Someone bought some vintage software from me and it won't work...

[kitschkoven]

B/c they seem to have no idea about very old Mac operating systems and perhaps didn't read the description.

So it's not working when they try to install.

They seem to be clueless about "pre-Intel Macs" and "Classic environment".

I've never had problems before. Can someone advise what I can do about this? 

I wouldn't mind getting it back but sending it back to me will cost more in postage than the item sold for.

[jellybirddesigns]

I had a look at the listing and it seems like they very probably didn't read the description.

They just thought they were getting a current Adobe product for $10.00.

I would refer to the decription and the fact that they would need a computer at least 20+ years old in order to use the software.

I used to sell my old Mac stuff, and I found it's good to have the word "Vintage" included in the title.

[kitschkoven]

I spoke to Ebay, they have looked at it and the messages from the buyer and they say everything is good at my end. So we will wait and see what happens. Ah well. 

Thanks! 🙂

[jellybirddesigns]

Hope it works out ok.

I've been using Macs since 1988, so I definitely understand the older environments.

Unfortunately today's buyers don't have a clue although there's really no need for them to, unless they are buying this type of thing as a "collectors" item as it's virtually an antique!

[kitschkoven]

True. It's amazing it still works!

Wow, 1988! I became interested in "desktop publishing" in 1992. I think I have a version of Adobe Illustrator on floppies. And let's not forget Aldus. I do have Aldus FreeHand on floppies too.

I have a pre-Intel iBook here that I got from the Markets for $30 (2 for 1). I'm currently designing a logo on it using IE 8.0.

I don't do that stuff as a job anymore but all my software is from that late 90s/early 2000s period. Most of the people who've bought my stuff have understood and have had no complaints. 🙂

[jellybirddesigns]

Yup - I was a graphic designer/desktop publisher from about 1988-2002.

I had lots of old (1988-1994) Mac games and publishing software on stiffy disk which I put up on Ebay when I first started many, many years ago. I even had an original Apple Newton Pad from about 1992 which I picked up in Las Vegas - this was the forerunner of many of the current products we enjoy today. When I put those items up for sale around 2003, the buyers definitely understood they were buying vintage items.

Anyway, hopefully your buyer realises that they've made a mistake and don't ping you for it.

[kitschkoven]

"Stiffy disk"  never heard that one before.

Thanks 🙂

[jellybirddesigns]

LOL, that's what we used to call them in South Africa back in the day.

The small unbendable ones were stiffy disks, the larger ones that had some flex to them were floppies.

I guess we all thought that's what everyone around the world called them.:)

Then again back in 1988 we still lived under severe censorship so nobody realised that they might be construed as "naughty" words.

[purplemon18]

In situations like this, I have a standard response saved:

Hi,

I’m sorry you are unable to use the item you bought, however, it is not faulty. As stated in the listing, you need to have a DVD player that is multi region. You may be able to find instructions on how to make your player multi region on the web. If you want help finding this, send me your DVD player’s brand and model number. Otherwise, we are happy to accept a change of mind return, but cannot accept a faulty return as the product is not faulty. The difference with a change of mind return is that you will have to arrange and pay for your own shipping/postage.

I have included a screenshot of where the region information is included in the listing.

Thanks!

In the event that the customer escilates the case, I could probably call ebay and find someone who agrees with me. I think the trick with situations like this is to actually converse with the customer and offer them a reasonable solution, like a change of mind return. I had a case recently where ebay's ruling was fairly neutral. It wasn't the same situation, the buyer was claiming the item was not new. I still had to pay for the return and refund the customer, but ebay did not issue me with a defect for "case closed without seller resolution."

[kitschkoven]

I like that. Thanks for your help!

ETA: They probably will escalate this. They were not happy. Threatened to leave a neg and demanded a partial refund.