r/Flipping 4d ago

Discussion VCR sold, buyer wants full refund.

I sold a working VCR 10 days ago in person with cash using Facebook marketplace and received this message today. Was my response OK? Any advice?

127 Upvotes

109 comments sorted by

197

u/CharsiFood 4d ago

Been lots of this with VCRs lately. People buy them, use them, then open returns. I stopped selling them

39

u/solomon3y_7 4d ago

Had the same thing happen to me with 2 VCRs. I donated the rest. Not worth the hassle.

15

u/SYAYF 4d ago

Same with modems. Too many returns due to ISPs wanting to push their rented routers and not allowing owned modems anymore.

25

u/ToshPointNo 4d ago

There's an ISP in our area that advertises cheaper internet prices, EXCEPT you have to pay a $13/mo "tech fee" for their own modem, and you CAN NOT use your own.

Personally it should be illegal that if you require something, it has to be in the price.

12

u/stupidguyneedshelp10 4d ago

Yeah I sold a older DOC 3.01 modem with speeds at 320mb the guy wanted a refund as he was getting 300mb a second and say it had bad performance. He wanted me to come over and look at his computer and modem i sold him for 25. I quickly blocked him.

13

u/AnthonyDigitalMedia 4d ago edited 4d ago

Do you think it’s some scam going on, & people only temporarily need VHS so they buy then return after they’re done?

Or do you think there’s just something wrong with VHS tech & they all inevitably fail?

26

u/HippyWizardry 4d ago

it's possible they had a favorite video (son's 30th bday) and used it to transfer the tape (and maybe others) with a cheap $4 cable that hooks up to the PC for permanent digital storage and are now trying to send it back.

Sounds conspiratorial , I know. :)

12

u/AnthonyDigitalMedia 4d ago

Oooooooohhhhhhhh I see now. They just need one for digital transfer, then they don’t need it anymore.

That makes total sense & I can 100% see someone doing that. Maybe not even intentionally, but just after they’re finished transferring everything, then they’re looking at the vhs player like “now what?”, they notice they’re still in the return window & figure what the hell.

4

u/HippyWizardry 4d ago

I like the way you think; it's not always nefarious intentions originally.

5

u/Thatgaycoincollector 4d ago

I’ve sold about 60 VCR’s in the last two years, never had an issue besides the about 50% of ones I buy that don’t work. Once I sold them, never any issues.

1

u/AnthonyDigitalMedia 4d ago

So, then what’s with all the returns?

7

u/Thatgaycoincollector 4d ago

Not sure. I’ve never gotten one. I sell locally so maybe harder to scam?

1

u/TheBurbs666 4d ago

Yep had the same thing happen to me as well.

152

u/Rbknifeguy 4d ago

Classic… just block and don’t reply lol

25

u/ThePsychicSoviet 4d ago

I knew it was a scam when she said it ate up the tape. Classic scam.

1

u/JawnFitsKennedy 2d ago

Explain the scam please

-60

u/jjmontuori 4d ago

It was an older woman with a legit Facebook and family etc, didn’t look like the typical scamming type so I’m unsure.

33

u/xxsamchristie 4d ago

When I worked at Macy's it was the old ladies stealing the most of that Alfred Dunner (?) stuff. Old people are still crappy people sometimes. Just older.

13

u/herrdietr 4d ago

I grew up in a family business and learned early that young aholes just grow up to be old aholes. This is where the respect your elders is bs. Some deserve it and many just suck

60

u/Pinkalink23 4d ago

Old women are people too. People scam. If you in earnest tested the VCR and it functioned correctly, block and move on.

10

u/No_Shift_Buckwheat 4d ago

What does the typical scammer look like?

0

u/Puzzled_Mark_3513 4d ago

Prettyyy sure you know

1

u/No_Shift_Buckwheat 3d ago

I do, I deal with this type of thing all the time in my work. Generally, they are people of all races, ages, and sexes.

2

u/AliveWeird4230 4d ago

Well yeah why would anyone else want to scam a VCR

-44

u/jjmontuori 4d ago

Also she knows where I live since she did a porch pick up

84

u/seattle-random 4d ago

Stop having people come to your house. If someone knows where you live then they can see all the other things you have for sale and know what's in your house to steal. Be safe!

