Would you buy something AS IS in Excellent condition?

I would assume that meant that the cosmetics were like new but the owner either could not test it or that it didn't run for some reason. I would make an offer based on the fact that the electronics would have to be replaced. The result would either a fair deal or a great deal but not a bad deal.

Pete

I just went through this on a locomotive I purchased at York.  Its a shelf princess until I get the parts.

Depends if you really wanted it and what you paid for it. I got it a great price because I knew something might be wrong... I will fix it up in due time.

Otherwise send it back.

If it's postwar, I would do it and I do it all the time. I expect something to be wrong with it and for me, fixing them is the fun part. So, if it looks really good, I always think that I can get it to run like it looks. Modern.......different story. I want a back up if the electronics aren't working.

Roger

If it isn't what the photos showed, you got suckered. Plain and simple.

That's what I thought, just double checking I guess to see if I was bamboozled.

As the forumite j. Daddy days. How bad do you want it? If you paid a premium, then you got sukka'd you might as well get your $$back. If you hot s hood deal and fixing it with the parts brings the value up to what you expected then let it be. Did you try contacting the seller stating your issue? Hr may credit you back some $$?

Does it work?  I can't see anything wrong in the pictures except there is no box and there is a missing adapter.  What specifically are you concerned about?  Do the handles work correctly?

I buy Excellent used equipment.  Excellent used is not New.  Were you told you were getting a box?  Sounds like the description was a little off, but I am trying to understand how much.

George

The one pictured in the box is a stock photo. I'm with George, I don't see the problem, but at the same time the seller used a stock photo which means he lied. I would take issue with him.

I assume that every item I purchase is "As is".

As far as your purchase goes: as I see it, the issue is that the seller used a stock photo, and not a picture of the item actually being sold, presumably without mentioned that in his ad.
I think that gives you justification for returning it if you wish.

No the left channel only will move 1/3 of the way up before you hear a grinding noise. I also got the box and that is the way it was packed in the box, nothing like the stock photo and missing the jumpers. It was more or less jammed in the foam without the power cords secured sticking out of the sides of the foam. It seems they didn't know how to box it up and forced it to improperly fit in the box.  I have bought several things that were sold as is in excellent condition without a problem but using a stock photo is misleading.

RRaddict2 posted:

No the left channel only will move 1/3 of the way up before you hear a grinding noise.

The handles on the ZW-C do feel a little rough / grind when they move.  However, if it is a bad grind, I would not characterize this as 'Excellent' condition.  You should contact the seller if you are not happy and itemize your concerns.  Then see what the seller offers.

The ZW-C can be repaired and serviced, and the PH180's are great power bricks.

George

Anything listed "as is" I consider to have something wrong with it. So no I would not and do not buy it.

The same goes for "not tested".

When I buy things, I interpret the "as is" statement to mean, "I know it doesn't work, but I don't want to disclose what is wrong with it".   As such, I expect the price to be at a parts level.   And even then some times you get taken.  Overheard two guys talking at the last train show I attended and one was telling what a great deal he thought he got on a MTH engine for $40.00.  After he got home, he discovered ALL of the internal electronics had been taken out, including the e-unit. 

I bought a MTH engine at York last year and the seller told me that the sound unit had been removed, otherwise it was a good runner.  The price was low enough that I could put sound in it, so I bought it.  And it was a good silent runner.  

Jim 1939 posted:

Anything listed "as is" I consider to have something wrong with it. So no I would not and do not buy it.

The same goes for "not tested".

Totally agree. I'm a fairly active Ebay buyer of train-related items and I view "As Is" as code for problems. Some may consider that unfair but my experience analyzing seller listings is that "As Is" is frequently used as shorthand by the seller to take the place of a more detailed description of the item. Rightly or wrongly, it's a red flag for me. 

I simply pass on all of them.

J Daddy posted:

Depends if you really wanted it and what you paid for it. I got it a great price because I knew something might be wrong... I will fix it up in due time.

I've done that on a few items that I knew were going to take work - it was something I wanted, a good price as it sat, and was work I knew I could do.

What happened here to the OP is something else entirely - used to be called bait & switch....

I don't know if I have enough information to make a factual remark.

However in my opinion looking at  those pictures he was trying to mislead someone.

Larry

I will use as is no return but I try to tell all that is wrong with an item. I have been burnt thru ebay because some said it not as described even thou it was but they made it sound a lot worst than what it is. It's shame that you can't honestly sell something on the bay without the worry of having to get it back and you have to pay the shipping both ways. I do not put it there because of something I'm hiding. I also say if you have a problem please contact me first. I want a good experience for both parties. 

Now with you question I would hope you got it thru Ebay as you can get all your money back even shipping and he will have to pay to have it returned. in the future get a post war one. 

So...it's OK for MTH, Lionel, or Atlas to show photos of items they're planning on making and then when the items arrive they're not what was shown in the original photos, or are we not applying the rules the same across the board?  I've seen folks here on the forum show images taken straight from a makers website, or no photos at all when selling things.

As far as your dilemma goes, you need to go to "that" website and read exactly who "they" are and what their policies are, and their FAQs.  There's more than just one seller on "that" site.

Have you plugged it in to see if it works?  As is is just that I'm afraid.  I've been fortunate in that I usually strip mine down anyway and do things to make them into what I want, but in this case (gazillion watt transformer) I'd be contacting the actual seller (not the website) and let them know you're not happy and that all the parts they promised were not there if that is the case.

