FB Marketplace Buyer Wants a Refund after I Sold Him a Computer That Is Older than He Thought

[Deactivated] on 09/03/2022 - 18:45
Last edited 11/03/2022 - 17:16 by 1 other user

Hi,

I sold a computer about a week ago. Listed out the exact specs of the PC in the marketplace listing and negotiated with the buyer to get a final price. Showed him it working at my house and he was happy with it so handed over the cash and he took off the Pc.

The buyer messaged me today and said that he was unhappy with the system because he tried to upgrade the ram and it was ddr3 ram which meant it was older than the type of pc that he wanted (the specs in my listing photos detailed the ram was ddr3)

He asked me when I built the pc at my place and I told him that I built it “in this form” about 12 months ago which is true.

He just messaged me asking for a refund and I told him that I couldn’t refund him as there was nothing wrong with the pc and it should be suitable for his needs. He said he has my address and “we’ll see about that!” I just ended up blocking him.

Am I in the wrong or right here?

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  • kerfuffle on 09/03/2022 - 18:46
    +100

    You're in the right

  • spackbace on 09/03/2022 - 18:53
    +35

    You're in the right, though watch out for a brick through the window etc…

    • Postal Dude on 10/03/2022 - 20:33
      +1

      This, I sold an old gpu once and buyer didn't know you had to plug it into the psu, came back and threatened to throw a brick through my window if I didn't give him his $20 back.

      • k-rokfm on 11/03/2022 - 12:23
        +1

        Jokes on him, without that $20 he couldnt afford to get a brick to throw through your window!

      • buffalo bill on 11/03/2022 - 15:33

        Jokes on him. He came back in 2021 with $20 wanting a GPU again.

    • lilyesp on 10/03/2022 - 23:33

      tell him you know his address too…lol jks i would just refund him the money. not worth the constant worry

  • jayboi on 09/03/2022 - 18:55
    +29

    wow, this is every sellers worst nightmare. the buyer clearly didn't do their research and just have buyers remorse which is obvious. It seems that you are in the right.

  • GrueHunter on 09/03/2022 - 18:55
    +4

    Def right. Not your fault some people can’t read good.

  • Mokr on 09/03/2022 - 18:55
    +12

    Need messages for police report etc.

    • [Deactivated] on 09/03/2022 - 18:58
      +64

      Just screenshotted the messages and already have his number plate from when he came and picked it up. Just something that I do with every marketplace buyer

      • zonra on 09/03/2022 - 19:52
        +13

        Good on you for taking precautions.
        Agree with everyone here that it’s not on you and most likely he’s having buyer’s remorse.
        Maybe unblock him and subtly let him know of these facts (messages and number plate) to deter him from vandalising your property.

        • ProlapsedHeinous on 10/03/2022 - 20:51
          +3

          that may make him a bit more devious, with that info he might just wait for 6 months instead. much harder to prove.

        • Jackson on 11/03/2022 - 17:03

          I bet he doubles up on the rubbers too

      • Smol Cat on 10/03/2022 - 22:57
        +3

        Yeah I live in an apartment and only ever meet them in the lobby and don't give out my apartment # to avoid these shitheads.

      • K1w1-Chris on 11/03/2022 - 17:19

        The buyer has also screenshotted the FB messages and this post that you have now tried to hide, delete and run from;
        Do the right thing and refund the guy…

  • HairyChickens on 09/03/2022 - 18:56
    +7

    Well, I assume you also have his details so the Police will also see about that.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 09/03/2022 - 19:04
    +4

    Although a majority of buyers/sellers are actually great people and flawless transactions the ones that don’t go smoothly always seem so… unhinged.

    • AdosHouse on 09/03/2022 - 19:07
      +6

      Nah it's just that the unhinged ones are the ones we hear about.

      • Mosher on 10/03/2022 - 17:21
        +1

        His name wasn't russel crowe was it :)

    • Nebargains on 11/03/2022 - 08:34
      +3

      Agree, I avoid gumtree and marketplace now as a seller, more hassle than its worth. Last thing I attempted to sell on market place was a couple of couches, I reckon within 24 hours I had 50 odd messages and some of them were just bizarre, one person saying to get them ready and they will be there in 30 minutes, they are on their way… only they didn't even know where we lived, many others offering like $50 or wanting me to deliver them to them somehow.

      In the end, listed on eBay, got a hassle free sale for a good price. Sure you pay a fee, but you pay that fee so you don't have to fend of 45 drop kicks trying to score a bargain.

  • plmko on 09/03/2022 - 19:09
    +18

    Typical Facebook shit kicker.

