@Chris92064 (Chris92064) posted a new topic, subject "Buyer upgrades firmware on flash drive and it becomes a brick". It read:

   I sold a Seagate memory stick – a flash drive – and buyer decided to upgrade the firmware. The stick, according to him, is a brick.
    
    The device worked before I sold it; and he wants a refund.
    
    Any ideas? This is really turning me sour on selling on Amazon because of buyers (not Amazon's fault on the attempted upgrade).

So @Chris92064 (Chris92064) replied

    If he bricked the stick, I'm out of a saleable flash drive. He told me in email he upgraded the firmware and then it “no longer worked”.
    
    The device worked fine when I sent it to him; and if he did a failed update and I accept the return, I'm out of a stick.

To which @MAV-DAK (MAV-DAK) replied

    In my opinion, the buyer broke it, it is their responsibility to engage the manufacturer for repair and/or replacement. However, if you are not an authorized reseller, the manufacturer may deny the warranty claim from the buyer. If this is the case, I would recommend you issue a pre-paid return label and refund in full on receipt.
    
    If not, provide the buyer the warranty information and help them submit their claim with the manufacturer.
    
    Or, if you are worried about negative feedback, you can authorize its return, refund in full and you take it up with the manufacturer on the warranty. – This is the route I would take.

After which, @MAV-DAK (MAV-DAK) added

    I understood the facts from reading your original post.
    
    Sounds to me that you are not an authorized reseller as you would have a way to replace it with your supplier if you did. This also means the buyer probably cannot engage the manufacturer for its warranty.
    
    All the buyer needs to do now is report it defective to Amazon though a claim to get their money back without having to return it. If you are selling products you purchased through a retail store then this is the chance you take when reselling retail goods.
    
    Since you do not like any of my suggestions, deny the buyer the return and wait for the claim and/or the negative feedback and be done with it.

So @statler_and_waldorf (Statler and Waldorf) replied

    Seagate or Sandisk?
    
    Seagate doesn't make Memory Sticks…
    
    Tide.

After which, @Chris92064 (Chris92064) added

    He received it last Friday.
    
    Plague=SanDisk
    
    Thank you. I have something for the skeet range when I receive the stick back.

@clueless_in_ind (Clueless in Indy) replied

    Chris92064:
    
    > I sold a Seagate memory stick – a flash drive – and buyer decided to upgrade the firmware. The stick, according to him, is a brick.
    > 
    > The device worked before I sold it; and he wants a refund.
    > 
    > Any ideas? This is really turning me sour on selling on Amazon because of buyers (not Amazon's fault on the attempted upgrade).
    
    In the first 30 days after delivery (Not order) you must accept a return & refund for any reason. The exact reason will determine if you must refund the shipping (in both directions) and if you can charge a restock fee.
    
    Not always fair, but part of the agreement you signed to sell on Amazon.
    
    And yes, sometimes Amazon customer can be “demanding”. You have to develop thick waterproof skin and just let it roll of you. part of the cost of doing buisness.
    
    Bob

After which, @skbm (SKBM) added

    How long has it been since he received the flash drive from you?

@Chris92064 (Chris92064) replied

    I sold a SanDisk Connect 32GB Wireless Flash Drive For Smartphones, not a Seagate. Thanks for the correction.
    
    To the poster who suggested I didn't like the advice. I was seeking advice and taking it all in – hence the forum use. No need to rush to judgement.
    
    Thank you to all – that's MAV-DAK, BJ's Bariatrics, and Roll Tide. I appreciate the exchange.
    
    Customer breaks / bricks, and I have to accept a return. Not exactly the response I wanted to hear; but thank you guys. I am going to do that: allow a return.

@statler_and_waldorf (Statler and Waldorf) replied

    Chris92064:
    
    > I sold a SanDisk Connect 32GB Wireless Flash Drive For Smartphones, not a Seagate. Thanks for the correction.
    
    Just a TIP:
    
    Avoid Sandisk like the PLAGUE… It's the fast road to Suspension.
    
    Just search for “Sandisk” in this Forum and read the Threads.
    
    I'd Refund, Delete the item from my Inventory, and never list it again.
    
    And consider myself lucky.
    
    Just giving you a heads up!
    
    Tide.

@noober0x (Buried Treasure Liquidators) replied

    Better question to ask… Did you sell it as new or used?

To which @Chris92064 (Chris92064) replied

    I sold as used. I used it twice. Great concept, the Mophie Juice Oack gave me the same storage plus battery.
    
    Thank you.

Then @Lake (Lake) said

    I consider a firmware upgrade on a newly acquired piece of hardware a normal practice. I always do it during the return period.
    
    You and I do not know why the device bricked.

After which, @system (system) added

    


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