Demo DX buyers: BEWARE of this eBay seller

[Shopaholic]

Originally Posted by norway1456

Hah, just to clarify a bit: I don't drink rubbing alcohol and have never drunk rubbing alcohol. Nor am I desperate enough to try it either. No need to worry
I don't even drink vinegear

I'm very glad to hear it!!

[DustyDisks]

Originally Posted by norway1456

Hah, just to clarify a bit: I don't drink rubbing alcohol and have never drunk rubbing alcohol. Nor am I desperate enough to try it either. No need to worry
I don't even drink vinegear

Originally Posted by Shopaholic

I'm very glad to hear it!!

But drinking some types of vinegar in small amounts is Good for you!


Sorry for the kink in the flow of the topic!

[stevene9]

Unless he changed his listing since you bought yours, The seller says they are for parts only. What's the problem? That's what you get when you buy something "for parts only".

[geekmaster]

Originally Posted by stevene9

Unless he changed his listing since you bought yours, The seller says they are for parts only. What's the problem? That's what you get when you buy something "for parts only".

Go back and read his listing again. His description starts with:

THESE ITEMS WERE DISPLAY UNITS THEY ARE WORKING BUT ONLY IN DEMO MODE SOME CAN BE IN BOXES SOME WONT BE IN BOXES AND THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE A CHARGER AND THEY HAVE THE WORDS DEMO UNIT-NOT FOR RESALE ON THEY MIGHT HAVE SCRATCH ON THEM

He is CLEARLY stating that they work (i.e. no broken screens). The only negatives he lists are that some of them MIGHT have a scratched screen, a missing box, or a missing power supply. He does NOT say that any of them might have a broken eink screen.

But then it has been reported that he ships them in a bubble-wrap envelope, which can break the screen from flexing in shipment.

[Shopaholic]

Originally Posted by geekmaster

Go back and read his listing again. His description starts with:He is CLEARLY stating that they work (i.e. no broken screens). The only negatives he lists are that some of them MIGHT have a scratched screen, a missing box, or a missing power supply. He does NOT say that any of them might have a broken eink screen.

But then it has been reported that he ships them in a bubble-wrap envelope, which can break the screen from flexing in shipment.

With all due respect, Geek, don't keep out vital information from the listing. It DOES say for parts right where your quote cut off:

"THESE ITEMS WERE DISPLAY UNITS THEY ARE WORKING BUT ONLY IN DEMO MODE SOME CAN BE IN BOXES SOME WONT BE IN BOXES AND THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE A CHARGER AND THEY HAVE THE WORDS DEMO UNIT-NOT FOR RESALE ON THEY MIGHT HAVE SCRATCH ON THEM THEM THEY ARE SOLD FOR PARTS PURPOSES BUT YOU DO WHAT EVER YOU WANT WITH THEM SO YOU HAVE A $379 UNIT SO MAKE SURE YOU UNDER STAND WHAT YOU ARE BUYING BEFORE YOU BUY IT "

The more I look at what this guy sells, the more I realize he's using a dropshipper. He/she, doesn't have any product on hand. Look at the items. Look at the listings. Look at the pictures. They take orders and then in turn order from someone else that ships the item to the end buyer. That's never a good way to do business as you have no control over quality of the item or the shipping. They may not even have these Kindles on hand for all we know.

No matter how you slice it, it's a gamble and the OP lost. The odds weren't in his favor or any buyer's for that matter.

[geekmaster]

Originally Posted by Shopaholic

With all due respect, Geek, don't keep out vital information from the listing. It DOES say for parts right where your quote cut off:
...
No matter how you slice it, it's a gamble and the OP lost.

I did not leave out relevant information. The "for parts" quote was already mentioned in the first quote in my post, so there was no need to mention it again. I only quoted the part that was relevant to my additional information.

On ebay, "for parts" is a standard disclaimer for anything that is not FULLY functional, which the seller further qualified with the text I quoted. I was correct. I have purchased MANY "for parts" devices on ebay that said "are working" with a disclaimer listing exactly what potential problems it may have, and in all cases they DID work exactly as described (except for rare cases where I got a full or partial refund if I choose to keep it).

He said that they work, and a broken screen qualifies as "substantially not as described" and can therefore get a full refund despite his "no returns" claim. I have discussed this with ebay support (for other similar items) . Where do you get your facts to support your interpretation of that ebay listing?

The OP did not "lose the gamble" (as you said). He can get a refund because a broken screen is "substantially not as described".

And what about this:

Originally Posted by Shopaholic

File a claim with eBay for Item Not As Described! He doesn't have a choice but to refund you. You do have to ship it back with Delivery Confirmation though as proof you sent it and they received it.

Why dispute my post when it only reinforced your previous claims? You are also disagreeing with yourself, it would seem...

[l_macd]

I think geekmaster is totally right here, it does state they are working and a Kindle with a broken screen is clearly not working. Also, the fact that he states "sold for parts but you do whatever you want with them" seems more a disclaimer that they are selling them as not fully functional demo models.

Besides, isn't $99 a pretty high price just for 'parts'?

