Ebay buyers beware ( I know everyone knows this just like I do )

[bruce edwards]

I've been looking for a new engraving machine for awhile and saw a "never used" Roland EGX 350 on Ebay. I bid on it and won it. $2,800 for a "never used" machine that costs $5999 retail. Great deal? NO. I got it out of the shipping box and looked up EGX 350 initial setup on Youtube. The 1st thing I noticed that was different from the video was there were no shipping brackets holding the carriage in place. I turned the machine on and the carriage moved slowly from right to left. Then it made some noise like it was trying to do something but it wasn't moving. I looked at the control pad and it said "CANNOT FIND Y LIMIT SW". I turned off the machine and tried a few more times with the same error code every time.

Then I tried calling Roland tech support and left my name and # for a call back but they never called back. I went to their website and entered the serial # of the machine so I could email tech support. Turns out this "never used" machines warranty expired in September of 2013!!!! So it was originally purchased in Sept of 2012. Wow. A 6 year old machine that was never used....

Emailed Roland tech support again today as they haven't replied yet. Probably not high on their list to get back to on a 6 year old machine.

Luckily I paid with Paypal and even though the sellers description said "no returns", Ebay allows returns of items that arrived damaged/not working. The seller copped an attitude implying I might not like the machine and am just having buyers remorse or something. Far from it. Was excited to get the machine and here it sits unable to even
do initial setup, let alone attempt to engrave a single item!

Anybody got any ideas on what it coud be?

[glenn bradley]

I would get it returned as quickly as I could. I wouldn't want there to be any doubt that the machine showed up not working. In this tool category, 6 years is forever. Why start in the past?

[bruce edwards]

Ebay policy is I have to give the seller 3 days to resolve it. On Nov 2 I can return it to him. I will.

[Bill George]

Not as described, file a dispute with PayPal Now, do not wait for eBay.

[John Lifer]

Not as described, file a dispute with PayPal Now, do not wait for eBay.

YES!!!! Do this Now

[bruce edwards]

Thanks, did it earlier today.

[Bert Kemp]

I'm at a loss here with all the warnings and all the threads here about Ebay and all the bad deals and no support and outright scams people still buy machines off ebay.I know a few here have bought them but they knew what they were buying and were willing to fix the problems and thats ok

[glenn bradley]

I'm at a loss here with all the warnings and all the threads here about Ebay and all the bad deals and no support and outright scams people still buy machines off ebay.I know a few here have bought them but they knew what they were buying and were willing to fix the problems and thats ok

Any useful mechanism which is publicly available will eventually be subverted by the lowest of our breed.

[Doug Fisher]

Bad or misadjusted limit switch/limit proximity sensor?

[Bill George]

Damaged in shipment, not properly tied down.

[Steve Morris]

between ebay and paypal its quite safe for buyers with the law and their policies on your side.

[bruce edwards]

From Paypal:

In order to continue with our investigation, we need documentation supporting your claim that the item is damaged or significantly not as described. Please obtain a document (such as an estimate or invoice) from an unbiased third-party, such as a dealer, repair shop, appraiser, or another individual or organization that is qualified in the area of the item in question (other than you).

This document should detail the extent of the damage or clearly explain how the item received significantly differs from the item advertised. Please do not proceed with any repairs or alterations to the item, as doing so will limit our ability to successfully resolve your claim, and may result in the cancellation of your dispute.

Anybody know anybody in Seattle area who can do this? The machine is still stuck on the initial setup with same error code every time I try to turn it on.

[Kev Williams]

Echo what Doug said, the machine is even telling you what's wrong, check the limit switch!

As for the carriage not being locked, because of the natural drag of stepper motors it's very unlikely the carriage moved much if at all, and even if it did, it would be so slow as to not do much if any damage. (unless the belts were removed?)

checking a $10 limit switch seems like a LOT less hassle than the time and energy needed to do what paypal wants...

[Scott Shepherd]

From Paypal:

In order to continue with our investigation, we need documentation supporting your claim that the item is damaged or significantly not as described. Please obtain a document (such as an estimate or invoice) from an unbiased third-party, such as a dealer, repair shop, appraiser, or another individual or organization that is qualified in the area of the item in question (other than you).

This document should detail the extent of the damage or clearly explain how the item received significantly differs from the item advertised. Please do not proceed with any repairs or alterations to the item, as doing so will limit our ability to successfully resolve your claim, and may result in the cancellation of your dispute.

Anybody know anybody in Seattle area who can do this? The machine is still stuck on the initial setup with same error code every time I try to turn it on.

I'd reply to Paypal and ask them for their advice, explaining that the machine does not work when it's turned on. How much documentation do you need for that and who's going to pay the bill for having someone come out, turn it on, and type up something for them. Surely that's a $100 service call. Either that or find someone in the area that has a business that does laser engraving and have them write it up for you. I would imagine they'd be qualified by the terms you listed.

[Rich Harman]

I'm not sure you have a case here, at least not with the information provided so far which is limited to the item being advertised as "never used". Was it advertised as working, or just never used?

It is reasonable to sell something several years old that has not been used without expecting to be held responsible if it turns out not to work. The fact that it turns on and moves and gives an error code is evidence that it does "work", it isn't DOA.

Can you post the the details of the auction so that we can all see how it was represented?