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Hi,I recently sold a quad of RCA "clear top" 12AU7's. These were new in box tubes (and tested). The buyer recived them and I received an e-mail telling me that:
"They are used, may 90 % of NEW. There are burn marks were (sic) the getters are located, which tells you that they have been used. Also the pins show a rainbow color(Which are burn marks)which indicates they have be in so sort of equipment".
I know that the tubes were never used. (Other than being tested,) but I don't know how to explain to someone that getters CAN come in a variety of shapes and colors....even in NEW tubes and that a rainbow color on the pins does NOT mean "burn marks" but could be from the storage conditions (in this case damp, as the boxes had damage), the plating during that particular production run, or a combination of all those factors etc.
The tubes tested BETTER than new on a highly calibrated tester AS WELL as a VTV tester.
What do I do in this case? I think the collective opinion of the Asylum members is a pretty valuable tool in these cases.
Follow Ups:
Take the buyer to the following link:
I didn't bid on some of your tubes recently because of some (minor?) unhappiness of past buyer(s)that had come to my attention.You have to protect your rep. Its worth a lot more over the long run than any loss out of the transaction with this one buyer.
I like the invisible mark scheme!
Note: I dont mind if sellers mark their tubes before sending them to me. Makes me feel that they are serious and are taking the proper steps to stand behind their goods.
to risk a negative feedback entry, you will have to take the tubes back.I would proceed as follows:
Tell the buyer you have invisably marked the tubes so that you can verify 'your' tubes in the event of a problem. (Several "unhappy" buyers disappeared after I relayed this information- sad but true that there are scammers who try to substitute tubes when seeking a refund).
Upon receipt of the tubes by you, you agree to refund the sellers purchase price + return shipping cost.
Move on.
Best,
I once sold a certain man a quad of Mullard EL34 xf1's who didn't like them so well. He was given a full refund including shipping, no questions asked. Looks like the hen has come home to roost. Selah...
90% of new is a joke as new tubes vary from design center that amount. The person auditioned the tubes & simply does not like them. Too much trouble can exist from this person for $100- refund upon receipt.
I bet I could tell you their, but I wont go there.
Offer a full refund including shipping.The buyer is convinced that he is right and there is nothing you can do to change his mind.
DO NOT bargin with him.
DO block him from all your future auctions.
Either he wants the tubes or he doesn't. A full refund with shipping removes any grounds for complaint.
I know $104 is a good price for these tubes, but if you got that price once, you can surely get it again. The only loss to you is the shipping cost which would be less than $10.
I would just chalk this one up to part of doing business on ebay.
N/T
There are two types of music- good and bad. Life is too short to bother much with one and hopefully long enough to fully appreciate the other...
I don't know for sure what is fair. Perhaps a link to your ended auction could shed more light on this for us. Did you test the tubes before you sold them? Some folks write down the test results on the tube boxes, or on tape placed on the tube glass envelope. What tube tester is he using? Was it calibrated anytine in the last decade? Is your tube tester calibrated? If you take them back look to make sure he did not substitute in used tubes on you. It is a tough call as a lot of folks threaten negative feedback. Some times you might have to suck it up and refund. Did your ad state "As is no refunds?" Did he pay big $$$ for these tubes? What is HIS feedback history? Does he buy lots of tubes like the ones you sold him? Good luck as there really is no easy answer. John
If he wants money back, let him send the tubes back to you and refund purchase price. A good seller should accomodate a customer who is sincerely unhappy with what he gets.If he wants a discount, say no. Either return it, or keep it.
Does that include being sincerely unpleased with the tubes sonics as easily apparent with that buyer?
nt
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