Selling for parts or not working

[pacificchihuahua]

Hi all, I'm a fairly new seller on another account.

I've read a number of posts re confusion over selling/buying "for parts or not working" category and I'd like to set out on the right foot to avoid problems:

I've found some very old audio equip. from the 50s-70s in our garage but I honestly have no idea what they are/do (i.e. little amplifier box but no idea how or what it would connect to, etc.)

I'm clear that I should list it as FPONW but my confusion is the description. For example, if an item powers on but other than that I've no way of knowing what else is or isn't working, which of these should I, or should I NOT, include in the description:

1) item powers on, but I've no idea if it works as intended

2) Please note that this item cannot be returned if it does not work, therefore, please purchase with the assumption that it does NOT.

And related: If I state that something's NOT working and they receive it and it does, can they complain that it was an INAD?! LOL,  I'm not entirely kidding- I mean, you might say why would someone complain about that, but it's just one of those bizarre things that could just happen to me 😆🙄

Does this all makes sense??

Please let me know if you need me to clarify.

Thanks for any replies, folks!!

[pacificmedia]

Thank you so much for all the time you took to write this out! Well I've definitely decided that I will NOT go with a "no returns" policy after reading everyone's responses here. I actually always offer returns on my usual items and in fact free returns on many of them, so doing a no returns policy would have been unusual for me anyway. Thanks again 🙂

[pacificmedia]

Thank you! 🙂  Yep, this is what I'm concerned about. I'm thinking I should list this : "completely useless, broken amplifier" 😆

[coolections]

You have to also consider the weight of electronic equipment. The shipping will take most of the profit. I would toss in trash to avoid headaches. Buyers can still get returns even if you say for parts only. They do not need to break anything more than it already is, and you will end up paying the return shipping.

[fab_finds4u]

When you say powers on but you have no way of testing what you are doing is leaving it up to the buyer to test it. When they test it and it's not fully functioning they're going to return it.

Some old audio equipment can fetch a good price if  they work so you should have them checked out or else nobody will pay a lot for not working. You could have something you might be giving away by not testing.

[pacificmedia]

Well I know what you mean , I may get a return regardless of how I state things, but since I have several of these items I'd like to lower my chances where possible.

I suppose if I were to start again and write my original post it would say:

"I've read that if you're selling small vintage electronics and part of it works but you can't test the rest, you should list it as 'NOT WORKING'. Period. Don't say what comes on, what works or what doesn't, just say none of it works. 

Do you folks agree with that and if so, why?"

That would've been simpler. But I am getting a lot of good info from everyone here in general, so it's been very helpful. Thanks!

[pacificmedia]

Ah, ok- a different take on this subject! 

Yep, am dumping idea #2 and good point on #1- thank you!!

Thanks for the info about the eBay market for this type of item as well. I've only a few things like this among the other things I need to get rid of but would like to make the most of them if possible.

[pacificmedia]

Great points! Thanks so much!

[pacificmedia]

Haha- ok thanks and good to know. (Soviet-era black suits lol)

[pacificmedia]

Oh good to hear! 

Ok, my brain's gonna have to sort out all these conflicting views now on selling old electronics but that's why I post here occasionally- there are many experiences out there to learn from! 

Thanks for yours!

[pacificmedia]

Oh you better know it! Yeah, no heavy items for me- these are all just really lightweight jobbies. I'm pretty cheap- I won't ship anything that's going to cost more than fifteen bucks. These are falling in about $10-$12 shipping range as I've already calculated (and all of my usual stuff is about 90% Media Mail or first class so I'm very intolerant 😁).

Thanks so much for the heads-up though- I certainly appreciate it. 

[pacificmedia]

And.... I think I got all the info I need now thanks to everyone here! Thanks so much to everyone who replied. Not marking a solution because sort of everybody collectively resolved my issue....

Do I close out my own thread here? (You can tell I've done loads of forum posting in my life 😳)

Thanks all!!

[bashort]

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@pacificchihuahua wrote:

Hi all, I'm a fairly new seller on another account.

I've read a number of posts re confusion over selling/buying "for parts or not working" category and I'd like to set out on the right foot to avoid problems:

I've found some very old audio equip. from the 50s-70s in our garage but I honestly have no idea what they are/do (i.e. little amplifier box but no idea how or what it would connect to, etc.)

I'm clear that I should list it as FPONW but my confusion is the description. For example, if an item powers on but other than that I've no way of knowing what else is or isn't working, which of these should I, or should I NOT, include in the description:

1) item powers on, but I've no idea if it works as intended

2) Please note that this item cannot be returned if it does not work, therefore, please purchase with the assumption that it does NOT.

And related: If I state that something's NOT working and they receive it and it does, can they complain that it was an INAD?! LOL,  I'm not entirely kidding- I mean, you might say why would someone complain about that, but it's just one of those bizarre things that could just happen to me 😆🙄

Does this all makes sense??

Please let me know if you need me to clarify.

Thanks for any replies, folks!!

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I have sold quite a lot of items "for parts or not working" with no problems. while there are no guarantees of no problems the key to it is full disclosure of any obvious defects and lots of pictures, if it is a electronic item I take it apart enough to get pictures of the circuit board and the battery compartment is important.

There are many vintage and still produced items that there is a market for working or broken that you will likely never sell locally. 

[bashort]

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@slippinjimmy wrote:

Ignore the "don't sell it" crowd, Millions of Dollars of vintage "for parts only" electronics are sold on eBay successfully.

Dump #2, buyers can still open claims on parts only listings because in some situations it is warranted.

Regarding #1, that specific example could be problematic, it might not power up when it arrives, potentially an issue with  audio gear of that age.

Include FOR PARTS ONLY and/or UNTESTED in the Listing Title

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Absolutely correct.

[pacificchihuahua]

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate your input! 🙂

[stolarsj]

Thanks for all the replies on this topic and sage advice. I also come across a lot of old electronics. Rural area and there is little demand for  what used to be high end stereo equipment. So now, just burned on a cheap CB item. Already had some indication that buyer was questionable, and asked him to cancel the sale at the beginning , due to messages he sent me. Next time will definitely cancel, if there is a next time. Lost $10.65 and told him to keep item, already irritated, that I didn't go on my first hunch and intuition that the guy was an (fill in blank with first letter of the alphabet)-hole.