Proper used gear sales etiquette.

[PullThePlug]

And ask yourself, how likely would this guy give you your money back if the tables were turned?

That wouldn't happen, I would test it out first. That's pretty standard. You gotta be smart when buying used.

 

[redwingxix]

It's on the buyer to test it before paying. They are ones paying for the item and they are the ones that should be concerned with getting what they are paying for. I'm certainly not advocating that a seller not disclose known issues or misrepresent something but the buyer has to take some responsibility.

I had a guy a year ago refuse to meet me somewhere that I could tryout his $1000 bassman rig before I bought it. He was rather incredulous when I told him that I wasn't buying it until I could try it out. Some people are just kooks.

So, do you really allow strangers to come inside your home?

Almost every piece of gear I've sold on CL has been at my house. You just need to talk to people on the phone to gauge their sketch level and I've never had a problem. The worst thing that ever has happened to me is that a buyer wants to talk too much and I have no interest in meeting new and lonely people. Put away all the gear that they are not there to buy and it's all been smooth. And keep your lovable but intimidating boxer/ pit mix inside the house for good measure.

 

[singlemalt]

I've got these guys for security.

 

[agedhorse]

Do they lick intruders to death, scare them with their wiggles?

 

[rockdoc11]

Due to circumstances, on occasion I've had to purchase craigslist gear without being able to try it out. In those rare situations I've asked for a 24 hour approval period.

The sellers have always agreed, but I've never had to return anything.

Glad things worked out so well for the OP!

 

[Sav'nBass]

If you sold the cabin good faith... and only you know that .. then it is his cab. Plus like agedhorse said .. that rattle can be something entirely unrelated to the cab. I once bought a cab here .... and I swore up and down it had a rattle.. That rattle was actually a tunj gipeg in my bass... If you want guarantees and the right to "have a conversation" then only buy new from reputable sources... Otherwise buyer beware.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Nice it's all sorted.

 

[Passinwind]

Do they lick intruders to death, scare them with their wiggles?

If they don't like you they bring you swill instead of real beer. BreWtal...

 

[Balog]

I don't mean to be harsh saying "Buyer Beware" but that is the way I feel. I'm not feeling the return if that "conversation" goes that way. Is that bad etiquette?

I know you've already resolved the issue, but to answer the question no that is not bad etiquette. Some dude in a parking lot from Craigslist is not a Walmart. There is no return policy, there is no warranty. As long as you honestly disclosed any known issues you have done all that is morally or ethically required.

This is also why I have an email account with a different name, and a google voice number that I only use for these types of deals.

If it has issues then i would definitely take it back. Surprised at the people here who are in favor of blocking the guy's number. At the very least I'd have him reproduce the issues for me to her before passing judgement.

If the gear had no issues before selling it, then it stands to reason that the issues are either caused by the buyer damaging it (rough handling, excessive power or wonky EQ etc) or by the buyer's gear/technique etc not playing well with the cab. And again, I'm not Walmart. I have no interest in wasting my time giving someone a short term rental for free then taking back damaged goods.

Before assuming that there's really a problem, it's probably more likely that something is rattling in the room, and resonances can produce different and somewhat unpredictable results. There is likely nothing wrong with the cabinet, but a little help to the purchaser might be a good gesture, eh?

In my experience both as a one time avid Craigslist seller and as a professional maintenance guy, the problem with attempting to diagnose/repair equipment that is not your responsibility is that you essentially acknowledge some level of ownership of the issue.

For example, I work in commercial real estate, and there is a pretty clear line between base building equipment, and supplementary tenant equipment. Too often, if the door/access card system/heat pump/hot water tank/etc etc that the tenant has installed has an issue and I make a good faith attempt to diagnose or repair that issue, in the tenant's mind I now "own" that problem. I can't even calculate how many hours and meetings and emails have been wasted on this type of situation.

It is far cleaner and better for everyone to (as much as possible) establish clear, bright lines of responsibility. And "problems that crop up in a used item that was working perfectly when I sold it" are way way over on the "your problem not mine" side of that line.