I'd want a refund, you took a risk but, but your risk is that it's a bit shabby, and while it works ok in demo mode, you brick the thing trying to turn it into a fully working Kindle. Not that you end up buying something that simply doesn't work.

[Shopaholic]

Originally Posted by geekmaster

I did not leave out relevant information. The "for parts" quote was already mentioned in a previous post, so there was no need to mention it again. I only quoted the part that was relevant to my additional information.

The "for parts" is a standard disclaimer on ebay for anything that is not FULLY functional, which he further qualified with the text I quoted. I was correct. I have purchased MANY "for parts" devices on ebay that said "are working" with a disclaimer listing exactly what potential problems it may have, and in all cases they DID work exactly as described (except for rare cases where I got a full or partial refund if I choose to keep it).

He said that they work, and a broken screen qualifies as "substantially not as described" and can therefore get a full refund despite his "no returns" claim. I have discussed this with ebay support (for other similar items) . Where do you get your facts to support your interpretation of that ebay listing?

I've been a seller on eBay for the last 15+ years. I've been to many eBay conferences and invited to participate in several discussion groups at the Toronto head office. I have a lot of experience. I've even been an eBay education specialist. I taught people how to sell on eBay. The right way. The decent way! Not scamming or misleading people. I have been certified by eBay to do so.

I do not in any way disagree with a broken screen being not as described. You'll note that I was the first response to the OP and said file a claim immediately. It doesn't matter if a seller says no returns in the listing - if there's a problem with the item, eBay makes the seller return either a new functioning item as described or a refund and I said precisely that to the OP. OP gambled on getting a fully functioning demo unit. It wasn't. He's not likely going to get something without a broken screen and is far better off getting a refund. Especially when eBay only gives buyers one shot at a replacement or refund. OP has to choose and choose wisely.

"For Parts" is NOT a standard disclaimer. It means exactly what it says. Use the item to salvage parts to repair another of the same item. If it functions as normal then it's a bonus.

[geekmaster]

Originally Posted by Shopaholic

"For Parts" is NOT a standard disclaimer. It means exactly what it says. Use the item to salvage parts to repair another of the same item. If it functions as normal then it's a bonus.

By "standard" disclaimer, I meant "very commonly used", not "officially sanctioned".

I was planning to buy one to salvage its screen to use in my DXG (which has a broken screen), and I would have filed for a refund if the screen was broken. So it appears that we are still substantially in agreement with each other.

The seller did not list screen damage other than minor scratches as possible problems with these units.

A broken screen is a critical part that affects resale value, and he said that they work in demo mode.

[curtw]

Originally Posted by Shopaholic

With all due respect, Geek, don't keep out vital information from the listing. It DOES say for parts right where your quote cut off...

This is what I would call "weasel words." At the very top of every eBay listing, right after the title, is a field called "Item condition." THIS is where the seller needs to flag, um, what is it? Oh yeah, condition. The seller chose "used." This is a drop-down menu when you set up your item. If he wants to claim this as a parts sale, the appropriate condition from eBay's choices would be "For parts or not working." And then buyers could make an informed choice--like offering him $30 or so.

Every buyer in this sale has a reasonable expectation of receiving a working (if crippled) unit. However, I would guess that the seller's error in choice of condition makes a non-functional unit eligible for eBay's buyer protection.

[joehunt]

You can now buy 2 for only $149.99

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-PC-OF-Kind...item19d547d3ab

No feedback has been posted from anyone purchasing one of these (the first was sold on September 3), so the question still remains if anyone has actually received a working unit.

[Andy_T]

I respectfully disagree with all those saying "you should have been warned from the text of the description" ... a broken screen makes a difference of a "parts worth" of 250 $ to 2,50 $ IMO.

And, with an eInk device, you can see a broken screen immediately, not just at powering on.

Best regards,
Andy

[geekmaster]

I got a fully working (not demo) DXG on ebay for $100, and I got a "broken screen" K3 for $5 (with free shipping). So his prices are not realistic for broken screens. But the price of fully functional DXG models has gone "through the roof" on ebay recently. I wonder why the recent increased demand for DXG kindles...

[Bricorn]

Originally Posted by geekmaster

I got a fully working (not demo) DXG on ebay for $100, and I got a "broken screen" K3 for $5 (with free shipping). So his prices are not realistic for broken screens. But the price of fully functional DXG models has gone "through the roof" on ebay recently. I wonder why the recent increased demand for DXG kindles...

I bought a "spare" DXG because I love mine and don't want to risk it going wrong and me being unable to replace it - I've pretty much given up on Amazon bringing out an updated version. I think they're missing a customer segment there, but what do I know, I'm only a customer with 2 DXGs!

My "spare" currently lives at my work for a lunchtime read, so it isn't totally "dead" money.

[twobob]

This is a rip-off.

They are clearly being pushed as "probably working" whereas they are obviously detritus parts fodder.

I would give him £100 for the lot and use them jack up my speakers to the right height.
(that's pretty cheap for custom speaker stands...)

Just save your money. Rubbish.

And Yes, feel free to PM me with your horrified and askance responses...

My delete button awaits you. : )