  • SF3 on 09/03/2022 - 19:22
    -4

    said that he was unhappy with the system

    From ACCC

    Retailers don't have to give you a refund or exchange if you simply change your mind.

    You are not a retailer either (I assume).

    • NuclearWessels on 09/03/2022 - 21:36
      +8

      Consumer protection doesn't extend to second hand items sold privately - these are 'caveat emptor' or 'let the buyer beware'

  • elgrande on 09/03/2022 - 19:30
    +51

    handed over the cash

    Case closed.

    He said he has my address.

    Case opened.

  • AustriaBargain on 09/03/2022 - 19:57
    +21

    "I built this 12 months ago [in this form]" is a bit sus. If you sold a 2010 car and replaced the rims 12 months, would you say "this car was made 12 months ago" if someone asked how old it was or when it was built?

    • [Deactivated] on 09/03/2022 - 20:03
      +5

      I did think about that but I thought that if I listed all of the specs, someone would be able to go and look up the release date of all the parts if they wanted. He did also ask me when I “built” it and not “how old are the parts”.

      • AustriaBargain on 09/03/2022 - 20:04
        +11

        Still a bit sus. Why not say when it was actually built, whether it was four years ago or whatever.

          • AustriaBargain on 09/03/2022 - 20:17
            +18

            @[Deactivated]: The PC was eight years old and you told him it was built 12 months ago? How much did you sell it for?

            • [Deactivated] on 09/03/2022 - 20:23
              +1

              @AustriaBargain: 900 bucks. It had a GTX 1060 6GB in it that I paid over 400 bucks for. I think he still got a market level deal.

              • Drakesy on 09/03/2022 - 20:30
                +28

                @[Deactivated]: Honestly paying $900 for an 8 year old computer is a big stretch, even with a GTX1060

                I sold my i7 4770k computer with 16gb of ram and gtx 760 for $350 and that was a fair price.

                Honestly i think the guy just had buyers remorse as it was a bit steep.
                But still you didn't force them to buy it.

                • [Deactivated] on 09/03/2022 - 20:31
                  +1

                  @Drakesy: Yeah, I mean it had a 6 core i7, 1tb ssd, brand new PSU and RGB case. At least another $300 of stuff there. Probably a bit on the steep side but like
                  You said I’m not forcing people to buy it. I kept it as a second pc for people to game on when my
                  Mates came over to my place and was happy to keep it if it didn’t sell.

                  • NuclearWessels on 09/03/2022 - 21:42
                    +7

                    @[Deactivated]: You just said it had a bios build 2014- back then everything was quad core wasn't it? If it was running DDR3 it's probably not a 6 core i7… Post the specs?

                    By the sounds of it you were probably a little misleading - especially with the 'built 12 months ago' comment.. That said its Fb marketplace so I think the buyer just learned a good $900 lesson

                    • spackbace on 09/03/2022 - 22:33
                      +3

                      @NuclearWessels:

                      You just said it had a bios build 2014- back then everything was quad core wasn't it?

                      6 core i7's have been around since 2010/2022 with DDR3 support

                      Core i7-4930K / Core i7-4960X

              • lgacb08 on 09/03/2022 - 22:13
                +45

                @[Deactivated]: $900 for 1060 and old crap with DDR3? You got him good, no wonder you don't want to take it back. The boy probably just naive gamer looking at the fancy led, by now he probably regretting it now. Of course you can just ignore him but let not forget the fact that you're a bit misleading at least, even admitting because you didn't want the deal to fall through. It's not built 12 months ago, it was rebuilt 12 months ago. But damage already done and let be hopeful the boy learnt his lesson.

                • avoidfullprice on 09/03/2022 - 22:19
                  +1

                  @lgacb08: Are we saying if OP bought every parts new, the buyer would be happier? No, buyer would still not able to upgrade the RAM.

                  Buyer did not check the specs. OP is not wrong. Clear cut.

              • kaikor on 09/03/2022 - 22:26
                +5

                @[Deactivated]: He probably saw all these brand new cheap prebuilt deals from BPC for just around $1k (rtx3050 or rx6600) here, of coz he wants his $900 back.

          • Franc-T on 10/03/2022 - 16:05
            +13

            @[Deactivated]: You put very old stuff in a new case and flogged it off to someone giving the impression that its 12 months old. You may have not meant to give that impression but that appears to be what happened.

          • caitsith01 on 10/03/2022 - 16:30
            +11

            @[Deactivated]:

            He’s at my house already and I didn’t want the sale to fall through.

            That's kinda bad. You wanted him to buy it, so you said "12 months" instead of the realistic actual build date of 8 years?

