expected warranty period on used bus stuff

[kyle4501]

I've been thinking a little after hearing a tirade of bitching & moaning from someone after buying a used lawn mower from a co-worker. (seems the motor is bad after 3 or 4 grass cuttings)

I'm curious as to what others think about a sellers warranty obligation to the buyer when it comes to used stuff? For this discussion, lets assume the seller is not an expert rebuilder or manufacturer the item is functioning properly at the time of sale & takes a dump shortly after the check clears the bank.

What is the sellers responsibility for:

An inverter?  A diesel fired water heater?  A genset?  A fridge?  A toad?  A bus?  etc.

My thoughts are that I have a choice, pay up front & buy new with the expectation trouble free use -OR- gamble to try to save some $$ & buy used knowing that it may not work out as well as I had hoped.

Am I cheating myself by not demanding full warranties with used stuff? OR are others unreasonable in expecting the seller to bear full financial burden for the future function of the stuff?

Thanks,
kyle4501

[Brian Diehl]

When I buy used I expect to take full responsibility for the item if it works as described right when I get it.  Even if it only works correctly one time I am responsible if it fails the second time I use it.  However, if I buy something with a written or oral agreement with the seller then I would fall back to that agreement if it failed due to no fault of mine.  Basically, a used item is exactly that and I take the full burden of the "luck of the draw".

[TomC]

In a word-none.  Good Luck, TomC

[Stan]

If you ever try to sell a converted bus, you would be surprised at how many tire kickers expect to get a new vehicle warranty.

The usual warranty on anything used expires at the end of the driveway.

[kyle4501]

Well, that's what I thought too. Nice to see I'm in such good company. 

[DavidInWilmNC]

I agree with the above posts with one exception.  When one finds out that the seller / original owner knew of a problem, hid it, and lied when asked about any known problems or issues or previous problems or issues, I think the buyer has the 'right' to bitch and moan.  That's why I always ask for a guarantee against an item being DOA when I buy on eBay.  I've bought about 150 items with about three being bad.  The sellers replaced the item or refunded my money in all cases. 

David

[Hartley]

As-Is where is. Buyer Beware.

I always assume that there is no warranty even on new stuff. This way the risk is mine and nobody elses and I understand
that up front. It may not be everyones way to do things but if you expect a seller of something previously owned or used to the responsible after you take it you are only fooling yourself.

If the seller offers assistance you may be able to work through whatever the problem is but usually there is a limit
on what you should expect and how far the seller is responsible.

Senseless lawsuits do not make you a better person, Just one who expects stuff to be better than it looks or performs
or even your inexperience that may have caused damage or failure, Why should the seller be held for that.

As a buyer you need to know what you are buying and whether it will do what you want. If you fly blind and have no
information on which to base a reasonable expectation you are the problem and maybe not the seller.

Oh Well... I buy junk anyway... The dumpster companies don't warranty items that you recover anyway....

[Hartley]

The DOA warranty is a good thing, I have had that happen and the dealer was more than helpful in the eBay deals.

There is usually a statement from dealers that spell out what they are willing to do for you. Some good and some bad...

[kyle4501]

Hey David,
I do agree that if you are unable to personally inspect something before you purchase it, then there should be some DOA clause & that is where you have to make the decision BEFORE you buy it. It would be nice to have it in writing to minimize misunderstandings. BUT, the price should reflect the risk factor.


I'm just amazed by the unrealistic expectations some have. I guess logic escapes some. .  .   .

[FloridaCliff]

I agree with the end of the driveway.

If sold "as is", your on your own.   Always sell AS-IS.  

But, always a damn but, if its a friend or neighbor I will usually allow for a unexpected problem.

Always a risk selling anything to a friend, family, co-worker.

Personally, If I sold one of the above a used mower and the motor blew after a few cuts, (understand that it would have left my shop serviced) I would refund the money or help with the repair up to my sale price.

My thoughts are it would probably have happened to me if I kept it.

Its just not worth the hard feelings to me.

Cliff

[jjrbus]

 I agree with Cliff on this one. Although I normally do not sell something to a friend, with a few exceptions, most things I will just give to a friend. Most of my friends have done so much for me that I would feel guilty taking thier money!
Somebody at work sells somebody else a lawnmower and it goes bad soon after. How do you know, they checked the oil, the gas was good, overroad the govenor, or they ran it into something, tried to start it with starting fluid ect?

[Busted Knuckle]

Growing up in the towing / junk yard busines I learned early tail light sigt is the only way to warranty something that is 50% or more off from what a "new" item with warranty sell for! Things can often be worked out for an exchange of simular item or same value if it's not good from start ! But if the mower worked 3-4 times the warranty expired 2-3 times ago! Just my opinion, if I take a gamble and buy used I lose if it don't work! That's that price you pay,for not paying full price! BK 

Oh yeah if I give away a pile of used tires an I tell ya we ran 'em down to almost slick and regrooved them. Then regrooved them again, and they're slick again. I'm tell'n ya for all practical commercial applications they are junk! But if ya still want them the whole pile is yours! Good lock and don't call me if you can see air through them after you mount them! I only guarantee that they used to hold air! Right Steve?  LOL! BK 

[Hartley]

If you assume going in that its probably broken or going to break and use due dilligence
to check it over before you use it. That works (sometimes).

I give stuff to friends all the time. Sometimes I get stuff use it and forget later why I stopped using it and give it away
rather than selling it. Sometimes stuff goes horribly wrong later but I always tell them not to expect stuff to be like new
cause it's probably got problems and that why I was getting rid of it anyway.

I recently sold a really big lawnmower to a friend of a friend. I know the engine and running gear are good because I checked
it out thouroughly when I got it  but other things needed some serious attention. They had to spend about a grand to rebuild the mower deck and replace the tires. I didn't sell it as a working mower I sold it as a project mower that needed work and they understood that from the beginning.

Well, I got a call the other night, The mower runs like a new one of equal size and at about $1600 invested they saved over 4 grand to get one similar to it. Happy Happy....

Not every deal goes well and both the buyer and seller can become sworn enemies but most can be worked out if everyone stays calm and works through stuff....