Problem with Wheelz - won't stand behind his parts

I just bought a radio from Wheez, Dennis Wheeler. As soon as I received it, I unpacked it, and immediately notified him that it won't do.

He won't refund my money! I'm willing to pay the postage, so he stands to loose nothing, and he still won't refund my money!

I've never, ever had a problem with a Buick Man. Until now.

 

I am sorry to hear about this Mike, please explain what was wrong with the item? Had you seen pictures of this item before you guys finalized a deal? Not trying to pick sides here just wanting to clarify the info about what happened.... Sean

 

Wheelz is a stand up guy. Must be more to the story.

 

It is unfortunate, Mike has thrown me under the bus, so in my defense;

Mike and I exchanged pix and details about this unrestored 1970 AM/FM radio.
Mike saw the pix.
Mike read the description and received pix which included a work bench test I performed.
Mike agreed to purchase this 47 year old UN restored radio and in fact, he made this statement: and I quote: " "Of course I'm prepared to pull the dial cover and detail it, etc." so he was well aware this radio needed some detailing.
I packed and shipped the radio two days before his check arrived.
Mike received the radio and wanted a refund because it wasnt what he expected.

IN MY DEFENSE, in 15+ years and 10,400 plus posts, because I am not perfect I may've had a half dozen times I had to defend myself, and yes, a few were legitimate and were resolved.

SUMMARY:
I try to be an honest person and 'IF' I MIS represented this product, I would certainly be obligated to refund his investment. I did not mis-state, mis-describe or mis-represent this radio, therefore, I'm sorry but I dont feel Mike's demands for a refund are legitimate.

I'm sure a 'jury' will chime in.

Wheelz, Tampa Bay

 

I have no problem with your stance on this, Dennis.

Also having dealt with you on a handful of transactions, it has been nothing less than professional and timley.

We are fortunate to have people who take the time and effort to source, house, and manage to allow us to obtain 40-60 year old parts.

And the "value" in both sides of the deal, is well worth the satisfaction obtained by keeping these cars operational.

And it is harder to find a new "torch bearer", and as the "Old Guard" leaves us, (all too soon), less will be more.

 

I agree with Briz. I have had many dealing with Wheelz and everything was perfect. He has even gone so far as to send me the parts I needed at no charge and the shipping was paid for by him.

 

Ditto on Michael and GSX455. I have been buying parts from Dennis for 3 years and never been disappointed. He has been very professional and even sold me parts he ended up losing money on since he had more invested originally but wanted to help me out.

 

I also have had dealings with Dennis that were either perfect or, in the case of one purchase, resolved to my satisfaction. He sells parts that are otherwise very hard to find and at a fair price with super fast, secure delivery. Having said that I'll comment that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". While the radio was probably described accurately and fairly, the buyer's mind's eye saw it differently when he bought it than his eyes beheld when it arrived. So, he wasn't happy. In this case, if I were the seller and for the sake of good customer service, I'd refund the price after the buyer sent the radio back at his expense. It would generate good will and probably result in additional parts sales down stream for Dennis. There's probably another buyer for the radio right around the corner anyway. JMHO for what it's worth.

 

Dennis, You can't please all of the people all of the time so I wouldn't lose any sleep over it if I were you. I think we've all dealt with buyers who thought they were buying brand new parts for a fraction of their cost an then were disappointed when they got some other than they expected regardless of how hard we try to make them understand what they actually are. BTW, how's your wife doing?

 

Impartial kind of new guy looking in from the outside here.....That's a fair way to handle it.

 

this is a perfect example of the risk of buying and selling parts on the internet. a picture is worth a thousand words but seeing with your own eyes and hands is priceless. one man's great condition is another man's ok.

 

Bought parts off Dennis the last couple years he always sends an email with good pictures and descriptions of the parts he's selling he was even kind enough to except a check even though he prefers PayPal. Parts are always shiped fast and packaged as if they were glass if I had the money $3200 right now I would not hesitate on negotiating and buying his 71 complete 4-speed set up.

 

no negative connotation intended to either party. it is what it is.

I've dealt with Dennis several times with good results..

 

Wheelz sent me a few parts in the last two years. Never had any problems. Shipping was overseas and all items have been packaged perfectly.
Of course with such old parts there's always room for interpretation but you have to keep in mind how old all those parts are. Dennis always gave me nice descriptions and pictures.

 

My car is composed of MANY of Dennis's parts. Always been fairly described,always been fairly priced and has gone to great lengths to dig low dollar parts out for me that were not really worth the time AND has given me free parts.
Sounds like buyers remorse. Thank you Dennis

 

I immediately opened Dennis' package, and immediately contacted Dennis about sending it back based on condition received. I'll be out $80 ($40 shipping both ways), Dennis will be out NOTHING. I'm I being unreasonable here?

I have learned a lesson - get more pictures!

Here's the ONLY picture that I received from Dennis (attached). Here are pictures of the radio that I received from him: https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipNQxHBVhhWfOhRq-k7erDaroQLwJm1Qy6T2Zy2b

What concerns me the most is the extent of corrosion on the circuit board components, including corrosive oxide on a black wire (pictured, and I wiped away some of the oxide from the black wire). Another internal component (capacitor?) is physically broken. The face place is pitted so will need to be replated, surface rust on radio body .

I'll defer to you humid climate guys, but hasn't this radio been exposed to the elements? That is the only way here in Denver to see this extensive weathering damage. AND THIS IS A RADIO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT! How much exposure can any radio take before it's a boat anchor?!

BTW, I just pulled an 1972 Buick AM radio from my parts car, to get a speaker to test Dennis' radio. That radio looks brand new. That is what I'm used to seeing, and for over $300 that is what I thought I was buying.

 

RKammer has a good point...if it was me...i would refund the money for any Buick brother if they were not happy. No matter who is right or wrong a post like this, in my opinion, is more detrimental to the seller than the buyer. Just my opinion...

 

FWIW. I cannot put my finger on why, but I disagree and it bothers me enough to give it good thought, so I will think on it.

"Dennis will be out NOTHING."

It may be that mindset from which flows the rest of the thought process, that my logic is having trouble ciphering...

 

I doubt Dennis disassembled the radio and checked out all the electrical components unless SPECIFICALLY requested. Sounds like a external picture was acceptable and the internal condition came up later.
If internal condition was a concern it should have been expressed and explored prior to payment, just my opinion

 

Out of town so looking at this as I have time. I just saw the word "functional " in request for a radio and Dennis saying it worked some on the AM band. That said, it is mechanical, OLD and without x-ray vision who knows the condition once a buyer dives into the case and electricals.
Tough call, I really like Dennis and there family is going through very SERIOUS health trials now & it appears he covered the bases but as said before, if possible sometimes better to substitute another option or give a refund to avoid all this bad publicity, so I understand both sides: (