Unreliable seller on tutti?

Dear EFrs,

I was looking for specific bike wheel. Found ad on tutti, used wheel, nothing written about condition. Asked seller on DM about condition, if its not damaged, if the wheel is "straight". According to him everything was fine. Agreed to meet at his place, went there, asked him again if all is good with wheel, he confirmed. As I dont bring with myself set of tools, i didnt had possibility to check it on the spot. So I paid, took it home and started to install. It appeared that wheel is not good, and rather adjustment will not work. So i wrote to seller, send him a film with "how it spins", hoping that he was not aware of that. He said i can adjust it, or pay someone to do it.

I wrote him that out of my experience it is not possible, and it will never be good having such a runout. I told him, that i was clear with him that all i need is this wheel to be straight... so I asked for a time when i can return it to him and get my money back as its not. Guy blocked me on tutti. I could probably pay him a visit and demand return... but i do not see the will from his side.

Is anything that i can do?

Item was not expensive, but its a matter of principles.

It is frustrating, but this is not a phenomenon restricted to tutti.ch. It is that, regarding ethics etc., the site represents a cross section of society.

If the question is, "is there anything I can do", one answer is to lower your expectations, especially when dealing with vendors on a flea market platform.

In any 2nd hand market, a straight deal can not always be counted on.

Sorry mate, but this is 100% on YOU, you had the chance to inspect the wheel before you bought it , you did not take your chance, your problem. It is not even like it was a hidden error - but even then, it's a risk you have to calculate with - as you wrote, "item was not expensive".

If you can't take this risk, or you don't know how to check whether what you are buying is of acceptable quality (whatever that means - how do you define "acceptable"), then don't buy 2nd hand items, buy your stuff in the shop, and it will come with a manufacturer warranty.

Once the transaction is done the item is fully your responsibility, the seller could even say that it was perfect and you broke it. Maybe the seller doesn't know that much about bike wheels (bicycle or motorbike?), and he thought there was nothing wrong with it. There are so many ways things can go wrong, but that's why second hand goods are cheaper than those you buy in a shop.

The old adage: “caveat emptor”

There is nothing you can do - once you collected the wheel the vendor can always argue that you damaged the wheel and it's not his problem....

There is nothing you can do, but learn the lesson. If is important or expensive always check the item before you pay for it.

Maybe try ti report it and describe your situation if possible. That's best you can do.

take you loss and move on. The seller will argue it is a private sale, with no guarantees and returns.