Grays.com Factory Seconds Descriptions Are Not Accurate

I recently started using Grays.com again after many years as a way to save on purchases. And man, all i can say is Grays's.com standards have really gone down the toilet with vendors selling absolute garbage marketed as seconds.

In the lead up to christmas i bought two items marketed as used or factory seconds, and both turned out to be fully defective worthy of being thrown out.

Some vendors in Western Sydney (factory seconds shops) are using Grays to sell items that should be disposed of ie non-functional, hazardous products with electrical faults that should at least go to landfill or e-waste.

These items are marketed as "seconds with minor defects,", "modest use", "customer returns," or "item condition may vary; items have not been tested."

The descriptions can be vague, generic, and lack detail, with no inspection offered. In reality, the items either have no value or don’t work, but it’s hard to determine their true condition from the photos.

When I picked up my items, I found that the laptop screen was completely smashed, the tablet screens were also broken, and the Bluetooth speakers didn’t work at all.

While its true that "defective" could mean the items are useless, i do think the descriptions should of been more transparent, specifically stating issues like "broken screens", "Not working – for parts only", or "not functional".

But than who would buy items with no value that don’t work?

When I went to pick up the items, other customers were also upset and complaining, so it's clear the vendors are aware of what they’re doing.

Why does Grays allow this to happen? is there no morals? descriptions are completely misleading, or half truths.

The vendor even told me that the reason they use Grays is to get money for waste products that cant be sold, not even he would try to refurbish the items. He said Grays are ultimately responsible for the listing and descriptions, and the items marked as "used" are actually fully defected.

He told me that i should contact Grays for a refund, but when I contacted GraysOnline for a resolution, their response was that the descriptions fully covered the condition of the items—i.e., seconds or customer returns.

In the end, this experience has been a loss for me, but I hope this serves as a warning for others.

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Comments

  • +7

    Charge back, "Item not as described."

  • I am disputing it. Im so disgusted that a company like Grays allows this to happen. One of the items caused a electrical short circuit.

    • +5

      Always good to join OZB to get things off your chest

      • +2

        OzB is the new Whirlpool Whingepool.

      • +2

        Thanks. I've actually been a long time member but changed jobs a week ago and no longer have access to my email where my account was registered……so new account set up today

        • +9

          Please tell me you didn't register with your new jobs email

      • The ring came off my pudding can :(

  • +5

    Seems like grays is asking for the ACCC’s attention

    • +4
    • Misleading consumers isn't legal.

      • -1

        Selling disappointing crap (something where description is off) is as common as muck.
        And due diligence is hard from afar and can be a lengthy expensive fix.(driving miles to return etc)

        Auction sellers are a whole other fish when it comes to buying, and there may be different goal posts or disclaimers involved.If you want stuff closer to the accurate/perfect end of the spectrum, then I'd say auctions isn't top of the list, especially in the second hand /seconds basket, etc.
        The auction house is likely to make the ad description for the best of that basket the go to ad, knowing the rest of the batch are doorstops.
        Buyer beware.We all (should) want to avoid the initial 'burn', rather than have to waste time seeking justice after the event.

  • +11

    They have quite the warning on their listings. To me that says you're basically getting junk.

    This item is classified as a SECOND and it is sold as SECONDS. With respect to this item, we note that it:•

    • may have been used and then returned by a customer of the seller (i.e. a used retail return);•
    • may contain defects and/or faults that may make it unrepairable, defective and/or not capable of use for its intended purpose;•
    • may not be of acceptable quality or condition; •
    • may have marks, scratches, dents, imperfections and/or material defects;•
    • may not have undergone any form of testing;•
      the accessories and/or instruction manuals may be missing and/or not included; and•
      is likely to not reflect any photos or images which have been included in this lot description. Noting that any such photos or images are of the product in a ‘new’ condition and not in its current seconds condition.
    • For the above reasons, seconds usually reach a significantly lower sales price (compared to their recommended retail price) when sold at auction.

    • Subject to our obligations under the Australian Consumer Law, a refund will not be issued for any undescribed faults, defects, damage or if the item does not work or is unsuitable for its intended purpose.

    • That's why it's different to the people reposting that ACCC link; that was about making false claims, but OP just hasn't read into what a Seconds item is on Greys

    • My listing definitely didn't have that description. Just had it as "Roborock S6 used".

      Vendor said it was defective and needed full repairs.

  • +1

    I bought some overalls that were advertised as being "flame resistant". They were ordinary nylon. Grays didn't want to refund…til they got the draught of the email going to all tv stations, consumer affairs and the relevant state and federal ministers. Motto. if they act like mongrels, muzzle them.

  • Why do people with no idea keep buying from auction. It is as is where is. Literally says untested. You pay scrap value hoping that you can fix it or sell some parts.

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