Acceptable to ask seller for option to return a component?

You certainly have the right, and probably wise to get a return commitment, in writing.

Also, even if listing says 'working' ... write seller via the service, i.e. eBay, Reverb  ...ask questions, and get clarifications in writing which you can then refer to if a dispute arises.

Note: eBay, PayPal, Reverb have buyer protection. PayPal: get an invoice from seller for the item(s) via eBay so you can pay for 'goods and services' (not send money to friends or family which is not protected) avoid using zelle if you can. 

The extra fees for protection have gone up; reported sales/taxes are more of an issue, you might need to offer to pay the extra fees involved with the system like PayPal.

Fund paypal with your best credit card so you have the CC's 'fraud' protection. Sometimes I call the CC company prior to a purchase to confirm coverage and ask what might be needed for a successful claim.

CC Fraud often has a 14 day delay, so get 30 day return privilege's if you can.

If you buy a warranty, check if it is transferrable, might help with a re-sale

there is an important difference between a return because not working properly/not as described, and you just didn't like it...difficult for both buyers and sellers...

Sure why not?

Worse they can do is say no. 

even if you return something on Crutchfield on Amazon, it's not without a lot of costs and consequences, so I am usually very careful with the return option.

Most seasoned buyers on audio forums have a different approach: research the hell out of what I am buying before buying AND/OR if I don't like it, will I be able to resell it at a loss I am willing to accept. 

I learned this early at my own expense and paid dearly. I bought new/open box speakers for $1500 that checked off all the wrong boxes: sounded terrible, had no value on the used market, a sneeze would scratch the veneer, etc. 

certainly agree there is no harm in asking...

There is harm in asking in that I believe many sellers would not sell to you.  If I describe the component as it truly is and safely ship it to a buyer, then the transaction has concluded.  No do overs.  It protects me because I have no idea (or control) as to what happened to the component after it arrived at the buyer's residence.  I guess I could charge you for the return option, but realistically why should I even bother.  Some people might not have the problem I with you asking, but I think most will.

Sure it is OK to ask. It is just as OK to decline.

Thanks everyone for the great replies, which seem to reflect both sides of the meter - OK to ask and not OK to ask, although most seem to favor asking. In my particular case, I did offer to pay for the return shipment, but did not consider a sellers concern for potential damage to a unit, as onhwy61 points out.

So far, my take-away from responses is its OK to ask, but most sellers will likely say no, so if you move forward make sure you use a protected payment in case of dispute, and know the resale value of the component if all goes awry. 
 

Good idea...get some speakers for a party and after words just return them..

If you want to buy used with a return option, buy from TMR. They are good people. 

I have a lot of transactions here under my belt and only one time did the person as if they could return the product.  This was a pair of speakers that the person bought 6 months earlier.   He said he just didn’t like them.  I tried to be polite and told him I wasn’t a business and if he didn’t like them to sell them.  He still persisted so I pretty much told him to go pound sand.  He then tried to  change the positive feedback he gave me 6 months earlier to a negative one.   What gall to think I was going to give him his money back after using them for 6 months.  

Everything said above. I always tell my wife as I negotiate any major purchase- 

the worst thing that can happen is they say “no”.

stereo5 gives an example of why it is dangerous to accept returns. Yet another example of the 1%, probably 2% now, that ruin things for everyone. Over the last 25 years, I have had a few buyers want to return vacuum tubes because they didnt like the sound. 

You can ask, but most likely they will say no.

Many have a return policy with a 15% restocking fee 

Do your homework before you buy.  If you don't like it, resell it at little to no loss.

…….I guess there are people with no shame . There is a big difference between a product that was sold that was broken, not as described and the buyer just not liking the sound . It had already been noted that if the product is defective the buyer if using Pay-Pal will have some protection. Please make sure that you have kept all documentation and the seller should go above and beyond to show that when the product was in good working condition as sold as described . I am responding to this thread as I once sold a high end Siltech interconnect to a buyer here who 2 months later said the cable was defective . The burden of proof as the seller was on me ! We are talking a high 4 figure cable and I had to present my case to Pay-Pal that the cable was in fact not damaged but in fact in fine working condition involving a buyer that “ just didn’t like the sound “ . The dispute after many months was ruled in my favor . My answer would be no as there are that 1-2 % that are truly dishonest here . Go do your homework and build a relationship with the seller before you buy ……now if Audiogon would only let you contact each other and not get flagged would be a great step for forward for all to possibly avoid this situation from happening .

Absolutely yes.  I ask all the time and rarely get a no as an answer.  Heck, I even asked if I could return a dog once as I wasn’t sure she would play well with the other dogs and a cat we had at the time.

All the best.

+1 @chayro TMR tip top to trade with. No caveat emptor w/ them.

So @djb2573 if you’re hesitant don’t buy. PM me please for a special on a bridge in Brooklyn. NOT!

On Agon you see if they are a Verified Dealer and see their recent and lifetime feed back ratings. There are many 100% folks. This ain’t ebay.

If possible get to know your seller. I have had several pleasant back and forth messages when making a purchase on Agon. Some now a cyber pen pals. One guy came to my house! Great fun. Here there are many "birds of a feather."

OP clearly states in cases of "item did not appear as described" ...

If you have the chance to speak to Him. By talking to Him you can easily sense if he is good person to deal with.If he is not nice then don’t do the transaction.Definitely you have right to ask  the seller for return options. If they already stated no return option? Stay away.

You can always ask and they can say no.  My take for buying audio gears on Audiogon is always "no return" except:

• Item is not as described
• Seller / Dealer specifically stated return would be acceptable (usually with restocking fee)