Sold a Waeco fridge on eBay and it's failed for the customer - what to do?

Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:13

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Member - Omaroo (NSW)

Hi all

I feel really bad that a working Waeco fridge that I sold on eBay about 11 weeks ago to a nice bloke (that might even frequent here - I'm not sure) has failed on him. The sale occured 11 weeks ago near the end of August and he's only just told me of the failure. He stated in an email to me that he has just come back from a trip and it never worked. The fan, according to him, was working but now not even it comes on. To me it sounds like a failure - in progress. He's just taken it to a Waeco "service agent" who told him it was a compressor swap-out that was required , at a cost of nearly $900. I've asked him to get a second opinion as that might be a simple answer for every problem from some of these guys. I guess you just have to go by what they say - unfortunately. :(

He appealed to my conscience and said that he wouldn't leave anyone "holding the bag", and neither should I. I absolutely agree... but given that length of time involved between purchase and problem - what should I do? I have absolutely no idea how the unit has been treated since it left my place - not that I think he'd subject something he'd just bought to abuse. It was over 18 months old when I sold it, and may even be older as I bought it second-hand too. The service agent reckons that it's nearly 6 years old - which I fond hard to believe but could be true I guess.

What should I do? I can't afford to give him back his $900 as I sold the fridge to pay for something else - like everyone does when they sell something. I really feel bad for the guy but it came with no warranties. Should I take the haircut and refund him not knowing whether he is just trying to return it after he's used it for a couple of months? (not saying that's the case, but I don't know).

Please PLEASE give me some advice here....!!

Cheers
Chris

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Reply By: kangas - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:22

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:22

After nearly 3 months, I would not refund it.

If he had contacted you within a week then yes, but not now.

He had plenty of time to check it out I reckon.

AnswerID: 198547

Follow Up By: Member - uncle (NSW) - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 14:37

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 14:37

Totally agree here with Kangas on this one, to me it's sounds of a case of I'll try/ use before i buy!

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Reply By: ImEasy - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:25

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:25

Given that its been 11 weeks in his posession I wouldnt refund him.

AnswerID: 198550

Follow Up By: Member - Omaroo (NSW) - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:28

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:28

Actually, I miscounted the weeks off the darned calendar - it's been 7-8 weeks, not 11. Still - that's a fair time, no?

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Follow Up By: revhead307 - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:35

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:35

Yep,

If someone came back to me straight away, and said it didnt work, I would refund them.

Its the responsibility of the buyer to make sure the thing works when they receive it. 7 - 8 weeks is still not reasonable. People will always try and pile the guilt on you to get their own way. Its his problem.

If I bought something..and it worked when i received it...and 2 months down the track packed it in....I would not be happy, but I would take the loss and not try and canoodle my way into a refund.

Jeff

FollowupID: 457238

Reply By: revhead307 - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:31

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:31

Hi Chris,

I agree with Kangas. 11 weeks is too long a timeframe to come back crying. I commend you on trying to do the right thing...I wouldnt feel great in that circumstance either, but you sold him a working unit and to the best of your knowledge would stay that way.

There are no warranties on Ebay goods, and sadly its his liability not your own. We all take the same risks when buying 2nd hand goods. They are cheaper because they are used and have no warranty.

Regards

Jeff

AnswerID: 198554

Reply By: GQ_TUFF - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:40

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:40

As a frequent seller on ebay and I always sell second hand goods, my ads always state no warrenty given, 7...8...11....1 week it does not matter he could have dropped the thing when he got home you don't know...Most important was the fridge operational when he picked it up??? If so your consience is clean, you are a private seller, goods worked to the standard expected of them when left your possesion.....you are covered in all respects to the law and morally in my opinion.

Its a shame the fridge failed but thats the risk you take when trying to save a few $$$$ buying second hand. Thats why I always try to buy new when it comes to electrical stuff.

