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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Bloody facebook marketplace CFs

36 replies

PollywithaP · 07/01/2024 21:10

Sorry a long one here! AIBU by refusing to accept an item back that I sold on FB Marketplace because the buyer tried the item, bought it and is now saying it is broken?
I sold a treadmill on facebook marketplace. It was in good working order. A couple came to buy it (after trying to talk me down on price - I lowered a little- the asking me to deliver- I said no). I showed them the instructions etc and also gave a run through of how it worked with the remote control etc. The female of the couple tried it at slow and high speed for around a minute, they were both happy and gave me cash. They loaded it into their car and left.
The next day I received a message from the male telling me the belt was slipping, where was the adjuster tool, then a message saying they had found the tool, tried to adjust the belt and it had not worked saying it was no longer suitable for walking or running, along with a 6 second video of what I can only describe as the male jumping off the treadmill as it is going round. Then asking if I could take it back. I replied saying no as your girlfriend tried it, you were happy with the condition and brought it.
I then received a threatening/ bullying ‘I know where you live’ type message saying I knew the treadmill was broken before I sold it, which I did not.
I again replied saying it was fine when they tried it and they were happy to buy it. I put them under no pressure to buy it. As they had now tried to adjust it themselves it was no longer in the condition I sold it and it may have been broken by them in their car or after they got home. I have quoted ‘Caveat emptor’ which I believe applies here, as it was tried before buying. Am I correct here? I can’t help but think they are CFs! But I am pregnant and cannot seem to think straight. (I did mention I was selling it because I was pregnant so I think it’s a cheap shot by the male to scare/bully me).
So AIBU by refusing to take it back?

OP posts:
TheFormidableMrsC · 07/01/2024 21:12

Cheeky bastards. Just block them. Police if they come and harass you.

shoesday · 07/01/2024 21:13

Ignore

Vileperson · 07/01/2024 21:13

No. It was sold as seen, it was working whilst at yours, they even tried it. As you say could have been damaged in transit or when they have tried adjusting so no I wouldn't take it back.
if he uses anymore threats just say you will have to report if they continue.

Allofaflutter · 07/01/2024 21:13

Block them

soupandcrackers · 07/01/2024 21:14

Absolute CFs. Don't give them anymore of your time.

Original poster
PollywithaP · 07/01/2024 21:16

Thanks everyone, that’s what I thought. I can’t help wondering if there is a scam here where they’ll try and get me to give them compensation or something. Lesson learned though, i’m not selling anything on there anymore!

OP posts:
shoesday · 07/01/2024 21:18

It's sad really isn't it. People can't just accept they win some they lose some and it just is what it is at the end of the day

AnneElliott · 07/01/2024 21:58

You're in the right op. Caveat emptor. You have no idea how they treated it during transportation or afterwards. It's sold as seen.

Hairspray123 · 07/01/2024 23:29

I can guarantee 95% its not broken due to personal knowledge. Suggest they t
contact the supplier or a retailer who sells them for advice.

eatpiedrinktea · 08/01/2024 00:22

Your not in the wrong call the police if they carry on.
This is one of the reasons I don't sell on line if something I don't want it goes in the bin tip or charity bank.
Cant deal with all the faffing.
And entitled people.

Kitkatcatflap · 08/01/2024 01:46

I bet they have seen a cheaper one marketplace and are trying to pull a fast one.

Mammyloveswine · 08/01/2024 02:17

Omg I had this with a pram! It was an oyster chassis and I'd bought a brand new seat unit from the website as the original had broken so it was the newest design and immaculate. Used for around 6 months and then I found out I was pregnant with ds2 and needed a double.

Put the pram up for £80, woman came round to my house with her baby. Tried the pram, put baby in, walked around the area we live in to try it out-all happy and bought the pram.

About 2 weeks later she messaged me saying the pram was MOULDY and had stained her baby's clothes and was a health risk so she would be returning for a full refund! I told her first of all she had a damn cheek as the pram was immaculate.. she had also viewed it and tried it before buying so it was sold as seen and she had had it in her possession for a fortnight! I blocked her.

Then noticed she was selling it on marketplace "in immaculate condition but purchased a new pram". Absolute cheeky cow! I was livid. Forgot about it until just now lol and I'm FEWMIN all over again!

WiddlinDiddlin · 08/01/2024 02:22

It's a very common scam - take the thing home then claim it is broken and they want their money back, and then threats to come round because they know where you live.

Stand firm OP - it was sold as seen, you've no legal obligation to refund them and if they turn up at your door you will dial 999 and forward the messages containing threats to the police as well.

They'll piss off, they will be running a business based on 'buying' stuff they then get refunds for and most of the time they'll get to keep the stuff as well and sell it on!

LonelynSad · 08/01/2024 02:52

I get where you're coming from but would you have that attitude if you bought a car from a used car dealership, took it for a test drive - all fine - only to then have a major fault on it a day or two later???

novhange · 08/01/2024 02:58

I think they want you to give a refund and alao say keep the item, that way they get a free treadmill to sell on.

Don’t fall for it.

