A moral dilemma!

**vegan_virgin** · 26th February 2010, 18:01

ok so, i had a scooter which i just sold via trademe so i have money towards my new bike, figured i could cycle for a week or two. guy comes round, has a look, has a ride, says ok and hands over the money. that was two days ago.
just had a message on my phone asking me to ring him as the scooter has just broken down.
whats the etiquette with such things? do i just say sorry not my problem? or do i offer to take the scooter back and return his money?
i doubt he would have done anything stupid with it or be trying to kid me.
i dont watn to be a twat or have him think i sold him a lemon but at the same time i dont want to be $500 out of pocket either!

**mattian** · 26th February 2010, 18:05

He looked at the scooter and agreed to buy it from you. Money exchanged hands and in the eyes of the law its a done deal. Its not your fault it broke down straight after he bought it. Thats why you should get a mechanical appraisal of a vehicle before you buy it. Thats a lesson he learnt today.

**avgas** · 26th February 2010, 18:06

Not your responsibility. At $500 he didn't buy a warranty. Help him as much as you can without spending a dime.

**Slyer** · 26th February 2010, 18:11

Trademe sales are strictly as is unless you have given some sort of guarantee, or if you lied about something.
Help him out if you can but yes, don't spend any money.

**steve_t** · 26th February 2010, 18:15

Get his email address and keep as much of the communication in writing as you can. Sincerely sympathise with the issue and ask what has broken. Explain that you had no idea there were any potential issues otherwise you would have said so. BUT at the end of the day, there really isn't any legal or moral obligation on your part. Stink situation to be in but buying used vehicles really is 'caveat emptor' - let the buyer beware

**toycollector10** · 26th February 2010, 18:20

If the buyer is new to the game it could be something really simple and silly, i.e. forgot to turn on the petrol tap or it has run out of gas. If it's a two stroke did he put oil in the oil tank so the engine didn't seize?

**vegan_virgin** · 26th February 2010, 18:26

thanks for the replies, waiting to hear back from him, hoping it was just something silly and things dont turn into a feud!

**BoristheBiter** · 26th February 2010, 18:30

All of the above.
You have no idea how he has ridden it in the last two days.
As said unless you knew there was somthing wrong not your problem,

**vegan_virgin** · 26th February 2010, 18:37

was totally sold in good faith,ive been seen coming a few times in the past by dodgy dealers and lost money, wouldnt deliberately do that to somebody else. dont suppose anybody knows a scooter savvy mechanic in christchurch i could point him towards? at least then i'll feel like ive done something helpful!

**RentaTriumph** · 26th February 2010, 19:40

Street and Sport on Manchester Street do scooters.

**CookMySock** · 26th February 2010, 20:06

Money is in the baaaank darlin', ~oooo money is in the baaaaaaaaank!! oooh yeh baby, money is in the baaaaaank.

Yeah thats a bit embarrassing isn't it, but legally and every other way, it's not your problem. Buying bikes, cars, houses, etc is strictly YMMV. We've all been ripped one way or another, and when it's not YOU it's cause for celebration!

Steve

**crazyhorse** · 26th February 2010, 20:12

Hey! It could've broken down on you as well, but it didn't. You sold it in good faith, and he purchased it in good faith. Done deal. Really has become his problem. Try not to feel bad, its just one of those things. Sounds like you're a nice genunine bloke

**Mikkel** · 26th February 2010, 20:39

From your username and the thread title I thought the question was going to be: "Spit or swallow?"

**rapid van cleef** · 26th February 2010, 20:40

i would say, tough shit. you didnt offer a guarantee did you? youre not a store with warranties etc?

thats the gamble you take when buying second hand privately