Server equipement

check Ebay for recent solds....that should give you an idea. you might be able to sell parts if nothing else.

Originally Posted by gus4113

take it apart...thats half the fun!

NOT if it is worth more whole or even the parts (ie take apart nicely since it came from a working environment and those can be resold). Only destroy stuff when recycling is the LAST resort (you will get the least amount of money for it). Maximize what you get when you can...Granted, it IS fun to take a hammer to one if you are just scrapping it.

Originally Posted by webuyselltradestuff

NOT if it is worth more whole or even the parts (ie take apart nicely since it came from a working environment and those can be resold). Only destroy stuff when recycling is the LAST resort (you will get the least amount of money for it). Maximize what you get when you can...Granted, it IS fun to take a hammer to one if you are just scrapping it.

I'll second this! When I first started doing E-waste I tore down a working Alphserver 1200 for scrap.. could have netted myself $1500 instead if I resold it!

check to see if the parts or whole item is even worth the hassle...$50 well maybe not...$1000 then yep. You can also say is was pulled form a working environment but you cannot PERSONALLY test it...therefore there is a 3 day refund policy (minus shipping or they can ship back on their dime for a full refund). I have done that before...gives them a get out of jail free card for 3 days. I do that where they don't come back weeks later since it is an AS IS USED UNIT.....disclose the key missing as well. Might get less, but it is more than scrap hopefully OR tear that sucker apart.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by webuyselltradestuff

check to see if the parts or whole item is even worth the hassle...$50 well maybe not...$1000 then yep. You can also say is was pulled form a working environment but you cannot PERSONALLY test it...therefore there is a 3 day refund policy (minus shipping or they can ship back on their dime for a full refund). I have done that before...gives them a get out of jail free card for 3 days. I do that where they don't come back weeks later since it is an AS IS USED UNIT.....disclose the key missing as well. Might get less, but it is more than scrap hopefully OR tear that sucker apart.

Good luck!

Pay attention people! I'm tired of writing about this same issue and those who are paying attention are tired of reading about it. So this will be the last time I write and/or rant about this subject.
If you are speaking of Ebay here and the listed condition is "used" the purchaser would automatically have a 30 day return window through Ebay and 90 days via PayPal if the item proves not to be fully functional. In other words, a case would be opened because it "does not match item description" which is "used". Far better to sell it as "for parts or not working" and not have to worry about it. I have no trouble whatsoever selling many items using that condition description. Using "as is" is in fact, an open invitation for evil minded buyers to do their dirty work. Furthermore, stating you can not test an item, is like rolling out the red carpet for scammers. Generally, "as is" translates to you suspect there may be a problem. Therefore, the previously mentioned buyers will purchase, find the problem or make one up, then ask you to pay return shipping on an item that's very heavy and doesn't work. So, the buyer gets to keep it for free! A job well done on his part. Not so well done for your part. Unless you've set out to lose money. In which case you'd be overwhelmingly successful.

It depends on your return policy. There are ways that this can be avoided. Granted, I don't ship bulky server parts, but return policies can make a huge difference.

For that, I recommend talking with webuyselltradestuff.

There are two ways that it helps: First, a well written return policy will often deter anyone from even filing a return. In those cases, it's an "instant win".

I've also had eBay side with my policy twice on returns. I've only had to escalate it twice- I haven't had many returns.

In your case, #1 happened. That's the best scenerio.

I've read WBSTS's return policy (And mine is based off it). If he'll show you, it's really a good policy....

The bottom line, in my experience, is that eBay sets the definition of new, used and salvage. If someone opens a not as described case, you have to show that it was properly described. If you label it as used, and eBay says used means working, then it needs to work to be as described. If you label it as new, and it is missing packaging, it is not new, even if it has never been used. Not as described almost always goes to the buyer unless the seller is really diligent. Well written disclaimers are great as long as the item falls within category, but that is about it. At least, this has been my experience after selling on eBay for more than 15 years.

New/Other especially applies for clothing litems, such as a pair of boots without the box.

In computer parts, returns can be interesting. Just like the video scaler, I have cases where a buyer purchased an incompatible part (Someone actually thought they could put an i5 CPU into an OptiPlex 745). I charge a 20% restocking fee for those types of returns. If the item arrives in good shape, that 20% covers the time to QC it, and then relist it.

There is a certain degree of trust in selling on eBay. Fortunately, a very large majority of my buyers are nice, honest people. In some categories, that may be a completely different story. Computer shops purchasing wholesale lots of RAM are likely completely different than the buyers of other categories....

ok so I will share what I do since it got brought up. Full disclosure...I don't do a ton of business on ebay, but I will probably being doing more with reselling of some computer parts I will be testing hopefully in the near future (as a buyer ).

So, here my ebay id: webuyselltradestuffcharles ....the regular webuyselltradestuff was taken (as you saw), so I had to get creative. I did have a store earlier this year, but I stopped for a bit since I was doing more local sales and recycling. I have 165 feedbacks and a 100% rating...I have had more sales than that because people don't leave feedback for some reason anymore. I have had 1 neg feedback, but the dude was crazy...I tried to get it removed, but Ebay wouldn't even though they said I was right. No big deal, I responded appropriately to the feedback and not a single person has asked about it.

I have dealt with 4 disputes I think it was and the only one I lost was an overseas shipment...my fault for not insisting on UPS (they are the only ones that will track door to door internationally). I learned the hard way and probably got taken...lesson learned, I am a hard A%% now about it.

