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Audiogon Ethics

I have been an Audiogon member for a couple of years and am very fond of the idea that we are building a community of audiophiles based on trust and honesty. I recently saw a sales ad for a piece by a member who I sold an identical piece to a few months ago (I can't say it is my original piece but it would strike me as odd that someone would own two identical units). If the seller is indeed advertising the unit I initially sold him, he is misrepresenting the condition of the unit (e.g., implying that he purchased it new and that its age is less than it actually is). My question to everybody on this list is what, if anything, to do about this?

I am concerned about the implications of dishonesty for our community of audiophiles in general. I believe this question merits discussion among members. I look forward to your responses. Thanks.

Volker
drv

Showing 2 responses by sugarbrie

sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
It really is hard to tell I guess. I am an audio pack rat. I currently have 5 tuners in my possession and among them there are on 3 different models. I just sold one of my two MSB P1000 power bases. I have 3 pairs of the same Siltech cables, some I bought new, some used, and I don't know which is which. I have two Conrad Johnson Motif MC-8 preamps. I have two Aiwa XC-37M CD changers modified by Stan Warren. They're so cheap, I wanted a spare; and since they are now discontinued I am glad I have two if one breaks. I have 3 pairs of B&W 302 speakers.

Of the tuners, I bought one for $35 only because it was so cheap; it worked fine and was in a place where I could care less how it looks; so I sold a near mint one I had for $150. I am sure the seller of the $35 one thinks I am a crook if you noticed my ad and thought it was his I was selling.


So you see, anything is possible. But I do share your concern.

sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Most of us here are honest and stand behind what we trade. On used gear, unless the seller provides you with their original receipt, you have no idea how many owners there has been. There are some terrible original owners, who don't take care of things, so what does it really mean? When I buy used, I don't think I have ever asked if the seller is the original owner. I care more about whether they smoke in their room with the gear. Most warranties are void and if it is Bryston gear with a 20 year transferable warranty does not matter as much.

Last year I sold some Nordost speaker cables. I send them to the buyer in a plain DHL/UPS type box that had Nordost logo tape on it, that was from a pair of interconnects I had changed from RCA to XLR. He sold them later and claimed he had the original box. (He probably though he did.) When I sold them I claimed they were in very good condition, he claimed excellent condition. I was probably being conservative, so maybe he was not making an exagerated claim (or maybe he was)? He did an auction and he only got $15 more than I sold them for, so no harm done.

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