We had a garage sale 3 days ago. My husband sold a pair of car speakers used for $40. He had just removed them from his truck not long before in perfect working condition. Today, the man who bought them showed up at our door claiming the speakers are broken. Not that they dont work, but that they are actually broken on the inside. That was not the case when we sold them. Now this man wants a refund. How should I handle this situation?
2006-07-17 09:41:55 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
It's always been my understanding that things sold at garage sales are "sold as is". If they change their mind, claim it's broken, etc. ,too bad.
It depends on you feel. The guy obviously knows where you live. And I suppose if he's mad enough he can bother or annoy you until you give in to what he wants.
If you told him they worked fine when we sold them and I'm sorry it's a garage sale w/ no refunds and he didn't accept that answer, then I'd make a deal. Like, give him back half. ???
I've never heard of anyone coming to return something they got at a garage sale. I've even gotten junk before and wished I hadn't bought it but oh well. I had to cut my losses since it was a garage sale: not walmart or something!
Good Luck.
2006-07-17 09:48:33 · answer #1 · answered by bookworm 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is generaly understood at a Garage sale that all sales are final and if you know the speakers were fine when you sold them then do not refund his money. He more than likely broke them and is trying to get his money back.
Where Garage Sales are concerned, it's the buyer's responcibility to check out the merchandise before he buys. Buyer beware is the motto of all garage sellers. However, If you have doubts as to weather the speakers were or were not broken and you feel as if your conscience will bother you and you can afford it.. give him his money back. Your peace of mind is worth more than $40 bucks.
2006-07-17 09:54:08 · answer #2 · answered by c_patching 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since it was 3 days ago, I am tempted to say no... Unless he lives in your neighborhood and you know him.
3 days a lot could have happened. He might have broken them while trying to install them, Or he might have tried to use them for a use they were not intended...
IF he is a neighbor I would refund the money for the sake of neighborhood peace, even if he did break it. Just because it is the neighborly thing to do. He probably feels embarrassed to ask if he broke it. Let the guilt be on his head if he cheats you. HE will probably do something nice to make it up eventually.
If it is a stranger, go with your gut. If you feel like you are being swindled ask them, "Why didn't you return it the day of the garage sale, or the day after?...Why wait until now...To the best of my knowledge they were in fine condition when we sold them. But you have owned them for half a week. How do I know you didn't damage them?"
Don't be hostile, keep your tone of voice to the same voice you use when you ask someone to "please pass the butter" at the dinner table.
Then go with your gut on the answer. My gut says they are trying to cheat you.
Good luck.
2006-07-17 09:51:31 · answer #3 · answered by Crystal Violet 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I bought a 16ft trampoline. I was told there were only a few items missing ie., the enclosure, 30 of the 108 springs, I asked the woman selling the trampoline several times was that all and she confirmed. She further said I could contact the company and they would replace the missing items. The parts of the trampoline I got were new, however there was no instruction manuals or listing of what comes with the trampoline. When I got home it just seemed not all of the items were enclosed. I contacted the company the following day and found out I had only one box 1 of two and the items missing would cost me 416.00. I purchased the item only on the word that I was given by the seller. I returned a few days later and left my contact information, the following day I returned and was told by the woman who sold it she would not refund my money. I am considering going to small claims court on the fact that I only purchased the trampoline because she claimed only a few items were missing. Does anyone agree with me?
2016-05-13 01:46:28 · answer #4 · answered by Relay S. Ship 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Garage sale items are AS-IS. If the buyer had wanted to test them before the purchase is one thing. But claiming they are broken inside when you know they were in good working condition at the time of the sale is not your problem. I would have my husband explain this to the buyer politely, but I wouldn't give him back the money. For all you know the buyer spent money he couldn't afford, or may have damaged them himself in an attempt to get his money back. And if your husband knew they weren't working, wouldn't he have just thrown them away instead of trying to palm them off on an unsuspecting buyer?
2006-07-17 09:50:05 · answer #5 · answered by Mother Bear 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In case of Garage sale, Estate sale the seller has to return money if they misrepresented item. Look if you dupe someone to buy a car from you and you accident with car when buyer askes you if it had any accidents and you tell them not that I know of, I think that its deception and they deserve a refund.
2016-09-12 05:40:04 · answer #6 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is entirely up to you.
I would say NO absolutely not.
First of all - if they were broken he would have been back that day...
I think everyone checks out what they bought at a yard sale as soon as they get home.
2006-07-17 09:59:45 · answer #7 · answered by captbryguy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm in contract with various the different solutions. in case you theory it became into meant to artwork, make her deliver it back and supply her the refund. in case you KNEW it became into working while she picked it up, she probable broke it and should no longer get a reimbursement. If she offered it AS IS she shouldn't get a reimbursement. even despite if that's working, AS IS capacity between right here and there, the full factor ought to give way... yet you're no longer to blame for it.
2016-10-08 00:51:47 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Refund it and re-sell on Craigslist. Check first to see if they are broken though. The guy just may have had no clue how to install them.
2006-07-17 09:46:51 · answer #9 · answered by wpililli 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most garage sale items are sold as is, unless specified, i guess its just a matter of conscience!
i mean if you say they worked when you sold them, and now they dont, hmmmm, sounds fishy
but this is a choice YOU have to make. is it worth getting sued over?
2006-07-17 09:46:43 · answer #10 · answered by jamie5511 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