returning an item that buyer tested before buying

[phatsta5]

Hi, i'm looking for some opinions on what is the right thing to do in a tricky situation. I had a buyer win a $200 film splicer. Having won the item the buyer sent a msg, asking if they could test the item before purchasing. Which i thought was a bit cheeky, but happily accomodated. I had to dig through my personal family photos to find some negatives for the buyer to test with as she arrived unprepared. Having satisfactorily tested and paid (and left with a bunch of freebies i was happy to give away) the buyer sends a msg thefollowing morning wanting a refund because its not cutting properly.The only idea i can come up with is to ask her to return the splicer and i'll see if i can get the blade sharpened. What is the fair way to resolve this...any ideas??.  I did also explain to the buyer at the time that i was taking that money straight to the shops to buy my kids xmas presents as i'm a single mother with three kids and have been unable to work due to ill health since October.

[fred_fred_2004]

Its a pick up item, that they were able to test, you dont have to do anything

[***super_nova***]

Just as if they bought it in garage sale or newspaper ad, the moment they take it that is that; they accepted it was in acceptable condition. 

You could be nice and ask her to explain what exactly is not working, as she could see it was working when she picked it up.  By the way asking for it being demonstrated was NOT cheeky, buyer has full right to examine before they take it away.  If you posted it she would have the right to send it back for full refund. 

[putney32]

your listing does offer a 7 day refund in cash on return.. are you now saying you won't honour that part of the contract?

there is no paypal buyer/seller protection for pickups, and the buyer having tested it first does make it a tricky one, given your 7 day refund clause.

[phorum_junkie*]

As you offered a refund on return you pretty well have to stick with that although you cannot be forced to.

Very silly to do that as they could have done something to it while transporting it or setting it up, unless there is obvious damage you wouldn't know.

Usually a pick up item is sold as is with no comeback at all, especially if they have tried it and confirmed it is working before they paid.

[phatsta5]

i always assumed (silly, i know) that as the returns policy comes directly after the postage section, when making a listing, and that one of the bullet points in the returns section refers to who will pay the postage on a returned item, that it was referring to posted items?? 

 That assumption aside, if an item is being picked up and is tested before being paid for, and the transaction is completed, wouldn't that then mean  the buyer has agreed the item is in working order? I can understand that a returns policy would still prevail if, in the 7day period the item failed because of poor quality etc. But that is not the case in this instance.

I'm not trying to be difficult or unfair and i personally find it upseting to think that i have disappointed somebody. I have a tendancy to do the compassionate thing over the right thing which more often than not leaves me out of pocket and unfortunately i just can't afford to make my decisions that way anymore. I will happily refund if that is the right thing to do in this case??  I have offered to try and sharpen the blades therefore solving the problem, just waiting to hear back from them

[davewil1964]

The returns policy is basically for change of mind. You are legally obliged to accept returns for not as described.

So you have told buyers that you will accept returns within a 7 day period for any reason whatsoever.

[not_an_eloi]

my guess (guess only, though)  is that the thing's not cuttin' properly because of the way in which it's being used.  may be nothin' wrong with the blade. 

may be that the film that they are tryin' to splice, if it's old 16mm, may 'ave shrunk.

did you test it yourself and check that it's in workin' order,  did you watch a successful splice done by the buyer. 

[phorum_junkie*]

I didn't look at the listing so when somebody said you had a 7 day refund policy I presumed it was something you said in your description, if the buyer is relying on that as a reason for return they are not going to win.

They tested it, they paid for it and they took it away, the second they laid hands on it after paying it was theirs, as is.

No different to buying it at a garage sale or from an advertisement in the local free paper.

They could have damaged it, knowingly or unknowingly, while transporting it or when trying to use it which is why there is no buyer protection for pick up items even if Paypal is used.