2nd Hand Monitors and the people who sell them

Just inspected my latest monitor purchase. It was sold as "Grade A" and "We have graded these monitors as "A" This means the screens will be free from bruises, pressure marks and scratches."

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So it has one pretty large scratch in the corner, quite a few dead pixels, it had pen marks on it but I managed to clean them off and it had a few bits of dust or bugs stuck under the screen. Although no claims were made regarding bugs, dirt, dust or dead pixels, I think a "Grade A" monitor would have none of those.

But the seller did state no scratches and it has a large one so it is going back. This is one of the bigger sellers on eBay.
 
I agree with you, it's a veritable 'Den of Thieves' in my opinion, I also expect the advert to be honest, I don't necessarily expect perfection from a second hand item on an auction of course, unless it is actually described as being perfect in which case it should be. What I do expect is honesty about it's condition and if they aren't really sure because they have a big consignment of them to sell and can't or wont check each one ...say that and adjust the price accordingly to do otherwise is just dishonest and shady in my opinion. I am very particular about ...well everything really though, I know this and I know not everyone else is, which is why it is so very important to me that people are really honest with me about things so I can make a decision based on that. I absolutely hate having my time wasted ...I am quite willing to waste my own time, such as now typing this, but other people doing it is not acceptable to me.

I have always had very good experiences on the OcUK Members market though, a lot of people around here are like me and will give you the real, honest facts about things and set expectations accordingly.
 
I've had all sorts of experiences, good and bad on eBay, as you say the lack of care or consideration does get frustrating. Sometimes mistakes are made, people are human (they get a spec wrong, wrong version etc), but sometimes its very obvious they just don't care and want a sale.
I have had to return multiple items this way; I don't expect perfection from a second hand item, but I do expect it to be approximately as described; and if there is any deviation for it to be sorted.
 
Received 2 monitors the other day. The first was in excellent condition as described. The second was not. I asked the seller: "Does the screen have any scratches, dead pixels, pressure marks or any other defects?". The seller answered, "The screen is excellent condition. No scratches and works perfectly."

The reality:

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So my estimate of 75% of sellers telling lies seems to be holding up.
 
This latest return is a good one.

Here is what the seller has said to me:

"I can clearly see the scratch on the photo and would never had sold the monitor with that. Please check my eBay feedback as a seller as all my items are in excellent condition. I can confirm that scratch was not present when packed. Is there any chance this monitor has got mixed up with other monitors you have mentioned you buy? I will contact eBay this morning and asked for their advice on this matter."

After supposedly contacting eBay they came back with this:

"Hi. I’ve spoken to EBay. They will investigate your claim and my claim once the item is returned. They will look into the returns history of the buyer and seller history and make a decision after that. Due to the high postage cost already incurred and the high postage return cost eBay have suggested a partial refund of £5. Would you be happy to accept this and keep the monitor? The alternative is a claim on the shipping company if the packaging was damage and the scratch could have occurred during postage? Thanks."

Absolute joker. Opened an eBay return case straight away and they are looking at negative feedback if I encounter any more resistance.
 
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Monitors are generally a problematic item to buy - even new they are allowed to have a large number of dead pixels. I have ordered 6 brand new monitors from different retailers (and different manufacturers) over the past year, and ended up keeping just 1 due to various issues. Mostly stuck/dead pixels, or excessive backlight bleed.

My experience with ebay monitors has been actually more positive, while it may not be new the ones listed as 'Grade A' have been exactly that (in my case). I have ordered 4 in the last ~2y and only a single unit was not as described.

Prettymuch anything else on ebay tends to be pretty good, I have purchased multiple tech parts and cant complain - overall i'd say ~10-20% of the sellers are not being forthcoming on any issues.
 
Learned a long time ago Ebay is flooded with sellers who are prepared to lie.

Remember buying a used phone in "immaculate almost new" condition, scratches all over it. I can imagine its common place on monitors as similar issues not to mention monitors can get dusty and dirty easily if left sitting somewhere.

