Sold a Second-Hand Gas Heater a Month Ago, Buyer Says It Has Stopped Working - What to Do?

Ghogger on 06/07/2020 - 11:31
Last edited 06/07/2020 - 11:40 by 1 other user

Hey OzBargainers,

I sold a Rinnai Avenger 25 gas heater (solid good quality model) to someone on Facebook marketplace about a month ago. I just received a text today that the heater has stopped working. The buyer told me that they called Rinnai and that they said 'this is what happens if it's not serviced regularly'. I only had the heater for ~6 months or so and never got it serviced (and don't know when it was last serviced).

It's a second-hand item, obviously with no warranty from me included. I do think the buyers are genuine, so wanted to get an idea of how others might handle this tricky situation?

Thanks!

Poll Options

  • 211
    Tell them that while it's unfortunate, it's a second hand item with no warranty
  • 3
    Offer to help pay for a repair
  • 1
    Offer a refund
Home & Garden

Comments

  • contrafibularities on 06/07/2020 - 11:40
    +30

    I think the technical legal term is “too bad, so sad”.

    • blitz on 06/07/2020 - 12:14
      +6

      OP may also seek remedy under "Not my circus, not my monkeys".

      • TheOtherLeft on 06/07/2020 - 12:48

        "Non mihi in circo ludios interponebat non pavos"

        • shakoo on 08/07/2020 - 10:15

          that translation doesn't make sense >_<

    • payton on 06/07/2020 - 12:19
      +1

      the shorthand for that term

  • pegaxs on 06/07/2020 - 11:41
    +9

    Possibility that they used yours for parts to fix theirs (that inadvertently had never been serviced) and now want to get their money back.

    End of the day, it's a used item and you sold it in working condition. Unless you put some guarantee on it that it was last X amount of time, its just a case of "I'm sorry."

    That's why used items are cheaper, because they often don't have warranty and may need servicing/repairs in the near future.

    • AngusD on 06/07/2020 - 14:58
      +2

      Yep. If they wanted a brand new one then they should have bought a brand new one.

  • Mechz on 06/07/2020 - 11:42
    +6

    Block the number and get on with life.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/07/2020 - 11:45
    +3

    Sold as is.

  • holdenmg on 06/07/2020 - 11:55
    +2

    Maybe they installed it wrong?

    Troubleshoot & Error Codes:
    https://www.manualslib.com/manual/618685/Rinnai-Avenger-25.h…

    They could pay Rinnai for a service call for the heater they own…

  • Hithere on 06/07/2020 - 11:57
    +4

    Nothing tricky about the situation. Ignore them.

    Caveat emptor.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/07/2020 - 11:58
    +1

    Block button

  • whooah1979 on 06/07/2020 - 12:16
    +4

    Give them the invoice so that they can claim the warranty from the supplier.

    • brendanm on 06/07/2020 - 13:20
      +1

      Looks like op purchased it used 6 months ago.

  • payton on 06/07/2020 - 12:17
    +4

    I only had the heater for ~6 months or so and never got it serviced (and don't know when it was last serviced).

    So its already 2nd hand when you bought it six months ago, OP?
    Depending on how old the item is, might be able to pursue manufacturer under ACL - reasonable lifetime of electrical goods
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-26/how-long-should-a-fri…

    • dizzle on 06/07/2020 - 13:15
      +1

      Third owner is unlikely to have original proof of purchase, so unlikely to be able to make a claim.

  • JimmyF on 06/07/2020 - 13:14
    +4

    It's a second-hand item, obviously with no warranty from me included

    /thread

  • bdl on 06/07/2020 - 13:30
    +2
    • laugh and point
  • brad1-8tsi on 06/07/2020 - 13:40
    +6

    I had a Rinnai for 25 years and never had it serviced. It's still working at my old house. All they need is the dust removed off the filters. If you can be bothered, ask Rinnai what they actually do in a service - it's SFA.

    Tell the people that if they wanted warranty they should have bought a new one from a retailer and paid the full price.

  • Alan Laz on 06/07/2020 - 13:55
    +1

    So much we don't know.

    It is a complex item ; It needs installing

    So many points of failure, for a second / third hand item

    Amazed OP managed to sell it, because

    1. It's already second hand, what is wrong with it (impossible to confirm)
    2. Why is a second / third hand heater attractive to a buyer given the issues that may arise.
      2a - how was it detached (at least twice)
      2b - how was it installed for the final time and what testing was undertaken

    Wow.

