I know Ebay is terrible, but how has your experience selling gear on Audiogon been? I have some stuff that's too high-end for the market I live in, and so I gotta cast the net wider. Not looking forward to the potential hassle.
My experience here has been good, but the last few / several years I've been driven away because:
High fees: higher than, and IN ADDITION TO, PayPal's, and
The stifled communication between buyer & seller when you don't pay the fee up front (i.e. total loss if your listing doesn't sell).
The other place usam is simply a superior system with no fees (for most hobbyists). Compare the traffic of the 2 - agon's listings have been dwindling each year, and a lot of them are spamming by dealers trying to unload a warehouse full of their crap (like cables). A lot of the remaining "decent" listings are by TMR (The Music Room) - just go to TMR's own site, and search / buy there!
The other place has much more daily traffic, and generally more interesting listings. But the market in general feels slow this summer. I guess our hobby got a little bump from covid days, and that's gone now.
The low-ballers have always been around (my policy is to ignore them), along with guys who don't have the money now but "really want it". What gets me is I have a track record of 100% feedback, and always supply ample pics and description to my ad, always rate condition accurately, and would never sell inoperable junk - but inevitably I always get asked if there are any operational problems or scratches / gouges in the item, as if I've been insidiously hiding that somehow. I guess the age group of this hobby was raised to consider a paint scratch as the worst sin possible. Not as big a deal to me (unless it's a front faceplate), but I look for and state any such issues upfront nonetheless.
I've had nothing but good experiences buying and selling here. I believe selling and buying here is generally safer. USAM as well. sort of a for enthusiasts by enthusiasts... in a way self policing. One needs to be smart about a transaction, review the buyer/seller's profile and feedback.
I have purchased items here for 20 years and have had all excellent experiences, even made some great friends and built an incredible system that I wouldn't have been able to afford otherwise. Having purchased as much gear as I have, I have accumulated a few closet full and have taunted myself for years with selling some items on Agon. The thought was never appealing for one reason or another, though mostly procrastination. I got a bug in me a few weeks ago and took an item out of the closet, took a photo of it and put on Agon for sale. Within an hour I had an offer and it was sold. Not even a question. I posted 5 other items later that day and the following morning and my the next evening, all was sold with not a question, complaint or negative remark - except one offer for $100 less, which was fine. It was a really great experience and I have a few more items to sell, once I stop procrastinating.
I conducted an experiment a few years ago. I listed a variety of items across multiple sales platforms; Ebay, Agon, AA, US AudioMart, HeadFi. Items ranged in value from $50-$2000. Descriptions and pictures were identical across all listings.
I sold 95% of items through Ebay. I sold 2 items through US AudioMart. I sold 1 item through HeadFi. I sold -0- through Agon.
I had several low ball offers from Agon members, and lots of questions. But -0- sales.
I have had moderately more success buying through Agon. I was able to purchase an amplifier, preamp and few other odds and ends that are still in use by me. I also have encountered sellers who -refused- to sell to me because "I ask too many questions, and would be trouble to deal with later".
I recently listed a few more items on Ebay and US AudioMart. I just sold a very expensive vintage piece on Ebay- at full price. I sold a few pieces on US AudioMart individually, and as part of a package deal. In all cases, transactions were smooth.
Based upon my experience (and mine only), if you want the most exposure to the largest audience, and want to sell with the least amount of issues, then EBAY is the best venue. USAudio Mart may not have the traffic of other sites, but it is growing, and is now a very viable option.
I have had good experiences buying and selling on Audiogon, probably about 20 or so transactions.
I have only had one purchase on US Audiomart, and that went well too.
One thing I'd recommend is that, when someone communicates with you via the Audiogon email, and wants to make an offer, I'd insist that they make you a formal offer on the site, instead of discussing the terms of the sales via email or any other way.
I have had people make low-ball offers, but that's not an indictment of the site, just the way some people operate.
I have used audiogon for years. Has not let me down. So far all the equipment is as described. I have received product in past with UPS damage (box so torn and damage it was beyond description) not the fault of the seller though. I always double box now and pack securely. I treat other buyers like I would want to be treated with total honesty. It always works best. Will continue to use this site, like it. My best finds are here
I have only bought items from Audiogon and USAudioMart. My advice would be to have a phone conversation with the other party. That way you can get a good read from them if they are being honest and also ascertain if they are the type of person you would like to do business with.
@oldhvymec, I have really learned alot from your posts over the past few years. I am also a McIntosh guy. Thanks, for your well thought out previous discussions. I hope all is well.
Better luck on ebay, at least I'm able to make a sale there! I seldom succeed on here and I'm not selling crap...maybe my stuff is not "elite" enough, oh well. When I sell, I sell on ebay now for the most part.
Just be honest with your descriptions and post a lot of pictures from every angle. Closeups of ANY imperfections and price it fairly. Do this and you should be fine.
For as long as I can remember, I never had any real bad experiences selling or buying many, many items over the last (roughly) 20 years (here on Audiogon). Audio people tend to be very honest, upstanding people. There is something about audiophiles that has earned my utmost respect.
I bought and sold several pieces on Audiogon over the years. Always a good experience. Lately I like The Music Room. You can get a price from them quickly for outright dale or trade.
I’ve had excellent buying and selling experiences on Audiogon and US Audio Mart. I only buy from people with a good selling history. I only sell to people with a good buying history and/or verified PayPal account. I don’t try to sell high-end gear on eBay.