Good Luck
Stefan

AnswerID: 198555

Reply By: Member - Blue (VIC) - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:44

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:44

I don't think a refund is in order... Too much time has passed and there is ample information stuffed in your face about the potential pitfalls of buying WITHOUT warranty OR guarantee on ebay...

I bought a car a few years ago, had a mechanic check it out and 8 days later the engine bleep itself... It had performed absolutely faultlessly up to this point. I wanted my money back but in good conscience couldn't ask...

AnswerID: 198556

Reply By: Mike Harding - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:54

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:54

Agree with the others: when I buy something secondhand I ensure it's working when I receive it, if it fails the next day then I consider that to be my problem not the sellers. If I wanted the comfort of a warranty over a cheaper price I should have bought new - can't have it both ways.

Not long ago I bought a notebook computer from a regular e-bay seller, it came with a one week warranty, I consider that to be perfectly adequate for ensuring it works - believe you me that notebook did a lot of hours that week :)

Seven weeks is _far_ to long to go back moaning about secondhand goods.

Mike Harding

AnswerID: 198558

Reply By: Member - Michael J (SA) - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:54

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:54

Omaroo, I go along with all the others..FWIW.

Do not feel bad about it. You sold a working fridge and then it broke, not your fault at all.

Some years ago I sold a LC, privately. About 2 months or so the guy came back and wanted me to pay for a new gearbox!!! It had been working fine prior to sale and I told him "sorry to hear of YOUR problem"

It is a shame but you will get over the guilty feeling.

Cheers
Michael

AnswerID: 198560

Reply By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:56

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 13:56

I agree with all above, unfortunately it has gone bang on him BUT as said it was sold to him in working condition and 7/9 weeks later he says its not well sadly is his problem not yours. I would be the same as one of the replys above if he came back to me with in 7 days then I would probably feel abliged to refund him but not after 7 week time frame. $900 sounds pretty steep for a repair, I just bought my new one three weeks ago 50L for $999 including travel bag and a few accesories they were throwing in. Hope my'n runs for longer than 6 years but who knows these days, alot of the quality has gone out the window. But worked a treat and ran 4 hours short of 3 days before dropping the battery to 11.2 volts so was very happy with power consumption. Good on you for asking the question but dont be feeling guilty, would he be thinking of doing the same if it was the reverse situation ?? probably not. Regards Steve M

AnswerID: 198562

Reply By: cokeaddict - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 14:03

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 14:03

Chris,
After even 5 weeks ...if i bought it off you, id not expect anything from you. It worked fine when it arrived so thats that.

I know you feel bad, but hey things do happen. Unfortunate that this is one of those times.

Ange.

AnswerID: 198564

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 15:48

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 15:48

I thought it said originally it never worked.
but then again if it never worked, wouldnt you be screaming from day 1?

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Reply By: Member - bushfix - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 14:04

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 14:04

yeah,

you sold it in good faith, your ebay record is your "reference" (if it is sound)

anyway, he should have bought an ENGEL :)

BTW....we were supposed to have kayaked the Murrumbidgee two weeks ago, you never bought your kayak did you? :)

AnswerID: 198565

Reply By: Moose - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 14:04

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 14:04

G'day Chris
I agree with the others. Any person with a conscience would feel some "guilt" that the damned thing doesn't work, however if your conscience is clear that it was in good working order the day he took delivery then it's just tough luck on his part. As you and others have said - you don't know how it's been treated since he took delivery. I would suggest that he tried it out when he got it and it was working otherwise you would have heard from him back then. In any case I reckon anyone who buys second hand knows they are taking a risk and are prepared to pay less than new price on that basis.
Cheers from the Moose.

AnswerID: 198566

Reply By: robak (QLD) - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 14:42

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 14:42

"He stated in an email to me that he has just come back from a trip and it never worked."

I can't think of anyone that would buy a second hand product and not test it before taking it on a trip.

R.

