Ethical dilemma wwyd?

7 replies

ErikNorseman · 03/03/2013 19:49

Bought a dishwasher on eBay for £25. No cutlery basket. Sold as good working order. I drove over 20 miles to collect it and bought a new cutlery basket.
Dishwasher is not in good working order. The tablet compartment doesn't open and if you leave the tablet loose inside there is a gritty residue left on everything.
I messaged seller asking for a refund and suggesting I tip the dishwasher. They agreed.
However I then had the brainwave to put it on the most thorough wash and watch it until it has completed the prewash before opening and putting tablet in. This resulted in successful cleaning (bar one mug which was still gritty)
I spent money and time collecting it, and on a new basket. It's still pretty crap, and not what I expected. But I will keep it for now as it appears to be just about usable. Do I keep the refund? Return it? Return half of it?

OP posts:

YellowAndGreenAndRedAndBlue · 03/03/2013 19:52

Are you going to keep it or are you still going to replace? If you think it is not in good working order and will buy another, stick with original plan.

MrsMangoBiscuit · 03/03/2013 19:53

It was sold as good working order, and it isn't, not if you have to wait to put the tabs in in the hope that it'll get most of the stuff clean! How long do you think it'll work before stopping completely?

I'd probably put some of the refund in a charity box, then I wouldn't feel guilty.

pickledparsnip · 03/03/2013 19:54

Hmmm....Personally I would let them know & suggest paying something for it.

Original poster

ErikNorseman · 03/03/2013 20:00

Oh yes I will replace it, but after lugging it out of the car and into the kitchen by myself I'm not exactly raring to go. I thought I would just use it til I got round to finding a replacement. I will have to tip it myself too.

OP posts:

YellowAndGreenAndRedAndBlue · 03/03/2013 20:54

If you are just using it short term til you get a replacement I think keeping the money is morally ok, it isn't in good working order it is in barely working order!

Original poster

ErikNorseman · 03/03/2013 20:57

Thanks. I think I will keep it, I'm just feeling bad! But they basically got their broken dishwasher removed for free! The council would have charged them at least £25 :)

OP posts:

INeverSaidThat · 03/03/2013 21:34

You can usually just leave broken appliances at the side of the road and a scrap metal dealer will take it away for free.

I am not on a busy road but appliances disappear within hours of being put out.

I think I would not offer more money in this case as you are going to replace it.

Flip