I’ve only had one negative experience on audiogon and it’s interesting. The equipment I bought was fine- no issues. Later, the seller accused me of lowballing him. I don’t understand how an accepted offer is lowballing!
eBay N0T horrible. OfferUp goes national too. Obvious alternative US Audio Mart. Fill out an offer page for The Music Room for a base. Nothing but good experience with Audiogon
A guy told me pack it like it's coming back, the inside can't meet the outside, and it cannot move. If it's tight it's right...If it's loose repack it...Simple..Never failed me...not once...
I've used Agon successfully both buying and selling since 2000. I don't buy or sell very much these days. My last two sales were fairly inexpensive cables that I sold on Audiomart as it was more cost effective. Were I to sell an expensive item I would use Audiogon as the feedback system here is more mature.
key principle in dealing in used hifi gear is ’treat the other party as you would want to be treated yourself’... in describing the gear, in negotiating, in getting it done with shipping, what have you --- yet soooooo many fail at this, it is such a moral deficit
It has been a few years since I used Audiogon to buy or sell anything, but being a budget conscience retired person, I try to avoid paying any extra fees. Nowadays I strictly use AudioMart or even Craigslist. I have never had any issues with Canuck AudioMart (I am Canadian) and in general, the items listed there are more within my budget. My three rules are to get the money up front, be honest about whatever you are selling and always package it like it was going to fall off the truck along the way.
Yes I'm a member here. You don't have to help support AGon. I just like to pay my way if there a fee. It's called the insider. BUT the outsiders are are the same crowd. There is no benefit, that I've found, other than a Hello thread...No secret sauce receipts, though..
Audiogon member since 2003. As I’ve gone into the rabbit hole of this hobby, I have made tons of purchases over the years here, and on other sites. Only in the last 5 years have I had any problems.
These items, all rated as 8 or 9, arrived in the following condition: an amplifier with a loudly buzzing power supply, a power conditioner with a circuit breaker that kept tripping, a disc player with a failing laser mechanism, and a tonearm with integrated wire that has a poorly soldered cartridge clip. Was it bad luck for me, or poor vetting of the seller? All sellers had 100% positive feedback with no negatives.
I said I was done buying used, but I saw the tonearm at a great price and I couldn’t resist. Now it’s my problem to deal with. With the other items I was able to get them fixed at a minimal cost to me, but I might not be so lucky with with the tonearm. Although the problem seems simple, the manufacturer said the repair is going to be costly.
Moral of the story, I’m not buying used gear anymore unless I can get a warranty or insurance (Square Trade saved me from an expensive repair on one of the items). I’ve been burned too many times in the last 5 years.
Years ago, back in the late '90's & 2000's, I did a ton of buying & selling on audiogon. That's when it seemed waaaay easier to buy & sell used gear, & just keep changing your system w/o losing too much in $ terms.
I've done a lot of buying & selling on ebay also. I think buying is better than selling there for expensive audio gear. My current 2 mint condition Bryston amps I bought on ebay, at fair or even great prices. Also my Nord Electro 3 keyboard. And I just bought a used Pioneer DV-45A DVD/SACD player on feebay for $75 w/free shipping that I just unpacked & seems in mint condition.
The last expensive audio component that I "sold" on feebay was a Cary pre-amp for $1800. Almost immediately the buyer started driving me nuts with email after email insisting that it was going to be destroyed in shipping, even tho it had the best packing I've ever seen. Finally we agreed to cancel the sale. I put it on AA (for free) & after a few months sold it (semi) locally for $1500 CASH, in person, not paypal. I live about an hour from Boston, so I have access to that market.
Oh, yeah, & a few years ago I sold a mint pair of B&W N805 speakers that I listed on CL in about a day it seems like. I didn't have the boxes so didn't want to ship. The buyer was a Nut & 2 hours late, then wanted to "audition" them for an hour or 2 but he finally coughed up the $1500 in, again, CASH.
as hilde says, audiogon and us audiomart (if you are in the usa) are the 2 go-to sites
audio circle is a third but much narrower viewer/buyer base
if you go to any of these it is important to establish a good track record... means alot people are cautious dealing with someone with a poor or no positive feedback -- so many dishonest people and time wasters out there
Let me understand this, at AG they charge again and again for a relist?
It cost less (like ZERO) to leave it, than remove it, and they charge for a relist? True middle man America speaking...LOUD...
Listing a house, I’m gonna repay a person working their butt off, to move my house. BUT DIDN’T.
Here it takes, more work to remove the add and NO ONE is trying to sell it for you. BUT you have an option to "CHAT". That is one expensive option. I’ll talk to myself...Selling YOUR information too boot... and handing out cookies, with a glitch, OH YEA I pay attention....
That was an easy decision for me then.. WOW I didn’t realise, the greedy practice.. NOW a lot of the policies make a LOT more sense to me...
I have only bought here, same with everyone I know. We are all getting ready for some serious, equipment moving. All of us except, our kids, are retiring (some of those too).
P.T. Barnum said it best...None of us go to the circus...All of us were skilled labor, might have worked for them though...
Agon read my post... Think about what I said.... I’m being very honest here... I pay to post., I'm a member.
I have bought and sold quite a bit here and my experiences have been good. As already mentioned, you will get wide exposure for your item here. Just ensure you understand the fee structure and how the grading scale works when listing. Ensure you understand what the market for your gear is and price it accordingly. If you go a month (or several) and the item doesn’t sell, the listing costs apply again, and again, and again. Also as mentioned, US Audiomart is an option with no listing fees, but the amount of exposure is less.
I've been selling here for around 11 years now. After trying various different sites, I generally feel that A-gon is the best option. Not necessarily the cheapest option, but it's got a wide spread of buyers that visit everyday.
For the most part, I rarely have issues with buyers here.
I’ve been buying and selling on Audiogon for years. IMO, it is the best place to buy and sell gear. Some that suggest other sites most likely have never sold or bought on Audiogon!!
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