Help with something I sold...

Sold a member here a new Vivitar 383 flash. Mint. Never failed for me using Duracell rechargeables.
The flash now doesn't work, different batteries have been tried, contacts cleaned, nothing. Test button doesn't even work.
Thoughts?

Might have damaged during transist?

It worked about 8 times and then went to crap.
Anything is possible but it was packaged in its original box (which is padded) then surrounded by a great deal of packing peanuts inside another box. No insurance on this one I don't think...
Very irritated - Only how many b&s transactions on here and this one goes south. I guess it's nice it's one of the lesser expensive ones.

Mr. Clean wrote in post #8890431
It worked about 8 times and then went to crap.

Does it still power on but not flash or does it just not power on?

Either way it's probably an electrical problem within the unit but the flash bulb/head may be damaged.

It could be a shipping issue or it could just be a component failure from sitting.

Also, if you packed it in Styrofoam peanuts, did you use the white or pink/green ones? The latter are made from a modified compound that greatly reduces static. The white ones are bad for electronics although since it was in the original packaging it probably doesn't matter.

Well, you can't stop electronics from messing up. IMO It's really up to you if you want to do somthing about it. But people on here know when buying from 3rd party sellers and the risks. It states so in the Rules and Regulations in the sell section.

Erik S. Klein wrote in post #8891514
Does it still power on but not flash or does it just not power on?

Either way it's probably an electrical problem within the unit but the flash bulb/head may be damaged.

It could be a shipping issue or it could just be a component failure from sitting.

Also, if you packed it in Styrofoam peanuts, did you use the white or pink/green ones? The latter are made from a modified compound that greatly reduces static. The white ones are bad for electronics although since it was in the original packaging it probably doesn't matter.

The flash does power on but doesn't fire. It was packed in the white/pink ones but I don't think that would affect anything due to the flash being in it's original box.

G-M Photography wrote in post #8891760
Well, you can't stop electronics from messing up. IMO It's really up to you if you want to do somthing about it. But people on here know when buying from 3rd party sellers and the risks. It states so in the Rules and Regulations in the sell section.

The buyer and I have worked it out thankfully. I'm thinking it got damaged in shipping on it's way up to AK. Still sucks though.