I received a bad part. What should I do?

well, as a seller on here, i will add my input

when a part is removed from said car, alot of times, no one knows if it definatley perfect inside, especially in a hard metal item like a steering box. however, , now, if he told you that he used it himself, and knew it was good, then he is 100.00 percent wrong. if he said " to the best of my knoledge, it is good". well, that there tells you he does not have first hand knowledge.

got to remember, especially when dealing with the a-body parts. these are40 some year old cars. most of the parts that come off them is because they are in fact PARTS CARS THAT WERE LAYING IN THE WOODS FOR A LONG TIME, THERE FORE, MAKING THEM FOR PARTS.

I i have sold at leat 35 manual boxes off of 70-76 a-bodies on here in the last year, and have had not one complaint of a worn or messed up box. i do my own inspection on them, with the knowledge i have, and if i think if there is too much play, i thow it in the scrap pile.
it depends if he told you he knew it to be good, or that he assumed it to be good, as say it came off a car that was wrecked in the rear, i would also assume it to be good. it is a fine line, and ..
YOU ALSO KNOW THAT YOU WERE BUYING A USED PART, AND SOMETIMES A PART IS SOLD WITHOUT BEING TESTED. USED, NOT NEW PART.
if i was him, i also would ask if it was ok to refund all but the actual shipping price ( as long as i did not sell it by saying i knew it was good)

also. you say you asked him if he checked it to make sure it was good.

now, what made you assume he knew how to check one? did you tell him how to check condition first?
one persons percieves a little movement as being good, and if you or i checked it, we would see it is a paper weight.

i feel for your loss, but also, my honest opinion is, you knew how to check one, but doubt if you questioned his skill on chacking a used part, therefore, i say you are partially responsible, as you did not inquire more.

IF THIS WAS THE SITUATION WITH ME BEING THE ONE SELLING IT TO YOU, YOU KNOW I WOULD TELL YOU TO KEEP IT, AND SEND YOUR MONEY BACK, AS REPUTATION ON HERE IS LIKE GOLD, AND i support my family with the parts that i sell one here. also to avoid all the hassle.