AnswerID: 198569

Follow Up By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 15:06

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 15:06

Yep I'm with you there Robak, I bought mine brand new and ran it for two weeks prior to going away right up untill I pulled it from the 240 volts and plugged into car, sounds like bullsh@t to me, I wouldnt be feeling guilty at all, as said above whos to say he didnt drop it 2/3 feet from the back of his fourby while trying to get it out or loading it up ?? I would not be handing any cash back over, as said above $900 for repair ??? can buy a new one for that depending on size myn was just under a grand for my 50 litre. Regards Steve M

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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 15:49

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 15:49

and if it "never worked" why would you not scream blue flaps from day 1?

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 15:52

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 15:52

Exactly Truckster, spot on. Regards Steve M

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Reply By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 15:12

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 15:12

The fact that no-one here has come out and said for you to refund the purchase is telling you something i think you already know....

Andrew

AnswerID: 198573

Follow Up By: D-Jack - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 21:24

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 21:24

Just to balance things up a bit, I think you should give him the $900 back, but just make sure you take a $1000 non-refundable deposit first!

So what he's saying is he put food and precious beer into a fridge that was not working and only realised after he had started his trip? What a load of Bronotaurus faeces!

D-Jack

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Reply By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 15:14

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 15:14

Caveat Emptor.

Since he has not produced any evidence of his correspondence with the service agent, nor can you attest that he is not trying to con you out of money, i would say bad luck..

Tell him a deal is a deal, and that BY HIS OWN ADMISSION, IT WAS WORKING WHEN HE RECIEVED IT. You have fulfilled your part of the sale by selling him an item in good working order. End of discussion.

AnswerID: 198574

Reply By: ed. - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 16:04

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 16:04

I don't think anyone in their right mind would buy a fridge off ebay and not test it immediately after it arrives.

AnswerID: 198583

Follow Up By: Kev M - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 17:25

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 17:25

I bought a 60l engel off ebay earlier this year and I didn't even get out of the blokes drive way without testing it. I pluged it straight in to the 12v socket in the back of the ute and hey presto it worked a treat.
Its probably the best deal I've done so far on ebay so as far as I'm concerned its buyer beware you buy it you are responsible for any repairs after the sale has taken place.
Cheers Kev

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 17:52

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 17:52

If I was selling a fridge it would be switched on and working prior to the customer picking up so it is there in front of them and they can stick there hand in and feel that its cold unless that is of course you were sending it by courier but still you would try out as soon as you got your hands on it then if not cold in an hour you would be on the blower or the computer the next day not 7 weeks later. Regards Steve M

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Reply By: Alan W - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 16:25

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 16:25

Hi Chris,
You are a guy with high morals for which I applaud you.

As you can see the consensus of this forum states, buyer beware, of which I agree.

But this possibly doesn't sit right with you, so a possible win - win situation could be that you refund half the purchase price and the buyer returns the fridge back to you.

That money that the buyer paid could be called rent, so he has rented the fridge from you for the 7-8 weeks. Companies charge between $50 to $100 a week for fridges, and remember it's time out not time used.

(Last year I hired a waeco and a engel for the Simpson Trip that I did. Unfortunately the waeco died and the hirer told me 'bad luck' I wasn't going to pursue and waste my time over a lousy $100 or so bucks I just wont hire/buy there ever again. Moral of story - renter also beware)

The rent you received goes toward repairing the fridge, I'm sure someone on this forum could help you there for less than $900.00.

Then resell the fridge with a disclaimer-no refunds whatsoever!!

Of course you need to see the fridge before making any offer, as someone else said " may have dropped it 3 feet " and also you need to make sure that the rent received covers the repair bill, with hopefully change.

Instead of 50 - 50 you might need 70 - 30 etc etc

Always think outside that square!
Hope it ends happily for all.
Alan

AnswerID: 198586

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 20:05

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 20:05

give him 1/2 his money back, and end up with a rooted fridge yourself... Brilliant!

