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Buying Used Equipment on the Internet

Hello all, 

Had a question for the more experienced hi-fi enthusiasts here. I'm new to this hobby and currently still trying out new gear to see what I like. I was looking into trying out the Parasound Halo Hint 6 amplifier and found a used one through AudioMart. 

My question is: what advice would people have for buying used equipment online? The pricing is attractive but there's also no option for returns once the transaction goes through. What's to stop someone from offloading a lemon on to an unsuspecting buyer?

 

Thanks!

aamiransari
bgross's avatar
bgross
388 posts
 

Have purchased from TMR & they do a very nice job. Knowledgeable and hassle fee returns. Also Holt Hill Audio who have a big presence on the "other site" and do service/resto work too. Those guys always have interesting vintage speakers & components. These are my two go-too stops for pre-owned gear. Not sure there's anyone else who operate at their level of knowledge and service. Could be though, I don't pretend to know every spot out there. GL

zappas's avatar
zappas
173 posts
 

I buy used often and had no problems other than UPS.

bcool57
24 posts
 

Another vote for TMR. They will test the equipment before selling it.

 

You can also buy open box equipment through dealers like Safe & Sound, Hi-Fi Heaven or Music Direct. Most of my gear is either used or open box. I have bought some things off eBay but as others have said I always do research and pay through PayPal (not friends and family).

Good luck in putting together a great system.

ucrazykid's avatar
ucrazykid
48 posts
 

Buy the seller, not the equipment. Meaning if you don’t have trust in the seller, don’t do the transaction. 

mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,011 posts
 

i cannot gave advices...

I dont purchase gear now...

When i purchase gear it was after months of studying everything about it

all over the internet, then i wish so badly to buy it, i dont gave a damn about the sellers...

The two Sansui amplifiers i bought, and my AKG k340 headphone...My Mission Cyrus speakers...

The other pieces were new...a dac...

I did not have any problems with my 4 purchases... 2 pieces were sold in my city...

One amplifier the Sansui Alpha was sold by a dealer i did not know in Britiswh columbia at a very good price...The AKG K340 were sold from Ontario...

The only times i want to buy from the US it was more complicated than from Russia... Most of the times sellers dont want to deliver from US to Canada...I tried few times...  I forgot a subwoofer i never used finally from the US...I never need it after my acoustic job and anyway synchronizing a single sub in a small room is not easy... With my actual headphone i have a sub around my ears... 😊

Dont purchase anything without an extreme study of all aspects of the piece of gear as i did... We dont have control about the sellers... I was lucky...

they are the best deal i ever made...

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