      • gromit on 10/03/2022 - 18:32
        +6

        Does sound like you were not exactly open and honest and he has a right to be pretty pissed with getting conned into this transaction and you were basically hoping he didn't do his research or didn't understand. having said that, second hand marketplaces are buyer beware, as long as you didn't outright lie you are basically fine, though you are exactly the reason why people warn others to be very careful on marketplaces as there are a lot of dodgy sellers.

        • Aureus on 11/03/2022 - 11:48
          +1

          Yeah this exactly. OP should refund the seller, as he is admitting to deceiving the seller to make the sale. We all know he won't, because he got a good price for the sale.

    • Harold Halfprice on 09/03/2022 - 21:24
      +4

      So if OP bought 2nd hand parts or put it together from odd spares, 12 months ago - did they not "build it" 12 months ago?

      The car analogy doesn't hold up at all. Replacing wheels isn't the same as building a car. Your analogy is more akin to upgrading the ram on an off-the-shelf prebuilt PC.

      If OP had a project car - bought an old shell, resprayed it, put a new engine in it, tranny etc and the work was done 12 months ago - if someone asks when did you "build it" the correct answer would be 12 months ago.

      I think OPs answer is intentionally a little bit light on the info, could have made it clear it was built 12 months ago with older parts, but it's not exactly incorrect.

    • juzza87 on 11/03/2022 - 16:13

      It could be said the buyer unreasonably thought they could get a 2020s era computer for $150 or whatever the seller wanted for it, then they should use some common sense and ask why is this so cheap for what it is?

  • djones145 on 09/03/2022 - 20:00
    +8

    that's why I don't like selling at home, should have lugged it into a shopping centre or found a random power switch to show it in a random place

    totally sucks

    • Ade99 on 10/03/2022 - 08:08
      +7

      If I was buying that would raise some red flags….like buying a car at a pub……

      • elgrande on 11/03/2022 - 07:42
        +1

        You can get a pretty good deal on buying a car from the pub if the seller is over the limit and can't drive it home.

    • s1Lence on 10/03/2022 - 19:55
      +5

      OP was misleading though, basically lying by omission. I have no problem selling stuff from my house but I am always completely honest and don't care about selling the item/making money as much as I care about making sure I am being upfront and keeping the exchange fair, I'd never overcharge even if the buyer was ignorant about computers and could be charged more than what the item is worth. That is just my philosophy and I do my best to be fair and truthful, even if I get nothing in return, but it does help that it prevents scenarios such as this.

    • gromit on 10/03/2022 - 20:09
      +1

      Yeah, pretty dumb selling from home when you are trying to screw the buyer. Feel sorry for buyer, imagine realising you bought a piece of junk for nearly double its value.

  • Drakesy on 09/03/2022 - 20:17
    +2

    What a marketplace flog.
    No one forced him to buy it.

    What i've done before is buy it back but charged a $100 restocking fee.
    Then sell it the next day for the same price. Computers are still worth a lot in this climate
    Incentivises them to sell it themselves.

    • Quantumcat on 09/03/2022 - 22:21
      +1

      I wouldn't, the buyer could swap out working parts for their broken ones

  • Cave Fire on 09/03/2022 - 20:28
    +7

    Or could be a refund scam, they had the same or similar pc but faulty and they did all this to swap out the parts.

    • [Deactivated] on 09/03/2022 - 20:31

      Another reason not to accept refunds. I mean I doubt that it is a refund scam because he is not saying that it’s broken, he’s just unhappy that it’s older than he initially thought.

      • Cave Fire on 09/03/2022 - 21:12
        +2

        ok what i mean is they swap out the gpu for example with one that overheats. You won't know until after refunding them. The thing about the ddr3 memory is just them playing dumb possibly.

  • solidussnake on 09/03/2022 - 20:38

    It's a private sale of goods, no warranty or refunds applies here block away and have a laugh

  • popsiee on 09/03/2022 - 21:28
    +3

    Spend a few thousand on a security system before his visit OP .
    Then hope he doesn't wear a balaclava .

  • [Deactivated] on 09/03/2022 - 21:34
    +1

    He said he has my address and “we’ll see about that!”

    you're in the right, though you should never sell from your house for this reason, another reason is that if they're a bit dodgy and just dropped a few grand in cash on something they bought from you, they now know that you have a few grand lying around and might be back later that night.

  • Heaps for Cheaps on 09/03/2022 - 21:37
    +2

    "He asked me when I built the pc at my place and I told him that I built it “in this form” about 12 months ago which is true."
    You should of said you built it last week as you just installed the O/S and the parts were all purchased recently, which is also true if you think of that compared to the age of the universe.

