S - You can't sell Onkyo on eBay - BOO!

[thekidrocks]

Okay, I am steaming mad! I listed an Onkyo *stereo* receiver on eBay - one that I bought from an Onkyo dealer, and later changed my mind on using it. Took an actual photo, listed it, included a copy of my original sales receipt for the balance of the warranty... and priced it cheap. Someone bought it right away with my Buy It Now.

GET THIS! Onkyo uses their VeRO rights to end the auction (mind you, it already ended). I've heard of Microsoft having a hair trigger on software - as there is a lot of bootleg or OEM stuff out there. I've heard of makers of frequently copied items having an issue with their products on eBay. Of course many companies kill auctions if photos are stolen from their web site.

BUT YOU CAN'T SELL A USED ONKYO RECEIVER and provide the receipt for the balance of the warranty?

The irony is that I sold it, and was going to buy an Onkyo home theater receiver in it's place. NOT NOW! They can go to ........!

(end of rant - still mad!)

[cheapie]

wtf??? seriously, how in the world can they do that? they don't own it. it's not software that you can make a copy of or anything. you clearly weren't selling it as a new or anything.

[Thesifer]

That sucks.. I have Onkyo.. but I dont think I would give a "phuc" less what they tried to do.. and I would sell it anyhow.. and they could try and take me to court

[thekidrocks]

I agree 100%, it does not make sense. Problem is, they use VeRO (Verified Rights Owner) tactics to shut down the auctions they don't want from what I am seeling. Too many of those, even legitimate mistakes, and you are kicked off eBay.

FWIW when I considered listing the receiver, I looked to see what the same model was bringing on eBay. One other seller had the strangest auction text, ranting about VeRO and Onkyo - clearly they have had troubles with Onkyo as well.

Like I said, the replacement won't be an Onkyo. One reason I upgrade some items early in their life is so that the next owner can have some of the warranty... and that's why I send a copy of the sales receipt from my purchase.

[Jeffbx]

That's stupid. Were they giving you a hard time because you were transferring the warranty, or just because you were selling the unit?

I can *maybe* see them getting their panties in a bunch if the warranty is non-transferrable, but that should be the only thing. I can't imagine them not wanting the actual hardware to be selling.

Although Cisco is kinda the same way. The IOS (software that controls the hardware) is licensed to the original purchaser ONLY and is not transferrable. Therefore, if you buy used Cisco hardware you also have to buy an IOS license. Oddly enough, if you want to buy the IOS software from Cisco, the cost is almost the same as purchasing the hardware & IOS together. Kind of a slimy way to keep people purchasing new equiment & stomping on the used market.

[Airencracken]

That's stupid. Were they giving you a hard time because you were transferring the warranty, or just because you were selling the unit?

I can *maybe* see them getting their panties in a bunch if the warranty is non-transferrable, but that should be the only thing. I can't imagine them not wanting the actual hardware to be selling.

Although Cisco is kinda the same way. The IOS (software that controls the hardware) is licensed to the original purchaser ONLY and is not transferrable. Therefore, if you buy used Cisco hardware you also have to buy an IOS license. Oddly enough, if you want to buy the IOS software from Cisco, the cost is almost the same as purchasing the hardware & IOS together. Kind of a slimy way to keep people purchasing new equiment & stomping on the used market.

I don't see how this is legal. Bastard companies.

[thekidrocks]

That's stupid. Were they giving you a hard time because you were transferring the warranty, or just because you were selling the unit?



This is a guess, but I advertised the receiver as being unused, box opened for inspection and for an actual photo, and receipt from the authorized Onkyo dealer I bought it from was included for the balance of the warranty.

Onkyo does not state that the warranty is not transferable - they do state that it is only valid when bought from an authorized dealer. I bought it from an authorized dealer, and passed the receipt along. In theory, as long as the owner has the receipt, what is the problem here???

The silly part is, the receiver sold and shipped days ago. By now the new owner is enjoying it. eBay is legally bound to cancel an auction (yes, they really are) when a registered company swears under threat of purgery(sp?) that the auction is in violation. Just plain stupid.

[zippyjuan]

I'm sure it was the warranty issue. Although you say they do not say the warranty is not transferable, they (and many other electronics manufacturers) do say that they will not honor warranties for items not sold through authorized retailers. You are not an authorized dealer even though you included the receipt from one. If you read the warranty, it probably says something about "the original purchaser". Some places have tried removing serial numbers (so they cannot be traced) and selling the items on eBay and then if the customer has to repair it, they send it back to the seller who re-attaches the serial number to send it back as an effort to get around this. So now they also do not honor disfigured serial numbers. I bought some speakers where they did this. This is in part to keep their authorized retailers from being undercut on prices. You were cancelled for offering a warranty that would not have been vaild. If you did not mention the warranty, they probably could not have done anything. The whole thing is about protecting their authorized sellers.

[thekidrocks]

I learned something from an eBay seller... Onkyo used false means to pull the auction. They have the right to pull an auction when it infringes on their copyright - that's all. There is some latitude given there, but this does not fall into that.

While the warranty issue may be a valid one (one has to ask - what if it were a gift??), Onkyo used illegal means to pull the auction ie: used one reason under oath to do something else.

Jeers to Onkyo.

[Paymaster]

The onkyo vero page lists their argument.
http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=onkyousa

If you list it as "new", then they kill it. They claim that only a dealer can sell "new" items, and onkyo dealers aren't allowed on ebay (by onkyo).


Also, by United Sates Law, any business or person acting as a business cannot sell an item without stating the policies/regulations that apply with that item. For example, if you sell a Onkyo product as new, that item must state it does not carry a warranty from the manufacturer of that item, or the transaction is considered illegal, due to false advertising. Onkyo does not warranty any items sold by unauthorized dealers, therefore those policies must be stated on a item that is being sold so that a customer is not falsely lead to believe they will have a valid warrant from Onkyo when they need to return it for warranty.

But don't get me wrong. I still think it is BS.

[thekidrocks]

Paymaster, you're right - it's BS. BTW it was not sold as new - I listed it stating I purchased it, yet did not use it as I decided to go with a home theater receiver instead.

Onkyo sucks... an editorial opinion of course ;)

[Merlin]

Is there any way you can appeal the decision? Seems like you should be able to state your case somewhere.

[thekidrocks]

Merlin, I can file a counter-notice with eBay just to clear my record. Keep in mind that the receiver was sold and shipped days before Onkyo came in an killed the auction. This issue is a matter of principle, as it does go against my eBay selling record... not the feedback one, but the "behind the scenes" one.