Selling dispute. Please comment.


I recently sold a pair of mono amps and checked the box that indicated the original manual was included. I never use the manual for something like this and just assumed the manual was in the box as there were some various papers from the manufacturer in the boxes.

The buyer got the amps safely and they are in perfect condition as described. I shipped the same day the item sold. Unfortunately the manuals were not in the boxes the amps came in. These were the original boxes, but the manuals are not there according to the buyer.

I sent him the link to download the pdf of the manual. He is not happy with that. I offered to print a color double sided copy (on good stock) at Kinkos for $20 (at my expense) and ship that to him. He says that the original manual was promised and that I have to deliver that to him. And that he dervers two of them since the amps came in two separate boxes. He is threating to kill the deal and dispute with audiogon and paypal.

I admit that I'm in the wrong for mis-stating that the manuals were included. I will attempt to order the manuals from the manufacturer on Monday, but I don't know that the manufacturer will provide them even if I pay for them.

I'd appreciate comments regarding this problem. Thank you.
jaxwired
"One last point, if people are going to get worked up about misrepresentations in ads, then a far more serious problem is the 1 thru 10 grading system describing the equipment's condition. Are there really that many pieces for sale that qualify as 9s?"

On that point, I see clearly wrong ads all the time. In fact, the guy that sold me these exact amps, his ad said they came with "Remote". He checked the "Remote Included" box on his ad when he listed it. Now, of course power amps don't have remotes. However, should I make him give me my money back because he did not ship the remotes?

People make mistakes all the time in these ads. I've saw an ad yesterday where the expensive item was listed for $0. Should I demand that be honored?

A professionally printed version of the pdf, printed in color on thick glossly paper, printed in magazine format and center stapled like a magazine will be equal to or most likely far superior to the cheap black and white copy that was probably the original manual (which, by the way would probably have been folded and wrinkled too). And it surely would satisfy the future buyer should this guy ever sell. Which means there would be zero financial loss over the missing manuals. So how has he been damaged under those circumstances? It would be different if this was a collectible manual and the "original" version was somehow coveted by collectors and thereby added value. But that is not the case. Nobody collects "original" high end amp manuals. A quality copy has no less value than the original.

I don't see how a reasonable person would conclude that was not good enough. We are not talking about the amps OR any of the accessories which were all shipped as promised and were described correctly.
Can you contact the manufacturer and ask them if they can send you an original manual for the amp? If so, that should solve the problem. Unless it is a vintage or collectable, rare amp, I think they buyer is being VERY unreasonable, and just wants to back out of the deal.
I understand that the deal was breached, but the buyer is the kind of person I love to hate. I would have taken up that guys offer immediately and backed out on the deal with an apology. When the amps arrived back at my door step I would have a party. What Agon should ask of buyers is are they collecting gear to look at or are they buying gear to listen to. We all make mistakes and this guy doesn't seem to realize this and has his pantries in a bunch. He's playing you. I would call his bluff. Nothing in audio is a collectors item and anyone who says your amps are worth less without the manual is dillusional. Don't get me wrong though. This is clearly your fault. I just don't see what the big deal is.
I also agree about the rating system. I've seen 8/10 that looked like they took a belt sander to it and I've seen 9/10 amplifiers that are sitting on a paver patio for the pictures. How about speakers in a messy garage?
On that point, I see clearly wrong ads all the time. In fact, the guy that sold me these exact amps, his ad said they came with "Remote". He checked the "Remote Included" box on his ad when he listed it. Now, of course power amps don't have remotes. However, should I make him give me my money back because he did not ship the remotes?

Of course that's not really the same situation. Yes, the buyer is being more exacting than most of us would be, but there's no real value in speculating about why he's being difficult. You clearly want to do the right thing. If you can't get an original manual from the manufacturer (and you might ask them whether they come one per pair of monoblocks), then have him ship the stuff back to you and refund him all of the money when you have them. I'd make it very clear, though, that if there's a fingerprint on them, you'll send them right back to him. (And I'd arrange to check them out before officially taking delivery.)