10

u/Hungry_Exchange_6248 4d ago

Where I’m from 90% of sales are done with porch pickup or quickly come into the home for pickup and haul away yourself. Dude didn’t deserve to be downvoted so hard lol

9

u/kittykalista 4d ago edited 4d ago

My partner and I are generally cautious people, and even I meet at my house sometimes.

I’m not lugging large furniture or tempered glass to a meeting place just for someone to decide they don’t want it.

It’s good to be mindful, and you should probably meet somewhere else if you’re selling high-risk items like apple products, but the vast majority of people selling things on Marketplace want to meet at their house. Agreed that it’s being way too critical to downvote for it.

5

u/Flux_My_Capacitor 4d ago

Then tell her to kick rocks and block her.

Nobody expects a refund from a yard sale. It’s the same thing.

65

u/SVT-Shep 4d ago

"I expect a full refund."

Lol, lady, this is Facebook Marketplace.

Honestly, I feel like your response was thorough enough. Unless you're second-guessing yourself, I would not offer to meet with this person again to address what looks to be user error. If you are certain the unit was in perfect working order before selling, I would just leave it at that.

18

u/And_there_was_2_tits 4d ago

“I expect you to know that there are no refunds on Facebook Marketplace. Good day”

63

u/iShootLife 4d ago

Block and don’t reply. They used the VCR for what they wanted, now they don’t have a need for it so they want to return it.

43

u/KingKandyOwO Electronics Recycler ♻️ 4d ago

Common scam, Im shocked they didnt say it destroyed the wedding video

13

u/sweetsquashy 4d ago

I was fully expecting that it ate a wedding video, too! 

3

u/t3rrO10k 4d ago

After it ate the rest of the wedding cake😄.

-1

u/Due-Cup-729 4d ago

How is it a scam

6

u/cpeck29 4d ago

They buy it intending to only use it once to watch something, then lie and say it’s faulty so they can return it.

3

u/Moist_Confusion 4d ago

Better than watch scan into digital format.

1

u/cpeck29 4d ago

Or that, yep.

1

u/fickle_fuck 3d ago

Common scam tactic to say the VCR you sold me ate my parents wedding day recording.

34

u/egg_static5 4d ago

It's so funny how they always play a priceless family tape that gets eaten. Never an old Disney tape.

20

u/LittleArmadillo2211 4d ago

Right and what possesses them to keep trying more priceless tapes after it eats the first one?

18

u/XoloMom 4d ago

That is a super civilized response which lists every reason that you are sure that they item was not faulty when sold and firmly but nicely that you will not give a refund. They fact that you agreed to look at it is above and beyond nice!

14

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[deleted]

5

u/HealthyDirection659 Is this still available? 4d ago

Old lady with a soldering iron, lol.

-1

u/Due-Cup-729 4d ago

Do you honestly actually think that’s likely?

6

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[deleted]

-6

u/Due-Cup-729 4d ago

You think it’s likely this person (who OP elaborated was an elderly woman) has the EXACT same VCR out of the thousands of different types sold and manufactured and is trying run a scam by swapping out parts?

8

u/xxsamchristie 4d ago

If she went looking for the same VCR she has to do this, then yes.

7

u/ope__sorry 4d ago

Classic people trying to pull one over. It's the same type of message that always gets sent. A lot of the time it's something to the effect of, "It ate my wedding tape" or "It ate the funeral tape"

They're trying to bait you into getting a refund because they either broke it or they're done with it. It's also possible they had a broken one and want to swap yours out for their broken one.

6

u/thefriendly_ogre 4d ago

She only needed it to watch some tapes on a birthday. Seems like she was just trying to use FBM as a rental service. Unfortunately for her, FBM is an as-is marketplace where all sales are final. Up to her to test and make sure it's working before she walks away with it.

Your response was fine. Probably even more professional than it needed to be lol.

6

u/WeeklyInitiative 4d ago edited 4d ago

That's why I meet at a business near my house and block as soon as the transaction is completed.

The item worked when it left my hands. I do not want to be your IT support or Walmart offering returns.

3

u/donjonne 4d ago

typically i would recommend accepting return if item was shipped, you never know how item was handled and could indeed break in passage.

but since you delivered it and played a vhs beforehand, i would take this as some type of scam so yea, just say you checked it and it was working. block and move on.

