How will the COVID-19 pandemic affect sites like Audiogon?


One would think that with social distancing and shelter in place policies, there has never been a better time for upgrading and enjoying your audio system.   But is now the time to buy and sell?  The mass unemployment and economic distress accompanying the pandemic seems certain to undermine what is essentially a luxury market encompassing both gearheads and music lovers?  What effects on buying and selling audio gear — both short and long term — can we foresee?
merlin

Showing 2 responses by poko

Suspect the site will be more than fine. People have a LOT of time to fill. Can't go looking for records as all the stores are close. One of the big retailers here in TO has shut and moved their sales online for the time being. Free shipping over $50. But, can't look at their used records, and it aint all going to go online! Brick and mortar retailers will close temporarily, so the only place to go shopping is online. Audiogon will be fine. I really do feel for all of us, its a terrible, terrible situation. Feel fortunate that I'm in Canada where it seems like the Gov turned on appropriate protocols early. (Just to be clear, non partisan, and not a fan of our current leaders) Our great neighbors to the south have unfortunately been fed a bill of goods from your "leader". Sad. Deny/lie/deflect. Didn't benefit anyone. And now, its gonna explode. Not going to take long until the US is dealing with a situation similar to Italy - only on a much bigger scale.
There is loads of blame to go around, but now is not the timer that, but rather to be responsible and be of as much service as possible to the greater good, whatever that means. Accountability will hopefully come to those around the world who did not act as should have been required, starting with China and spreading from there.
Walls, masks and distance. Good times... Well, at least we can all get along here:) This is going to take a global effort, no doubt about that. I think that we as humans are hardwired to forget, or at least repress trauma. When this is over, the ones who will remember it and change their actions will be a small percentage of the population. Mainly those who have had a direct loss as a result of this. For the rest, it''l just remain a story "Remember when that Covid thing happened..." Perhaps this willful selective memory is a survival mechanism. It would be too difficult if one was to live with a truly active memory.