So, I AGREE with you that you should follow Ebay guidelines and list condition according to their suggestions, however, we all know that doesn't always make sense. EITHER WAY, I disclose like a CHAMP. When I say not tested, it is like 16 pt type...I also am CLEAR about NO REFUNDS (I have done returns on a few items, but that is a case by case and would be said in the listing...otherwise, no dice). Things I am not selling for parts...like the UNTESTED server stuff the OP has, I would list as UNTESTED but pulled from a working environment. DEPENDING on if I was selling whole or parts, I would decide on my return/no return policy....I also only give 3 days PERIOD....no more. Again ALL spelled out in the listing.

I also work off deterring someone from trying to dispute by having very legal TOS. I am including a copy below. It is in plain English and pretty specific. It makes people think twice before trying to play some stupid game with me. I also FIGHT any that do...hence the 3 or so above that I DID win...one by appealing the decision higher up. Never be afraid to appeal if you are right...and I was...I disclosed everything. Now, will I fight over $5, probably not...not worth my time...$100 **** straight. I am ABOVE board and you will be too. I do not put up with foolishness and the customer is NOT always right...on the internet, moreso since they think they can get away with it. I have deal with Ebay, Paypal AND VI/MC for refunds in the past in my businesses, so I know how to document and win based on it a HIGH percentage of the time.

Again, DISCLOSE, WRITE A DETAILED AD, list condition as best as you can and have a killer TOS to back it up.

Here is a copy of mine. Obviously slightly modified if this is NOT a parts/non working item.

ENJOY!


PLEASE BID ONLY WHEN YOU INTEND TO BUY !!
PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL TERMS BELOW, BY BIDDING YOU HAVE EXPRESSLY REPRESENTED THAT YOU AGREE TO AND UNDERSTAND ALL THE TERMS LISTED BELOW.

PAYMENTS:
Payments are required within 24 hours of purchase, otherwise I will reserve the right to relist the auction and negative unpaid strike will be left for non-payers. Buying on Ebay is a contract; please make sure you plan on completing your end of the contract.

SHIPPING:
The shipping charge includes all shipping and handling charges and all the costs incurred for the shipping fees for this auction. If you do not agree with the shipping charge, please do not place bid. We CANNOT be responsible if a carrier loses a package, once we deliver the package to them and it is shipped, it is no longer our responsibility….we ship with tracking numbers of course. Please feel free to request insurance if you like (at your expense) and we will add it to the invoice before you pay.
For international shipments we only ship via UPS since they can track door to door to most locations…however, we CANNOT be responsible if a carrier loses a package, once we deliver the package to them and it is shipped, it is no longer our responsibility. If you DO NOT agree with this policy, DO NOT PLACE A BID. . In the event that UPS CANNOT provide tracking door to door to your location, you will be given the right to cancel the auction for a refund...IF you agree to ship anyways, you EXPRESSLY revoke your right to chargeback or dispute at any time with your Credit Card Company, Paypal and Ebay and assume all responsibility for the package once a tracking number from UPS is provided via Ebay. In the event, any import or duty fees are assessed by your country, YOU are solely responsible for those fees and EXPRESSLY revoke your right to chargeback or dispute at any time with your Credit Card Company, Paypal and Ebay for the package. We cannot know positively if any of these fees can or will be assessed, so these fees are strictly your responsibility above and beyond the item cost and shipping fees.
You EXPRESSLY revoke your right to chargeback or dispute at any time with your Credit Card Company, Paypal and Ebay if the tracking number is provided and the item was not delivered or lost by the shipper. You certainly may seek remedy with the shipper at your expense and timePlease leave us feedback once you receive the item, we will return the same favor.
Please contact us DIRECTLY if there are any issues with a product that we sell to you. We will make every effort to resolve any issues with a product…we inspect each and every product before it is shipped and do our best to provide an accurate assessment of the product in the description of the auction, HOWEVER, we have a no return policy on all items.
All items are sold AS IS…for example, if a laptop is sold as NON-tested/for parts, then we will not accept a return for the item if you receive it and it doesn’t power on or does not work as that was explained in the description as a non-tested/for parts item.

Originally Posted by webuyselltradestuff

Again, DISCLOSE, WRITE A DETAILED AD, list condition as best as you can and have a killer TOS to back it up.

Here is a copy of mine. Obviously slightly modified if this is NOT a parts/non working item.

See, there it is in a nutshell. Thank you WBSTS.

The thing to remember is that success in a dispute depends on many factors, not just a great TOS. You need to write an clear and accurate ad. Disclose EVERYTHING. Even if it seems insignificant to you, mention it. Include as many clear photos as you can. Keep the category (new, used, etc.) within eBay guidelines because their guidelines trumps your TOS, like it or not. Then add your TOS. Even with that, sometimes you will have to fight for what is right but you have a much better chance of prevailing.

Personally I offer returns on everything but rarely get them because the buyer has to pay the shipping unless they can show not as described. If my item is categorized as used but my ad says was known working when received but untested so cannot guaranty, they cannot say I lied about the working of the item. All they can do is return it for no longer working and then they pay shipping. Of course, I have had people try anyway and I decide how to handle on an individual basis. I rarely fight for anything under $5. Of course, my wife sold a trinket for a couple of dollars in her Christmas sales and the buyer tried to scam her. She was annoyed at how blatant the lie was and fought it. Sometimes you just have to draw a line in the sand.

I agree wholeheartedly, harsas. I have had to draw the line before because, it's the principle of the thing. I am so up front it is crazy, when people try to screw with me, I take it personally....and my bad side if not the place to be LOL.

I did forget to mention PICTURES....they give you like 8 free...USE THEM. Show defects or anything YOU would look at if you were buying. Then they can't say they didn't know. Old saying is true...CYA...then you will win 99% of the time. Ebay has turned into a PITA with their buyer centric policies, but they are really about the only game in town except for Amazon FBA (a whole different thing there). The market is the market, KNOW the rules for whatever you are doing where you can use them to YOUR advantage.