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My list of seller red flags

I’ve compiled a list of annoying things sellers do. If I see any of these red flags I will not buy from them. Ideally every seller should agree to not do any of these before they are allowed to sell online.

- Overpriced
- Don’t talk about any flaws
- Keep re-posting
- Use unrelated keywords in ad so ad comes up when you search for different brand
- Paranoid language like " Cash and Carry only", "No spammers", No Trades...
- Using all CAPS and !!! marks

- Used car salesman lingo like"only $xxx , a great deal, a steal , and the worse, RARE "
- Ad consists entirely of copy/pasted info. from manufacturer website
- Any textspeak
- Gimmicky pricing like $999 or $995 or the worse, random price like $927
- Saying price is "Firm"..

- Reducing price by insignificant amount to bump ad
- Tooting own horn, i.e describing how awesome their product is.. Comes across as desperate to me..
- Seller saying they will lose money or taking a big loss .. Not my problem..

- Selling several items in one ad and updating the ad to say "SOLD" on certain items.
12inch45rpm
113 responses Add your response
jl35
3,980 posts
 
as with sales, I look at feedback before considering a trade
12inch45rpm OP
18 posts
 
As for price is firm, it signals someone difficult to deal with. It's the market that determines the price, not what you think it is worth. Once you start asking questions you often find out many things that can lower it's value.
12inch45rpm OP
18 posts
 
Also on trades, how would you have any protection if the items is defective? That’s why Paypal exists. They are an escrow to safely hold funds till both parties are satisfied.

To me trades reek of scam.
jl35
3,980 posts
 
a few years ago I listed a Portal Integrated amp. No offers or questions first two times, last time I received 3 full price offers within 3 hours. Ad was identical. I didn’t say it, but would not consider a trade. I’ve received many trade offers over the years, accepted one. What’s wrong with saying price is firm if it is?
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Can't disagree more on the trades part.
I just sold an expensive amp and was offered a number of interesting items in trade.
If I was not just wanting the money for another project I may well have been interested in a few of the items offered.

To just write off possible trades as a bad sign is a little negative IMHO.
But it's all up to the individual obviously.
12inch45rpm OP
18 posts
 
Regarding "no trades", we are not in the dark ages. Society has been using money now for a long time.. The chance of me having something you want is like one in a million. When people mention trades I think they are not serious about selling or new to selling..
garyalex
117 posts
 
I agree with everything you listed except for "no trades".  Why do you consider that as wrong?  I've included it in some ads in response to experiences to prospective buyers who email a list of items they think I'll accept in lieu of cash.
12inch45rpm OP
18 posts
 
Regarding negative feedback, I look at how the seller responds to it. If I see any defensiveness or belligerence I will pass. At least on Discogs you see that a lot.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
As far as I am concerned sellers can list it and word it anyway they please as long as no untruths.

I think I am adult enough to figure out if it is of interest to myself.

As Mark says, feedback is much more important IMHO.

Remember though...
Common sense is the least common of all senses nowadays.
markpao
519 posts
 
I'm surprised negative feedback wasn't mentioned. That's the only red flag I look for when shopping here. 

12inch45rpm OP
18 posts
 
My advice is targeted more to the sellers than the buyers.. Way too many cluttering up the marketplace. Makes it hard to find the few decent ads out there.
Ideally we could "report" such ads ..
Post removed 
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,385 posts
 
I agree! I will add “vintage” to something that is 20 years old. IMHO, vintage should be from the Golden Era, not something made in 2000. Another turn off is “email or call for price“. If I have to go through the time of playing phone tag or waiting for an answer via email, I won’t bother. Another is someone charging “PayPal or Credit Card fees”. That is illegal on Audiogon, yet many members get away with it.
In the case of someone selling McIntosh without the original carton, that is a definite nope. No matter how much bubble wrap one uses, the glass front panel will definitely break during shipping. Lastly, is someone who is too lazy to write any description, just posts a picture and price. No thank you, I detest laziness.
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