We used to keep a bar fridge upstairs, have since moved it to the garage unplugged. It was in the garage for a couple of years until we decided we won't need it and sold it on Gumtree.
It was listed for $120, sold for $80. We plugged it in a few days before hand and it worked fine (it was cold). Then came the weekend, met the buyer at a service station (always meet at a public place), and that was the end of it, or so we thought.
Another few days got a call from the buyer, he said fridge worked for a couple of days then started making noise and no longer cold, he wants a refund. I told him it was sold as is, but would consider to work something out. At the time I was thinking about maybe give him $40 back.
Spoke to a friend later that night, he advised against any partial refunds for 4 reasons:
1) We don't know what he did, but we do know it worked before.
2) That's the risk of buying used, would he pay more if the fridge works perfectly fine for the next 10 years?
3) Compromising would just make it look like there's a known problem.
4) There's no consumer protection on private sales, especially not on used goods.
He has a point, but can feel for the buyer too (if he didn't do anything to break it). In hindsight should have use the $80 towards a new fridge.
Anyway, any suggestions what to do or just ignore him?
Yeah, sometimes you just can't tell if something works.
Got a fish tank years ago but it was never setup, new in box. When I sold it I had no idea if it actually works, and it wasn't practical to test it (would become used and have water running through the pipes and filters.
Made it clear it was priced accordingly, if pump was not working or any leaks they have to deal with it. Buyer had no issue, never heard from him.