To refuse to pay upfront for second hand flatpack furniture?

[sindiee]

I want to buy a big wardrobe off marketplace. Last week, we paid upfront for an item. Then the owner couldn't dismantle it because they had stripped all the screw heads and then refused to give us all the money back.

We found another second hand set of wardrobes on marketplace. The owner wants full upfront payment before they dismantle the item, or at least a 50% deposit. I am not comfortable paying another stranger for an item that is not ready for collection. AIBU?

Dismantle it for them?

No - not willing to take that risk

I wouldn't as we bought a second hand IKEA wardrobe on marketplace that was already dismantled Good price and clean, no matter what we did this wardrobe was not going to go back together safely without the backing sheets that would not stay in place so we ended up taking the whole shebang to the tip

Please tell me you did not let the first guy keep your money. You did get it all back in the end????

There are so many time wasters on FB marketplace, I can see why they might want payment upfront/deposit but I wouldn't do it. Id want to see the item first. Photos could easily be a few years old and the item is no longer the same quality. Surely they'd need to dismantle it no matter who buys it, or to take it to the tip.

No the first woman insisted on keeping 15% of the item cost.

What risk?

That something breaks as it's being dismantled, or we get half way through and find it won't come apart?

Having seen sellers messed around/been messed around myself, I can see why they want to cover themselves before they take it apart and have a useless dismantled piece of furniture cluttering the place up that nobody showed up for.

Clearly this approach doesn't work for you - your standpoint is completely fair - so sounds like it's not the deal for you? Not quite sure why this is a drama, you're not on the same page so move on.

Why did you need money back for the stripped screw heads? You can buy replacement screws at any DIY store, or Ikea if it's Ikea stuff for a few quid. Part of the downside of buying used furniture and saving on the cost of new is stuff like that. If you want perfection, that's what new items are for.

It is never going to be easy to buy flatpack furniture second hand because it often doesn’t come apart properly. You will have to take the risk or buy new.

I think it's rare 2nd hand flat pack survives a dismantle and rebuild, you'd be better off hiring a van and taking it complete if possible.

If the screwheads are stripped it means that the item is MUCH harder to take apart and the chances of damage are higher, not just that you need new screws

The thing is I don’t think IKEA type flat-pack furniture really can be sold and bought second hand. It’s really only designed to go together once.

I had that issue when taking down a big unit just to store it for a bit (temporary use of a room for different purpose). It isn’t designed to come down in tact.

Missed the part it was not yet dismantled - good point!

save up and buy new I've recently moved house and paid for a wardrobe to be taken apart and put back together. Its a mess and just about staying together, gonna need to get a new one soon or i'll have to keep patching it up.

I think you either need to buy new or get hold of a van.

You're not being unreasonable, but neither are they.

Buying anything second hand is a bit of a negotiation. If you can't come to an agreement, you just don't buy the thing, and move on.

She can't do that if it's their fault you can't buy the product.
If you changed your mind, fair enough but not when it's their fault they can't dismantle it.

I would say small claims court but I suspect it's not worth it. The law would definitely cover you though.

She's a thief, she can't do that.

That said, with different sellers, I can understand both sides, but you are taking a big risk with second hand flatpack, they really are not designed to be taken apart and rebuilt.

something breaks as it's being dismantled, or we get half way through and find it won't come apart?
frankly, even if it does come apart, nothing guarantees you it will come back up again.

Honestly - I would save up for a new wardrobe. I am downsizing and found it very difficult to pull about some flat pack draws, without damaging them.

If I remember correctly, this was 3.5m of wardrobe, presumably PAX. The seller is entitled to their stipulation, as is OP, as they both face "risks".

I suggest OP just bites the bullet to buy new, as they are unlikely to be happy with the condition of 2nd hand, unless an absolute bargain. If it IS an absolute bargain, it is probably worth taking the punt and going along with the seller's requirements.

Flatpack furniture isn't meant to be taken apart and put back up again. It's just not that sturdy or durable. It doesn't even travel well if you move it wholesale (moved several Ikea Billy bookcases two doors down the road when I moved house and they were not happy).

I don't think it's worth spending any money on it second hand - round here you can't even give it away. I'd buy new, every time, or try charity shops that sell furniture - they are usually fairly reasonable and will often deliver for you.