A Close Call
Oct 20, 2026
I buy on ebay a lot. Like, almost every day. It’s the world’s best source for hard-to-find and downright obsolete semiconductors, and the only place I know where people sell mechanical and cosmetic parts for vintage stereos manufactured to exact spec’s on 3-D printers. And there are two used CD player models and one used two-channel stereo that I keep on hand for my customers in need of a replacement, and guess where I get them? Ebay is a buyer’s paradise for used stereo equipment — no matter how much the seller says they do or do not stand behind the item, ebay provides a bullet-proof guarantee: if it’s listed as “used” it must work exactly as intended.
And yes, there have been numerous instances when I had to make a claim with a seller because their “used” product didn’t pass muster. But almost every time, the seller is cordial and cooperative, and often when the issue is something I can resolve myself we can work things out for a partial refund rather than going through the hassle of returning the item. Usually I cut the seller a break, accepting in good faith that they didn’t know there was an issue.
I had a close call recently though, I bought a pair of small speakers for a customer and the seller didn’t bother to pack them, just sent them in their flimsy retail boxes. Unsurprisingly, they were damaged in shipment. I contacted the seller, but instead of offering a full refund for their carelessness, they said “Oh you can easily fix those with a rubber mallet!” Really? I’m supposed to fix your mess and then convince my customer to purchase damaged goods? No, I said, you need to step up and do the right thing! Then they offered to send me a replacement pair. Hah! Like I want another pair of bent speakers! No, I said, I didn’t ask for a replacement. I asked for a refund.
Days went by and I never heard another word from the seller. To ebay’s credit, if the seller does not cooperate on a return, they will step in on the buyer’s behalf. But then this morning, just in time to avoid that, the seller approved the return. I guess they’ve sold enough damaged goods that they knew what was going to happen next.
