Moral dilema. What would you do?

YZFAndy · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:00

I sold a motherboard on a well known auction site 9th this month yesterday I get an email from the person saying it doesn't work.
Thing is I sold it knowing it was in perfect working order, I didn't offered a returns policy and the person has physical had it in their possession for 16 days even leaving positive feed back.
Here's how the conversation has bounced back and forth so far

HIM

Hi,Just managed to fit the motherboard today but unfortunately it will not post.Tried with various other ram and Agp graphics cards but will not post at all no beeps or anything.

ME
Have you tried removing the bios battery or resetting it with the jumper pins near the battery? I had it with quite high spec Ram and processor in it and not sure if I reset the bios before shipping it. The board normally resets its self after three failed boot attempts but does need to be left on for 30 odd seconds each time.
Other thing I would suggest doing is powering up the board out of the case with just the minimum of ram, processor and graphics card in it to rule out anything else. One thing I can assure you is both the ram and board were working fine no more than a month before selling.
Let me know how you get on

HIM
Thanks for your quick response.I have tried the cmos jumper and removing battery,Tried with the ram supplied and with other I have.Tried different graphics cards and even 2 processors core 2 duo and pentium 1.7 gig still no post.I have built many pc,s and am a quallified pc engineer. I cannot see any other thing it can be but a faulty motherboard.
Thanks again,

HIM
I have had another look at the board and think I see what the problem is.There seems to be a few pins on the cpu socket that dont look right.Very difficult to see,tried to take a picture but wont focus.All I can think is something must have squashed the pins during delivery as there was no protector in the socket.

HIM
I will parcel board up tomorrow and return to the address confirmned on the Isle of Wight for a full refund.This is a pity as This was the board I wanted.Thanks for your help but these things happen.
Thanks again

ME
Sorry to here of the problems John but I am unable to accept neither a return nor willing to give a refund.
It puts me in a difficult situation as I sold the board knowing it was working. Also I did not offer a returns policy in my listing but farther to that it had been seventeen days since the auction ended before contacting me to any problems, even leaving feed back stating great product.
Postal insurance was also offered in the listing for lost/breakages of goods but was not purchased.
The best I can offer you at the moment is for me to put a claim in for postal damages, if physical damage can be seen which can pay up to £35 if the claim is successful.

What would you do? Refund him or just ignore anything that arrives in the post? :mad:

chipperhead · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:03

Sounds like he's bent the pins trying to insert a cpu, unless it was that badly packaged.
Did you not put it in a box?

Duke · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:03

Sounds like he broke it.. but that is the risk of auctions and such.

How was it packaged?

TriedandTested · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:09

I agree with your response. Don't refund. And don't accept the package if he sends it recorded. 17 days is a long time for anyone to find out if their new mobo is working or not. I'd put money on it being him damaging some pins putting in the cpu.

DON'T REFUND!

Phil99 · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:12

I assume he's right when he says you didn't put the socket protector in when you sent it off?

I've heard of (no direct experience) manufacturers/shops not accepting LGA775 motherboards back for RMA without the protector in place so it must be there for a reason and he may actually have a valid claim if this is the case and it has indeed been damaged at as a result of the protector not being there? I'm not sure how fragile these pins are?

233 · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:13

sounds like he knows nowt and has borked the board with a failed install, tell him to get stuffed

Energize · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:14

The one thing I have always hated about intel is them putting the pins on the motherboard instead of the cpu. One bent pin and the whole pc has to be taken apart and the motherboard replaced.

ste_bla · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:14

I wouldnt refund him,

However I hate people like you with regards to "Postal insurance was also offered in the listing for lost/breakages of goods but was not purchased." its your job to get the item to the buyers place in one piece, even if they didnt buy insurance/recorded delivery its your problem not the buyers! A little off topic (as it doesnt seem to be a postal issue) but sorry annoys me so much

.

Yeggstry · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:16

I would determine which processor he was trying to insert into the motherboard, as it sounds very much like he was trying to insert a round peg into a square hole...

Beans on toast Dave · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:16

ste_bla said:
I wouldnt refund him,

However I hate people like you with regards to "Postal insurance was also offered in the listing for lost/breakages of goods but was not purchased." its your job to get the item to the buyers place in one piece, even if they didnt buy insurance/recorded delivery its your problem not the buyers! A little off topic (as it doesnt seem to be a postal issue) but sorry annoys me so much .

i must say i agree with all that!

Van Hellseek · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:17

Phil99 said:
I assume he's right when he says you didn't put the socket protector in when you sent it off?

I've heard of (no direct experience) manufacturers/shops not accepting LGA775 motherboards back for RMA without the protector in place so it must be there for a reason and he may actually have a valid claim if this is the case and it has indeed been damaged at as a result of the protector not being there? I'm not sure how fragile these pins are?

Indeed. Lets not forget he could well be telling the truth about this. There is nothing worse than paying good money and recieveing faulty/damaged goods.

YZFAndy · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:18

The board was packed in all it original packaging except the pin cover. Having said that the board was in a anti static bag and the pin area was cover buy the boxes internal cardboard packaging so unless he's jammed his finger in there I don't know how it could have got damaged.

Yeggstry · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:21

Did you take a photo of the motherboard for use with the auction? If so is it possible to see the pins in the correct formation?

brendy · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:23

Nope, I wouldnt refund as you stated that no returns are accepted, in other words sold as seen. In as many items as ive sold on ebay, I try to get the best picture of the item as possible so there is no option to return it under any circumstances. Once its left your palms its out of your control.

Duke · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:25

Yeggstry said:
I would determine which processor he was trying to insert into the motherboard, as it sounds very much like he was trying to insert a round peg into a square hole...

That actually made me "lol"

I had this image in my head -

bobert50 · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:26

Hes bodged it, no refund....prolly best to ignore any further correspondance. Take it you still have proof of delivery etc incase he tries to reverse the original paypal charges?

Munday · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:29

Hmm. Very difficult situation to be in really. I wouldn't refund him personally.

YZFAndy · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:30

Yes, got the prof. Just been had to dig it out of the bin. :rolleyes:

Doonhamer · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:31

Yeggstry said:
I would determine which processor he was trying to insert into the motherboard, as it sounds very much like he was trying to insert a round peg into a square hole...

Maybe it's Sam allardyce that's bought it?

Vonhelmet · 27 Dec 2007 at 22:32

I'd guess it's his fault. He's probably put a screwdriver through it or something.

He's had 16 days and left positive feedback. You didn't offer a returns policy in the first place. Pretty open and shut, I'd say. It sounds like it's a pretty old motherboard, so I would assume that the postal route that you're suggesting would cover it. That's probably the best bet all round.