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Tiny dilemma, please help

kenny

kenny

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 30, 2005
Messages
34,642
This morning SO and I went to a garage sale down the block.
One of those $150 Foodsaver vacuum bag machines was for sale.
I have the same model, but my MIL wants one, but is of low-income, so I asked how much.

He said, it doesn't work well if at all so I could have it for one dollar.
Hmm.
I asked what was wrong and it quickly became clear he wasn't exactly the brightest bulb in the chandelier, so to speak.
Very very nice person though, and all the neighborhood gossip I've heard about him tells me he's a wonderful person, whom actually I was looking forward to meeting.

After parting with my dollar I brought it home to troubleshoot - something I'm often good at.
Its motor sounds just like mine but it sucks too weakly to pull a good enough vacuum for the machine to proceed into the bag-sealing mode.
I inspected the gaskets around the place that needs to seal tightly in order to pull a vacuum in the bag.
They were rough and pitted (IOW leaky) ... probably from being cleaned with bleach or something that damages rubber.
Another indication of harsh chemical use was all the wording printed on the machine was nearly entirely faded, while the writing on mine is still solid black.

I swapped the gaskets with those from my machine and it worked fine.
So all it needs was new gaskets, which cost $6 to $20 depending on Internet source.

So all is well, but now I feel like I stole the machine.
Should I return it and tell him all, or keep it for my MIL?
Honestly, I feel a little tacky/dishonest/unethical keeping it just because my bulb in the chandelier of life is brighter than his when it comes to this one kind of thing.
Seems unfair somehow.
 
Last edited:
kenny said:
This morning SO and I went to a garage sale down the block.
One of those Foodsaver vacuum bag machines was for sale.
I have the same model, but my MIL wants one so I asked how much.

He said, it doesn't work well if at all so you can have it for one dollar.
Hmm.
I asked what was wrong and it quickly became clear he wasn't exactly the brightest bulb in the chandelier, so to speak.

I bought it home to troubleshoot, something I'm usually good at.
Its motor sounds just like mine but it can't pull a good vacuum.
I inspected the gaskets around the place that needs to seal to pull the vacuum/
The seals were rough and pitted ... probably from being cleaned with bleach or something that damages rubber.
Another indication of harsh chemicals was all the wording printed on the machine was nearly completely faded, where mine is still solid black.

I swapped the gaskets with those from my machine and it worked fine.
So it just needed new gaskets, which cost around $13.

Should I bring it back and tell him or keep it for my MIL?
Click to expand...
It's totes yours. I imagine that sending it in for repairs wouldn't have been cheap.
 
you did the work to fix it, give it to MIL
 
Keep it for your MIL. Maybe go back and give him some more money if you feel you’ve really gotten an amazing bargain.. but he could have taken it in to get it fixed if it was important to him
 
Kenny, I love that you even thought about the question. Your heart really is very kind.

I agree that it is yours since you took the time to find and repair the problem. If he was interested, he could have done some research or just called for repair.
 
I admire your scruples. However, A lot of people today don't even consider the option of fixing a small appliance if it breaks – they assumed that it has to be thrown away and replaced. In a way, that's understandable. There are very few if any appliance repair places or even places to buy parts around anymore. Indeed, a lot of small appliances are made so they couldn't be repaired even if you wanted to do so! I grew up in a household where things got fixed - my father and mother both took pride in being able to do that kind of thing - but not everybody did, or is interested in exploring that option.

It sounds like you were concerned that you might not be able to look this neighbor in the face again, so to speak. You might consider letting him know that you think it's repairable and asking whether he would be willing to pay you say, $60, if you could repair it for him... and then put that money towards the purchase of another vacuum sealer for your mother in law. Don't be surprised however if you find that he's already bought a replacement for your little bargain.

And by the way I don't think it's unethical for you to just fix the bargain and give it to your mother-in-law. My suggestion above was more about neighborliness than ethics.
 
I wouldn't knowingly diddle anyone, but as has been pointed out, he would've probably thrown it out if he wasn't having a garage sale. Even if he's dimmer than a 5watt bulb, he either didn't think it was repairable or the cost of repairs, is more than it's worth.

If your conscience is bothering you, you could either offer him more for it, or make a donation to a charity.
 
People throw out appliances all the time because they have no clue how to fix them. Good on you for being honest but I agree with everyone else it's totally yours now....
 
they have probably already replaced it..you bought it and invested your time and money into it...its yours give it to your MIL and she will be grateful
 
Keep it as you paid the asking price, and spent valuable time and effort in diagnosing its fault, not to mention the time, effort and money required to source the replacement part.
Very kind of you to consider giving the seller more money though. :appl:
DK :))
 
I’ve had that dilemma and it’s tough. You could appease the gods by going back and giving him 10 bucks, but he might feel weird about the whole thing. Perhaps better to enjoy and accept that you got a great deal only because you knew what to do.
 
No. He's happy with his 1.00$ and you are happy with your purchase.

If you bought the 26+ carat antique cushion in England for 13.00$ and it was up for sale at 450.00$ would you return it? Gosh somebody bought a Fabrege egg at an outdoor flea market.

I would be kind to your neighbor and assist him/her in another way.


kenny said:
This morning SO and I went to a garage sale down the block.
One of those $150 Foodsaver vacuum bag machines was for sale.
I have the same model, but my MIL wants one, but is of low-income, so I asked how much.

He said, it doesn't work well if at all so I could have it for one dollar.
Hmm.
I asked what was wrong and it quickly became clear he wasn't exactly the brightest bulb in the chandelier, so to speak.
Very very nice person though, and all the neighborhood gossip I've heard about him tells me he's a wonderful person, whom actually I was looking forward to meeting.

