To say no to a refund for camping gear sold through a Facebook site?

[AfternoonTeaWithChampagne]

We sold a family tent and camping equipment through a local FB selling site back at the end of June.

We'd used it for a family holiday already and had no issues - nothing broken whatsoever apart from two poles which had been long term repairs and did not affect use at all.

The buyer has now messaged me saying he's used it for the first time since buying it two months ago listing a catalogue of things wrong including a hole in the tent and a broken zip. We are adamant that these weren't there when we sold - we'd put the tent up in our garden to check everything prior to sale.

I've messaged back saying we absolutely deny anything was wrong with the tent, except for the two poles which we knew about.

He did not check the tent on purchase and we've heard nothing from him for two months. What's to say he hasn't stored it incorrectly/done the damage himself?!

He's claiming a family camping trip was ruined - surely in any case you check gear before you camp?!

If he'd come back to us a week after we would have been happy to discuss - but given this was two months ago and we absolutely deny the damage, AIBU to tell him we won't entertain a refund?

And anyway - surely it was down to him to check it was all ok,within a reasonable timeframe?

How much did he pay?

From reading that Which info, it looks very much like he doesn’t have a leg to stand on.... or tent pole.

Taping to strengthen them. You hid the broken poles. Legally you're in the right but I'm not sure morally. There were some v heavy winds lately so I could see it would have broken. But not your fault after purchase were it not for the poles.
I don't think he's cheeky but I think you need to be more upfront in future.

@CodenameVillanelle

You're at fault for not stating the poles had been repaired. You may have been more careful with them as you knew about the repair which he would not have done. In this case it's absolutely your responsibility I'm afraid. If you'd sold with a clear description of the repair you would be in the right but you didn't. Refund him.

That summary is incorrect. She is under no legal obligation to refund him. Perhaps you could argue that morally she should but you don’t state that. It’s a risk that you take when buying something second hand from an individual.

Why did only 2 poles have tape if it was to strengthen them? Surely you would have done all the poles in that case?

You might be right legally but morally I think you were chancing it a bit. I would be really annoyed to buy something and not have the faults pointed out.

There's not a lot he can do about it now but you have been very unreasonable not mentioning the poles

If you sell something on marketplace you absolutely should list any damage, quirks, anomalies etc. A description of the condition of the item should be given.

He’s probably a chancer but you haven’t done yourself any favours and YABU to think you have done nothing wrong.

I sell or give away a fair amount on facebook and am always really careful to state condition, especially where something has broken or been mended. He is BU for not contacting you sooner but you are also BU for not mentioning the condition. Given that you have admitted yourself that the damage may have been there when you sold it, but you may have just missed it I would refund. Of course you don't have to but I think it would be the right thing to do personally.

He doesn’t really have a leg to stand on since he paid in cash and didn’t check for 2 months but just so you know if you didn’t declare those poles on a PayPal sale he would have been able to claim on PayPal for the tent not as described so I’d make sure in future you describe any defects in full when selling stuff .

If I purchased a tent through any second hand website, the first thing i would do would be set it up in my garden so that I know how to put it together - therefore my family holiday would not be ruined as I would know if I had a problem before I went. To be fair to the seller, (and any sellers), this is what most buyers would do. Always 1 though and it very much sounds like holidays are over and lets get my money back.

Been chatting at length with DH. We have offered him some money back to make any repairs, but we aren't prepared to cover any lost holiday time which I think is what he is after

Just an update - offered him half what he was after and he's very grateful - he also apologised saying tensions were running high after their curtailed trip. All sorted!

@AfternoonTeaWithChampagne

Been chatting at length with DH. We have offered him some money back to make any repairs, but we aren't prepared to cover any lost holiday time which I think is what he is after

that sounds fair I think

Good result.

Just for future reference, I think it’s easier to show photos of faults/describe them in listings just to cover your own back? The buyer would purchase with full knowledge that there may be an issue (however minor), so they can’t then act unaware if anything goes wrong as they would be fully informed. It would protect you against scammers/chancers.

Good outcome OP.
It sounds like you have been fair and he has calmed down.
Next time he needs to check 2nd stuff as soon as he buys it.
You as sellers should also clearly list any faults in the description of sale.

He may be a CF, but why on earth would you not describe the condition?!

Fwiw if no faults are listed a buyer can assume it doesn't have any

Good outcome, I do think you were in the wrong not to mention the poles.