Craigslist - Fixing a Bad Sale

[1990C4S]

I have several air-cooled engines for sale (tractor-ish, non-Porsche) on C/L.

A guy came to buy an engine from me, but I did not have quite what he wanted. That part was my error, I did not realize he had an oddball engine when I spoke to him.

He had traveled a long way and I felt bad, so I sold him a 'good core' that he could tear down and use to fix his engine. Not that it's relevant, but I sold it to him at my cost because I felt bad having him drive three hours to buy something I did not have. And I truly thought t was a decent engine.

A week later he tells me the engine is 'seized' and can't be used. Normally, I would just say 'bring it back for a full refund'. I don't need to fight over a couple of hundred dollars. I was sure I had turned the engine over a few weeks ago, but I could be mistaken.We should have checked before he took it, but we didn't. And why would he lie? So, let's assume it was 'seized'.

Because he is so far away (it's a four hour drive) he wants me to send him some pistons to use in his engine. No big deal, I can do that and I should. But he is also asking me for a pair of heads 'just in case'. And he wants me ship them to him by courier. The heads were never part of the deal, there were no heads on the engine he took.

I think he's over the line here. I'm trying to be fair and I think I would be willing to give him pistons and heads for free if he pays the shipping. He thinks I should hive all the parts AND he thinks I should pay for courier delivery.

What's fair here?

[Chocaholic]

Why don't you offer to meet halfway so he can return the engine for a refund? Otherwise you'll get sucked into the minutia of his project and be on the hook for more and more. Or, make the whole thing go away by sending his money back and let him keep the seized engine. The risk of doing eBay business.

But your focus should be on ending the dialogue by reaching a quick and simple solution, even if you lose a few bucks.

[fastfredracing]

This is where to reasonable men sit down, and work out a deal that is fair for both parties . If you are willing to give him the heads and pistons, I think it is more than fair that he pays for shipping. Heck some retail places do not have customer service that good .

[1990C4S]

I don't have truck to meet him and get the engine back, plus it's torn down and I don't really want it.

And he does want to use 'some' of the engine I sold him to fix his Bobcat.

[john walker's workshop]

Mail him a refund. End of issue.

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

He had traveled a long way and I felt bad, so I sold him a 'good core' that he could tear down and use to fix his engine.

A week later he tells me the engine is 'seized' and can't be used.

I think the operative word here is CORE.

And why would he lie?
...he wants me to send him some pistons to use in his engine.
...he is also asking me for a pair of heads 'just in case'.
...and he wants me ship them to him by courier.

Why would he lie?? Because you are a softy and he sees an opportunity to get stuff from you cheap or free.


Stop bending over and JUST SAY NO.

[plexiform]

Mail the heads and Pistons since you're willing to do so. Buyer pays shipping. That is more than fair.

[ckelly78z]

I would either send him a check refund by mail, or tell him to pound sand if I thought he was scamming me. That is too far of a distance for either one of you to travel to make things right, plus, you don't want the old "siezed" engine back anyway.

Perhaps some pistons thrown in by you might appease him, but don't offer more than you are comfortable with just to keep his hard feelings in check.

[jyl]

Send refund, nothing else. Don't care if he drove four or forty hours, his choice. Don't send heads, pistons, anything that he can find fault with.

[Por_sha911]

You sold him a core and not a running motor. Besides, wouldn't he have known it was seized before he tore it down?

Tell him if he wants to buy the heads at your cost + shipping you'll throw in the pistons. Otherwise you would be happy to cheerfully refund 100% of his money (and an extra 50 for gas) when he bring the "seized" motor back in the same condition as when it left.

[ckelly78z]

Being so far away, he could just be yanking your chain for a $$ refund, or free parts (when there is possibly nothing wrong with the core you sold him). Be cautious, and you protect you.

[osidak]

+100

Originally Posted by por_sha911

you sold him a core and not a running motor. Besides, wouldn't he have known it was seized before he tore it down?

Tell him if he wants to buy the heads at your cost + shipping you'll throw in the pistons. Otherwise you would be happy to cheerfully refund 100% of his money (and an extra 50 for gas) when he bring the "seized" motor back in the same condition as when it left.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

You sold him a core and not a running motor. Besides, wouldn't he have known it was seized before he tore it down?

Tell him if he wants to buy the heads at your cost + shipping you'll throw in the pistons. Otherwise you would be happy to cheerfully refund 100% of his money (and an extra 50 for gas) when he bring the "seized" motor back in the same condition as when it left.

I think that's fair.

[masraum]

I think the dude's totally trying to scam you. I should add, I think you already went out of your way to help the guy. I assume there was no warranty. I'd offer to sell him the parts, but I certainly wouldn't be giving stuff away. There just doesn't seem to be any reason, unless you think you sold him a "running engine" and what he really got was a "siezed engine"

[Brando]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I have several air-cooled engines for sale (tractor-ish, non-Porsche) on C/L.
[...]
What's fair here?

What were the terms of the sale? I put in bold letters on all community marketplaces - ALL SALES ARE FINAL. NO WARRANTY IS IMPLIED OR GIVEN. Had far too many people try to scam or take advantage of someone willing to do everything to "make it right" when it wasn't wrong to begin with.

But, if he's a repeat customer to your business - loyalty goes a long way. He should be willing to meet you half-way on everything; He covers shipping since you're sending him new parts, or he comes and picks them up.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

Mail him a refund. End of issue.

I'd do this...and then block his phone #.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

Mail him a refund. End of issue.

This.

He made the mistake of not knowing what he needed.
His driving time and efforts lost.
You got free recycling for an unknown engine, still probably worth a few bucks or two.

Auto karma.
Round file the dude/experience and give yourself a pat on the back.
More space obtained for the next project.

(Or tell him you'll press charges for attempted extortion/fraud)

[Tobra]

scammer, cut bait

[motion]

That's the latest little "trick" making the rounds. I'd tell him to pound sand.

I've sold several things on Ebay recently that were in perfect condition. Large photos in the ads showed that.

Yet, buyer contacts me after they received the item and says there's a "scratch" on it, or something similar. They want some money refunded back, or they're going to give negative feedback and send the item back. I usually email them hi-res photos showing that there is no scratch. Sometimes they go away, sometimes they keep at it. I usually refund them $20, $30, $50 or whatever to make them go away. I don't want them sending the item back, because it provides all sorts of opportunities for me to get something back that isn't in the same condition from when I sent it out.

[1990C4S]

I told the guy the engine had good cylinders and pistons, maybe I was wrong. If I had not said that to him, then the 'as is, where is' rule would apply.

I know the cylinder bores were good so I have offered a refund less the value of the cylinders, OR the parts he needs but he pays shipping.

Waiting on a reply.