[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1448416748' post='2915315']
It doesn't matter if the seller was aware of the fault. If the fact is that the fault was present when the buyer collected it, then the seller is liable. Proving it may not be without its problems, but I would have given it a bloody good go. We wouldn't even be discussing this if the buyer had been able to pay through PayPal as eBay would have refunded and debited it back from the seller. Quite rightly so in my opinion.
I'm not even sure sellers can insist on cash payment. Doesn't that violate T's & C's?
[/quote]
Sorry, but I disagree with this. The law on purchases is very simple and very clear....It says 'Buyer Beware', i.e. it is the buyer's responsibility to check that what they are buying is satisfactory. If the seller misrepresented something about the item that is a totally different situation; but you can't expect the seller to know every last thing about an item, especially if it is something as deeply hidden as a truss rod on a bass.