I ended up not selling my old monitor because I considered shipping fees/risks, and the chance of the buyer not been happy. As I know I cannot make the screen look spotless, there is little marks in certain areas that would perhaps annoy a buyer. However if I did put on there I would aim to be honest and not pretend its spotless.

Also noticed the commonality now of describing condition as a very vague "used" as if sellers are wising up to losing cases.
 
Funnily enough after being given time to think about it this seller also changed their mind and have provided me with a return label. Unfortunately it is only for an item up to 2kg so I am having to wait for them to re-issue a correct label.

I bet they are wishing they had been more honest in their item description now!
 
Haggisman said:
Rubbish. If something is listed as clean, in excellent condition and with no faults, and you explicitly ask the seller if it's clean, in excellent condition and with no faults and they confirm that it is clean, in excellent condition and with no faults, it is perfectly reasonable to expect the item to be clean, in excellent condition and with no faults. Thankfully Ebay, Paypal, etc. and the law all agree with me, even if you don't (remind me never to buy anything from you in the MM!).
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I always tell anyone who's thinking of selling anything on eBay the no.1 thing is "be honest". If your device has scuffs, scratches, looks a bit tired, is in "acceptable" condition then state it as such don't say its mint or like new or any such nonsense don't try and palm something off as what it isn't its a surefire way to get someone complaining and wanting their money back I've never had anyone return anything as being not as described because I've always been honest in describing it. Dealing with returns is not worth the hassle.

lovelyhead said:
Received 2 monitors the other day. The first was in excellent condition as described. The second was not. I asked the seller: "Does the screen have any scratches, dead pixels, pressure marks or any other defects?". The seller answered, "The screen is excellent condition. No scratches and works perfectly."

The reality:

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So my estimate of 75% of sellers telling lies seems to be holding up.
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Honestly if you have to ask then you shouldn't be considering purchasing at all its up the seller to be upfront about the condition of the item if they're vague or withholding information you have to ask "Why? What are they trying to hide?" its possible they're new or naive about selling but you should be wary and if there aren't any clear photos of the screen on or off then thats a no no. Bide your time hold off until you find something where its clear the seller knows what they're doing/isn't trying to hide something/pull a fast one. I've never bought anything I wasn't fully aware of just what I was buying.

Ebay is a fleamarket its not a retail purchase you can't pick something up and expect it to "just work" you have to use your head would you buy a used car sight unseen from a private ad simply on the selllers word? I wouldn't.
 
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Blackjack Davy said:
I always tell anyone who's thinking of selling anything on eBay the no.1 thing is "be honest". If your device has scuffs, scratches, looks a bit tired, is in "acceptable" condition then state it as such don't say its mint or like new or any such nonsense don't try and palm something off as what it isn't its a surefire way to get someone complaining and wanting their money back I've never had anyone return anything as being not as described because I've always been honest in describing it. Dealing with returns is not worth the hassle.
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Exactly, most people would complain if the item is not to their liking. If you decide not to mention something, by the time you have paid for the return shipping (and lost money on the original shipping), lost time dealing with the issue its just not worth it - best to be honest upfront.
 
It amazes me when sellers list a screen as "A+" and the pictures show something that looks like it's been rubbed down with sandpaper and a greasy rag.
 
I’m with the OP on this.
When I sell on the Bay I’m honest about the condition of what I’m selling.
I expect sellers to be polite enough to do the same.
 
dLockers said:
You are buying hundreds of monitors a year because you keep buying garbage monitors. Show some respect for the employee experience!
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I don't buy garbage monitors. I buy grade A, excellent condition, no dead pixels, no pressure marks, no dirt, no scratches monitors. It is the sellers that are liars that is the problem.
 
lovelyhead said:
I don't buy garbage monitors. I buy grade A, excellent condition, no dead pixels, no pressure marks, no dirt, no scratches monitors. It is the sellers that are liars that is the problem.
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Sorry but one of the monitors you posted was a hp1750 which, in 2022, would be absolute torture to use. Low resolution, poor brightness, terrible ergonomics.
 
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