Tell him if he threatens you again you are calling the police and they can trace his number and IP address.

shortandspicy · 08/01/2024 02:59

I hate market place and selling groups. People are so rude and cf. I was giving something away for free a couple of weeks ago. It had only been used once and I just wanted it to go to another child who would enjoy it. Had someone asking about the distance from her house to mine. She told me it was too far. Then asked me to deliver. After I said no she told me her child was having a birthday soon and she needs it for them but her husband won't drive that far to get it. I ignored her. She then sent me updates about how she was looking elsewhere for the same item but can't find one. I told her the shop I got it from a week earlier. She told me she didn't live near said shop. Non of this is my problem but she seemed to think it was. Two days later I passed it to a friend. She messaged me a week later saying she can't find another so will have to come get the item. She didn't even say please in any of her messages and just said she would have to come like it was already hers and she was doing me a big favour! When I told her I had already given it away she started asking if I could get it back and telling me she needs it so would be coming that afternoon. Errrr no. I had to ignore her in the end.
I had another item I was giving away. This was a large and expensive item. I couldn't dispose of it and had had it ages so thought giving it away was the right thing to do and more likely to get a response. Well I was inundated with people asking for it. I went with the person who messaged first to be fair. I explained multiple times how big and heavy it was and that they would need a van. All fine. They were coming at 9pm as had to work. Fine, I told them it was outside on our drive. Please collect when you can and please don't knock or anything. I made it clear that they could just come get it without needing to speak to me. They turned up at 10pm and proceeded to knock loudly on my door waking my toddler. I watched as they struggled to fit it in their small car. I thought the weight of it might actually damage their car. Anyway they left to get a van and did eventually take it. They approached my door again, presumably to tell me they couldn't fit it in the car. I just waved out of the window and shut the curtains.

I have had nice exchanges on selling sites too.

Op block them and move on. If they turn up don't answer the door and call the police. They probably won't show up though. They are just trying it on.

novhange · 08/01/2024 02:59

LonelynSad · 08/01/2024 02:52

I get where you're coming from but would you have that attitude if you bought a car from a used car dealership, took it for a test drive - all fine - only to then have a major fault on it a day or two later???

Op is not a business, so caveat emptor applies. They liked it, they bought it, they keep it.

LonelynSad · 08/01/2024 03:00

I mean they might be chancers or just plain scammers but if it does have a fault, then that makes you look like the scammer to them. I don't know what the solution is to be honest. But I'd at the very least request a proper, close up video of the fault in action, without them touching it at the same time (so as to avoid the possibility of them manipulating the machine during the video in order to create a 'fault' if you know what I mean). If they can't provide this then they're chancers, definitely.

LonelynSad · 08/01/2024 03:04

@novhange Ok so say you bought a used car from a private seller. You inspect it as best anyone possibly, physically can. No white gunge of any kind showing anywhere. Everything looks great. Then 2 days later the head gasket goes. Legally you'd likely have no recourse but wouldn't you be a little bit annoyed with the seller???

LonelynSad · 08/01/2024 03:05

Also, if you're going to quote things like "Sold as seen, sorry" then those words need to be in the original listing in order to apply.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 08/01/2024 08:02

LonelynSad · 08/01/2024 03:05

Also, if you're going to quote things like "Sold as seen, sorry" then those words need to be in the original listing in order to apply.

I agree

RadiatorHead · 08/01/2024 08:07

LonelynSad · 08/01/2024 02:52

I get where you're coming from but would you have that attitude if you bought a car from a used car dealership, took it for a test drive - all fine - only to then have a major fault on it a day or two later???

The OP isn’t a business, this is completely different.

muddyford · 08/01/2024 08:07

LonelynSad · 08/01/2024 02:52

I get where you're coming from but would you have that attitude if you bought a car from a used car dealership, took it for a test drive - all fine - only to then have a major fault on it a day or two later???

The circumstances you describe are covered under consumer law. It doesn't apply when buying a car from a private seller.

orangejuicebrooklyn · 08/01/2024 08:21

LonelynSad · 08/01/2024 02:52

I get where you're coming from but would you have that attitude if you bought a car from a used car dealership, took it for a test drive - all fine - only to then have a major fault on it a day or two later???

That's completely different. Dealerships run professional checks on their cars and offer a guarantee (varying in length) so as a buyer you have legal rights. If you buy something secondhand that is 'sold as seen', the same doesn't apply.

It's the reasonable risk you take if you buy something from an individual rather than from a registered business. If you're not willing to take that risk, then don't buy that way!

I think the buyers are being really cheeky!

Grimchmas · 08/01/2024 08:31

LonelynSad · 08/01/2024 03:04

@novhange Ok so say you bought a used car from a private seller. You inspect it as best anyone possibly, physically can. No white gunge of any kind showing anywhere. Everything looks great. Then 2 days later the head gasket goes. Legally you'd likely have no recourse but wouldn't you be a little bit annoyed with the seller???

I'm fairly sure nobody can tell when a head gasket is going to go until it goes, so poor example to choose.

In that situation I'd be very upset and would see if I could get recompense from the garage and check my legal rights for sure, but that doesn't mean the garage is actually liable, and it's a very different scenario to a Facebook marketplace private sale.

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