Need advice on Craig's List situation

[tyriondraper]

Hi all,

I was wondering if I could ask your advice for a situation I'm having on CraigsList?

I sold a custom built computer and monitor for $150 about 3 weeks ago (here's the listing with specs: http://imgur.com/IhRgH6l). The computer had been stored in a closet on my balcony for a couple of months before I brought it out to try and sell it (I live in Phoenix, Arizona and this was during the summer). In booting the computer before the sale, I had no issues with it. When the man came to test it, the computer also had no issues. The guy was very nice, but he was a construction worker who had little knowledge of computers so the extent of his testing was just very basic playing around with the mouse and keyboard.

Just yesterday, I get a text from the guy saying that one of the RAM sticks is malfunctioning. Apparently, he had given the computer to his girlfriend in Tucson and he says from day one Windows was shutting down to "prevent damage from the computer". She ran a diagnostic and the hard drive checked out good, but there was a problem with the memory so she removed one memory stick, rebooted it, and everything worked fine. When she put the memory stick back in, it crashed again.

So I'm just having trouble figuring out what I should do here and have some questions:

1) Does their story check out? i.e. if a RAM stick went out, does it sound as how they describe it would happen?

2) Could storing the computer in the closet have done any damage to it? I really almost never used the computer after building it, so I'm surprised that the memory would conk out. The closet is dark and out of the sun, but items do get a little warm in there during the day.

3) Could the RAM problem not have cropped up when I was testing the computer or showing it to him? I have to think that the computer would've crashed before I sold it if the problem had been there.

4) Any advice on how to handle this? The guy is a really nice guy, had a great vibe from him when he came to buy the computer so I really don't think he's lying. At the same time, it's three weeks later and the computer has been in transit and moved around, so it's possible they could've damaged it. Though if leaving it in the closet outside could've done some damage, I'm willing to take responsibility for it.

What I'm thinking of doing now is crediting back $20 if they send me the broken RAM stick back. But I would appreciate your guys advice on how to handle this. Thanks!

 

[Supahos]

That is exactly how bad ram would present itself. Storing it shouldn't hurt it they run around 80C comfortably I doubt it was hotter than that in your attic. What you want to do for him is up to you. Moving a computer can't really hurt ram sometimes it just goes bad. Think how many times that ram was moved before you got it. All over a factory, on a truck, on a conveyor belt at a distributor, truck again to seller, conveyor again, truck again to you and so on...

 

[tyriondraper]

That is exactly how bad ram would present itself. Storing it shouldn't hurt it they run around 80C comfortably I doubt it was hotter than that in your attic. What you want to do for him is up to you. Moving a computer can't really hurt ram sometimes it just goes bad. Think how many times that ram was moved before you got it. All over a factory, on a truck, on a conveyor belt at a distributor, truck again to seller, conveyor again, truck again to you and so on...

Thanks for the reply. Does RAM go bad over time, or is it a usage thing? Because I really barely ever used this computer. Is it possible it could've been defective?

 

[mcnumpty23]

totally up to you

but say you give them the 20 dollars for arguments sake

what happens if in a couple of weeks they say hold on something else is faulty too?

personally when i sell second hand pc stuff

they can sit and test it how ever they like

but once they say yes i will buy it and pay the cash then they own it

and thats the end of it

caveat emptor i am afraid

 

[tyriondraper]

totally up to you

but say you give them the 20 dollars for arguments sake

what happens if in a couple of weeks they say hold on something else is faulty too?

personally when i sell second hand pc stuff

they can sit and test it how ever they like

but once they say yes i will buy it and pay the cash then they own it

and thats the end of it

caveat emptor i am afraid

Yeah this is why I'm torn. If he's being honest, then the problem happened immediately. Is it possible this RAM issue could've been there but not come up when I was using it before selling it? I mean i didn't use it extensively, just turned it on, plugged in the internet and tested a web page. And months before I had put it in the closet, I reformatted the hard drive and reinstalled windows and didn't have a problem.

