Is there such thing as a test lab/escrow service for selling/buying audio gear?

Any big bank or lawyer can function as an escrow agent with a specified technician to evaluate the piece on objective terms. Once the tech verifies, the funds would be released. Whether a seller would want to jump those hoops is another question even if you as buyer are paying the escrow fee and tech fee. I often had exotic cars subject to a pre-purchase inspection at my expense by a trusted mechanic--this is common in car world, probably not so much in audio. 

TMR is sharp.  Two other options are that you could always try selling here or on USAudiomart.

Thanks everyone for the input. I appreciate everyone's help.  

I just traded in an older piece of equipment on a new purchase at TMR.  They actually gave me more than I asked for.  I would use them again.

TMR has figured a lot of things out ... 

To make the test lab/escrow business work, you need to add 1- 2 extra digits to the dollar amount of the transaction. Meaning the odds of it happening is near zero.

Agree with @g9taylor and @larsman  and others. 

My interactions with TMR have been flawless. They do a lot of the work that I do not want to do. As I’m typing this, I’m thinking I need to get off my butt and sell some gear I’m not using. TMR makes it easy.

Another 'Yes!' vote for TMR; my experience with them has been good folks who really want to work with you and try to make it as easy and convenient as possible. They earn their cut. 

Try only excepting a gold bar as payment! 

Matt 

+1 for TMR. Recently sold a phono stage through TMR. It sold within 3 weeks for listed price and had my money within a couple of days. They made sure it was in good shape and ready to sell. They made shipping easy. The best part-I never had to deal with a buyer and don't have to worry about an unscrupulous buyer causing trouble after the sale. The commission is a bit stiff, but worth it to me-I'm a consumer not a dealer. I'll use TMR again. 

At TMR you get 65% of what they sell it for and you have to do nothing but box it and ship it to them, and they provide the shipping labels. I did that with a tube amp and pre amp, it went well for me. They test everything before they sell it and they provide the new buyer with a trial period. If you don’t want the hassle then you are not going to get top dollar too. 

There are escrow services like escrow.com, but I do not believe they certify the gear. Bench fees seem to be ranging from $100 to $250. Add that into the cost of the escrow service, PayPal fees and shipping, both to the escrow service and then on to the buyer, and most folks will find this cost prohibitive. And realize, just because the item is certified as working when it leaves the test bench in no way does that guarantee that it is working condition when it reaches the buyer. And Audiogon takes the position that the gear must arrive to the buyer in the condition stated in the ad.

Of course, you could have a local tech verify operating condition and then send it on to escrow, but I don’t think that changes anything. And I have had folks into my house for decades to buy gear, one must be circumspect, but I and many of my friends, have had no issues. So saying that it is not safe to have folks come into your home is a preference, not an absolute.

For the risk averse, selling to a local dealer, TMR, or ECHO makes lots of sense. Internet and face-to-face selling is not for everyone.

Just realize that getting top dollar carries with it an element of risk, and the more risk you eliminate the less money you will get in the end. There is no formula that eliminates risk and maximizes monetary yield. 

In my experience TMR pricing is pretty accurate.  It's possible what you're hoping to get is just beyond what the market will bare.

I agree the 35% seems a bit steep but in all honesty their service is excellent.  I've used them several times, they covered all the shipping, testing, photography, advertising, working with the buyers, collecting the money and promptly sending me the proceeds.  Twice they've even provided me with boxes for equipment I didn't have the original container for.

It is a bit of a premium service, but they deliver it well.  It is very much the service you described in your question.

I tried TMR but they quoted me a very low price and they have a standard consignment fee of 35%. In reality, I would only get about 35% of the value of the item if and when it sells. But thanks for replying!

Try The Music Room.

https://tmraudio.com/