Marred speakers, accept discount or return?

[Shike]

Alright, here's what's happened.

I recently purchased a used pair of NHT Classic Two speakers for $360 total, and it was advertised as "very good, like new". The speakers arrived today and have quite a bit of scratches that would obviously impact resale value should I decide to upgrade or change in the future (not to mention it didn't fit the description).

I asked the seller about them and he's willing to offer a discount making them $330 or a complete refund. What do you guys think is the best choice / other ideas opinions?

I can't post links or images yet though unfortunately. I'll try my best to make some earnest posts so I can post some images for a better gauge.

Images added:

(most of the white speckling should be ignored, it's just debris my camera picked up).

 

[its phillip]

Definitely not in "like new" condition. I'd get my money back.

 

[Rickster71]

Who pays the return shipping?
I wonder if black shoe polish would take care of that.

 

[sawzalot]

I agree they are not in very good shape, really scratched up pretty good, I would insist on a refund and also he/she should cover all shipping expense. I feel if you keep them you will only second guess your decision so keep looking for a more suitable replacement, one that truly is in "like new" condition, sawz.

Now if you really fell in love with the way they sound to you then maybe you can overlook the scratches, especially if you have to pay any portion of the shipping expense.

 

[its phillip]

Who pays the return shipping?
I wonder if black shoe polish would take care of that.

The seller should obviously pay for all shipping fees considering their description was either a mistake or flat out lie.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would return as well.

When I buy something that is "Like New" I expect it to look like new - no scratches, no exceptions.

If they lied about the cosmetics, what else did they lie about?

 

[gmichael]

I would return as well.

When I buy something that is "Like New" I expect it to look like new - no scratches, no exceptions.

If they lied about the cosmetics, what else did they lie about?

That's what I was going to say. What if he blew the speakers and replaced the drivers with cheap-o-drivers.

 

[markw]

They are not, by any stretch of the imagination, in "very good/like new" condition.

I don't know the going rate for these but unless you got 'em for way, way below "bluebook" value I'd send 'em back, but make danged sure he pays shipping.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Get your money back 100% and he pays shipping.

 

[ahblaza]

That is a complete misrepresentation of product condition, how dare the seller state like new, the only thing that looks new are the scratches and flaws, definitely return and demand full refund and return shipping costs! It's people like that that discourage others buying used gear. Good luck my friend.
Jeff

 

[Shike]

I honestly think he had no idea that they were in this condition since he couldn't have packed them (he had a broken arm). He went out of his way to have them separately boxed and packed to the level of overkill, if he was going to try to pull a quick one he'd do what others have done (pack it semi-poorly and try to make an insurance claim on the shipper, someone tried that crap with an amp on me).

In terms of the sound they're excellent. The drivers are definitely NHT, I have no doubt about that.

I've chatted with people (a couple of which I trust a lot) on other forums too, and some suggested scratch treatments that have high odds of getting rid of the most obvious scratches leaving few light surface ones I wouldn't have an issue with (glossy finishes are notorious for picking them up anyway, and will surely occur when I move since I'm still in college).

I'm not overly picky on aesthetics, but I'd like to have a better balance between wear and cost so to speak (I have no problem with superficial issues assuming I'm not paying a large amount for something with them). I'm trying to see if I can get him to throw on the cost of a scratch remover as I'll admit I'm very much enjoying their sound currently. If I get that I'm pretty sure I'll end up satisfied in the long run.

 

[highfigh]

Who pays the return shipping?
I wonder if black shoe polish would take care of that.

It sure won't fill in the grooves. That almost looks like gel coat, not paint.

 

[KEW]

I honestly think he had no idea that they were in this condition since he couldn't have packed them (he had a broken arm). He went out of his way to have them separately boxed and packed to the level of overkill, if he was going to try to pull a quick one he'd do what others have done (pack it semi-poorly and try to make an insurance claim on the shipper, someone tried that crap with an amp on me).

In terms of the sound they're excellent. The drivers are definitely NHT, I have no doubt about that.

I've chatted with people (a couple of which I trust a lot) on other forums too, and some suggested scratch treatments that have high odds of getting rid of the most obvious scratches leaving few light surface ones I wouldn't have an issue with (glossy finishes are notorious for picking them up anyway, and will surely occur when I move since I'm still in college).

I'm not overly picky on aesthetics, but I'd like to have a better balance between wear and cost so to speak (I have no problem with superficial issues assuming I'm not paying a large amount for something with them). I'm trying to see if I can get him to throw on the cost of a scratch remover as I'll admit I'm very much enjoying their sound currently. If I get that I'm pretty sure I'll end up satisfied in the long run.

Based on the above, you should decide what they are worth to you and make a counter offer, but be prepared to return them.

 

[zieglj01]

It sure won't fill in the grooves. That almost looks like gel coat, not paint.

And no where near a high gloss black finish.

 

[highfigh]

And no where near a high gloss black finish.

You've never seen shoes with a "spit-shine"? They definitely are high-gloss.

 

[zieglj01]

You've never seen shoes with a "spit-shine"? They definitely are high-gloss.

I am trying to forget my days in the Navy!

 

[Shike]

Hey everyone, a quick update.


He bumped up the amount to $45 ($30 + $15 for a scratch remover kit). I went to wally world and picked up a Turtle Wax scratch remover kit with clear coat, wet sanding material, and their clarifying compound.

Used the compound on the speaker in the second image. The large white scuff scratches are completely gone.

Used it on the second one, half of them got knocked out.

I tried wet sanding a few of the stubborn scratches, minimized their visibility though they still show up on a camera or in certain light quite easily. Still, those are about normal wear and tear scratches I'd expect at this price.

23% off the cheapest open box pair I could find and 40% off the cheapest authorized dealer new. I think I did alright

 

[zieglj01]

Have fun and enjoy - I own the Classic Two and they are good sounding,
even at the regular price. The sound is the most important thing.

 

[ohskigod]

you did alright in my eyes. sometimes these things happen and it seemed like the guy made efforts to resolve. I buy used extensively and it has happenned to me too. If you got a product you like for what you spent, you didnt do bad at all.

it depends on the person, I am not as focused on the appearance of the speaker so I could live with it, many are not like that and I take nothing away from them for that position.