    • NuclearWessels on 09/03/2022 - 21:48
      +6

      I agree and I'd have probably been more upfront. Ethically though I'd say OP is in the clear as long as the specs in the listing were honest

  • lordezekiel on 09/03/2022 - 23:06
    +3

    Do not refund. Sounds like the buyer should have paid more attention when he inspected the item if it was so important to him that he could upgrade the ram a week later.
    In the extremely unlikely even that he turns full psycho and comes around to your place uninvited, he will be trespassing illegally and i would suggest calling the cops.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2022 - 07:37
    +4

    Needs national media coverage. I recommend posting in Reddit’s aita sub and waiting 3-7 days for a news.com.au poll.

  • TheCandyMan2020 on 10/03/2022 - 08:53
    +16

    Sounds like you ripped him hard.

    He was naive and trusted you. He won't make the same mistake twice.

  • SnowDragon on 10/03/2022 - 10:46
    +4

    Well this thread is a juicy bit of drama.
    Sounds like the guy didn't know much about PC specs and was impressed by the flashy RGB case and "built 12 months go" line.

    FWIW I sold a PC with a 2600 and 1070 for $600 12 months ago - but this was prior to the GPU price hike.

  • afah0447 on 10/03/2022 - 11:55

    Secondary market. Buyer beware.

  • Morphio25 on 10/03/2022 - 14:26

    You're in the right.

    I'd personally take the messages where he's making vague threats and make a police report. That way if anything does happen the police already know whose door to knock on.

  • drfuzzy on 10/03/2022 - 14:44
    +2

    Tell him you are also unhappy that he is contacting you to complain about an unconditional sale. Sympathise with his unhappiness but it is a stalemate.

  • sarahlump on 10/03/2022 - 14:45
    -1

    Guy bought a computer and wants a refund, say no! men need to learn to read.

  • drfuzzy on 10/03/2022 - 14:48
    +2

    One of the problems with putting a high price on marketplace items and waiting for someone to bite is that you only attract the uneducated buyer who is more likely to complain after the sale. Particularly true with computers.

  • Windows98 on 10/03/2022 - 15:06
    +1

    Empty threat from a dumb kid.

    I would accept returns if it's something I know can't be tampered with or they can't try to scam me with, but with a PC, anything can go wrong.

    I wouldn't be worried, but if you are get as much info on him as you can through social media to keep on file. Get some cameras around the house if you think he'll do anything. But I doubt he will.

  • OmboKing on 10/03/2022 - 15:23
    +1

    I had an issue with an eBay buyer who claimed that they wanted a refund even though they had received the item I sold. They used threatening wording in their message, and told me to to involve the cops (they seemed like they were high or something in the message).
    I contacted eBay saying that they claimed was false, and that they were threatening. eBay took my side as threatening messages through eBay messaging service is not tolerated, and the buyer was warned/suspended.
    I’d get eBay involved if there were threats in their replies to you.

  • Raj09 on 10/03/2022 - 15:29

    The buyer accepted the risks on purchase and had seen the pc on the day he examined it. No refund. It's on him.

  • Ziggy28 on 10/03/2022 - 15:56

    Entitled buyer should just sell it himself, would probably get the same amount back. As for the threat it's likely an empty threat but hope you have security cameras just in case.

  • caitsith01 on 10/03/2022 - 16:34
    +21

    I was with OP until the "built 12 months ago" angle, which is shady af. I think that shifts this from clear cut case of buyer beware to something in the grey zone. If someone doesn't know a whole lot about computers listing the parts won't necessarily correct the impression that saying "I built it 12 months ago" gives them.

    Also, the pricing for what you sold sounds savage.

    A fair compromise would be to offer a partial refund more reflective of the value of the item actually sold…

  • kgree92 on 10/03/2022 - 16:49
    +1

    This is why I normally do my deals in public areas as much as possible

  • Jimmycfc on 10/03/2022 - 16:50
    -1

    I wouldn't give anything or refund.
    If you legitimately said it was DDR3 its his fault for not realising and he bought exactly what it said on the box.

  • plasmoske on 10/03/2022 - 17:32
    +9

    OP sold a $400 old PC for $900

    No way is he refunding lol

    • CheesyLoaf on 10/03/2022 - 18:02

      Yeah I would say alittle overpriced but you should know GTX 1060 6GB are going for $300-350 these days, it was even worse a few months ago thankfully prices are coming down although slowly…

      • gromit on 10/03/2022 - 20:19
        -1

        Only the suckers that have not realised price drop are paying that. They have sold for as low as 225-275 recently.

