A sale gone bad.

[Hal_ZA]

Deal Thread URL: Razer Blade 14" i7 6700HQ (Read Post)
Seller: Frikkie88
Buyer: Hal_ZA
Description of Bad Deal:

Firstly, apologies for getting admins involved with this. But it was done initially without my involvement. It was not meant to reach this point and I hope it doesn't get ugly. I'd prefer all of us to be on the same page.

The item in question, that was purchased by me was in this thread. Based on the thread and what was shown by pictures in the thread, it was a bios issue that was missing ME FW Version. The other issue was it missing an SSD. It was even said that "All it needs is a Replacement BIOS Bin and a SSD and then you are all good to go."

Based on the post, I decided to purchase the laptop because it didn't seem like any hardware issues (other than an SSD missing which is a non issue really). The bios was mentioned to be fixed with software.

Prior to purchasing, I asked Frikkie88 if the bios had been tampered with. To which he answered no. I asked if it is posting; to which is answered yes. I asked if there was anything else I need to know and he said it's all per the thread. Based on that; I believed it was a software issue, and that with assistance from a friend, we could solve the issue and fix the laptop.

Purchase was made immediately once we both were happy. Shipping was delayed by a day due to Frikkie88 not having bubble wrap. When the parcel was sent, he called me to say he sent it; although he said he's sent it dismantled and the back case is open and the screws in a separate container together with another bios chip. Even with this, I was still happy.

I took delivery of the laptop on Monday. Upon opening it, noticed a ribbon cable missing. This automatically would have been a deal breaker for me if it were mentioned.

I called Frikkie88 to inform him of the missing cable to which he said that he didn't realize it was missing but he will try and get it for me if he has it. He asked me to test and check if everything is still working. I told him I didn't have time and will get to it later. Everything remained as is till later that day.

Later that day, I tried switching the laptop on and the keyboard lights up, but there was nothing on the screen. I tried all the simple stuff like checking brightness levels. But nothing. Informed Frikkie88 and he said it was working (which I'm not going to deny based on pictures in the thread as the bios picture had a date of the 05 May). The laptop was shipped with battery still connected and case open so maybe something could have shorted, unlikely, but plausible (a mere theory?).

He then asked me to try disconnecting the battery for some time which I did. Still nothing. Clearly, this is not what I expected or bought.

"As Is" here is not as it was mentioned to be.

Up to this point, It is apparent to me that it just became not worth the money I spent. So I gave him 2 options. I return the laptop. Even told him I'll pay for shipping back and get refunded fully (R5000). Or I keep the laptop and split the refund halfway (R2500). This way, it's somewhat worth it for me to try and source the hardware required to fix it, which it being a Razer, is pretty difficult.

I spent the night looking online for parts etc when I came across this Gumtree post. This was the same laptop! Even the pictures. Even verified with the phone number. But here, nothing is mentioned of bios broken etc. "Just plug in a SSD, install windows and you are sorted". This was posted on the 19th May, 4 days after the post on Carbonite. I immediately felt like why would you hide the bios issue on another advert when you already knew about it? At this point, I don't even want to split halfway, I just want a refund.

 

[Frikkie88]

As you all have read my Thread i have stated i am selling the laptop as is. I have explained to the buyer what the situation is with the laptop and regards the BIOS issue.

Before i shipped the unit i told the buyer the laptop is open as i have removed the SSD and kept it open as is. Placed the screws and a replacement BIOS Chip for him if he wants to find a replacement BIOS bin himself to fix the unit.

I started the laptop up before i shipped it and it displayed. Placed the back cover on without the screws and started the laptop up again with display, i then bubble wrapped it to make sure its secure and placed it into a box with a small plastic box with the screws in it (which i also told the buyer of).

No where in my thread have a mentioned "it could be fixed with software" or that it could be software related. I stated to the buyer it is the BIOS bin file as the ME Firmware is not there, have explained all to him in whatsapp messages before he even paid the money in my account.

In NO circumstances was the BIOS tampered with (The BIOS chip on the board itself) That is still the original BIOS chip and bin the laptop came with. I wanted to write a working BIOS on the chip i provided the buyer with, but never had the chance to do so.

I messaged 2 Admins last night to ask for advice (And no i don't know them personally, they aren't my friends) so i don't know them personally.

As for the cable that is not there, i have looked all the place for it, even offered to see if i can supply or get one at least for the buyer as i want to help him out. (ribbon cable that is not there is for the HDD and power led indicator in the front of the laptop and would not cause any harm or damage to the laptop if its missing or not plugged in) As the buyer said he's friend says it will cause voltages issues. Which is not true and not possible. But neither less i would have ordered or look around for a replacement cable for him.

As for the laptop not displaying, The pictures was taken the day i posted the thread and as i said i tested the laptop just before i shipped and before i packed it away like i told the buyer before i shipped it.

Long story short, i did post and explained everything that is wrong with the laptop on my thread and explained to the buyer and and even asked the buyer if he has read through the thread and knows what i have explained and he said yes. So i did ask him if he is sure he wants to buy the laptop in its current condition, as he even said in his 1st message to me he wants to buy my "Broken" laptop, so the buyer did know he was taking the risk to buy the laptop and what the situation is. I posted pictures of the inside and outside of the laptop and it shows the condition of the unit and what is and what is not inside the laptop.

