I bought a broken tv from ableauctions.ca yesterday - A Sony Trinitron XBR 32", model No.: KV-32XBR55, Serial No. A800208, made in Tijuana, Mexico in Feb 1992. It looked ok on Internet, so I didn't check it out before I did online bidding and won it.

After I took it home, I sadly found out it doesn't work at all - no sound, no color, I can still see all the channels. Both sides of the display look purple, while the rest of it is black and white. Since there is no 'menu' button on the screen, I rushed into London Drug and bought a Sony Universal Remote. Fortunately, the remote works well. I found the color was turned into zero. I tried to increase it, the display becomes green, totally green. I can adjust the volume, but still no sound heard. So, green color, no sound, bad image pictures.

I feel really really bad now about this tv. I paid good money for it - initially wanted to save some money. Since it's an auction, nobody is gonna be responsible for that - feel bad about that too, they should've at least tested the tv before they put it on Internet. There were a few tvs on the show, but most of them were connected with a dvd so that people could see the tvs worked ok. And the funny thing is those ok ones were bidded at beginning. This one was put at last, and the auction was moving fast by the time, no dvd was hooked up. I really don't know if they already knew it was a broken tv. There was no any message/notice that told me alone other bidders about the problems

Could anyone please tell me how to fix it??

Grace

Hi Grace,

Usually auctions sell 'as is'. Previewing is an important part of the process. Perhaps you can try pleading with the auction company (maybe saying that it couldn't be previewed because of the reasons you mention). It might be worth a call--but I wouldn't expect much.

But I'd careful about 'throwing good money after bad.' If it were me, I'd send it to the curb. I wouldn't look at having it repaired--and I'd probably go so far as returning the new remote control.

After all, it is a 12 year old set. Brand new TVs these days (at least simple CRT ones) are pretty cheap--and with those, you get a new remote and a warranty.

Sorry to be gloomy here....but people who know me on this forum know the "good money after bad" struggle I've had with the roof on my home. I wish I'd just bit the bullet and had the whole thing replaced a few years ago.

Regards,
-k2 in CO

Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum

http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous

can be very decieving, misleading, and addicting.

The online auction community that I am a part of does not have any specific rules on returns. It is left up to each and every individual seller, and if that seller wants, can change his/her return policy per different auction items. I have different return policies depending on the item. Returns for a well pump should certainly be different for returns on a premmie outfit that is a fraction of the cost.

Each auction needs to be carefully read. ALWAYS look at the shipping info and the return information. When you bid on an item, you enter into a legally binding contract and the item page needs to be READ as such. You do not state what this sellers policy was, only that most are 'as is'. Can you send me the link to the page so that I can look at it for you. There might be more options available to you than you realise.

I state very clearly in my auctions that "Item is sold as is with no warranties either expressed or implied." "But if there is a problem with the item, contact me within 3 days to discuss it and I'm sure we can work something out."

Did the auction state in the item description that the television worked at the time of posting?

I can't help you with fixing the tv but I might be able to assist you in other ways. All I need is a link to view the item.

Best of luck. Iknow how it feels, I was recently jammed on an auction but it was my own fault. Now it's up for auction again, hoping I can find another sucker or I'm just SOL. Send me the link.....



MiniFoxx
Moderator - Construction Project Blog
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Construction_Project_Blog/flat-page1.html

Some have better luck next time around,
some don't, and some don't even try.

If you have any questions or concerns about an item, certainly email the seller with your questions and keep the email until the transaction is completed. Watch for those that don't provide shipping information or a shipping calculator. With out that, after the auction is over they can charge astronomical amounts for shipping.

Be careful and happy bidding.

MiniFoxx
Moderator - Construction Project Blog
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Construction_Project_Blog/flat-page1.html

Some have better luck next time around,
some don't, and some don't even try.

Wow MiniFoxx, that was FAST(!), thanks for responding!

I'm glad I asked for your input. I must say, I am somewhat baffled by how Grace could've checked out the item in advance from an "online auction" anyway.

I might add that it's probably not a good idea to 'send it to the curb' anyway (like I'd first suggested). CRTs are one of those products that contain toxic subtances. Assuming Grace can't get this problem resolved, the product should be properly recycled.

Regards,
-k2 in CO

Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum

http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous

I will try to talk to ableauction.ca tomorrow with no/little expectation. And I won't spend any good money after bad, :).

I still strongly feel bad about it, it is partially because of the money loss. But mainly, I just can't find an good reason to explain to myself why it is even possible for me to make such a stupid mistake.

I can't find a way to send your the picture of the tv, minifoxx. Do you have any idea?

It wasn't a picture of the tv, it was a link to the web site, the page that had the auction on it. Usually you can view the item for up to 90 days after an auction closes. I just wanted to read the sellers terms, and see if the auction had any particular terms regarding, disclosure, returns, etc.

I would certainly email the seller in regards to the item not working. Have you tried to contact them at all? They may not be aware that it didn't work?



MiniFoxx
Moderator - Construction Project Blog
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Construction_Project_Blog/flat-page1.html

Some have better luck next time around,
some don't, and some don't even try.

http://www.ableauctions.ca/.

I just tried to find the item, but it seems to me that all information with regard to auction on November 18th is gone. They do this once every two weeks.

Thanks minifoxx!!