Do you trust Audiogon?


Recently, I came close to purchasing a five-figure item on Audiogon.  After quickly agreeing on a price, the seller did several things that caused me concern.  Some of them involved proposed violations of banking laws, and others were clear violations of Audiogon's own regulations.  I realized that this wasn't someone I should trust, and I might be receiving a box of rocks or a broken item, and I'd never again hear from the seller.  I killed the deal and reported this to Audiogon.  To my amazement, the seller's account and his listing are intact.
How does this protect honest buyers from predators?
128x128drastic

Showing 11 responses by maritime51

I had a clown tout how honest he was, then try getting me to use PayPal friends and family, claiming I had no trader rating....

two things: first, this leaves you with nothing, and secondly, it may be wire fraud as to PayPal, who is damaged by this outright deceit. 
Uh, could it be making a single transaction of more than $10,000 into several to evade...?
Drastic, I think you are right on point. It appears to be attempted wire fraud, too. It sucks when the crap flies start feeding. 
You think PayPal doesn’t care? First, read the agreement: they can and will LIMIT your account to stop it. Secondly, why not test your proposition, and in the next sale call PayPal and tell them it doesn’t truly involve a friend or family, but is an arms length sale, then report back....

And, if having PayPal limit your account to fee only transactions isn’t sleazy enough for you, how about whether a merchant seller, a term of art meaning one who regularly deals in goods of this kind, is violating the Consumer Protection Acts in every state and the United States by engaging in deceptive or unfair practices of trade or business. Before you say it, liabity is strict, not based on fault or comparative fault, and scienter is immaterial. Do it routinely as a merchant seller and.....💩
Yes, and it is wire fraud. You are such a nice guy. Your comment begs the question, casts doubt on you, and shows how guiless most buyers are-shame on you for cheating PayPal, and leaving buyers with no meaningful remedy.

Think about it for less than a second. Under the terms of the PayPal agreement which binds you, you expressly and impliedly represent it is NOT a commercial transaction, and the person sending you money, a total stranger, is either a FRIEND or FAMILY, when in truth and in fact, the payment is a sham. 
Thing is, you cannot cure an egg sucking dog. Once they get a taste for stolen eggs, it is for life. You either dump the dog, or fortify the coop.

oh, in terms of evil propensities, the egg sucking dog’s cousin, the crap eating dog, is always Johnny at the rathole for the leavings. 💩👀🙀