 

[mcnumpty23]

totally up to you

but say you give them the 20 dollars for arguments sake

what happens if in a couple of weeks they say hold on something else is faulty too?

personally when i sell second hand pc stuff

they can sit and test it how ever they like

but once they say yes i will buy it and pay the cash then they own it

and thats the end of it

caveat emptor i am afraid

Yeah this is why I'm torn. If he's being honest, then the problem happened immediately. Is it possible this RAM issue could've been there but not come up when I was using it before selling it? I mean i didn't use it extensively, just turned it on, plugged in the internet and tested a web page.

yes its possible cant deny that

if you decide to give him the benefit of the doubt and refund him 20 dollars

make it perfectly clear that its a one off because hes a nice guy

but you just cant give a guarantee on second hand hardware that seemed to work fine when he collected it

like i said though its totally your decision which way to go

 

[bigpinkdragon286]

Turning the computer on and booting into Windows is not a sufficient test of the RAM. Whether the RAM was defective before the sale, or something happened after the sale will have to be taken as a matter of good will.

If the terms of the sale were "as is," it really is up to the buyer to check out the equipment before making the sale. Unfortunately, just like some folks are very poor choices when it comes to checking out used cars, a construction worker is not the best choice to test drive computer equipment before purchase.

If it's that big of a deal, you might give them a $10 - 20 refund for the bad memory module, which of course should be returned to you if that's the case. Alternatively, many memory modules carry a lifetime warranty, so may still be eligible for RMA. G Skill memory does carry a limited lifetime warranty, provided you are the original purchaser. It certainly wouldn't hurt to apply for an RMA through the manufacturer.

 

[4745454b]

The computer had been stored in a closet on my balcony for a couple of months before I brought it out to try and sell it (I live in Phoenix, Arizona and this was during the summer)

I've bolded the issues I see. Someone said they run at 80C which I also disagree with. GPUs sure, but most CPUs will throttle around 60-65C, and the RAM sticks run at the system temp which is usually around 40C. Which comes out to 104F. Inside a closet (small space) located on a balcony (outside) in Phoenix in the summer time would hit a lot more than 104F. If your highs are around 110F+, and it's in a no moving air closet, I'm assuming like a parked car it's going to get warmer than 110F.

What I'm trying to say is unless you checked the ram before you sold it there is a good chance it was bad when they bought it. That said, weeks passed before they said anything. Usually CL sales are final. Generally I try to be nice and allow a 7-10day return period. If 3 weeks, 21 days passed before they said anything I'm not sure how helpful I would be. I would probably do something, not sure what. I'd also double check the ram stick and slot.

 

[USAFRet]

I'd lay the entire blame on his semi-geek GF (or her buddies in Tucson). She was screwing with something, and now it does not work right.

It worked correctly when you had it, it worked correctly when you powered it up for him.
She had it and now it magically is faulty. hmmmm.....

But in the interest of being a 'nice guy', I'd give him $20 in exchange for the RAM stick back. Assuming it is still under warranty, get a new one and either sell it as new, or use it for yourself.

 

[tyriondraper]

Turning the computer on and booting into Windows is not a sufficient test of the RAM. Whether the RAM was defective before the sale, or something happened after the sale will have to be taken as a matter of good will.

If the terms of the sale were "as is," it really is up to the buyer to check out the equipment before making the sale. Unfortunately, just like some folks are very poor choices when it comes to checking out used cars, a construction worker is not the best choice to test drive computer equipment before purchase.

If it's that big of a deal, you might give them a $10 - 20 refund for the bad memory module, which of course should be returned to you if that's the case. Alternatively, many memory modules carry a lifetime warranty, so may still be eligible for RMA. G Skill memory does carry a limited lifetime warranty, provided you are the original purchaser. It certainly wouldn't hurt to apply for an RMA through the manufacturer.

Thanks for the info on the warranty, didn't even realize that was possible.

 

[tyriondraper]

The computer had been stored in a closet on my balcony for a couple of months before I brought it out to try and sell it (I live in Phoenix, Arizona and this was during the summer)

I've bolded the issues I see. Someone said they run at 80C which I also disagree with. GPUs sure, but most CPUs will throttle around 60-65C, and the RAM sticks run at the system temp which is usually around 40C. Which comes out to 104F. Inside a closet (small space) located on a balcony (outside) in Phoenix in the summer time would hit a lot more than 104F. If your highs are around 110F+, and it's in a no moving air closet, I'm assuming like a parked car it's going to get warmer than 110F.

