Photocopies of originals being sold

[dartfish]

Michigan: I recently purchased a hard-to-find vehicle owner's manual for almost $60.00 from a website dealing with books for cars. When it arrived, I was disappointed to find that it was a photocopy of the original owner's manual I was expecting. There is a note on the home page that says some publications may be "used", but nowhere can I find where it says they may be "photocopied". The site promises 100% satisfaction, but says there is a 20% "reshelving fee" for returned items. This all sounds a little fishy and I was hoping to hear suggestions on how I should handle the situation. Is it legal to sell a photocopied owner's manual without advertising it as such? For that matter, is it legal to sell a photocopied owner's manual at all?

[Dandy Don]

You got what was advertised, although I do admit it was deceitful. Is the print/type readable in the book that you got?

[dartfish]

Yes, the manual is legible. For the purposes of content, it's fine (though I still think $49.95 + $7.00 s&h is pricey for a photocopy). However, it has no value as a collectible (which might warrant the $49.95 price tag). Even on their glossary link they've defined OWNER'S MANUAL as "the small book that comes in the glovebox of every car when it is new -- the guide to the vehicle". They don't qualify their definition to include "or a photocopy thereof". I don't think it's unreasonable to assume that when they advertise an owner's manual for sale, what they are advertising is the "small book that comes in the glovebox of every car when it is new", ie. the original. I will end up working this out with the company in one way or another, but it might help my complaint if I can impress upon them any legal responsibilities they need to consider when offering a product for sale over the internet. I know you can sell used books on the internet, but I would think that selling a photocopied manual that has a copyright from the car company in 1994 is illegal. I welcome any further input.

[Some Random Guy]

They promised you an owners manual. They gave you a photocopy. Its not what you paid for. Classic bait and switch.

Call the the company you bought it from that you expect a full refund. If you don't get immedite satisfaction. Call your credit card company and dispute the charge or contact PayPal and dispute it.

[racer72]

I had the same thing happen to me when I thought I was buying the owner's manual for a 64 Chevelle. I did a chargeback and sent the photocopy with all the seller's info to the GM legal department. The seller howled for a few month's then to my surprise, I received a decent copy of the owner's manual with a letter of apology from the seller. It seems the GM legal department was not happy and sending me the manual free was the seller's way of attempting to keep out of trouble.

[dartfish]

Michigan. I spoke with a representative of this internet company on the phone and let them know of my issue. They assured me that what they sent me was the only owner's manual for that car they had available. They said they did not photocopy the original, but were given the photocopied version from their supplier. When questioned, they stated that it was an authorized photocopy, but wouldn't give the name of the supplier for me to confirm this information. I have since written to the car company to see what they have to say about the photocopied versions. I'd hate to make a big stink with the internet business that sold me the manual if this really IS the only version available on the market. Still, that doesn't absolve them from not mentioning that some manuals they supply are photocopied versions. If that fact had been posted on their website, at least I would have known there was a possibility of getting a photocopy and would only have myself to blame if I got something I wasn't satisfied with.