Is It Common For Questions About Gear For Sale To Go Unanswered?

Thank you for everyone that has responded.  

@lewm -- I did NOT include any information about myself in the "Question To The Seller", so I doubt Audiogon blocked my question.  Considering I asked the same question 3 times (each time the turntable was listed and the listing expired).  I did research VPI's website and found the same information regarding the B Stock that they sell. I knew that when I posted my question here, but I was seeking feedback from knowledgeable members such as yourself to make sure I wasn't missing something.

@jhajeski -- Indeed, I knew (or thought I knew, why I was asking here) that VPI did NOT sell any model called a "Scout 21 B" -- from reading their webpage the only conclusion I could come up with was it was a "B Stock" turntable.  I'm very aware of what "B Stock" is (I've bought such from Schiit Audio), and as @dill wrote, yes you can get great bargains buying "B Stock".  HOWEVER, there is a reason it is given a "B Stock" rating, and I find the ad to be rather deceptive if that is not pointed out.  Almost every piece of gear with flaws, scuffs, or damage I've seen sold on Audiogon makes it VERY CLEAR and includes multiple photos so the interested buyer can see the flaws, scuffs, or damage.

I don't give a flip how many positive reviews or ratings a seller currently has, if they are selling "B Stock" gear without disclosing that information, or having the courtesy to answer a simple question about the gear (which based on everyone's feedback here I did not ask in a rude way and was not out of line), I find that to be a bullshit way of doing business and I'm glad I'm taking the advice of @cleeds and​​​​@rodman99999 -- steering clear and assuming "Buyer Beware" mentality.  It's a shame, because I was ready to grab the VPI turntable in a heartbeat.  It is a turntable that has great reviews and the price was attractive.

Thank you, again, to everyone that chimed in.  As I said, compared to most members on Audiogon I'm a "newbie" (even though I'm 60 years old).  I was into stereo gear in the 1970's and 1980's when I was in a rock band playing in the Southeast, but then college, marriage, kids, and building a financial corporation became top priorities.  I retired in 2016 when a buyout offer was too good to pass up, so now my focus is back on the music.  I still have every piece of gear I've ever bought going back to 1975, but I'm now in the "upgrade mode" and a new turntable is next on my checklist!  Enjoy the music....you never know when it will be your last tune.

@donvito -- It appears to be an identical ad, but from different cities in Florida and different usernames.

@dill -- "The seller for this turntable has the ad on AudiogoN, is a longtime member and has excellent feedback. See link below. VPI Scout 12B"

I don't care what rating or number of sales they've made.  If they are selling "B Stock without disclosure and not answering the question regarding if it's "B Stock", I feel that is unethical and bull. What's even more strange and question-raising is the virtually same ad is on Audiogon and HiFi Shark, but under different usernames and city locations.   Exact verbage and photos.  Shady to me -- but maybe has an explanation.  However, the seller won't reply.

@dill -- I will assume the best intent. Maybe they did mean "Black", but in the Music Direct ad example the word "Black" is spelled out leaving no doubt. Every other time I’ve seen "B" listed in an ad for gear it meant "B Stock". If so, fine, but I’d like to know what the flaws are and not guess or be surprised. If you know the person, I’ll take your word for vouching for them. Thanks.

@donvito -- Thanks for making me aware of sellers sometimes using different Usernames. I can see that happening -- a Username is already taken or there is one close to the spelling. However, I’m stumped why the location city would be listed different. I can’t figure out why a seller would advertise it differently. Oh well, not for me to know I guess.

@jhajeski -- I'm sorry, but I did not receive a DM from you.  Was it sent on the Audiogon site?  If so, where do I look for it?  I'm still a newbie trying to learn how the Forum works...sorry! 🤔

@dill -- "Well new ones are $3300 so you would save 1100 bucks as his BIN price is $2199. So is 1/3 off retail worth blemish or two to you?"

Therein lies the entire crux of my original post, @dill. Like everyone else, I’m all for saving money, especially if an item is "B Stock" with just a "blemish or two" as you put it. But if the question is asked on three different listings and all you hear are crickets, you have no idea what the blemishes are or where they are located. A small scratch on the underside of the plinth that you can’t see unless you flip the turntable upside down? Take my money.....PLEASE!

On the other hand -- A huge, deep scratch on the top of the plinth? A chunk of the plinth chipped away where it was dropped? Places on the front or side where the lacquer has chipped off? All of these "blemishes" can be on gear and it still be sold as "New B Stock" according to several audio gear sites I’ve researched. "Defects that don’t affect the sound or operational ability of the gear" as it is stated.

Now ask yourself the same question: "Would you buy high end gear with such defects or blemishes at ONLY 1/3 of the price taken off?" The answer to that question is going to vary from Audiogon Member to Member. But you can’t answer that question if the seller refuses to respond. That was the whole point of my post, which at this point is beating a dead horse. The seller won’t answer my question, and the resounding opinion from the Members who have replied to my post is "Run, don’t walk, away." That is what I am doing. I’ll find someone else to take my money.