eBay/Craigslist Craigslist Deal

[OrangeGuy]

Last week I responded to a Craigslist WTB ad looking for an Allis Chalmers 82S side mount mower for a D17. I have one I purchased about 15 years ago that I used up to a few years ago for cutting road ditches, water ways and a meadow (10 to 15 hours per year). I purchased a NH 451 a few years ago so the AC sat stored in my shed. The buyer sent his 75 year old retired farmer father to look at it. I showed him the mower, explained how I used it, and generally said I believed it was in good condition for a 40 year old mower (relatively new sickle, excellent belts, all shields and mounting parts, swathboard, operator manual and a 3x8 hydraulic cylinder thrown in for good measure). After careful examination, the father said his son had been looking for months for this model mower and would purchase mine. We agreed to a price of $500. I helped him load the mower on his trailer and off he went.

That evening I got a call from the father. He says his son wants to talk to me. Since I had offered to help explain how to mount the mower, I expect questions along this line. However, the son proceeded to tell me the mower was in such poor condition that it would require several hundred dollars in new parts to make it operational to cut pigeon grass. He tried to negotiate a lower price. Finally, I told him to just bring it back and I would give his father his check back. I felt like I was being accused of taking advantage of the old man. He is a diehard Allis fan like me so we got along well.

My question is...Did I do the thing? This was an "as is where is" sale with no warranty implied or given so I suppose I didn't need to offer to take it back. Was I taken advantage of? What should I have done? The father is bringing the mower back on Monday so I probably could still process a different outcome.

OrangeGuy

 

[ultrarunner]

You probably saved your self some grief.

The problem with a check is that it can be stopped in an instant and then you would have to expend effort to go after them.

If it was a cash sale with a bill of sale stating AS-IS... I would have stood firm...

I think you did the right thing...

You did tell them of your 10% restocking fee... right?

 

[NSBound]

You probably saved your self some grief.

I agree with Ultrarunner. The way this gut dealt with you, if you didn't do what you did, he probably would have taken you to small claims court. Even when you're right and win in such situations they are a very large PITA.

 

[Travelover]

I think you would do the right thing by giving him his money back. I'm sure this guy's dad is embarrassed for his son's behavior and if nothing else, you'll help him save face. To me it just wouldn't be worth the hassle for a few bucks - I'd just turn the page and move on.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

You didn't do anything wrong. However the guy complaining should never have sent his father if he didn't trust his judgement. I doubt his dad is ever going to do this for him again.

I would do the same as you, offer them their money back when they return the mower.

 

[johng52]

Make sure it's in the same condition it left in.
...he may have just needed parts for his.

 

[claridon]

I think you're going in the right direction. The dad has to feel like he's being put in the middle by his son. You're helping him by taking it back. The son sounds like a jerk to use his dad that way.
I'd also check it over carefully when taking it back.

 

[OrangeGuy]

Thanks for the responses. I felt I was on the right track by offering to take it back. The father was such a nice guy. You have confirmed my instincts. I will check it over carefully when he returns it.

OrangeGuy

 

[newbury]

You should let us know the son's name,

 

[Stimw]

#1- NEVER take a check, COD!
#2- I would tell the son next time buy your own implements and get what you want.
#3- My refund policy is written on my boot heal.
Craigslist brings out the craziest and dumbest people I have ever met. I can't understand how they even have Internet access! I always post my phone number and they continue to email me for information about ads and too often offers that are ridiculous.
When did it become acceptable to try to negotiate on price before looking at an item? The proper way is to ask "Is the price firm?" .
Oh, and my favorite is I have a $1000. item for sale and they call or write "I only have $600. would you take that?"
I have no problem being rude to CL buyers who try to insult my intelegence and No Refunds!

 

[Heavyduty]

You never know with people these days. I would have stood firm, even with the check. They stopped by and checked the mower BEFORE they bought it. I just bought a old, used JD 148 loader and when I got home with it a hyd. cylinder started leaking. It's just they way it goes when dealing with old, used equipement. Sometimes it works as planned, sometimes you need to put money and time in it. One thing I've noticed more and more is a mans word is worth very little these days, especially if he made a bad desc. on something.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

#1- NEVER take a check, COD!
#2- I would tell the son next time buy your own implements and get what you want.
#3- My refund policy is written on my boot heal.
Craigslist brings out the craziest and dumbest people I have ever met. I can't understand how they even have Internet access! I always post my phone number and they continue to email me for information about ads and too often offers that are ridiculous.
When did it become acceptable to try to negotiate on price before looking at an item? The proper way is to ask "Is the price firm?" .
Oh, and my favorite is I have a $1000. item for sale and they call or write "I only have $600. would you take that?"
I have no problem being rude to CL buyers who try to insult my intelegence and No Refunds!

