2. misc-audio
  3. 1014165452

Safe audiogon transactions; lowering the bar.

It appears to me that a large number of people send bank
checks / money orders to pay for used equipment sight
unseen. Most private sellers insist upon this form of
payment. The culture appears to require buyers to take
significant risk in order to benefit from lower prices.

Although this is not surprising in itself, it seems to me
that Audiogon could preserve the long term health of this
website, and its priviledges with more proactive policies.

e.g. providing guidelines on how to conduct a proper
transaction; a list of important questions to ask,
what the seller / buyer should have in writing before
a transaction should proceed, and perhaps provide a
summary of the most common problems which develop between
sellers and buyers.

There are nagging questions: Who owns the equipment once
it has been shipped? Who should be insured?

Perhaps some experienced sellers and buyers would share
their own approach to transactions on this site and how
they get people to put their best foot forward despite
themselves.
hindemith

Showing 1 response by ultrakaz

ultrakaz
187 posts
 

The following is the only way, as a buyer (and a seller), I would do business on Audiogon (especially if the product is over a $1,000):

1) Check the sellers feedback, if there is negative feedback or none at all proceed with extreme caution.

2) E-mail seller with the following questions: explanation of rating, why it does not come with obm (if no obm), why they are selling the unit, are they the original owner, and age of unit.

And, most importantly ask if they will do cod with a deposit (either you can send them a money order or you can paypal them). The amount of the deposit would be the amount of the shipping, insurance and cod charges and a little extra for their time. If these terms are not acceptable forget it. LET ME REPEAT, IF THESE TERMS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE FORGET IT. Don't get emotional and make an impulsive decision and lose your money.

3) If all checks out, ask for a phone number to call the seller at. Call and talk about audio, if they have been in the hobby a long time and are knowledgeable, chances are better that they are responsible because they probably would want to use Audiogon again in the future. If they appear to be credible send them the deposit. You've done all you could to ascertain that they are not flaky.

Of course, all of the above is discretionary, where their feedback is abundant and positive and the product is under a couple of hundred bucks you just may prefer to send them the money in advance.
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