Is It Ethical?

[Yehudaa]

I own a condo which I plan on selling at some point. In the corner of one of the showers, there's a ~ 3" hairline crack on a tile (lesson learned not to hire a cheap tile guy- that was a fight with him). It's very thin, and some people might never notice it, or only notice it after a long time. It's definitely there though.

Two ethical questions:

1. Must I point out the crack to potential buyers? It's in the back corner of the shower behind the lip of the shower, so you can only see it when you're standing in the shower, which no buyer is likely to do. Am I exempt from saying anything as it's right there for them to see if they wanted to investigate thoroughly, or do I have to help them with their due diligence by pointing it out?

2. Can I cover the crack with a glass shelf, by putting the shelf bracket right over the crack? It is in the natural spot for a shelf. I'll add that if this was simply a case of me hiding the damage (someone on DDF once posted about buying a car with a 'complimentary' e-z pass or something covering a chip in the windshield) then I'm sure this would be blatantly dishonest, but in my case, the holes that would be drilled into that tile for the shelf would thoroughly ruin that tile if someone wanted to remove the shelf, possible making the hairline crack underneath it a moot point.

Thoughts?

[etech0]

You are way more ethical than a lot of people, just for asking

[Chilla]

My thoughts:
ירבו כמותך בישראל

[Yo ssi]

Ethically I'd say it depends on industry standard. You can always go beyond that but that's not an ethical question.

[Just A Jew]

Are you ethically responsible to point out any/all of a property's flaws when selling? The standard is to offer the property in "as-is" condition, and it is the buyer's responsibility to do DD. If you advertise the property as being in perfect condition, then there is an issue, but in "as-is" condition, I don't see why you would have to point it out.

[EliJelly]

I own a condo which I plan on selling at some point. In the corner of one of the showers, there's a ~ 3" hairline crack on a tile (lesson learned not to hire a cheap tile guy- that was a fight with him). It's very thin, and some people might never notice it, or only notice it after a long time. It's definitely there though.

Two ethical questions:

1. Must I point out the crack to potential buyers? It's in the back corner of the shower behind the lip of the shower, so you can only see it when you're standing in the shower, which no buyer is likely to do. Am I exempt from saying anything as it's right there for them to see if they wanted to investigate thoroughly, or do I have to help them with their due diligence by pointing it out?

2. Can I cover the crack with a glass shelf, by putting the shelf bracket right over the crack? It is in the natural spot for a shelf. I'll add that if this was simply a case of me hiding the damage (someone on DDF once posted about buying a car with a 'complimentary' e-z pass or something covering a chip in the windshield) then I'm sure this would be blatantly dishonest, but in my case, the holes that would be drilled into that tile for the shelf would thoroughly ruin that tile if someone wanted to remove the shelf, possible making the hairline crack underneath it a moot point.

Thoughts?

If there is no leakage issue and you plan on selling the condo "as is", then the potential buyer should do the walkaround for wear and tear. You're not even suppose to remember every hairline crack or loose hinge. Your honesty and integrity is truly admirable! (which comes across in all your posts, not just this one.)

[HudZ]

You are way more ethical than a lot of people, just for asking

My thoughts:
ירבו כמותך בישראל

Your honesty and integrity is truly admirable! (which comes across in all your posts, not just this one.)

Wow! Couldn't agree more.

We're glad to have you around!

[Yehudaa]

You guys are too much! I'm blushing.

Thank you all. Such a positive community here.

[etech0]

you can only see it when you're standing in the shower, which no buyer is likely to do.

FWIW, I would think that a home inspector hired by the buyer is much more likely to notice these things than an actual buyer, since that's his job.

[HudZ]

I'm not sure what the correct thing would be over here. However, one thing that I can say, is that if you should tell your prospective buyer about this crack, I can only see it as doing you good. (I can't see why someone would turn down something they are in interested in, due to a small crack in a tile.)

In general, I always appreciate a seller of whatever it may be, telling me those small disclaimers. To me it shows honesty.

[username]

If it is visible, you do not NEED to point it out out. Not sure about hiding it, though.

[YitzyS]

Question:

Insurance covers glasses frames, but not lenses. Person needs new lenses, and the optician says (without being asked) that he will bill it to insurance as frames and then apply it to the lenses. Should he be stopped?

[jfish227]

Question:

Insurance covers glasses frames, but not lenses. Person needs new lenses, and the optician says (without being asked) that he will bill it to insurance as frames and then apply it to the lenses. Should he be stopped?

Yes

[chail]

i returned shoes i ordered from amazon -sold by zappos- and then realised i by mistake sent back an empty box.. i contacted zappos thru amazon portal for a new return label but they said their orders and returns are fulfilled by amazon i should contact amazon for new label.. by this time the refund was already issued and this empty shoe box is probably on a warehouse shelf or in a landfill somewhere.. must i 'trouble myself' to contact amazon or wait and see if theyll take back the refund? appreciate your feedback

[etech0]

i returned shoes i ordered from amazon -sold by zappos- and then realised i by mistake sent back an empty box.. i contacted zappos thru amazon portal for a new return label but they said their orders and returns are fulfilled by amazon i should contact amazon for new label.. by this time the refund was already issued and this empty shoe box is probably on a warehouse shelf or in a landfill somewhere.. must i 'trouble myself' to contact amazon or wait and see if theyll take back the refund? appreciate your feedback

I would contact them

[chail]

I would contact them

because i have to return the shoes or to stay in their good graces on the chance they realize that they dont think i did it on purpose? cause I already contacted the seller thru their website telling them i still hv the shoes

[etech0]

because i have to return the shoes or to stay in their good graces on the chance they realize that they dont think i did it on purpose? cause I already contacted the seller thru their website telling them i still hv the shoes

Because you contacted the seller who said to contact amazon

[TzviR]

At least it was empty. I know someone who mixed up shipping labels and accidently sent a package worth a few hundred dollars to the shoe company.

[etech0]

At least it was empty. I know someone who mixed up shipping labels and accidently sent a package worth a few hundred dollars to the shoe company.

I know someone who mixed up return labels and sent $100 shoes to the wrong place. Never got them back even though they contacted the destination who said they would look for them.

[HudZ]

because i have to return the shoes or to stay in their good graces on the chance they realize that they dont think i did it on purpose? cause I already contacted the seller thru their website telling them i still hv the shoes

Contact Amazon, or even call them, and they'll probably let you off the hook, certainly the right thing to do.

I just had an instance where I was returning a set of (defective) items, and for some reason, when I was packaging it up, I noticed one of the pieces from the set were missing (not sure if it came missing, or got misplaced...). Anyhow, I called Amazon, and the rep told me not to worry about it, send it back and she'll make a note on the item.