sold item as BNIB (which it was) - buyer says part missing

[helenmc]

Bought a shelf about 6 years ago, and never got around to putting it up. So I sold it on ebay as BNIB although i had opened the box to take the photo. All the fittings/screws etc were in a sealed plastic bag.

Now the buyer says there a vital piece missing and said I probably wouldn't know as it was all sealed up. She has contacted the manufacturer but they were very unhelpful, and 'what was I going to do ?' I can't take the shelf back to the store I bought it from, as they closed before xmas. I have emailed the manufacturer and they said take it back to the store I bought it from...but its closed!!!! So what do I do ? I sold it good faith, and didn't lie on the description.

What would you expect a store to do if they sold you a shelf with a missing part? They too would have sold it in good faith. I think you have to offer a refund.

Have you told the manufacturer that the original store has closed?

I would offer a refund, or go back to the manufacturer or anothe chain of he store. If the shelf wont work without it offer a refund. If buyer can get something to make it work offer a partial refund.

have gone back to the manufacturer, and have passed on the phone numbers etc