Craigslist sellers, offering returns?

[Mrs. Charming]

I'm just curious if other Craigslist sellers offer returns. I'm pretty sure I'm going to take the item back, but I'm hesitant because the item (an old breastpump, seriously, I sold it for $30-- it was at one time a $200+ pump!) worked perfectly the night before I sold it. I had it plugged in, tubes connected, the whole 9 yards. I cleaned it up all pretty, and I just don't get it. It worked just fine. 3 days later, the lady emails and says it doesn't work, and she wants to know if I'll give her money back. I don't want bad karma so I'm going to take the darn thing back... but what do I look like, Kohls?? I have 2 little kids that I have to cart around to meet her, or I have to have DH take time out of his lunch to get the darn thing back. It's just turning into a big headache. In my situation, what would you do?

 

[DrCavin]

Caveat emptor - If she didn't ask to be shown how/if works, then she took the risk...

 

[dodukes]

Did you offer a return when you sold it? Id tell her shes out of luck. It was working when you sold it and you are not a dept store. That is the chacne you take when you buy from craigslist/ebay. If she wanted to make sure she can return she should have bought it at a store.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Did you offer a return when you sold it? Id tell her shes out of luck. It was working when you sold it and you are not a dept store. That is the chacne you take when you buy from craigslist/ebay. If she wanted to make sure she can return she should have bought it at a store.

Nope, nothing was said about returning it. It was a plain and basic ad on CL.

It was totally working, I almost wonder if she broke it to get her money back?

 

[dodukes]

Nope, nothing was said about returning it. It was a plain and basic ad on CL.

It was totally working, I almost wonder if she broke it to get her money back?

Did you already tell her you were taking it back. I wouldn't, period. If you did, then I'm not sure but I would almost take it back (the telling her you would refund her money). Now that its broken, what are you gonna do with it? She may have buyers remorse but thats her problem not yours!

 

[Dancemom03]

I don't want bad karma so I'm going to take the darn thing back... but what do I look like, Kohls?? I have 2 little kids that I have to cart around to meet her, or I have to have DH take time out of his lunch to get the darn thing back. It's just turning into a big headache. In my situation, what would you do?

Moi??? There's no way I want back a used breast pump, especially one she may have broken b/c she changed her mind. It does take a bit to get the hang of pumping... and one would think anyone excited enough to buy one on CL would try it out immediately, not three days later.

Seriously, this is Craigslist. 'nuff said. Your delete button works, right???

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Did you already tell her you were taking it back. I wouldn't, period. If you did, then I'm not sure but I would almost take it back (the telling her you would refund her money). Now that its broken, what are you gonna do with it? She may have buyers remorse but thats her problem not yours!

I didn't, I haven't written her back yet. I'd have to throw it out, so I'd be out a pump *and* $30. Ugh. My initial thought was that I'd help out out a struggling mom with a working Medela pump. Sigh.

Moi??? There's no way I want back a used breast pump, especially one she may have broken b/c she changed her mind. It does take a bit to get the hang of pumping... and one would think anyone excited enough to buy one on CL would try it out immediately, not three days later.

Seriously, this is Craigslist. 'nuff said. Your delete button works, right???

Yeah, exactly. I don't know what she did with it.

I deleted the post, she still has my email though. Ugh.

How should I phrase my response? I want to be firm but tactful.

 

[dodukes]

I would just tell her that Unfortunately you will not accept a return since the pump WAS in working condition when you sold it.

 

[design_mom]

I would just tell her that Unfortunately you will not accept a return since the pump WAS in working condition when you sold it.

I agree with this post.

I almost wonder if she's trying to pull a switcheroo. Maybe she had a broken pump, bought your working one for $30, and now is trying to "return" the broken one for a refund. Then she'd have a working pump *and* her $30 back.

I have not sold anything on CL, but since it's not a "ship it to me" situation like eBay, I think I'd have an "all sales final" policy.