  • thestig on 10/03/2022 - 17:33
    +3

    I hope OP has a secure house and garage, Karma is coming for him lol

  • Mrgreenz on 10/03/2022 - 18:02
    +5

    Haha sounds like you deserve the fear.

    He f**ked up.

    And you took advantage of his him being a mug buyer.

    This hinges on the "in this form" comment for me, without that its fair game.

    • iWouldDie4u on 10/03/2022 - 18:24
      -3

      Looks like we found the buyer.

  • FlyingMiffy on 10/03/2022 - 18:35
    +5

    OP was asked a question to clarify what he was selling and chose to answer in a way that benefited his ability to make the sale. Doesn't pass the pub test but the OP isn't asking for a character evaluation either. That said, the buyer chose to purchase via FB marketplace so should have known that its buyer beware. All things equal, OP shouldn't be surprised to find broken glass or dog poo in the letter box - just as Buyer can't expect to get a refund.

    • CalmLemons on 10/03/2022 - 23:44
      -4

      Geez must be a lot of prebuilt system buyers on here lol.

      • ensanguined on 11/03/2022 - 11:44
        +1

        OP literally admitted lying to the guy about the age of the PC.

  • kusama on 10/03/2022 - 20:24

    Sounds a bit suss, the built a year ago thing for a naive buyer..

    But still the buyers fault.

    I once bought Burton bindings once that didn't fit my board, I'm sure the seller was dodgy and knew they wouldn't fit any board made within like 3 years but I just moved on. Some people are bad though

  • taoz on 10/03/2022 - 20:29
    +3

    Generally if you say you built it, i thing its fair to say that majority of people would expect to be built with new parts.
    That is misleading, when the parts you used were many years old.
    I dare say you knew that otherwise you would made it clear on the ad that it was built with old parts.

  • FlyingMiffy on 10/03/2022 - 20:48
    +5

    I was going to Elsa it (let it go…) but my better half wants to lawyer the OP… so here goes - obtaining financial advantage by deception is predicated on intent - the OP has acknowledged that he intentionally withheld information to ensure the sale goes through, so if the buyer pursues and the police can be bothered to follow up, the OP doesn't have much to go on. Besides, marketplaces like FB is based on an honesty system, so yeah naughty OP.

    • popsiee on 10/03/2022 - 22:14

      So when dealing with Slimey FB Creeps you have to take along computer diagnostic equipment as well !

  • godofpizza on 10/03/2022 - 22:09
    +1

    did the buyer ask if it ran crysis?

  • utsc on 10/03/2022 - 22:46
    +2

    Most FB or Gumtree sellers don't lie and people generally take your word for it as they trust the seller.

    The buy asked the right question but got the wrong answer and was misled.

    Giving the correct specs does not justify falsifying the age and is not a substitute for how old the system was.

    Used parts depending on the age are sold for 50% or less so the value of the parts also doesn't justify misleading the buyer.

    I sold a phone and the buyer bargained and purchased it. He came after few days and said he didn't want the phone and wanted his money back. Considering that he was an older gentleman I refunded the money less $20 for wasting my time and he was happy to get a refund less $20. I listed my phone again and sold it for $20 more so I gained $40 but wasted a lot of time in the process.

    Even if you charge a 10% restocking fee you should be able to refund him $800 and take the PC back.

  • DemocracyManifest on 10/03/2022 - 23:49

    Selling PCs is a waste of time because (profanity) manage to literally blow them up (this happened to me) and or demand refunds for ridiculous reasons. I built 2 from spare parts and after getting harassed by idiots I scrapped them and sold the parts individually for more, chucked the coolers out and gave the cases to a scrap metal bloke.

  • Logical on 11/03/2022 - 00:42
    +1

    Some of the best listings on FB are "owned for 2 months" and when I showed up to buy it I saw that it was old, worn etc and then I asked if they were the first owner… and their response "Nah…. probably 5th". I say F that and thanked them for wasting my time.

  • ameno on 11/03/2022 - 07:16
    +6

    Op sounds like a dodgy bugger.

    Be a decent person and give the bloke his money back as he was obviously catfished by your carefully worded response to his 'computer age' question

  • f23lda on 11/03/2022 - 08:27
    +1

    It's pretty obvious that you intentionally mislead him and based on the price you obtained, you were appear to have been fishing for someone to mislead. I know which of the two parties in this that I would rather associate with.

    Built 12 months ago… What a snakey thing to say.

  • Mysterious Laptop on 11/03/2022 - 09:47
    +1

    This is why I don't deal with Marketplace. It seemed like OP had a somewhat misleading ad saying that he "built it 12 months ago", really sus. It is caveat emptor when dealing with these things, so OP doesn't need to refund, but what a horrible ad and dishonest sale…

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