such an honest seller, seriously.
 
I've sold a TV on craigslist before and it went pretty well, was a 32" tube TV we haven't used in over 2 years, guy came with his son and picked it up, pretty hassle free.

I also bought a small fridge from a college kid, I went up alone to pick it up, he helped me carry it out to my with no issues.

this being said, I've always still been weary about dealings, with something electronic (if I'm buying or selling) I'd like to see that it works, or demonstrate for them that it works before it leaves my place) can't exactly do that in a walmart parking lot. (which is where I'd recommend doing the exchange if its something that can be shown in a car, all walmarts have cameras in their parking lots, so IF something happens, its all on tape.)
 
Durand, you are at no fault. BUYER BEWARE.

Let him take you to small claims if he wants, but he bought it it's his and his problem for not strapping it down.
 
See if your neighbor in the apartment across the hall wants to switch.... just in case.

But seriously, as everyone else said, you demonstrated it worked. You addressed your concerns about his transport methods. It's out of your hands.
 
It's been nearly 24 hours since I recieved the text message and I haven't heard from him, so I think it's safe to say that he was just venting. I guess I was just worrying for nothing, most likely. Thanks for all the help, fellow CAGs.
 
Well, as long as you gave him plenty of time to check out the TV before he bought it, I'd say you've done what you could.
 
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