Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to want revenge (dishonest seller)

49 replies

Ameliel · 17/07/2019 18:35

I bought an item for my new baby via Facebook marketplace...we are struggling financially atm so I was happy to find this item second hand at reasonable price. Paid cash on collection. At home I proceeded to wash the washable bits of the said item, only then I realised that some crucial parts were missing. I messaged the seller and politely asked if he had these and could I collect them, he said he will look for them an let me know... and then I've heard nothing back, despite several messages he is totally blanking me...It's not much money (£50) but it's a large sum for me at the moment, and I feel so disappointed as the item is unusable without these bits...I know where he lives, obviously...would I be unreasonable to go back and ask for refund face to face? He probably won't even open the door if I do.. WWYD? I don't think there is any buyer protection as it was cash on collection...I'm kicking myself for being so trusting and not checking the item properly...I would like to get back to him somehow as he has knowingly conned me!

OP posts:
Cheeserton · 17/07/2019 18:40

Revenge is not OK, if that's what you mean by 'getting back', but absolutely do go and get your money back.

WhenOneFacePalmDoesntCutIt · 17/07/2019 18:42

to be fair, yes you should have noticed - that's the point of cash on collection, you only pay when you are satisfied and everybody avoid arguments later. nothing worst than buyers who change their minds. He should know you are of good faith, but maybe he didn't notice either.

When did you message the seller about the missing bits?

Could you find replacement for them on ebay?

SmallHope · 17/07/2019 18:42

That's frustrating, but maybe it was a genuine mistake.

I'd go and knock on his door!

twoshedsjackson · 17/07/2019 18:52

It's worth a try, if only because the bits on their own aren't much use to the seller now that you have the item, if it's a genuine mistake.
I guess there's always the risk that he sold it knowing there were bits missing, but you won't be any worse off, and you at least tried.....blanking could be genuine scattiness, or he knew all along.
If scattiness, you turning up at his address could spur him into action.
Without knowing what the item is, any chance of getting spare parts?
Your polite messages on Facebook won't be doing much for his credibility as a vendor.

Daffodil2018 · 17/07/2019 18:54

Maybe post on Freecycle and see if anyone can provide you with the item again - even if an old crappy one that you can just use for parts.

SagAloojah · 17/07/2019 18:56

Do go and knock on their door but take DP with you.

applesandacorns · 17/07/2019 18:59

That really sucks. I've been scammed on eBay before so I know how you feel.

I'd go and knock on his door, but take someone with you. If that fails, I'd post a bad review on his page/the item's page (can you do that on FB marketplace? I don't use it).

Yellowweatherwarning · 17/07/2019 19:00

Email the manufacturer and see if they can send the parts...

Original poster
Ameliel · 17/07/2019 19:04

Thanks for your replies. I'm trying to pick up the courage to go knocking on his door...i hate confrontation and I'm quite a small lady, and he is a big young man. I am pretty sure he knew the bits were missing but hasn't got them. They would not be any use to him so why not just give them to me? Unfortunately buying replacement bits would double my outlay..I could get a brand new item for about £100. Yes very stupid of me not to check everything there and then, but I messaged him the next day as soon as I noticed. I'm guessing I just have to put this down to experience..

OP posts:
Original poster
Ameliel · 17/07/2019 19:09

Ah , I would love to go back with DP as suggested earlier, but the problem is, he is very suspicious of buying second hand so i haven't had the heart to tell him about this issue...I'm so embarrassed to admit to him that it was a bad idea - all i was trying to do was to save a bit of money!

OP posts:
WhenOneFacePalmDoesntCutIt · 17/07/2019 19:10

ask on your local facebook group with photos, people are rather helpful in my area.

SagAloojah · 17/07/2019 19:11

Anyone else you could take, OP?

If not, suck up the embarrassment and take DP. Don’t let the seller twat get away with it so easily.

Have you complained to Fb marketplace?

OrchidFlakes · 17/07/2019 19:16

What item is it? One of us might have it lurking in a loft and could send parts on?

Original poster
Ameliel · 17/07/2019 19:27

Thanks for your support ! I will drive there tomorrow and will ask for at least a partial refund, towards the replacement bits...its a baby car seat and the infant infill bit and the pads from the straps are missing..I didn't realise I needed these until I washed the cover and compared it to a picture of a new item! If I don't get anywhere with the seller, then I will check free freecycle as PP suggested! Failing all this, I will just fork out for the replacement items! But worth a try at least.

OP posts:
TheJoxter · 17/07/2019 19:31

Buying car seats second hand isn’t recommended anyway as there could be damage that you can’t see which makes them less safe. You can buy new car seats for less than £50 anyway, I think I got ours for £30 in a mothercare sale

SmellMySmellbow · 17/07/2019 19:32

You might be able to get those from the manufacturer. I hate to kick you while you're down, but in this instance your DP was right- you should never get a car seat second hand as you cannot know for sure it's never been in an accident (and therefore dangerously useless). Even low speed bumps you are supposed to replace them. Only take from a trusted friend or buy new. Other thing to not get second hand is a mattress. Anything else is great to get pre-loved!

woodhill · 17/07/2019 19:32

I think you should tell dp and go back to seller if you can.

Beetlebum1981 · 17/07/2019 19:42

What kind of car seat is it?

IamWaggingBrenda · 17/07/2019 19:45

I would highly recommend you cut your losses and buy a new car seat. Second hand car seats may have been involved in an accident and are no longer safe, as the structural integrity is compromised after an accident. Furthermore, they have expiry dates which shouldn’t be ignored. Your baby is too precious to risk over a few pounds!

Soubriquet · 17/07/2019 19:50

I happily buy second hand things all the time but a car seat is not one of them

Please do buy a new one.

You have no idea if that seat has been in an accident or how old it is

WhenOneFacePalmDoesntCutIt · 17/07/2019 19:50

second hand is fine if you buy from trusted neighbours or friends, but not from market place.

As the missing bits are the new born ones, it's very possible they completely skipped the mind of the seller if he used the seat for months after without them -ask him again, ask around, the maxi cosi ones are not that cheap on ebay

JazzyGG · 17/07/2019 19:52

Presume those items weren't in original photo? If so it's so it's sold as seen?
I can see how this would easily happen you chuck the infant head rest when they don't need it, then they are sick on the pads so you remove etc... if you know someone with same seat maybe they will have spares?

UnaCorda · 17/07/2019 19:57

nothing worst than buyers who change their minds. He should know you are of good faith, but maybe he didn't notice either

The OP didn't change her mind.

WhenOneFacePalmDoesntCutIt · 17/07/2019 19:59

I didn't say the OP changed her mind UnaCorda but the whole point of cash on collection is to ensure that the buyer is empty and that's that.

It's an easy mistake on both sides.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.