Thanks, appreciate you taking the time. I had a similar situation occur, where the seller sold me an Audio Refinement Complete integrated amp rated 10/10 and when I got it one channel was dead. He refused to answer any of my emails, I was sure upset with him. The amp was repaired under warranty by the rep as a goodwill gesture, certainly made be a believer in YBA. This is a little different, in that the part is not readily available so getting a new switch put in isn't quite as easy. When I make a claim with UPS, do I need to have the preamp in my hands to make the claim, or can the buyer simple keep/scrap it?
A bad situation
I'm looking for opinions as to how to resolve a situation that arose recently. I sold a preamp to a gentleman here on Audiogon for $150. From what I can tell he wanted to use the preamp as an inexpensive phono section. He sent me a money order and I in turn sent off the preamp via UPS insured, packaged up with plenty of bubble wrap so (in theory) it wouldn't get damaged. The preamp arrives, but, the selector switch is broken and evidently the switch is an oddball component that cannot be sourced. I know the preamp was working fine before I shipped it, I sure wouldn't sell a piece of broken equipment, not even for a $150. What's the equitable thing to do in this situation? Make a claim with UPS? Pay a tech to hardwire the premap, bypassing the selector switch? Refund his money and throw the thing away? I know, it's only $150 but at the same time there really ought to be a code of ethics we all try to follow. I understand the buyers disappointment and he may even feel like he's been screwed, I want to make this right. Any and all opinions are welcome. Thanks, Jeff