Sold this GE clock radio in mercari now buy said it's damaged

[stereomann]

Sold this 80's GE clock radio on mercari when the guy got it he said the front came off not sure how that happened or if this could be a scam I also noticed the led clock display is broken off not sure how that could even happen and how does it even connect to the circuit board It sold for $45 so not a big loss but still a pain. Another thing is how could the front come all the way off with the sliders holding it in place? It seems to me like he may have done something to it. And how would I even go about repairing the display? I've never seen one like that before I know they usually have wires coming from the display itself.

 

[Superduper]

Looks like 2 different units. The right slider knob is missing in one pic but the left is missing on the other. The front cover off is plausible because I see the clips are broken, but the open one doesn’t look right. I would expect to see a row of 7-segment led modules but don’t see any. But whenever you sell used items, there’s always a risk of unscrupulous buyers. I apply serialized tamper proof stickers on all important electronics on stuff I sell.

 

[Transistorized]

This is why I can't sell anything of mine over the internet. I have worked too hard to get everything working 100%. When or IF I ever sell ANY of my boomboxes, it will be face to face. I have nothing to hide and my radios condition and operation will speak for itself. I am not shipping and we will be one on one with a friend or two. I realize that this would limit my sale audience but sometimes, its about selling my stuff to someone who deserves it and not necessarily all about profit and how much I could have gotten for it. Too much of a gamble. If someone is willing to travel to meet me, you are likely a serious buyer and not someone who is looking to scam me out of a prized possession for free. All of my rescue radios do not belong in dishonest hands. The only exception would be someone on here that is a well known member for years that I am in good standing with.

I'm sorry this happened to you. I worry about this exact thing. Someone with an identical unit using your unit as a parts machine at your expense.

 

[stereomann]

Looks like 2 different units. The right slider knob is missing in one pic but the left is missing on the other. The front cover off is plausible because I see the clips are broken, but the open one doesn’t look right. I would expect to see a row of 7-segment led modules but don’t see any. But whenever you sell used items, there’s always a risk of unscrupulous buyers. I apply serialized tamper proof stickers on all important electronics on stuff I sell.

Yeah I was wondering that about the switches unless the guy put them back on that way. As far as the clock how could it have even broke off? & how does one go about fixing it? It's probably trash now because it's a digital tuner so it's not even usable as a radio. I guess it now going to be sold for parts. I just don't see how the front & led clock could break off. You would think that the sliders would have held the face on somewhat. For all I know the Guy probably had the same unit and needed the display for his but I can't prove it.

 

[Superduper]

It smells fishy for sure. Probably someone got a piece of junk, and decided to buy a working one so they can return the junk one. Take a look at what 7-segment displays should look like. And take a look at the backside of the pcb. It sure looks like the display on the clock was installed backwards.

This is why I can't sell anything of mine over the internet. I have worked too hard to get everything working 100%. When or IF I ever sell ANY of my boomboxes, it will be face to face. I have nothing to hide and my radios condition and operation will speak for itself. I am not shipping and we will be one on one with a friend or two. I realize that this would limit my sale audience but sometimes, its about selling my stuff to someone who deserves it and not necessarily all about profit and how much I could have gotten for it. Too much of a gamble. If someone is willing to travel to meet me, you are likely a serious buyer and not someone who is looking to scam me out of a prized possession for free. All of my rescue radios do not belong in dishonest hands. The only exception would be someone on here that is a well known member for years that I am in good standing with.

I'm sorry this happened to you. I worry about this exact thing. Someone with an identical unit using your unit as a parts machine at your expense.

I got to be honest. The past few boomboxes I purchased did not end well. I would say 70% or greater arrive damaged. In fact, I rarely buy anymore simply because I know that hardly anyone bothers to pack like they should. I'm no longer shy about filing claims though -- not my fault. I've decided that if the boomboxes don't arrive like in the auction, even if it was a good deal to begin with, it's no longer a good deal when it comes bashed up. The SA-C07 that I purchased came with the power switch gone. Turns out it was inside the boombox. Turns out that the guy removed all (and I mean every last rear cabinet screw) and neglected to put them back before shipping. Well, those back screws holds all of the PCBs and the transformer in place. Needless to say, there's damage and I wasn't going to deal with it. I wanted 60% off or else he could have it back. The only reason it was even worth 40% of it's original value is because it was in very clean condition and the problems are internal. FF a month or so, I found a parts unit (center unit) that is not working right either but at least it appears unmolested besides a missing knob. It costed just about the 60% that I was refunded for the damage to the 1st one. Now I'm still not recovered from my surgery so both are sitting here. Cost wise, I'm no more than what I originally paid for the 1st one, but now I do have to invest time to repair it but at least I now should have enough parts to get a good working one. Then a few weeks ago, I found a 3D8H for sale. I have read that the 3D8H has better bass than the 3D80's I have that I really like, and I wanted to hear for myself. Made a ridiculously low offer of $38 before shipping. Well it arrived with a fist sized hole in the rear cabinet. The carton was only slightly bigger (like 1/2") around than the boombox itself. I told the guy I want $20 back of the $38 sales price or I want to return it. He asked if there was outward signs of damage to the carton. Not that it makes any difference, USPS isn't going to indemnify a shipment with less than 3" of cushion around the boombox. Anyhow he refunded the $20. Was it worth $18 + shipping? Probably. At least all the bits still appear to be there and hopefully it should respond well to solvent welding the plastic. If it was cracked anywhere near the front, forget it, I'm shipping it back. Only because the damage was isolated to the rear vented grill area. At first listen, I'm not impressed however, I do think the 3D80 sounds much better but to be fair, my 3D80 got a full recap almost immediately so maybe this 3D8H might get the same treatment, but only if I can save the rear cabinet. If not, I'll go no further. I'm too old, too far gone to do any more substantial repairs on stuff.

