Japan item that won't work in the US: List as "Used" or "For parts or not working"

[gnatgosplat]

If I want to sell a vintage piece of audio equipment on eBay US from Japan that only runs on Japan 100V voltage, should I list it as "Used" or "For parts or not working", even if the device is not defective?

Reason I ask is it won't work in the US without a voltage converter.  Typically, I sell based on "Used" meaning it should work 100% properly out of the box.  If there are any caveats to normal usage and the buyer has to do something extra to make it work as intended, I list as "For parts or not working".  Needing a voltage converter is kind of a caveat and an extra step they wouldn't need for a US model.

Also, I'd also be concerned about a bidder, knowing full well I stated in the description a voltage converter is required, seeing that plug being physically able to fit a US 120V socket, deciding to give it a try anyway.  It would either A) become destroyed immediately, or B) appear to work at first, while being gradually destroyed.  Either one giving the bidder opportunity to claim SNAD if I listed it as "Used".

Of course, listing as "For parts or not working" is going to greatly reduce the number of interested bidders.  Thoughts?

[ittybitnot]

Of course, listing as "For parts or not working" is going to greatly reduce the number of interested bidders.  Thoughts?

@gnatgosplat 

Listing for "parts/not working" does not absolve you from any 'not as described' dispute.  You sell it to the US, you are in line for having to fund in advance any return.  If it gets 'fried' because your "interested buyer" refuses to read the description,  you still have to pay. 

You can do as you wish, of course, but if it were ME, I would tend to want to sell it in a market/area of the world where the thing works (has less chance of being fried) , and if you have to fund a return it won't be so expensive.  

Good luck. 

[wastingtime101]

What's the value of the item? Is it worth picking up a converter that you can bundle into the listing?

[reallynicestamps]

If the winning bidder expected a working used appliance, and it does not work, you have an unhappy customer.

It is better to underdescribe than to raise expectations.

I'd also cover the 100V plug with painter's tape, write 100V on the tape, and firmly attach a tag that says "Warning- do not use with standard North American 120V outlet."

There is a 50-50 chance the buyer will read it before removing the tape and tag and plugging it in to see what happens.

[gracieallen01]

It sounds like your item is either a collectible piece to add to a collection of that type of audio equipment - for display only, or something where you should list it on a platform located where it can be used. Find someone who actually knows that they want that type of equipment - and knows what it is and it's limitations.

If it is for use, why in the world would you want to list and sell it on a venue where it is available to, but can't be used by, the majority of the people in the world, with people who don't pay attention to the descriptions, wouldn't use a converter if they had one because it is too much trouble, wouldn't pay for a converter and with the attitude of "I'll use it when, how and where I want to"?

[jack-falstaff]

I sold an electronic device that I bought in Japan a while back ago.  When I listed it, I listed it as just used-like new, but also made sure that I included a Japanese description and also included in the second half of the title, the Japanese characters for what the item was.  Of course in the description I wrote its use was for Japan only.  When someone bought it, before I sent it, I sent the buyer a message restating this and sent it on day 3 of my 3 day handling time.

Even with all this, I was sure that there was going to be a return.  At the time, Adyen was not processing things yet, so I left the money in my paypal account for a few weeks...  But a return was never filed.

Long story short...  as the posts read above, if a buyer wants to return it... they will return it and get their money back.  Its just how online market places are, but try to put indicators all over the place that are hard to miss to try to mitigate the possibility.