Deals Gone Bad

+1, czarivey.  I've cut way, way back on such purchases & upgrades but back when I was more active I practically never dealt w/ eBay for audio and for aGon stuff I focused on items for sale where I could pick up in person. I was just paranoid - but that also more controlled those purchases & I also met a few really outstanding folks (RIP, Merle).  Obviously that meant no distant/foreign deals but to one of us that approach was worth it. 

What were the sellers' customer satisfaction scores?

Interesting situation recently. Followed a listing for a tube amp I was interested in because I have the match and have been thinking about dual mono setup. No seller feedback though so I was cautious. Asked a few questions and seller responded and seemed knowledgeable. Because seller was in a city nearby and I travel there frequently I offered to come to him for a trial and told him I would purchase if satisfied. Gave him my name and location so he could google me. Never heard back and item was still listed several weeks later. Maybe demo process is not in vogue but I’ve done it for 25 years. Otherwise, I wouldn’t purchase without multiple seller feedback.

I'm in Australia and have bought and sold to and from the USA, UK and even Latvia without any major problem. The only minor issue was with Fedex who delayed giving me Australian Customs clearance information for 3 weeks and were uncontactable during that period. All was well in the end and no issue with the US seller who was extra helpful.

Ebay has always been shaky.  Audiogon and US Audiomart has never failed me.