It is fine to say 'as is', but this seller also said 'excellent condition'.  The 'excellent condition' set the expectation, along with the picture.  If he delivered something else, then 'as is' does not apply.  

I still can't tell if this is truly not as described or just a poor packing job.  Sounds like an inexperienced seller.  When I sell items, I try to repackage them like they were new to please my buyers. I also don't use stock photos of used items.  Actually, I think this may be a violation on eBay, but not sure where you bought it.

Does it work?

So...it's OK for MTH, Lionel, or Atlas to show photos of items they're planning on making and then when the items arrive they're not what was shown in the original photos, or are we not applying the rules the same across the board?

That is correct. The standards for what the big guys show in their catalogs for planned items are lower than the standards for sellers on the secondary market. Those catalogs have disclaimers that the item delivered may not match the catalog depictions. Plus there is no actual item to photograph.

I have purchased used-as-is items in better condition than new several times...because shipping can break either item just as easily. Also depends on the seller...I trust reputable auction sites...there are a couple I frequent, collection liquidators, that I have been very happy with both prices and the items I purchased. But...the more you buy...the greater the likelihood you will get a miss now and then...

I' ve gotten very few misses.

I depend on the seller's reputation.

If the description doesn't match the condition, and you paid with PayPal, you have recourse. If you truly believe you were scammed, report the seller to eBay.

Bricks are a good product.  Transformer, not so great.  I hope you got it cheap.

I would ask for my money back on this one.

Bob C.

Do the bricks work? What's the date code on the bricks?

What did you pay?

Then you can get some advice. My first bit of advice would be to immediately open a dispute/problem claim to keep your options open. Then communicate with the seller.

I put the 'AS-IS' disclaimer in all auctions I list.....just a cover all.  Buyers on ebay are so over protected that you have to do something.  I think 50% of used model items I buy have said same. SOP

I buy / sell on Ebay frequently.  "As-Is" to me is an alarm for problems.  If I sell as-is I know it has issues and state what they are.  I only buy as-is if the price is parts value or the item is a have-to-have.  That said... your item is not as described.  Excellent condition and broken do not go together.  I see engines on Ebay all the time that say "like new", "excellent", etc and the photos show something broken off, brass showing through the wheels...  I usually send a message to the seller informing them.

Using a stock photo and sending you broken garbage is not right.  You should take up your complaint with the seller if you paid more than the value of the two power supplies.  If the seller will not cooperate you can move the complaint to Ebay's complaint system.  If you paid via paypal you may have options there as well.  If you used American Express (directly or through paypal) you might have options there as well - some of their cards include refunding broken, stolen, buyers remorse... 

I paid 200.00 for the transformer and the bricks are both good.  I did buy it based on the photo which at the time I didn't know was a stock photo. I knew there was a chance it didn't work but the controller is nowhere near excellent condition. It was also missing parts which was not listed.  It is all marked up and the base is slightly bent.  I did file a claim with Paypal and the seller has replied to my claim and Paypal is in the decision making process which in the past has gone well for the buyers.  How much do the bricks themselves cost? I have seen them from 65.00-100.00 without shipping.

RRaddict2 posted:

I paid 200.00 for the transformer and the bricks are both good.  I did buy it based on the photo which at the time I didn't know was a stock photo. I knew there was a chance it didn't work but the controller is nowhere near excellent condition. It was also missing parts which was not listed.  It is all marked up and the base is slightly bent.  I did file a claim with Paypal and the seller has replied to my claim and Paypal is in the decision making process which in the past has gone well for the buyers.  How much do the bricks themselves cost? I have seen them from 65.00-100.00 without shipping.

$200 is an OK price.  The bricks are about $83 new, plus tax and shipping.  Used isn't too much less, since they usually last a long time.  So, if you paid $50 for the controller, is it worth it?  How much to fix the handle?  The second jumper plug is hard to find, but easy to make. Anyone who repairs the controller can make one for you.  I am not sure what other parts are missing.

George

BTW, I see recent sales for what you bought at between $208 and $280.  So, you didn't get a bad deal if the seller will fix it.

You are in a little high for a repair item.

Oh well, live and learn. As Is is just that - ask questions or pass.

It's Buyer Beware.

Take the cover off and take some photos. let's see what you need to get it fixed.

You may need 16, 17 , 24 and 35. The only part unavailable is the jumper plug. ZW-C parts

Okay I will take the cover off and take some pics of the inside.  Carl do you know how to make a jumper? I will take that advice that excellent condition doesn't always mean excellent condition and ask more questions. I will also start checking the products to make sure stock photos aren't being used.

This is the plug to make the jumper.

The pins go in the top two holes by the pointed / triangle end.  They are simply wired together.  Use a 14 gauge wire. The  Molex adapters can be ordered from Frys.com. For $4. (By the way, the picture I attached shows the wrong pins. The receptacle / female pins are the ones to use in this plug.) 

George

RRaddict2 posted:

Okay I will take the cover off and take some pics of the inside.  Carl do you know how to make a jumper? I will take that advice that excellent condition doesn't always mean excellent condition and ask more questions. I will also start checking the products to make sure stock photos aren't being used.

You might wait to take cover off until you hear from the seller.

I just checked, and I have spare plugs.  I can make you one and mail it to you if you email me your address. My email is in my profile.

George