I trust AudioGon. It's sellers and buyers I'm leary of. I've only purchased a few things over the years and have never had a problem and in fact the transactions were great. But a few years ago there was a dealer on this site that had good feedback. Nothing negative. Then he ripped off 2 people that paid by wire transfer. One for 35K and another for 66K. Both were interstate. After letters from lawyers were sent letters he disappeared along with his business. Since then I've only dealt with my local dealer.
That said in this case both buyers got what they purchased from the manufacturer after seeing proof of the wire transfer. The manufacturer authorized a shady dealer and for that reason they made good. I happen to know this because I was with my local dealer and the manufacturers reps were there for something else and overheard the conversation since they wanted those to people to work with a great authorized dealer. Both those buyers started threads here warning of that dealer so that was the only reason I had any idea what they were talking about.
That said in this case both buyers got what they purchased from the manufacturer after seeing proof of the wire transfer. The manufacturer authorized a shady dealer and for that reason they made good. I happen to know this because I was with my local dealer and the manufacturers reps were there for something else and overheard the conversation since they wanted those to people to work with a great authorized dealer. Both those buyers started threads here warning of that dealer so that was the only reason I had any idea what they were talking about.