I have to wonder if some of the persons replying to this thread would pass an IQ test at all. Some appear to be elder members of this forum. Apparently that does not equate to brains or knowledge.
One post talked about used cars being sold "as is" and that if the car breaks down you are then stuck with it. While in some cases a failure would be considered your problem as the buyer, a car that breaks down that has a fundamental portion fail such as brakes or transmission or engine would be considered a voidable transaction because there is an implied warranty of merchantability in all goods sold, new or used, and in the case of a car, you cannot sell a car "as is" if it can't go down the road safely or continuously and a basic functioning component fails. Check your state's version of the Uniform Commercial Code, it is in there or in another section of your state statutes governing sales.
As to the DOA amplifier, I read several posts of people stating in various terms how they would not buy on
eBay a used amplifier because you could be stuck with a dead amplifer with no recourse, and that the people at Paypal are idiots for reversing this transaction. That is also incorrect.
Paypal and
eBay have policies that protect buyers if a product is not delivered as represented. Or not as described. This seller said things to lead a reasonable person to believe the amplifier not only worked but pumps out enough sound to make the neighbors move. Selling an electronic product "as is" does not absolve the seller of liability if the item arrives in non-working condition. This situation is clearly stated in Paypal's claims policies. I have used it myself to get a partial refund on a home electronics item I purchased, that worked, but just barely, when I got it. The seller is responsible for delivering a working piece of electronics unless they state clearly that it does not work or that they do not know if it works. "As is" in most cases of audio equipment simply means if it stops working AFTER you install it and use it for a while, then too bad, you have to fix it, because a capacitor, transistor, diode, rectifier or power supply could fail at any time after you start to use it. Paypal is there to use if things go south on your purchase. Make your claim in a timely manner, and you can stop payment until the problem gets ironed out. It's really beautiful when you use it correctly. And the people with Paypal are not idiots, they know what they are doing.
I have bought several used amplifiers on
eBay and have so far only had one DOA amplifier. I just got one that had a capacitor rattling around loose inside and the seller was straight up with me and is paying to have the amplifier fixed for me, at a reputable repair facility.
Here is the way I see buying used audio on
eBay. I buy desireable old school amps and other stuff for car audio on
eBay. Orion, Soundstream, etc. Most of it was made before 2000. If it is something I want, I buy it knowing it could fail some time after I buy it. I never buy anything I am not willing to spend at least $100 to fix in the future. But I assume this is a cost of buying what I consider superior audio to the crap they make today that is outsourced to China, Korea, or some other country that has bad quality control or none at all and has criminal labor practices. I try to buy from the same sellers, ones with a history of selling what I am looking for. I make sure I ask the seller questions before bidding. Such as "have you bench or field tested this amplifier?" Or "can you post or email me photos of the ends and the bottom of the amplifier? They are not in your auction listing." That is the same thing I would do with anything else that I may buy more than once on
eBay. And I check their feedback. If they have negative feedback, I read it and if it is suspicious (either from buyers or sellers), I just pass on the item and look for it to be sold by someone trustworthy.