Piss poor for a retail shop to do this - reputation is everything in retail and not fixing this oversight/misrepresentation will cost them in the end (assuming we find out who it is).

A board with a repair is not in "excellent' condition no matter how good the repair is. The repair should have also been mentioned in the advert. A buyer needs to have all the info they can to make an informed decision on what they are buying when it is sight unseen. I think I would be pissed off if I were in your shoes Sputnik11

Last time, the doc said I was in "excellent condition".
I hope it's true...

As a consumer, you have rights. You have not been supplied a product as advertised.

If you don't want the board, demand a refund and tell the retailer the board is ready for them to arrange pickup.

If you want to keep the board, negotiate a discount for the misleading advise of it's condition.

If you are unable to negotiate an agreeable outcome, then share the name of the retailer with the forum.

You need to decide and take appropriate action now.

When you think about it a board can be bought and sold many times before it becomes useful only as wall decoration so the windsurfing market consists of this visible iceberg proportioned tip of new board sales and then this mass of second hand purchases. Its not surprising that most of the angst is created in the second hand market.

If you are going to start freighting boards around the country you want to be sure it is worth while. Do your research as you are paying the freight and be aware that when you sign for freight you are agreeing that it has been delivered in good condition.

As for the definition of excellent......

very good, superb, outstanding, magnificent, of high quality, of the highest quality, of the highest standard, exceptional, marvellous, wonderful, sublime, perfect, eminent, pre-eminent, matchless, peerless, supreme, first-rate, first-class, superior, superlative, splendid, admirable, worthy, sterling, fine

......there does not seem to be much argument except on the Simpsons.....

I've received the info about this, and I'm thankful that folks have been respectful enough to not "Name & Shame".

The business has been around long enough to prove itself as a long-lasting & honest operation.

Hopefully, it's just a misunderstanding/mistake (I know I make them, and maybe you do too?).

And .. from history .. if you do abuse a business, there will be many customers who have had successful dealings with the store who will come out in it's defence, and before you know it .. a flame war .. people start to dislike each other .. abusing shops has never had a good outcome for anybody - customer, fans, or the business.

Best solution is as suggested : deal privately with the shop & civily negotiate. Remain cool & keep and focus on a successful & fair outcome for all as the destination. If you're losing sleep over it, then time to back away & regroup.

And if all that is unsuccessful, then go down legal avenues ...

laurie said..

I've received the info about this, and I'm thankful that folks have been respectful enough to not "Name & Shame".

The business has been around long enough to prove itself as a long-lasting & honest operation.

Hopefully, it's just a misunderstanding/mistake (I know I make them, and maybe you do too?).

And .. from history .. if you do abuse a business, there will be many customers who have had successful dealings with the store who will come out in it's defence, and before you know it .. a flame war .. people start to dislike each other .. abusing shops has never had a good outcome for anybody - customer, fans, or the business.

Best solution is as suggested : deal privately with the shop & civily negotiate. Remain cool & keep and focus on a successful & fair outcome for all as the destination. If you're losing sleep over it, then time to back away & regroup.

And if all that is unsuccessful, then go down legal avenues ...

That's all good and well Laurie, but as previously raised in a thread sometime ago and again in this thread the buy & sell facility should come with some sort of rating system akin to 2nd Wind Sailboards rating system for its second hand gear http://www.2ndwind.com.au/products-used/used-sails.asp . Whilst not probably detailed enough it could be elaborated by us here on SB - I'd even be happy to elaborate on a rating system that can be posted on Buy & Sell. Also it would be handy to be able to notify a Buy & Sell moderator if you see something wrong with an ad e.g. incorrect year or details relating to the product.

A+ New (unused)
A Like new, but not (used less than say 10 times???)
A- Nearly like new (used but no blemishes)
B+ Very good condition
B Very good condition, with minor blemishes
B- Good condition
C+ Good condition, not so pretty
C Not bad
C- Getting long in the tooth, but sailable
D Hey, I still work!
?
Modifiers [elaborate in description]
1 - Minor repair to nose / rail / bottom / top /pads
2 - Major repair to nose / rail / bottom / top
3 - Professionally repaired
4 - purchased new from retailer
5 - purchased 2nd hand privately
6 - Footpads need regluing / replaced
7 - Damage to [elaborate] - can supply photos if requested.

So if I had a board that I bought from a shop new and was reselling in very good condition but had a small repair to the rail that is repaired professionally (or documented by photos if undertaken yourself etc) it would get B+ 1,4.

laurie said..

I've received the info about this, and I'm thankful that folks have been respectful enough to not "Name & Shame".

The business has been around long enough to prove itself as a long-lasting & honest operation.

Hopefully, it's just a misunderstanding/mistake (I know I make them, and maybe you do too?).

And .. from history .. if you do abuse a business, there will be many customers who have had successful dealings with the store who will come out in it's defence, and before you know it .. a flame war .. people start to dislike each other .. abusing shops has never had a good outcome for anybody - customer, fans, or the business.

Best solution is as suggested : deal privately with the shop & civily negotiate. Remain cool & keep and focus on a successful & fair outcome for all as the destination. If you're losing sleep over it, then time to back away & regroup.

And if all that is unsuccessful, then go down legal avenues ...

personally, i think this is piss weak, so what was the innocent mistake the shop made, to accidentally not mention the board had blatantly obvious nose repair, to accidentally post photos that somehow didn't show what is very obvious repairs, whatever, if thats the case then, well theres no harm in sharing the name of the retailer that made these honest mistakes, we all make mistakes, no biggie, so who was it?? To be honest man, you seem to be on the retailers side?, maybe your a fan of the shop?, its a weird reference you've made

^^^^ This is Sputnicks issue. He has rights as a consumer that he needs to pursue with the retailer. It's in both their interests to sort this out.

Well, there's a lot to read .... give him a day !!

All very interesting. Good thread.

Sputnik11 said..

Just a quick conclusion to this one, have spoken with the store owner who has agreed to come to the party. I take him at his word that he personally wasn't aware of the repair, the board was sold on consignment.

Anyway, we've agreed on how to manage it. Case closed.

Excellent, nothing like some effective communication to solve a problem.

Obviously board has extensive internal damage. Contact store, ask for complete refund as item was not as described. As a retailer they are legally obligated to provide refunds on items not of merchantable quality.


If no joy, lodge complaint with fair trading.