I did mention BIOS can be fixed with exe from Razer's site, but for that to be done you need to be booted into a Operating system to launch the exe and update/load the BIOS. But the laptop does not boot into any Bootable windows or operating system as mentioned so that is why is said clearly in my post that the BIOS chip needs to be Loaded with a replacement/Working BIOS bin.

Situation is the laptop was posting/Displaying just before i bubble wrapped the unit and shipped it to the buyer. Now it does not display anymore and the buyer wants me to take it back where i send a unit that is displaying and now take it back not displaying.

I would have even Gave him some money back for the missing Ribbon cable as i told him over the phone as yes it is missing and not sure where it is, or i can try to supply him a cable myself. (As i have told him over the phone that i would supply him a cable or try to source one)

Point is i have explained everything in my Thread and have asked Buyer if he is happy buying the laptop in it's current situation and he said yes. So he knew there is a issue with the laptop but he still took the risk in buying it knowing there is a BIOS issue. That is why i mentioned in my post all that is wrong and said "As is", as the buyer or person who takes over the laptop for R5000 (Which is already like 20% or less what the value is of this laptop) (And the buyer can easily get a replacement board for it if he does not have the time to fix the BIOS himself and he would still have a working Razer laptop for a good price and allot less that its worth.

 

[Frikkie88]

What I am willing to do is offer the buyer R1500 back and he can keep the laptop.

As I know for a fact that laptop did display before I shipped it and for some reason it does not anymore when he received it. Anything could have happened either in shipping but that is unclear.

I am not a dishonest person as I have dealt with allot of people on Carb before and they can back me on what sort of person I am either in person or over phone. Either if I have bought from them or sold them something.

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

 

[Hal_ZA]

I like how you've completely left out this line from the original post you made on the pm to the admins:

"Even posted a picture of the BIOS chip itself, where it shows i did not work on it, because if i have and used a hot air station that RED around the south bridge would have been damaged or burned black. "

I'm sorry if you didn't say "software" directly in this post. But you did say that Razer has a Bios update over exe (which is software...). I also asked you if you tried portable of Windows and you said no. This was one of the first things I was going to try. I asked all the right questions to make sure it would be worth my effort to buy.

I was even willing to get someone to do the Bios chip upgrade since apparently, according to you, that and an SSD is all that is needed.

You say that the chip was not tampered with or heated, here is a high resolution image where you can clearly see the so called "RED around the south bridge" is burnt. Even though slightly, it is still burnt black/damaged. The s/n sticker also has paint removed as if it were rubbed with a brush. There still seems to be residue of what looks to be flux as well around the chip. Clearly, this was tampered with. You can see this slightly in the pic he posted as well. This was obviously my fault for not seeing it more visibly in the pictures you posted, but I did ask this question and took your word on the answer.

You didn't "close it" either. After the purchase was made. I started researching BIOS issues and found this post. To which I even sent you a message in Whatsapp saying it's scaring me that you have the tools to remove the chip and makes me believe it's not fixable, since obviously you would do it then. You then calmed me down saying you didn't get the time to fix it. Based on the above evidence, its more like you tried and failed.

Regarding the ribbon cable that is missing, regardless of how small it was, this would have been a deal breaker for me. For the admins, the ribbon cable in mention is the white one that goes over the battery in the sample picture below. Albeit the model is slightly different in the picture.

This looks more like a touch pad cable more than a SSD light cable. Obviously, there is no way to test this, but still, an obvious a deal breaker for me had this been disclosed.

It's clear without a doubt that there was dishonesty by the seller. So it's difficult for one to believe that "it was displaying" before it reached me.

 

[Hal_ZA]

What I am willing to do is offer the buyer R1500 back and he can keep the laptop.

As I know for a fact that laptop did display before I shipped it and for some reason it does not anymore when he received it. Anything could have happened either in shipping but that is unclear.

I am not a dishonest person as I have dealt with allot of people on Carb before and they can back me on what sort of person I am either in person or over phone. Either if I have bought from them or sold them something.

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

And when I called you with the issue, I initially offered you the split halfway since I know anything could have went wrong. Now I really don't want to go halfway after all the stuff I've dug up.

Now, I essentially have a glorified aluminium brick with a screen and is in no way worth R3500. If I wanted that, I could have easily went out and bought an old dead Macbook 2011 for under R1000.

Right now, this laptop is not worth more than 2K to me. The RAM is soldiered to the board. The laptop is faulty. I can basically only resell this for parts which is too much effort.

For the sake of closing the issue, I'm still willing to keep the split halfway deal on the table. You can minus the price I still owe you for shipping. That would be R 2368 back to me.

As I said before, we both dig Carbonite and have positive ratings and I don't want this to get ugly.

 

[Frikkie88]

Like i said i am not a dishonest person, would not sell someone something if i know it does not work (Display) or that it can't be fixed.

