http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220434897035 Dear acreatureofthenight, I am happy to give you the benefit of the doubt BUT? Your description was completely misleading. I new immediately I unwrapped the item that something was seriously wrong as the soft plastic / rubber parts were breaking down (Gone soft and breaking up) and had lost their colour. The most likely cause is inappropriate storage? I did persist however and put in the batteries. I turned it on and it made a faint squeak for a split second, (you sent the item in a 580EX box and claim to have used this item (“”The flash hasn't been dropped or banged; in the middle of using it it stopped firing, and I've not been able to get it to fire since.””) I presume that you know that it takes approximately 2.5 seconds for the capacitors to charge (The sound rising in pitch as it proceeds) not just a split second squeak!! Secondly you stated it “Powers On” to justify this statement and the conclusion that it ”probably just needs a new flash tube” the “ready” light would need to light up and it quite clear this does NOT happen. The capacitors DO NOT CHARGE, IT DOES NOT POWER ON and the cost of repair would exceed the cost of a new item. As stated at this moment I am happy to give you the benefit of the doubt. If we can reach an amicable arrangement I will happily give good feedback in return for like and forget this ever happened. I await your reply? Hi Jack, I'm sorry you feel misled about the flash unit. Which soft rubber parts do you mean? The buttons on the back? The pictures I included on the listing are of the same flash unit I posted, and were taken the day before I listed it. I believe the buttons look fine in the pictures, and the plastic was in good condition given the unit's age. The unit's been stored in a cool, dry place inside the 580EX box it was supplied in since it broke, and I tried to take good care of it before then. As for it not working, before I packaged the flash to send it to you I put new batteries in it to test. The unit switched on, I heard the capacitors charge (over a couple of seconds like you describe), the zoom head worked, and the settings on the back could be changed. I don't think the ready light lit up, and I'm sorry I omitted that on the listing, but I had said I don't know anything about repairing flash units and encouraged questions before purchase - it wasn't an intentional omission. The unit was also marked clearly as being for spares or repair. It's possible it was damaged during transit, but I think the bubblewrap should have been enough to prevent that. Was the parcel paper dinged or dented? I am sorry that you don't feel you got the item you expected. How can I make you happy about this transaction? What kind of arrangement would you like? Best wishes, Alex. Dear acreatureofthenight, The soft rubber parts are not show to well in your pics. They are the two discs either side of the tilt hinge, the top Bezel and the black socket cover which was like putty. They are indicated on your pick? But the main point is that you stated that you repeatedly tried to get this to work but it did not fire. The plain fact is I did not think to ask if the ready light was showing as I took it for granted that if the ready light was not on it was clear there was a major problem with the device and it would not be worth trying to get it to work because with the ready light NOT showing the unit “WAS NOT ON”. The conclusion that it may be the light tube reinforced the scenario that this was a simple problem and that in all other respects it was functioning properly. Which it clearly was not! As to a solution? A full refund with return P&P and an undertaking not to put it back on eBay? OR a £10 refund and I shall take it apart and find the fault/s. But it cannot be repaired as it is not a user repairable item. Only registered dealers/repairers can get the parts and in any event it will cost more than the unit is worth as it will involve the replacement of the PCB. The cost of replacing the light tube was £60 and that was only just about a worthwhile outlay. Jack Send me your email and I will send back your pic with parts identified. Dear Jack, I understand your frustration with the flash unit, and would be just as annoyed in your shoes. But please remember that you bid on an item marked very clearly as 'for spares and repair', and 'sold as seen'. I'm sorry the problem isn't as easy to fix as you thought, but I had said that I don't have the knowledge or skill to fix it – I described the problem in good faith, but I'm clearly not an expert in flash repair. I thought that the ready light would not light if the flash tube was broken, and that was the only reason it remained unlit. I must also disagree with you when you say that it wasn't functioning properly in all other respects - as I said before, the unit powered on, the capacitors charged, the zoom head worked, the LCD worked, and settings could be changed. I'm sorry the rubber was worse than you expected, but do bear in mind that the 430EZ is an older flash unit and rubber naturally perishes over time. Checking other photos I took I see now that the cap on the AC adaptor port is broken, and I'm very sorry I didn't notice at the time and draw your attention to it on the listing. From what I can see of the side, the rubber seems to be in good condition. You can see this picture here: http://www.ethicsgirls.com/ebay/photography-430ez-04.jpg As for a solution, I would be willing to refund you the £13.19 you paid for the flash if you pay return postage and packaging. I understand this is less than you would like, but you did purchase an item clearly marked "Sold as seen" and "no returns". I also paid more for postage than I charged you on the original auction, so I believe this to be a reasonable compromise for both of us. Best wishes, Alex.