I know all about the stupid offers buyers make. I have been offered 25% of my asking price before on a large item. I countered with an offer 25% higher then what I originally asked and never heard back from them.

Just recently a guy showed up to look at a Planet Jr. Garden tractor I am taking offers on. He saw I had a Planet Jr. corn planter also and got very excited about it and offered me $50 for the planter (which I wasn't selling at the time). Then told me to find all the implements I had for the garden tractor and he would make me an offer. Well, when I told him I was not ready to sell the planter at that time he then told me his offer for the tractor (which he hadn't made yet) was dependent on him buying the corn planter. I said sorry, its not for sell currently so he then offered me $40 reluctantly for the garden tractor with sickle mower, plow and cultivator. I will keep it for that price.

What I really love is how no one looks up where you are before they start talking to you. then when they get to "now where are you located again" and you tell them you get "wow, way down there, well that is a little too far for me". Why waste their time, their location is listed in the add, Mapquest it and make sure you want to drive that far before you waste their time.

One more peeve I have with buyers on Craigslist, I do list my phone number in my ads. Yet I get e-mails from people telling "ME" to call "Them" and they give me their phone number. If you want to talk to me then call me but don't get mad when I don't call you

 

[two_bit_score]

Even if you had no obligation to give them their money back and take the item back - you went above and beyond. You can never go wrong doing that - in the long run where it counts.

 

[Sackett2]

You done right, for if he felt he was cheated, and you were not out to cheat anyone- you have to live with yourself. Best to make it right.
I sent my dad out on a scouting for a mowing gig; he said it didn't look too big.... So we agreed upon 100$ for the field mowing. Dad didn't see the part of the field that was off to the right- spent about 4 hours on it. But Dad is Dad, I figure he is getting his revenge for the stupid things I did when I was young. Often Dad's, as they get older, miss the details.....
We charged the lady 100$, as promised... And learned a lesson about judging areas.....

 

[rcrcomputing]

I'd have probably told the son no. Then picked up the phone and called dad and told him if HE brought it back, I'd take it back. Just the point..

 

[rtimgray]

Just a reply in general about Craigslist (or other classifieds)-

Why do people post ads with no pricing? I see this in a surprising number of ads. Most of the time when I do call or email, the price is far too high (and maybe that's my answer). The point being, the seller has a price in mind (or at least they should), why not list it so it doesn't waste their time and mine making a call?

Sorry - just a bit of a rant.

My most recent truck purchase was found on Craigslist. When I went to look at it, and it was a good distance away, I agreed that with the seller that I would purchase it. I was able to leave him a check for the purchase of the truck (and he kept the truck for a week - I didn't have the necessary cash on me at the time). He also had to get the title for the truck, and he did his part as well. Overall, it was a very good experience with trust involved on both parties (he had offered to let me take the truck home when I gave him the check - of course he would still have the title, but anyway). We both lived up to our ends of the bargain and everybody was happy.

Too bad it doesn't work out that way more often.

 

[cowboy357]

I Buy & Sell a Lot Off of CL , & I Would Never take a Check , just a Worthless Piece of Paper in Cases Like This . i,ve Been in a Similiar situation & Did as You Have done . If Their not Happy With it whatever it is , Then I Dont mind Them Returning it & Giving Their Money back , So Much as all I,m out of is time .

I,d also Make sure no Parts Have Been removed or Damaged . In My Case They Contacted Me Later changing Their Minds again & Wanting it afterall , I Decided it Wasn,t for Sale Anymore . . Bob

 

[The Dougster]

There is such a thing and legal... legally you didn't have to return the money but, IMHO, you did the right thing.... I am proud to be among honorable men...

 

[boatyard]

You did the right thing. You will not gain anything, if you are being honest, by having someone angry at you about this mower. Someone else will purchase it .
Having unhappy people only works if you live in an area that is so densely populated that you can just pileup unhappy people forever. I live in a rural area and chances are that these folks are my neighbors, know my neighbors, are related to my neighbors, work with my neighbors, are moving in next door , and will be my neighbors, or may just may want to get to know my neighbors. Keeping people happy always pays off, just don't let them screw you.
Oh and a short rant!
Why can't people put more information in their CL ads then,"Honda mower, runs great $200", or Kubota tractor, Great price always cared for" Please give me a few facts. HP? Year? Model #?
OK I'm done.