 

[Dancemom03]

If you haven't responded yet, I'd ignore it. I know that really irritates some people but I have to wonder if she'd bother to email more than once or twice. I just don't see much productive in carrying on a dialogue that can't go anywhere. She's essentially a stranger... and this is an unusual request at best.

 

[dodukes]

I have to point out that I always arrange to meet people at a designated location and never have them pick up something at my home just in case they get remorse or in a case like this, they can't come by and harrass me about it.

 

[Ceila]

I would probably respond once, saying that the pump was in working order when she picked it up and that you are not accepting returns. Then I would ignore any further e-mails she sends.

 

[surfergirl602]

Nope. No way would I do a return. She's probably the one that broke it. I wouldn't even respond back.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I agree with this post.

I almost wonder if she's trying to pull a switcheroo. Maybe she had a broken pump, bought your working one for $30, and now is trying to "return" the broken one for a refund. Then she'd have a working pump *and* her $30 back.

I have not sold anything on CL, but since it's not a "ship it to me" situation like eBay, I think I'd have an "all sales final" policy.

YEP...I will bet that is what she is doing.

Also if you ever sell jewery never take it back because that is notorious for switchroo's, with removing the gold links or gems, switching them out and then demanding money back.

I would tell the CL buyer NO REFUNDS!

 

[Imzadi]

I deleted the post, she still has my email though. Ugh.

It may still be in your trash folder.

I agree with everyone. Just say, "Sorry, no returns or refunds." The less said, the better, if you want to be firm. The word "Sorry," is tactful enough in this case.

Don't women have to pump a few times a day? How could she not have used it for 3 days?

 

[descovy]

I bought a TV on craigslist... 32" "tube" TV for $20. When we got home to plug it in, I couldn't get the sound to work. I did call the guy back (thinking maybe I needed to get in some menu or something) He said it worked fine when he used it last. Oh well. I didn't ever consider asking for money back, honestly. Only called to see if he could trouble shoot.

In the end, I found another TV for $25. Yeah, I had to send the first one to the recycling station. BUT for $55 I have a TV for the playroom. I couldn't get that kind of deal at the store so I am still happy.

Point is, for a rock bottom deal on craigslist, you take your chances.

 

[Imzadi]

I bought a TV on craigslist... 32" "tube" TV for $20. When we got home to plug it in, I couldn't get the sound to work. I did call the guy back (thinking maybe I needed to get in some menu or something) He said it worked fine when he used it last. Oh well. I didn't ever consider asking for money back, honestly. Only called to see if he could trouble shoot.

In the end, I found another TV for $25. Yeah, I had to send the first one to the recycling station. BUT for $55 I have a TV for the playroom. I couldn't get that kind of deal at the store so I am still happy.

Point is, for a rock bottom deal on craigslist, you take your chances.

Yes, on those old "tube" TVs, the sound goes after many years, even though the picture may still be fabulous. I finally had to hook one up to my stereo amplifier, and the sound was still too weak.

I was finally going to break down & get a flat screen, Hi-def TV when the TV conversion happened. But, my neighbor was tossing out his tube TV, which was the exact size as mine, while he upgraded for the conversion to a nice flat screen.

So for free, I got a new-to-me old TV, that will give me a few more years of use. The sound is great. It's missing some plug on the back for the cable, so I can't watch one channel while recording a different channel. So, I'm getting what I "paid" for, but, I can live with it.

 

[Bethenny]

I don't think Karma really has anything to do with it. If you know it was working, then you can only assume that the lady broke it herself. Why should you pay for something that she broke? If perhaps, you didn't test it before, then you should probably take it back. But you did your part. I really think you can not take it back and keep a clear conscience.

 

[dakcp2001]

NO WAY! She prob just had buyers remorse and bought a brand new one. Dont take it back, CL is not a store you take a chance and you in good faith sold her a working item. I would email her and tell her it worked when you had it and sorry no refunds. Do not respond to her again.

 

[pyrxtc]

I agree with all, tell her you are sorry but that she can list it on Craigslist and see what she can get for it.