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I was ripped off - but am i out of touch with morality?

82 replies

CornwallThrift · 08/02/2024 17:05

I was so chuffed when i bought a brand new integrated multifunction microwave oven for £150 from a lady in Plymouth through FB marketplace (half new price). She had bought it as part of a new kitchen but didn't need it. My kitchen extension was substantially delayed & it was 6 months before my electrician was able to fit said oven. All of the digital controls etc worked perfectly, BUT it didn't microwave or heat up. Over Christmas this provided a brilliant distraction for visiting family and friends, who studied the manual, determined to find the button to make it work ...which they never did. My electrician upon recent visit had a peek inside & said it was not wired up & there were substantial parts missing in order that it was to work as an oven or microwave. He suspected it was a 'show' oven. I contacted the lady & asked for my money back (in return for me delivering item in same condition i purchased it). She refused & said that no shop would give money back after 6 months. I said this is irrelevant as no shop would sell an oven that didn't have the capability to heat. She immediately exited the 'chat'. I just wouldn't be able to sleep at night if i had ripped someone off like this (regardless of whether i knew or not?). Is it unreasonable to expect my money back?

OP posts:
milveycrohn · 09/02/2024 11:31

Actually, I quite suspect the woman did NOT know there was anything wrong with it.
It is (or was) quite common to have an 'oven' or similar included as part of a new kitchen deal.
The point being that they are often of the cheaper variety.
Cheaper, but expected to work, and it sounds as tho the kitchen suppliers may have given her something that did not work properly.
My DB offered us (free) such an oven as he already had a better one. Yes, he got it FREE as part of his new kitchen.
The said oven remained boxed up for some years until my DS desperate to change his oven, gladly accepted it. It has worked fine ever since. fitted at least 5 years ago, and boxed up a few years before that)
The point being that an oven coming as part of a new kitchen happens (or used to happen) quite often.

Onaladder · 09/02/2024 11:42

FB is very tricky, when you buy something off there you need to physically go inspect and make sure something is working before you buy it. We managed to buy many things successfully this way. You can also see the sellers' profile and if they don't have anything there I will be suspicious

If you are a seller, Ebay can be really bad as they use Paypal and Paypal has policy of free return of 6 months. I sold my new chairs I bought brand new no problem, didn't fit our dining table and missed return, so sold on Ebay to a lady, who came and inspected then took them. After 6 months, she asked for refund saying the chairs are faulty! and Ebay refunded them. So, no chairs back, no money for me. After that I never use Paypal because a lot of shameless people use it to buy things free on Ebay

Long story short, FB is great but requires a lot of communications/work. Ebay may be easier but there is a 'legitimate' route to scammers via. Paypal if you are a seller

milveycrohn · 09/02/2024 11:47

Also most (but not all) ovens (UK) have to be wired in and consequently do not have a 'plug' on the end, as they use 30 amp, rather than the usual 13 amp (unless this was different).

Itslegitimatesalvage · 09/02/2024 11:51

milveycrohn · 09/02/2024 11:47

Also most (but not all) ovens (UK) have to be wired in and consequently do not have a 'plug' on the end, as they use 30 amp, rather than the usual 13 amp (unless this was different).

Most ovens have plugs actually and run on 13a: If they’re over something like 3000 watts, then they can be the wired in higher amp type. It’s really for bigger or double ovens though. Most ovens now are plug in. (Just re did my kitchen).

RatatouillePie · 09/02/2024 17:35

DogPaulAnka · 09/02/2024 05:18

“Beyond reasonable doubt” is the criminal standard. In civil matters you need to prove your case on the balance of probabilities.

Yes sorry, I meant balance of probabilities! Brain tired.

Universalsnail · 09/02/2024 17:38

If she was a shop I agree with you but in this situation I think you unreasonable. 6 months is far too long to return something to someone from market place and considering it was a second hand sale from marketplace she was under no obligation to take it back anyway. Should have checked it before you picked it up really unfortunately. Lesson learned I guess.

RadiatorHead · 09/02/2024 17:42

That’s a tough one to call. She is 100% in the wrong and she knew it. Having been conned myself by someone on Gumtree I know the feeling. However, you bought as seen and didn’t check it for 6 months. Unfortunately, in that respect you’ve got to take a bit of responsibility.

Chalk it up to experience and remember to always ask to see something working if you buy it second hand. Sorry this happened to you.

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