    The purchaser is a fool. As they say, a fool and his money are easily parted; so tell the purchaser to disappear.

    Caveat Emptor.

    • kipps on 06/07/2020 - 18:28

      Or, more likely, the purchaser isn’t a fool and simply bought this for parts.

  • Blue Suby on 06/07/2020 - 14:14

    Are they connected to mains gas or LPG? Needs to have the jets changed (not sure of the technical term) if they are using wrong gas.

  • Iam12 on 06/07/2020 - 16:24
    +4

    Why is this even a question, don't entertain anything like this from anyone.

    Second hand item warranty expiration:

    Heaters - Until they leave with the item
    Cars - Until you see the brake lights disappear
    Mobile Phones - As soon as the money exchanges hands and the phone is in the buyers possession
    Anything else - See above

    I don't trust anyone after they've left mainly because I've only sold items I know are good. Who knows what happened around the corner. Hit a kerb? Dropped the phone? Plugged the heater into a faulty line and fried it. Not my problem anymore.

  • brokenglish on 06/07/2020 - 17:32

    I hope the transaction did not happen outside your house.

    • Ghogger on 07/07/2020 - 07:51
      +1

      In my apartment - I showed them the heater operating.

      • lew380 on 07/07/2020 - 10:36
        +1

        They brought a fully functional heater, now it's their problem

  • Ghogger on 07/07/2020 - 07:40
    +2

    Thanks for the comments everyone.

    The heater was installed in my apartment. I used it for the past couple of months and started up every day and worked perfectly. Only reason I sold is because I had two identical units and only one bayonet.

    The buyer came to my apartment, saw the heater operational, paid the money and left.
    I doubt that it's some kind of scam (they were new to Australia and didn't seem to know how the gas outlet worked and might have installed it incorrectly)..

    I think I will just direct them to a reputable repairer in Sydney and leave it there. It's an unfortunate situation (and sucks considering it's the middle of winter), but I certainly didn't sell the heater expecting it to stop working within a month.

    • TheBilly on 08/07/2020 - 07:36
      +1

      they were new to Australia and didn't seem to know how the gas outlet worked and might have installed it incorrectly

      There in lies the problem. They dont understand the dynamic of purchasing in Australia and thought Facebook and Gumtree are like Bunnings at 20% of the cost.

      I would just say, that is unfortunate to hear. I would recommend you contact Rinnai for a repair quote, unfortunately I cannot help you as there is no warranty on this product. Thank you and Good Bye.

  • Ozpit on 07/07/2020 - 11:49

    Yes, a very unfortunate situation. Them being new arrivals would make me much more sympathetic. They would be unfamiliar with Australia, with little finances and possibly English?
    Did they have it professionally installed? If so, they should get the plumber/gas fitter to come back. If it needs repairs, that could very possibly cost more than what they paid for it.
    Personally, I would at least help them find a repairer and find out what the upfront outcall cost would be. It may end up being a very minor problem. If you got a fair price for it, maybe you could give them a part (small) refund.
    Ultimately, do what your conscience tells you. Remember the golden rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If you were in their position, what would you think would be reasonable?
    Note: my Rinnai gas heater is around 25 years old, has never been serviced and still runs perfectly. It runs on natural gas.

  • ravinleague on 07/07/2020 - 15:03

    I purchased a Sportop Elliptical from a buyer on Facebook's Marketplace and it stopped working. When I called up the seller, she told she didnt use the machine or serviced for 3 years. I then called up the showroom and they've told these machines were made to last but with atleast once in a year service. I lost 500$ plus 180$ for hiring someone to fix it.

  • Tigercjn on 07/07/2020 - 15:05

    Say sorry, the unit was sold as-is with no warranty.

  • HeWhoKnows on 07/07/2020 - 22:28
    -1

    You have NO IDEA what he has done to the heater so dont feel bad about it.
    Response is that it has worked fine for you for years.
    Just LEAVE CONVERSATION in Messenger.
    Its that simple

  • Whisper Quiet on 08/07/2020 - 06:05

    It depends how much they paid for it and what it's worth brand new maybe $1500?. If you're feeling generous you could give them a little bit of cashback or help them to organise repairs etc… Otherwise don't worry about it. So many comments here saying they're probably trying to screw you over. Not everyone's an A**hole. They probably would have done it a lot sooner if they were. Maybe try find out what you can about it and talk to them. If they do start getting angry or difficult then just leave it to them to sort out.

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