You posted a comment i made in 2017 that i can remove a chip yes and write a new BIOS onto a chip. That is my old job and old Company where i had all the tools. I don't work there anymore and don't have those tools to do so myself. So no i have not tried fixing or tampering on the BIOS personally. I have given the laptop to a Friend 2 months ago, so if he tried to work on it then he did. But the laptop is doing the same it has been doing since the day it was giving issues, So besides the point the laptop was displaying the day i send it to you, before i bubble wrapped it and it got to you and you switched it on and it does not display. Anything could have happened on the way. You can't say i am lying or that i am being dishonest, and i am not blaming you to say you have messed with the laptop and realized that you cant fix it now you want your money back. No one is playing the blame game here.

And as for where you are saying i did try to fix it with software/exe from Razers site. If you read i said i tried, but for that to happen you need a working windows operating system to actually deploy the BIOS exe from the site. And as you read what i said after that in the comment is BUT YOU NEED TO BE IN A WORKING operating system as it does not boot into one, so no i have not accomplished that side.

I am still sticking to my R1500 money back as i will not accept a laptop back that displayed and now not displaying. AND i will still try to help source a ribbon cable for you and even help you find a BIOS BIN. Even if i have to buy one from somewhere or pay for it.

So i will still help you with everything to get this sorted from my side. Not leaving you in the dark and run away with the money

 

[Hal_ZA]

Dude, the fact that you said it wasn't tampered and even went all out to say there were no burn marks etc, then purposely leave the line out in public when I prove you wrong is dishonest.

I am in no way going to pay R3500 for a brick. The R2632 I'm offering is still too much for what I currently have. I told you, if I wanted a black aluminium case with a screen, I would have bought a dead Macbook and a can of spray paint for under R1000.

What good is you sourcing a ribbon or a bios bin if there are other issues? Now I'm looking at having to replace the motherboard or the screen completely, and not just a bios chip. I also need to source a ribbon cable which I shouldn't have do. Here's a link of a motherboard that would fit. But it's $770USD. I'd rather buy a good working laptop of Carbonite for that amount.

I'm still trying to help each other by meeting halfway. This way responsibility is off you. I don't want to accept R1500, then have to continuously message you to say "hey, have you got my ribbon cable yet?". Or how goes finding a bin for me?

Either that, or a full refund. Last offer, your choice. Then I leave it up to an admin.

 

[Frikkie88]

Okay so have spoken to my friend who had it for 2 months, and he said he did not work on the unit or removed the chip. As i gave him the laptop with that fault and got it back exactly the same. He also tried installing a SSD and tried to boot in with a Bootable windows to update the BIOS. In no case was the motherboard or anything removed also, or even the ribbon cable removed either by me or him.

SO no neither i or my friend has tampered with the laptop.

You don't have to message me to keep asking for updates on either ribbon cable or BIOS bin file. I will contact DrBIOS and those places by email and ask them if they can source or acquire a working BIOS bin for it. And I'm sure someone with a Hot Air station and a pair of tweezers or just a decent Eeprom reader/Writer will help you out with writing the BIOS onto the Chip.

Again i have explained everything in my post regards the laptop and the issues it has, i asked you if you are sure if you want to take the laptop in its current state and if you have read my thread and you Agreed to it. Even after i stated that the laptop has a BIOS issue you still accepted it. All the issues this laptop is experiencing is BIOS related, while it was displaying and now after it just magically stopped displaying. As i know for a fact that unit displayed just before i wrapped it and shipped it the same day.

If anyone else other then you would have taken the laptop from me in its current state they would know replacing the BIOS bin would fix this issue and you will have a working laptop again as this is not hardware related. So for me to have sold a over 20K laptop for R5000 is nothing, i was selling it for R6000 and i even accepted your offer of R5000 as is.

Again i would never have sold the laptop to anyone if there was more wrong with it or if it was not displaying at all.

 

[Frikkie88]

From here on out it's the MODS decision on what is going to happen as i offered you some money back and help regards the laptop to get it working again as i am not a bad person and i am trustworthy.

On all my 64 sales or purchases and deals with people no one ever had a issue with me as i would go out of my way to sort them out. This is what we do here on carb

 

[Toxxyc]

no one ever had a issue with me as i would go out of my way to sort them out. This is what we do here on carb

I think @AJAY will disagree, but OK.

 

[AJAY]

From here on out it's the MODS decision on what is going to happen as i offered you some money back and help regards the laptop to get it working again as i am not a bad person and i am trustworthy.

On all my 64 sales or purchases and deals with people no one ever had a issue with me as i would go out of my way to sort them out. This is what we do here on carb

Are you serious here?
I'm still waiting for the replacement parts you owe me .

 

[Hal_ZA]

Hi all,

@Frikkie88 has DM'd me and has agreed to my offer of splitting halfway and has paid me the refund. I have received payment as well.

With the above dilemma sorted, I will provide a positive rating to @Frikkie88 based on the initial deal and the outcome. Hopefully no bad blood will be held based on this outcome.

This issue can be closed and apologise if any inconvenience was caused.

Thanks,
Hal.