What I'm trying to say is unless you checked the ram before you sold it there is a good chance it was bad when they bought it. That said, weeks passed before they said anything. Usually CL sales are final. Generally I try to be nice and allow a 7-10day return period. If 3 weeks, 21 days passed before they said anything I'm not sure how helpful I would be. I would probably do something, not sure what. I'd also double check the ram stick and slot.

I don't know if I'd say it's like out being in a parked car, but this is the closet: http://imgur.com/a/i2t7S . I just touched that TV box and it was very warm I'd say, not hot. Do you think it's possible this could've damaged or worn out other components like the battery? Hope I didn't sell this guy a lemon.

 

[tyriondraper]

I'd lay the entire blame on his semi-geek GF (or her buddies in Tucson). She was screwing with something, and now it does not work right.

It worked correctly when you had it, it worked correctly when you powered it up for him.
She had it and now it magically is faulty. hmmmm.....

But in the interest of being a 'nice guy', I'd give him $20 in exchange for the RAM stick back. Assuming it is still under warranty, get a new one and either sell it as new, or use it for yourself.

Do you think this even with the comments about the heat?

 

[USAFRet]

I'd lay the entire blame on his semi-geek GF (or her buddies in Tucson). She was screwing with something, and now it does not work right.

It worked correctly when you had it, it worked correctly when you powered it up for him.
She had it and now it magically is faulty. hmmmm.....

But in the interest of being a 'nice guy', I'd give him $20 in exchange for the RAM stick back. Assuming it is still under warranty, get a new one and either sell it as new, or use it for yourself.

Do you think this even with the comments about the heat?

Maybe, dunno.
Either way...$20 and return of the RAM stick.

 

[4745454b]

Cardboard doesn't hold heat like metal, though I wasn't expecting a room with a door like you showed in the pic. I was thinking a "locker" outside with no shade from above. That's more like a closet with shade. Considering the time that has passed and he said it was ok when he bought it I'm less inclined to be helpful.

If it can be RMA'd then I would totally help with that. No reason to be a jerk about helping them fix it. But used equipment doesn't come with 30day money back.

 

[tyriondraper]

Cardboard doesn't hold heat like metal, though I wasn't expecting a room with a door like you showed in the pic. I was thinking a "locker" outside with no shade from above. That's more like a closet with shade. Considering the time that has passed and he said it was ok when he bought it I'm less inclined to be helpful.

If it can be RMA'd then I would totally help with that. No reason to be a jerk about helping them fix it. But used equipment doesn't come with 30day money back.

He actually said that it had been screwing up from the start, but not sure why it took this long to contact. Maybe they were working through the problem.

 

[4745454b]

Maybe, but I've bought used stuff and had issues with it. I've contacted the seller IMMEDIATELY asking what they wanted done. Sometimes we've trouble shot together. Once I paid a shop $20 to test a CPU in a known working board. (Shop was unwilling to test a known good CPU in the used board I bought in case the board was bad and frying CPUs.) Other times the seller just asked for it to be shipped back. But I've never bought anything, or had anyone buy something from me then tell me 3 weeks later that since day one it's been locking up, BSODing, etc. That's the part I have an issue with.

 

[USAFRet]

"working through the problem" does not take 3 weeks.

 

[bigpinkdragon286]

The heat from the storage room is irrelevant. There would not be enough heat in there to damage DRAM modules. Look at a data sheet for a DRAM chip sometime. First one I pulled up lists a storage temperature of over 150°C (302°F). You also have to understand that these chips have to survive re balling and re flowing, which subjects them to even higher temperatures for short periods of time.

Since you never fault tested the RAM before the sale, you can't say with any assurance that the RAM was not faulty.

 

[tyriondraper]

Appreciate the help from everyone. I decided to refund the guy back $20 as long as he can send me the faulty RAM module. I'm going to try and see if it's under warranty and if I can get a replacement. Thanks!

 

[mcnumpty23]

Appreciate the help from everyone. I decided to refund the guy back $20 as long as he can send me the faulty RAM module. I'm going to try and see if it's under warranty and if I can get a replacement. Thanks!

you are very welcome