Computer items for sale for parts or not working.

[pastboy53]

• I am a computer technician who unashamedly purchases faulty devices (usually Apple devices) for repair and resale for a minimal profit (I do it as a hobby).

I've recently been burned by a number of sellers who:

1. List the item using a generic picture and minimal details. When the auction is complete they will write to you advising that the description "may not be correct" and asking if I still want the item (2 x instances).

If you agree to proceed you find that the damage is considerably worse than described and the device is useless for parts or anything else.

2. List the items for parts or not working but fail to mention in their listing that the electronic device has been subjected to a water / wine / coffee spill. Of course after recieving the item and contacting the seller they either state that they didn't know about the spill or that the items was sold for parts (when obviously the parts are going to be fairly useless).

As far as I'm concerned, if the seller fails to note that the item is damaged and that damage is not disclosed in the listing, it is "not as described" and its reasonable to expect that it can be returned under the EBay money back guarantee.

Could I get the forums comments please?

[i-love-my-sheep]

I think number 1 may fall into the not as described category, but not sure about number 2 as they state it's not working anyway. 

It sounds like the seller is minimising what they reveal in the listing to try and get more buyers. If they told the complete truth, no one would bother looking, let alone buy.

Hopefully someone else will be along shortly to help out.

[pastboy53]

Thanks for your comments. I'm hoping for more comments so I can feel that I'm not being unreasonable in my expectations of EBay... 🙂

[outback_blends]

If in doubt - shoot them an email ... Never assume ! If the photo is generic then that would be the first indicator to me that all may not be as described. 

Personally I would not buy something not working without finding out why .....  it takes seconds to fire off an email.

I used to do what you do as a hobby too but I also did CB radios and transistor radios and restored radio grams as well. Used to love it. To old and forgotten to much to do it now. Plus unless the component is the size of my car ...I cant read the numbers on them anymore heheheh !

[pastboy53]

Thanks for your comments.
I also have an old eyes problem which is assisted by a very large and lit magnifying glass but on some of the Apple components its still no help.

[pastboy53]

These are the comments from the lastest disaster listing purchase just for interest sake:

Macbook Air Late 2012 - Not Working For Parts Does not comes with the charger or HDD the person who sold me the laptop said it is running. but i need to put in the hdd and buy the charger. i am a windows person and do not want to do that. hence selling. but as currently i dont have the hdd and charger i am selling as parts.

Turns out the laptop had a coffee spill and being an Apple, the keyboard (which is expensive to replace) was totally wrecked.

[cherry*135]

If a seller is selling an electronic item which is disclosed as not working,  ' for parts'... (a buyer might want the screen only as theirs is broken) is that different from what you require.. most of the item to be working so you can refurbish it? 

Selling for parts - and item not working- suggests only some parts will be able to be salvaged.

[phorum_junkie*]

It is a listing violation to use a generic picture for a second hand item, Sellers have to use a picture of the actual item they are selling unless it is brand new so I would avoid any item where the main ebay pic was a stock photo.

If liquid damage is a deal breaker then always contact the seller through ebay asking for confirmation that there is no damage caused by a liquid spill, if they say it is OK and that turns out to be false then as long as both messages are through ebay you should be able to get a refund with the seller paying fo9r the return postage.

[cherry*135]

Business & Industrial, Cameras & Photo, Cell Phones & PDAs, Computers & Networking, Electronics, Home & Garden, Musical Instruments

Condition

Description

For parts or not working

An item that does not function as intended and is not fully operational. This includes items that are defective in ways that render them difficult to use, items that require service or repair, or items missing essential components. See the seller's listing for full details.

http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/sell/item-condition.html

[delp-713]

Hey I bought an iPhone 11 from you guys and it's locked may I pls have the owner unlock it