After parting with my dollar I brought it home to troubleshoot - something I'm often good at.
Its motor sounds just like mine but it sucks too weakly to pull a good enough vacuum for the machine to proceed into the bag-sealing mode.
I inspected the gaskets around the place that needs to seal tightly in order to pull a vacuum in the bag.
They were rough and pitted (IOW leaky) ... probably from being cleaned with bleach or something that damages rubber.
Another indication of harsh chemical use was all the wording printed on the machine was nearly entirely faded, while the writing on mine is still solid black.

I swapped the gaskets with those from my machine and it worked fine.
So all it needs was new gaskets, which cost $6 to $20 depending on Internet source.

So all is well, but now I feel like I stole the machine.
Should I return it and tell him all, or keep it for my MIL?
Honestly, I feel a little tacky/dishonest/unethical keeping it just because my bulb in the chandelier of life is brighter than his when it comes to this one kind of thing.
Seems unfair somehow.
Click to expand...
 
You're a good man Kenny, hugs to you. You just made my day!
 
No, a deal is a deal. He would have probably thrown it out if it didn't sell. He did not know how to fix it so he was happy to get a dollar for it. You have done nothing wrong.
 
Kenny you did not do anything wrong at all.

However, and I can see this isn't a popular opinion, what I might do because I would probably feel a bit badly I got it for so cheap (especially if he seems like he isn't intellectually sharp and/or needs the money) is give him some more cash for it. You can tell him the truth. You fixed it and it works well and you would like to give him more money for it because of that.

Or perhaps do something nice for him that does not involve cash. I like this idea very much.

If you decide to do nothing at all that is absolutely OK too and you aren't being unfair if that is your decision. As others have said he probably would have just thrown it out anyway if he didn't sell it to you for a dollar. And at least now it is getting use and not filling a landfill. So more than just benefiting you and your MIL.

Good for you for figuring out how to make it work and going the extra mile. I hope your MIL enjoys it and gets a lot of use out of it.
 
Kenny, that thing is YOURS. He offered it for a price that he chose and you paid it. You didn't even try to haggle him down to 50 cents (or did you? :cheeky: ) so he got a fair price for it based on terms that he set.

Now what time should I expect you at my house to work on all the stuff that's mucked up? :devil: I've got an upright vacuum that still sucks like a mo fo but the on/off button doesn't work any more and I'm tired of walking over to the outlet to plug it in/pull the plug out when I'm using it. I'll be happy to feed you dinner with good wine after you get done toiling away on the Hoover.
 
The person sold it to you “as is”, and you were able to repair it. A deal is a deal. The gadget is yours now. If you hadn’t been able to fix it, it would still be a sale for $1.00. I doubt if the seller would have taken it back.
 
It is yours. But I like the idea of giving him $10 more or better yet help him out if he needs it. He might appreciate this more anyway.
 
I would feel the same way Kenny, especially if it is neighbor and someone who is intellectually disadvantaged. Is he economically challenged as well?

He may have replaced it, and it's possible he simply didn't need it.
Since it is a neighbor and someone you had looked forward to meeting---maybe you would feel better telling him that you were able to repair it to gift your Mom. I am always happy when something gets re-purposed and goes to someone who may need it more than I do. If you want to offer more $ you could---but really only if it makes YOU feel better.

If nothing else---you got to meet your neighbor, saved something from the landfill and helped your Mom.
All good.
 
He said it didn't work well. You bought it and fixed it.
That's how yard sales work.
And then do something neighborly,
like bring him some of your famous baked goods!
Like Elizabeth35 says above, tell him that you fixed it and gave it to MIL.
 
All yours Kenny! Im sure your MIL will appreciate it!
 
Hi,

Basically this man told you it wasn't working well, so he sold it for a dollar with the thought that you might be able to fix it. He didn't want it. I'll bet he'd be happy you fixed it and could give your MIL a nice gift. He wouldn't feel cheated. Kenny, he didn't want it anymore.

I am surprised at you. Guilt rears its head throughout life. He would be happy. The man doesn't want 10.00. If he did he would have asked for it. Your MIL is going to be happy. Nothing unethical here.
Annette
 
I have to agree with Annette. They probably would have thrown it away if it didn't sell. They were probably happy to get a $1.00 for it. You didn't do anything wrong and don't have anything to feel quilty about. You did a really nice and thoughtful thing for your MIL.
 
HI:

Provide him a random act of kindness.:))

cheers--Sharon
 
As I mentioned above, I don't think this is a dilemma of ethics, but one of neighborliness. And I love the solution others have suggested - find another way to be neighborly! And give your MIL that gift that she'll no doubt appreciate and put to use!
 
He’s happy, you are happy, MIL will be happy!
 
It was worth what it would be worth in the condition you bought it in, not the fixed condition.
He determined it was worth a buck.
You saved it from the dump.
Give it to your Mil with a clean conscience. imho.
 
Thanks all.

Yeah, I'll take the advice and give it to MIL.

Passing by his house when walking the kids for 15 years there have always been late model BMWs and Jags in his 4-car garage.
I think he's doing okay.

DeeJay if I lived closer I'd fix your small appliances for free.
But don't tell anyone. :shhh:
 
Sounds like he might have enjoyed giving you that little potential windfall Kenny. Well played all round.
 
But I think the case of the garage sale diamond, every time I think of that story it makes me slightly queasy. If I had bought that diamond I could not have lived with myself unless I shared at least some of the profit. Of course it might be hard to find the seller after all those years, but still...
 
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