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Follow Up By: Gerhardp1 - Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 at 00:36

Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 at 00:36

Sorry, Alan, can't agree with you at all.

No refund is justified as has been stated by everyone here except you.

All that rent stuff is just rubbish in my opinion, and why would you want to buy a busted fridge for $900 in any case.

I buy and sell lots of stuff on E-Bay (I have a rating of 83) and have been fortunate that I haven't paid a stupidly high price for what turns out to be a product that fails. Neither have I sold an item that wasn't described as accurately as possible, but there is never a warranty.

As has been pointed out, a new fridge can be had for $900. I bought my Evakool 50 Litre brand new for $750 with a power supply/battery charger thrown in. That was at Caulfield in May this year.

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Reply By: Big Woody - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 17:50

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 17:50

I agree with all of the above comments. The time period that has lapsed is too great to consider a full refund and also he has not provided any evidence to back up his claim. There are many con-artists on ebay and he may well be trying to take advantage of someone such as yourself who obviously has a good heart.

15 years ago I sold a Range Rover on the Gold Coast to a bloke who lived in Gladstone. There was not one thing wrong with that vehicle and I would have jumped straight in the car and driven it to Gladstone myself. Anyway about 5 hours later he phoned me from the side of the road near Bundaberg and the gearbox had sh1t itself.

He was a practical sort of bloke and we agreed that I would sorce all of the necessary parts that were of good quality but 2nd hand and he would rebuild the gearbox himself. We were both happy with this arrangement and it ended up costing me about $450 which wasn't too bad.

I think the other important issue here for your situation is that there are not really any early warning signs that a fridge might be about to stop working. With a vehicle an engine may use a lot of oil or have been overheated etc. and the owner would know of this before he sold it but in your situtation I think if you did not know of anything to be wrong with the fridge, then hold your head up high and tell him sorry but no refund.

Cheers,
Brett

AnswerID: 198600

Reply By: Member - Ivan (ACT) - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 19:01

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 19:01

Chris,

Just email him the link to this page - that should wake him to the fact he's being unreasonable

Member
My Profile My Position Send Message

AnswerID: 198613

Reply By: PatrolBen - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 19:31

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 19:31

As with the others I applaud your morality but to ask for his money back after that amount of time on a 2nd hand item sold as working in all honesty is ludricrous. For all your knowledge he could have taken it on a 7 week long corrugated track exploring holiday and its failure is the result. Also to take a fridge on a trip without checking it probably places him in the category of those who never lift the bonnet to check oil and water, three days before each trip I bring the Waeco up to power and leave it going on domestic juice, then night before leaving load it all up then in the morning load it just to make sure everythings ok.

Stuff him, he's trying to pull the wool over your eyes after buggering up a fridge he recieved in good faith. Weasel!

AnswerID: 198620

Reply By: Jimbo - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 19:53

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 19:53

A person buys something second hand because it is cheaper than buying new.

A person buys privately, rather than from a dealer, because it is cheaper again and comes with no warranty.

"Caveat Emptor", let the buyer beware or in simple terms, you pay your money and take your chances.

Tell him to whistle.

AnswerID: 198628

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 20:06

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 20:06

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Reply By: Member - Omaroo (NSW) - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 22:57

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 22:57

Well, thanks everyone for your encouraging help... and I mean that. I'm always looking out for the other bloke because that's the way I was bought up.

I'm going to have a chat with the repair agent and see what his side of the story is, and if it's genuinely stoofed, I'll consider my options then. I hate, as I've said, to leave someone in the lurch, but I guess that it's just plain bad luck, unfortunately.

Once again - thanks for all of your input - it's appreciated!

AnswerID: 198662

Follow Up By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 23:25

Tuesday, Oct 10, 2006 at 23:25

You owe him nothing.

It was in good working order when it was sold to him.

