What's the right thing to do?

The23rdman

The23rdman

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I bought a D90 from eBay several months back, hardly used it and then decided to sell to upgrade to a D700. The guy who bought it from Gumtree seemed happy enough. He asked if the sensor was clean and I said that I had no idea as I shoot wide open and never stop down enough to notice. Anyway, he emailed me just now to say that he's had the sensor cleaned and there is a scratch on the sensor, which he thought was a hair, and Calumet quoted several hundred for a replacement. He's asked my to take the camera back. Bear in mind that this was a month ago and looking through my photos I can see one image that could be a scratch or could be a hair, but nothing anywhere else. What would you do? What are a) his rights and b) my rights?
 
as its a private sale its a case of caveat emptor. Having said that if he'd come and said that after a day I'd probably refund. After a month, when you don't know hows its been used I probably wouldn't. I don't think you can do any more then let your morals guide you
 
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Could have happened when it was cleaned, would be my reply to him. (and indeed it could)

He bought it as seen, from you (probably for cash?) having found it via Gumtree.

....so I personally would not take it back, especially after a month.
 
He says it shows on his photos from day one and (I'm guessing he can prove that).
 
The23rdman said:
He says it shows on his photos from day one and (I'm guessing he can prove that).
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If you had put that in your original post it would have been helpful!

......so you don't need anyone on here to tell you what to do now, it is up to you.
 
Tigger.ufo said:
If you had put that in your original post it would have been helpful!

......so you don't need anyone on here to tell you what to do now, it is up to you.
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He can see it but I can't on my photos.
 
So what's to say he didn't take it home, clean the sensor and scratch it?
 
I've asked for some examples so I can see if I have anything that even faintly shows it. Can't really do more until I know.
 
Maybe if you are on the verge of refunding him, ask to try the camera again yourself first, with one of your lenses maybe, to see if you can see the hairline crack <snigger> in shots you take? He might suddenly decide he doesnt want the refund after all.
 
DorsetDude said:
Maybe if you are on the verge of refunding him, ask to try the camera again yourself first, with one of your lenses maybe, to see if you can see the hairline crack <snigger> in shots you take? He might suddenly decide he doesnt want the refund after all.
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I'll see the images first and go from there.
 
....what is his reason for waiting a month to let you know?
 
Honestly, no idea. Says he sent it to Calumet, but couldn't have been that bothered to wait till now.
 
Bottom line is that you do not have to take it back.

.....if you think he is genuine, you could offer a partial refund, but, again, this is entirely optional.
 
That's what I'm thinking. I do feel that he is genuine so I may do that or offer to buy the camera back at a reduced rate and then sell it on as spares and repairs.
 
Does sound a bit dodgy especially after a month. Thats the trouble with gumtree selling though, they know where you live.
 
DorsetDude said:
Does sound a bit dodgy especially after a month. Thats the trouble with gumtree selling though, they know where you live.
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I think I could handle him. :D
 
Honestly, the fact that he's waited a month (for watever reason), loses him any credence as far as I'm concerned.
Images or not, he's got no evidence that the alleged fault existed at the time of sale.
Make lots of sympathetic noises shortly before you ask him politely to "do one".
 
He's a chancer. Sent me this link and thought I'd buy it. Ha! I sent him this shot taken at f10 the day before he bought the camera...
 
At least put the damned thing in the same place and "make it" the same shape :D
 
Cobra said:
At least put the damned thing in the same place and "make it" the same shape :D
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I know! Judging by this he occasionally shots holding the camera upside down. :eek:
 
The23rdman said:
I know! Judging by this he occasionally shots holding the camera upside down. :eek:
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I noticed that too.
Some people are so talented :D
At least your conscience is clear :thumbs:
 
I assume he got the standard reply BTW?
One word, Hyphenated, 7 letters, begins with "F" and ends with "f"
 
I was a bit more polite, but that was the essence of it.
 
Tell him the deal is done and there's nothing you can do. He's had plenty time so far to get hold of you from day one. If it were my self that sold him the camera I wouldn't do anything about it, it's a done deal. Now if he contacted me the day he got it then yes, I probably would have done something or at least thought about it but not a month down the line. He's taking you for a t**t. It's a risk buyers have to take with private internet sales.

Or let me tell him :D
 
lol some people do try and take the p*** dont they
 
As you bought the camera from Ebay in the first instance a few months ago then I'd bet the scratch was already there then.

If your punter wants consumer rights like that then they have to buy from a shop and pay shop prices. Gumtree prices means an email back with 'jog on'.

Just noticed your pic. Ha. Even better. Proof your punter has probably scratched it himself :D
 
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He's sent me some RAWs taken the day he bought it - an hour later - and I can see the mark, but I still don't see how it can be a scratch based on the fact that it moves around the frame and sometimes appears upside down. Correct me if I'm wrong...
 
The23rdman said:
He's sent me some RAWs taken the day he bought it - an hour later - and I can see the mark, but I still don't see how it can be a scratch based on the fact that it moves around the frame and sometimes appears upside down. Correct me if I'm wrong...
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Looks more like a squiggly hair not a scratch. Looking at his pics. Rocket blower would shift it.

Have you got a quote number from calumet proving they say it is a scratch and could they explain how it was completely unscratched the day before and you have evidence?
 
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Yeah so he knew there was an issue from day 1 but has waited a month to deal with it. He could have said something at the start.
As it's been so long I would just say sorry but it was sold as seen/tested.

For all you know the sensor was dirty he's tried to clean it and screwed up then gone to a pro to get it fixed which is now going to cost him more than the camera
 
Say I'm sorry but no. The worst he can do is take you to a small claim court. However the balance of probabilities is well in your favour here.
 
Okay, I've had another hunt and I can see it now on this image, but I still can't see how this can move around the frame or turn upside down?
 
There is no way in hell that that is a scratch. A scratch would be static and the same shape.

Scratches don't change shape or move around the sensor.
 
ecoleman said:
There is no way in hell that that is a scratch. A scratch would be static and the same shape.

Scratches don't change shape or move around the sensor.
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That's what I thought.
 
So he has sent it to Calumnet.

...what did they say? Is the wiggly line that you can see a scratch or not? or is there actually another scratch which has been caused by him trying to clean it?
 
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