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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU that this is not my problem? Item I have sold.

11 replies

deedeemegadoodoo · 20/12/2022 10:36

I’m not in the UK and houses here tend not to have heating. I sold a portable gas fire on FB marketplace. Item was listed as a portable gas fire with slight damage to laminate (this was pictured). I also included a link to show how much it would be ‘new’ (over €300) and I priced it at €90.

Someone immediately messaged to buy and we arranged collection. When he collected, he asked if he could negotiate the price, to which I replied ‘no’. Paid €100 and I gave him €10.

An hour later, he messaged to ask how to light it. I sent a link to instructions I found online and said it can be a bit awkward so here are the instructions.

He messaged several times to say that he couldn’t get it to work (he has just bought a new gas bottle) and I replied I was confident it would. I checked with my husband, who agreed it could be awkward to fit a gas bottle valve and gave further advice.

He has messaged this morning to say that the regulator is faulty (ie the part that connects the fire to the gas bottle via the pipe and valve which was attached to the fire). He has borrowed one and the fire works. He then sent a link showing me the price of a new regulator (valve and pipe) at €22.

Thanks for reading so far! I can see his POV, but I am also not sure if this is my problem.

I sold him the gas fire and this works.
The regulator is a separate part that was attached to the fire; nevertheless he needs one to make the fire work with the gas bottle.
He seemed to have second thoughts about how much he originally agreed to pay, as he asked to negotiate when collected.

So…my AIBU is this? Have I sold him a gas fire that works, so it is not my problem? Or do I need to also supply the regulator as this came with the fire, although I did not advertise it?

OP posts:
Vimto1 · 20/12/2022 10:39

Did you provide the regulator?

SantaStoleMyPies · 20/12/2022 10:39

If the regulator was attached to the fire when you sold it and wasn't specifically excluded from the sale then he bought the package from you - if it doesn't work he should be free to return it for a refund.

ChristmasCakeAndStilton · 20/12/2022 10:40

He should have checked it before giving you the money, imo.

lanthanum · 20/12/2022 10:42

Did the link you sent to the new product suggest that a regulator is included?

JobSeekingMissile · 20/12/2022 10:42

Tell him he can return it if he's not happy. Change the regulator and then advertise it. did you state in the advert that it was in full working order?

Original poster
deedeemegadoodoo · 20/12/2022 10:43

Yes the regulator and tube was attached to the fire, but wasn’t advertised.

I have a spare regulator (used to be attached to a BBQ) which I am willing to give him.

I also wondered if he just couldn’t get it to fit properly? It is awkward to fit.

My husband said he would go and look at it, in case he is fitting it wrong, and take the spare one. Thought I would get opinions on here first.

OP posts:
Anothernameanother · 20/12/2022 10:45

You sold him a product that didn't work, and didn't indicate that it didn't work? Not OK.

Maximinimalist · 20/12/2022 10:46

It was not sold in full working order. You should rectify this. Both you and your husband also admit it is a pain to work and it does not sound like you made that clear in the advert.

Overall, you misled him. He should be refunded. It’s only fair and the right thing to do.

Whinge · 20/12/2022 10:46

Yes the regulator and tube was attached to the fire, but wasn’t advertised.

If they were shown in the photos and attached to the fire then I think it's a reasonable assumption that they were included. Especially as it sounds like they are required for the fire to work.

Floralnomad · 20/12/2022 10:46

If the regulator is part of what you sold then you should refund him the 20 €

Original poster
deedeemegadoodoo · 20/12/2022 10:51

Thanks all for your replies. To answer some queries.

The link I included was for illustrative purposes (my intention) and so he could see the original price, but it does list the regulator.

My own pictures did not include the regulator nor was it mentioned in my listing.

The fire works but I am not sure if it doesn’t work, or if he hasn’t fitted it right.

The fire isn’t a pain to work, but there is a knack to getting the regulator on correctly - this is a safety feature in the valve.

Thanks all for your advice. We will show him how to fit the valve properly and replace or refund if it still doesn’t work.

OP posts:
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