You have no idea about how it was treated in the intervening period (Could well have overheated the compressor by packing things in too tightly around it, or left it rattling around in the back of a ute)

As nice a fella as you seem, look above at the general gist of the replies.

IT IS NOT YOUR PROBLEM. IT IS NOT UP TO YOU TO ORGANISE REPAIRS FOR HIM. STOP FEELING GUILTY FOR SOMEONE ELSES MISFORTUNE.

You haven't left anyone in the lurch as it was functional when you sold it to him.

Fridges don't generally fail suddenly like that without having been subjected to some sort of abuse. When they do fail it is due to abuse that has occurred in the time immediately prior to the failure, not what happened 2-3 months ago. You clearly looked after th fridge, he didn't.

As someone else said, email the guy a link to this thread. The "collective conciousness" is rarely wrong, and the guy has not had one iota of support for his position on this forum (Half hearted from Alan W, but not really an option). Just quietly the law is on your side too if it gets messy (goods disposed of by you in good working order, accepted by purchaser as such).

It's a tough one for you, but you have to "hang up" on this guy.

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Follow Up By: Alan W - Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 at 09:19

Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 at 09:19

It's good to see another Aussie who is prepared to look after a 'mate'.

The reply I gave above in regards to 'rent' etc is a bit far fetched I know, but I posted it because every other response was so negative towards the buyer that I wanted a solution that all parties have a compromise.

I like the fact that at least you will have a chat with the repairer and then will consider your options, what I alluded to.

Had a quick look at your website and am impressed that you also are involved in Landcare. (I am also in a very small way)
Just proves you are very unselfish and are willing to look after your fellow man, now and for future generations.

Good luck in solving your moral dilemma.

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Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 at 09:52

Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 at 09:52

>Good luck in solving your moral dilemma.

He doesn't have a moral dilemma.

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Reply By: Member - Bradley- Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 at 01:55

Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 at 01:55

Mate, as others have said, its stiff shiza for him.

More importantly, you have had no control over how it has been used and wired up since you sold it, you know some people have very strange ideas on what constitutes appropriate wiring etc. the DH could have had it connected to a dud battery for all you know.

And $900 for a fix LOL, you can buy a new one for that !!

And the timeframe, too long, sorry dude.. it could have spent 11 weeks on the back of a trailer in the weather for all you know.

just tell him politely, that had he advised you straight away of the failure you could have arranged an agreement, but now, no way.

Ps- some of the things "honest nice folk" sent back to me when i was at a camping supplier for a while were halarious, so blatently abused or totally fraudulent, like the 2 month old chrome plated single burner gas stove, that had gone rusty, got it back and well its a 5 year old job that looks like it spent its whole life on a salt water boat, covered in salt etc.

cheers Brad

AnswerID: 198672

Reply By: bruce - Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 at 10:12

Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 at 10:12

Had the same experience myself a while back...sold a 3 way fridge....offered to test it and show the buyer that indeed it was working o.k. nah he said , it will be allright...he took it home put it in his shed for 3 months then went of camping , came home and rang me to tell me that the b.....y thing did not work......stiff s...t was my reply....guess what ? he does not like me any more...booohooo

AnswerID: 198700

Reply By: Turbo Diesel - Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 at 11:01

Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 at 11:01

Mate

When i sell something I always have a bill of sale, and in big bold letters i say SOLD IN AS IS CONDITION! Takes all the resposability away, feel sorry for you though, but thats life. You never offered a guarantee, so you dont have to honour one.

He will get over it!

AnswerID: 198707

Reply By: TerraFirma - Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 at 14:57

Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006 at 14:57

Not your fault. It failed 3 months later, was working when you sold it in good faith. That is the luck of the draw and his in this case was bad.

Sympathise with him and let him know you sold it in working condition. Even suggest a repair outlet for him, but that's all you can do.

If he disagrees send him to these forums to hear our opinions as per above..!

AnswerID: 198738

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