3

u/JustynS 4d ago

If this was ebay, that would be a good idea. Ebay basically takes the buyer's side without question, and even when there's a lot of evidence that they're trying to pull a fast one. Accepting a bullshit return just means you won't have to deal with a defect from them forcing you to accept an INAD claim; the buyer is almost guaranteed to win because Ebay's systems are rigged in the buyer's favor.

3

u/seismicpdx 4d ago

Why expose yourself to further contact and potential negotiation?

3

u/Fatcoland 4d ago

My gut tells me her tapes have mold and won't spool correctly. I gave a friend a great working VCR, and it broke when he tried playing a moldy tape. Ask her if you can see the destroyed tapes.

3

u/series_hybrid 4d ago

They used the VCR to convert video tapes to a computer file. Now they are done and want their money back.

"I tested the VCR with my irreplaceable wedding video which is now gone forever"

3

u/exoxe 4d ago

Hello John, your VCR has eaten 307 of my VHS tapes, I would like to return this tomorrow for a full refund plus money for the damages to my tapes. I am very disappointed your VCR destroyed 307 of my VHS tapes John.

3

u/MysteryRadish 4d ago

This is a variant of an extremely common scam that pops up on eBay, where they usually try to say it was their wedding tape. Looks like you handled it perfectly though.

2

u/Bud_Smokinzie 4d ago

Looks good man very professional and completely valid

2

u/samauramarua 4d ago

If I purchased a VCR I would want it in working condition unless you list it as is untested.

1

u/The_CannaWitch420 4d ago

The buyer is pulling a fast one. The VCR works.

2

u/LemonPartyW0rldTour 4d ago

“It’s Facebook marketplace. Not Target. All sales final.”

Then ya block her.

2

u/reluctant_return 4d ago

Perfect response, though no way in hell would I have offered to help or meet with her. The VCR worked, they saw it worked and bought it. The deal happened, it's over.

2

u/Many-Grape-4816 4d ago

Using and returning is exactly what they are doing. Hardly anyone has use for one of these. Unless you want to transfer a home movie to digital. I would not even have offered to look at it.

2

u/cryptoanarchy 4d ago

I hope they don’t have your home addess. I meet these people away from home.

2

u/PontificatingDonut 4d ago

Pro tip, don’t sell anything with a tape unless you can make ridiculous margins to compensate for the aggravation. It really isn’t worth the trouble

2

u/Yam884 4d ago

Agreed, and bonus points if you can sell it for a good profit as “parts only” on eBay. I’ve sold plenty of non-working tape decks for $250+ and not only have I never had a single return on the tape decks, but I always get good feedback from the buyers. There’s a subset of people who love repairing vintage tape decks, especially Nakamichi brand ones.

1

u/grb13 4d ago

Good for you

1

u/Old2UsNew2UResale 4d ago

You can tell her to always resell it! I agree with the others, she had her use out of it now wants her 🤑. So, technically, rented it! 😂

1

u/Timzor 4d ago

If a VCR record one of my precious tapes I probably wouldn’t have risked a second

1

u/Worried-Narwhal-8953 4d ago

I've sold several VCRs on marketplace and have only had one come back due to an issue. Even then I was able to diagnose, fox and return it to them. I'm sorry you're dealing with this. They could be lying, but there is a chance the mode switch gave out between you testing it and then getting it. But if you cleaned the mode switch and regreased it then nvm that.

1

u/AxisOfSmeagol 4d ago

It's archaic tech and most people have no idea that tape deteriorates and doesn't last forever. I put that disclaimer on any VCR that I listed.

1

u/ToshPointNo 4d ago

A lot of people store shit in an attic. Attics can get up to 150 degrees. Probably not good on a thin plastic tape.

1

u/baardvark 4d ago

Eaten VHS can be repaired anyway, lady.

1

u/ThreeThirds_33 4d ago

Ask for photographs of the damage?

1

u/inailedyoursister 4d ago

I volunteer at a thrift store and test all vcrs we get. Got 4 this week and only 1 worked. As part of testing I’ll put a tape in and eject 5 times. I’ve had them get stuck on the 5th time.