 

[stereomann]

I've had the same thing happen to me on ebay multiple times Parts Cracked & Damaged & it never looks the same when you try to repair it, Sometimes you get lucky I've had things with hardly any packing not have any damage. as far as the clock radio i won't know till i get it back on Wednesday if it can even be repaired I put in in bubble wrap and had brown paper around it. I shipped with FedEx so hopefully I'll get my money back i know USPS is one of the worst to deal with when it comes to claims so i try not to use them as much.

 

[stereomann]

It smells fishy for sure. Probably someone got a piece of junk, and decided to buy a working one so they can return the junk one. Take a look at what 7-segment displays should look like. And take a look at the backside of the pcb. It sure looks like the display on the clock was installed backwards.

View attachment 61558



I got to be honest. The past few boomboxes I purchased did not end well. I would say 70% or greater arrive damaged. In fact, I rarely buy anymore simply because I know that hardly anyone bothers to pack like they should. I'm no longer shy about filing claims though -- not my fault. I've decided that if the boomboxes don't arrive like in the auction, even if it was a good deal to begin with, it's no longer a good deal when it comes bashed up. The SA-C07 that I purchased came with the power switch gone. Turns out it was inside the boombox. Turns out that the guy removed all (and I mean every last rear cabinet screw) and neglected to put them back before shipping. Well, those back screws holds all of the PCBs and the transformer in place. Needless to say, there's damage and I wasn't going to deal with it. I wanted 60% off or else he could have it back. The only reason it was even worth 40% of it's original value is because it was in very clean condition and the problems are internal. FF a month or so, I found a parts unit (center unit) that is not working right either but at least it appears unmolested besides a missing knob. It costed just about the 60% that I was refunded for the damage to the 1st one. Now I'm still not recovered from my surgery so both are sitting here. Cost wise, I'm no more than what I originally paid for the 1st one, but now I do have to invest time to repair it but at least I now should have enough parts to get a good working one. Then a few weeks ago, I found a 3D8H for sale. I have read that the 3D8H has better bass than the 3D80's I have that I really like, and I wanted to hear for myself. Made a ridiculously low offer of $38 before shipping. Well it arrived with a fist sized hole in the rear cabinet. The carton was only slightly bigger (like 1/2") around than the boombox itself. I told the guy I want $20 back of the $38 sales price or I want to return it. He asked if there was outward signs of damage to the carton. Not that it makes any difference, USPS isn't going to indemnify a shipment with less than 3" of cushion around the boombox. Anyhow he refunded the $20. Was it worth $18 + shipping? Probably. At least all the bits still appear to be there and hopefully it should respond well to solvent welding the plastic. If it was cracked anywhere near the front, forget it, I'm shipping it back. Only because the damage was isolated to the rear vented grill area. At first listen, I'm not impressed however, I do think the 3D80 sounds much better but to be fair, my 3D80 got a full recap almost immediately so maybe this 3D8H might get the same treatment, but only if I can save the rear cabinet. If not, I'll go no further. I'm too old, too far gone to do any more substantial repairs on stuff.

i had an SA-C07 about 10 years ago it's a well made boombox very heavy but i thought it would have had more bass. too bad i got rid of it but i wasn't using it much. i really only have a few 80's boomboxes left in my possession the others are from the 90's & to now.
There is a new sharp boombox that looks like a GF 777 it looks cool i wonder how it sounds?

 

[Tinman]

SD, where do you get those stickers from?

It's worth taking things like this or a boombox (if you haven't worked on it) apart and marking internal parts.
It's also nice when there's a scratch, dent or other blemish on the exterior of the item so you can verify it's the same one from pictures.
He could've taken his internals and put them into your case, who knows.