UPDATE! Ebay question... What does "brand new" in box imply?

[cjchaps]

I ordered a robomower from a seller on eBay with 900+ feedback. Here is the item.

I got the mower, and charged it up, and when I started using it, it started to emit a high pitched sound from the speaker built into it. It seems to work fine, but when it's working it's emitting this really annoying and loud high pitched sound. I contacted Friendly Robotics and they said the controller needs to be replaced. I have been talking to the seller, and letting him know what is wrong with the unit, and what friendly robotics has said, and I am not getting anywhere with him.

Technically it doesn't saw the unit has a warranty, but it does say brand new in box. I would expect the seller to try and remedy the situation, but that probably won't happen as seen by the responses I have been getting. What is the seller's responsibility for something like this? I was expecting more from someone with that much feedback... :|

EDIT: The seller has sent me the amount of money it costs to replace the remote control unit! There still are some good eBay folks out there!

 

[SilentRavens]

Originally posted by: cjchaps
I ordered a robomower from a seller on eBay with 900+ feedback. Here is the item.

I got the mower, and charged it up, and when I started using it, it started to emit a high pitched sound from the speaker built into it. It seems to work fine, but when it's working it's emitting this really annoying and loud high pitched sound. I contacted Friendly Robotics and they said the controller needs to be replaced. I have been talking to the seller, and letting him know what is wrong with the unit, and what friendly robotics has said, and I am not getting anywhere with him.

Technically it doesn't saw the unit has a warranty, but it does say brand new in box. I would expect the seller to try and remedy the situation, but that probably won't happen as seen by the responses I have been getting. What is the seller's responsibility for something like this? I was expecting more from someone with that much feedback... :|

If the seller packed it properly, and the item was totally un-opened when you got it, as far as I am concerned the seller has zero responsibility. I would see if I could go after a warrenty.

 

[DWW]

You deserve what you get you lazy ass...robomower, PFFFT

(I'm kidding)

 

[Jzero]

The auction makes no mention of the seller offering any kind of warranty. "Brand new in box" simply means that it is unused and comes in the original packing. The seller doesn't have the means to repair the item. If he has more than one of the item, it would be nice of him to ship you a good one and he can RMA the bad one.

Your best bet is to seek a warranty repair from the manufacturer.

 

[cjchaps]

I prefer the term modern

Originally posted by: DWW
You deserve what you get you lazy ass...robomower, PFFFT

(I'm kidding)

 

[Slacker]

it could be new in box but ten years old, no warranty

 

[Shawn]

How does that even work? How do you keep it from cutting the whole neighbor's yard or doing into the street.... or a lake like I have in my backyard?

That said why not just disconnect the speaker?

 

[Eli]

The seller has no concrete "responsibility" in a situation like this. It is at his discretion whether he wants to make a customer happy, or take the negative.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Well, you might not have any recourse with the manufacturer in terms of warranty, especially if you didn't purchase it from an "authorized dealer". The seller isn't necessarily responsible to have to replace it, but as a good seller he should definitely do so.

 

[cjchaps]

You install a parameter wire that you can bury in your yard.

Originally posted by: iloveme2
How does that even work? How do you keep it from cutting the whole neighbor's yard or doing into the street.... or a lake like I have in my backyard?

That said why not just disconnect the speaker?

 

[cjchaps]

That's what I kinda figured... I guess I should have bought the paypal insurance when I bought this thing. Live and learn I guess.

Originally posted by: Eli
The seller has no concrete "responsibility" in a situation like this. It is at his discretion whether he wants to make a customer happy, or take the negative.

 

[NFS4]

Hehe, one of the WOOT.com deals The seller got it cheap from Woot and sold it on eBay. It has a 90 day distributor warranty. See the warranty card in the box.

http://www.woot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31
http://www.woot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12

 

[NFS4]

Bump for cjchaps

 

[cjchaps]

The seller has done the right thing, and sent me a refund for the amount of money it will cost to replace the remote control unit. I'm very happy right now about the seller helping me out. Put this guy on your list of eBay'ers to buy stuff from

 

[rh71]

Hell I'm just curious about this thing. Looks like you have to operate it by remote control right ? So basically it'll save you energy, but not time...

Or am I missing something ?

 

[DrPizza]

heyyyyyy, I've got 70 acres to mow in a few weeks.... think I can turn that thing on and have a beer?

 

[cjchaps]

You can operate it by remote control, but it's made to be automatic. You define the parameter of your yard, and set it loose inside your yard. It takes about 2 hours to mow a medium sized lawn. You do not need to interact with the unit while it is mowing if everything is setup correctly.

Originally posted by: rh71
Hell I'm just curious about this thing. Looks like you have to operate it by remote control right ? So basically it'll save you energy, but not time...

Or am I missing something ?

 

[simms]

w00t. bump for good people.

 

[Modeps]

I cant imagine this thing working great, nor can I imagine it'll make nice mow lines, nor do I think it's much more than a gimmick...but heck, sounds like a good seller.

 

[Slickone]

I'd be scared to death to use this thing. I'd get a call from one of the neighbors: "You're mower just killed our pet, cut off my foot, and ran over our flowers."

 

[iwearnosox]

Originally posted by: Slickone
I'd be scared to death to use this thing. I'd get a call from one of the neighbors: "You're mower just killed our pet, cut off my foot, and ran over our flowers."

And only I know I secretly programmed it to do that.

Muahahahhaaaa....

 

[RudeBoie]

Originally posted by: cjchaps
The seller has done the right thing, and sent me a refund for the amount of money it will cost to replace the remote control unit. I'm very happy right now about the seller helping me out. Put this guy on your list of eBay'ers to buy stuff from

I don't know if it's really the "right thing"

The reason why something is listed as new in box is so that you know it's new, and there weren't any prexisting problems that the seller may have caused and is no lying to you about.

It's like buying a new car- you assume that the car has a clean slate and hasn't had any trouble yet. With a used car, however, the seller could be lying and you'd be SOL.

If you buy something new in box, and it has a problem after you use it, that's your problem. Contact the manufacturer. Everything on Ebay is considered AS IS unless they say otherwise, or the error is on their end (shipped the wrong item).

Imagine if you're a seller. You sell a brand new XBOX you got as a gift for $100. You send it, and then 2 days later after the winner gets it, he says the unit won't load discs properly. Repairs from MS will cost $50 because the guy didn't buy it from an autorized retailer. Now, he comes to ask and asks for his money back.

What are you going to do? It's not your fault it's broken. You didn't do anything to it- it's brand new. It could be him as far as you know. Nor did you give any expectation of warranty on your end. Maybe if you're a huge dealer, maybe you're willing to help the guy out, but if you're just a regular person, are you really going to help this out and give him his money back or agree to pay for his repairs?

I don't think so......