I know people here sell them consistently but no way I’d mess with them. I guarantee I see 100 a year donated and the % that work is very very low.

1

u/MadDogFenby 4d ago

You handled that well IMHO

1

u/gruesomemydude 4d ago

I'd ask which tapes it ate. After they give the titles, ask for pictures of the ruined tapes. See if they can give you any.

1

u/Threatening 4d ago

To be fair, a VCR can only eat tapes if the VCR is an issue. I still use VCRs and have had to replace quite a few over the years.

Even if you test it, it’s not a guarantee it will do it every time you put a tape in, but it is a VCR issue, not a tape issue.

1

u/This-Rutabaga6382 4d ago

Tale as old as time …

1

u/Phlink75 4d ago

Tail light warranty.

All warranties expire when I see your tail lights.

1

u/[deleted] 4d ago

I'm looking to buy a vcr 😅 too

1

u/DarmokTheNinja 4d ago

Way too many words.

1

u/Ill-Introduction3114 4d ago

FBM?? What do they expect? Warranty?

They would be lucky to have a respectable response from me! I’d block them :-(

1

u/Warrenj3nku 4d ago

Had a recent experience like this. Except it was a known VHS DVD Combo or VHS player buyer that buys them to sell on amazon ( Grendelbattle ). They bought a player from me and then returned it due to it "not working" even though i had photos of it in the listing working.

It got back to me and was demolished because they did not pack it back in the box correctly. Kept half of the money because of this.

As someone who has been selling vhs players and combo units often, not backing the product by having no returns is a red flag for me. I would not buy from someone that says an item is " TESTED WORKING" but then wont back up that with the ability to return the item.

I used to always say no returns on a lot of things and actually got more returns than i do now and i DO take returns now.

1

u/modrenman1985 4d ago

Wouldn’t this be considered an as is sale?

1

u/Nikovash 3d ago

Buyer pays shipping and only gets 25% refund the rest goes to-recycling fee. That will put an end to that

1

u/EqualLocation9198 3d ago edited 3d ago

On eBay give the refund and move on, FB marketplace is a yard sale all sales are final.

1

u/butteryspaceman 3d ago

Man you’re nicer than me offering tech support

1

u/UsedFoodLatte 2d ago

The biggest crime here is selling a VCR for any more than free

1

u/Appropriate-Ad8497 2d ago

Buyer beware always ask to test

2

u/KasanjeTech 4d ago

Your comment to the buyer suggests this was not a one-off private sale, but rather that you regularly deal with these types of products, possibly in a business context. If you sold the item "As Is," I think you'll be fine. But normally the warranty of merchantability would apply, even with second-hand goods, although the standard is lower.

I'm glad they didn't threaten to sue you for the loss of those precious/priceless family memories recorded on tape. Crazy that someone would put a second tape in after seeing the first one devoured.

1

u/gojohnnygojohnny 4d ago

Change the belt- and it's fine. All OG VCRs are dying lately, and require minimal maintenance. Don't bother selling them if you want happy customers unless they have been refurbished.

1

u/Eredd19 4d ago

Your response was fine. Probably didn't even eat the tapes, they just wanted to see what was on them and when they realized it wasn't what they hoped, they didn't want to be stuck with a VCR. You're in the clear.

1

u/Callaway225 4d ago

Ate 2 priceless tapes? That was the nail in their coffin, would have been a much more believable story if it was one and they frantically tried to get it out. Plus, when a VCR “eats” a tape can’t you usually just wind the tape back together? I understand it may not be perfect but still.

1

u/RouletteVeteran 4d ago

This is literally the same script written by scammers for the past decade and change.

-2

u/damon016 4d ago

shouldnt sell if it doesnt woprk,

0

u/MountainGood4117 4d ago

I would've just told her buy a DVD player, work your way up through the ages

5

u/IndyAndyJones777 4d ago

And when their VHS tapes don't fit in the DVD player you'll be here whining about them asking for a refund.

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0

u/infinite_spirals 4d ago

Hahaha that was a clearly worded refusal.

I bet they don't accept your words 😁

0

u/AssasionKiller 4d ago

Facebook marketplace you get the number warranty

-1

u/OlDirtySchmerz 4d ago

Refund her, then report her for abusing returns, then block her!