Sellers Beware

Contact him and ask him if he is still interested in the speakers.

part of selling on forums, 99% are window shoppers, I have had sooo many ask for this pic hat pic etc make offer an disappear, its sad that folks do not care about ones time and effort

Someone makes an inquiry, then ghosts. It happens. Sellers beware sounds a bit hyperbolic for what happened, especially if made into a general thread. Just my two cents.

Yes…Tire Kickers…that’s just to be expected in the world of selling used audio gear.  You can always sell gear to businesses that buy and sell used gear but it comes at a $ cost.  Just have to decide is it worth dealing with buyers or take hit on price.  

Two thoughts.  Freight logistics and cost should be worked out before deal is closed.  Second, this is where The Music Room earns its keep. 

So basically you're upset and posting because someone inquired about your speakers and then went dark and didn't buy them from you right? 

Have you ever sold anything here or online before or is this your first time - your post suggests it might be your first time because otherwise you should be used to this happening countless times when an item is posted. 

Do you buy every item YOU inquire about in your purchase explorations ? 

@hilde45 , +1

As a side note, a little advice. Do NOT ship speakers via USPS. That should be your last resort. 

Uh yeah, I did. And my response is in line with others observing that it’s typical that people often window shop and never complete a transaction. But, based on your 5067 posts here I’m guessing you’re going to critique my answer. How does one find or have the time to post 5k comments in a forum? Just curious. 

Yep, I read that, pretty common for "offers" to ghost, serious conversations to stall, the OP sounds wounded and upset when if he's sold "quite a bit" should be unfazed and move on imo. To each their own.

@saugertiesbob , I agree. 

Uh, wait a minute. Maybe I'm completely crazy.

Where is it written that obligation to buy comes with asking a question?

Oh; but I've asked a question. Am I now obligated to buy this thread???

Sorry you were disappointed.  Hope you feel better after posting this.

@eurorack oh plz, the guy made him an offer, he accepted the offer than got ghosted, that’s not cool, no class at all, if he changed his mind cause f=of shipping cost than so be it but at least.tell the seller instead of leaving him hangin, that’s classless, you clearly seem like that type of guy, waste ones time, that’s the problem nowadays on forums, lack of morals/ethics and comradely 

Uh, wait a minute. Maybe I’m completely crazy.

Where is it written that obligation to buy comes with asking a question?

Oh; but I’ve asked a question. Am I now obligated to buy this thread???

To the original poster -- yes. I stand corrected. That is crummy behavior on the part of the offered-didn't buy person. No argument there.

The way many of the responses read, it sounded as if merely asking a question carries some obligation. Reread and see whether you can agree with -- or at least see -- my read.

I guess the specific topic of this thread evolved (which is not bad).

OP if the buyer did not click the buy as you requested then no deal. Asking for shipping fee does not mean he is serious . Some here don’t have the courtesy to inform the seller that they are no longer interested. So move on on the next buyer.Thank you for the thread.

Maybe it's better the deal did not go thru. I've sold several speakers thru Audiogon, and tried different shippers. Damage occurred almost half the time. That has never happened when I have shipped front-end gear, only with speakers.

Just my 2c.

I have a Set of Altec 604-8's in altec 612 Cabinets on eBay. I would never attempt to ship them. The Package Monkeys would destroy them if shipped.They are pick up only. As stated above 99% are tire kickers. I get emails all the time with questions that don't make sense.

In this world of places to advertise Audio gear which are many. Expect the prolific tire kicker. If I get an offer through email,I know it's a tire kicker. If the offer comes thru eBay it is an official offer. One that I can accept or decline. 

A couple of years ago I was selling an amp on this site. I received an offer through the A'gon system and I accepted it. After two days of silence I reached out to the buyer asking about payment method and ship to address. When he finally replied back he notified me that he had multiple offers out on other amps and was trying to decide which one he wanted to buy, Somewhow he did not understand that if he makes an offer on A'gon, and it is accepted, he is obligated to follow through with the purchase.

sounds a bit like an severe overeaction! guy can’t change his mind ? i would not buy fr you thx! for heads up! 
as for shipping it is difficult
I joined pirate ship i get severe discounts on UPS almost 70% ! not so much on USPS also i have the seller give me their name address phone # e mail physical address and the outside dimensions of box  and the weight
then i BUY a free ( to them ) pre paid shipping label and e mail it to them all they need do is print it out ,tape it on the box(es) call for a pick up or drop off @ UPS store or hub
i pay for insurance for the full purchase price if the speakers or whatever are damaged I get the $.  otherwise if the seller pays, buys the label ,HE is insured! you are at his mercy to pay you the $ ( OK most will )  

My way, I get $ and pirate ship also refunds the shipping ! 100%
a claim is easy !
it all depends how they pack the speakers.
you need item like speakers well padded w/ bubble wrap then inside box ( you can get good cheap , new boxes at home depot  lowes or u haul ) you pad the outside of first box fully and put it inside 2nd box! you MUST double box and it is required by USPS you have to be careful the padding will not push a grille into a speaker cone ( like convex allison acoustics! )
even well and properly packed about 1/4 get damaged but i lose no $ as it is insured! ( pay for extra insurance )
UPS are crazy and will damage boxes drop them fr their shoulders onto the porch ( have it on camera !) USPS is more careful but usu too expensive .
fed ex is best but expensive . packing padding and double boxing IS the key you MUST double box! 
i buy some speakers ( always looking for AL series allison speakers ) " local pick up only "it is a serious PIA to pay a third party hired thru $5-7 ad on CL to go get the speakers  buy boxes packing material ( big bubbles is best ) and pad them send them
costs me an extra $50-100 !  I offer seller extra to box them up if he will  and i pay for boxes pack mtl etc 
i just shipped a used pair of allison AL115 fr Philadelphia, PA to Phoenix AZ cost me $100 for speakers $99 for shipping a 56 lb 25X25X 17 box $110 to pay the guy to get them,  box them up .  join Pirate ship save BIG $ 1
 

Somewhow he did not understand that if he makes an offer on A'gon, and it is accepted, he is obligated to follow through with the purchase.

When you make an offer on ebay, it is 100% binding, that is, your credit card gets charged and shipping proceeds the minute the seller accepts your offer. In other words, once your offer is accepted you can't change your mind. It's a very good system and Audiogon would do well to emulate it if they don't already.

Yeah these things happen. So as a buyer or seller beware.I bought a Macintosh amp and a Caver both worked like 3 months and died.I bought z turntable from a guy in came USPS.. damaged, it was no fun trying to get my money back.

The OP states that the potential buyer and he were communicating by email and that is where the offer was made, outside the audiogon format which is a bit telling in itself. The way Agon is set up with the make offer system actually locks the buyer into the offer made and allows the buyer and seller to the sell/purchase. Moral of story is, always inform any tire kickers that all reasonable offers will be considered but only if placed through the provided format. Enjoy the music

I have great luck with the USPS, but I rarely use them for larger items. By far and without fail, UPS has been the worst carrier I have used. It is getting to the point where I wont ship except on a pallet. 

so he made an offer via email and not via audiogon?

Seems more and more that folks start threads simply to complain about something and looking for sympathy

It seems pretty common to make an non-binding "offer" as a message, and see what happens...nothing wrong with it, but not to be confused with an "official" offer...and certainly shipping charges are part of the bargaining process...

Tire kickers! There is no fraud or anything to beware of. It's just very annoying. I've had this happen many times with items sold on Audio mart. I've had people say they were going to buy my item and I never heard from them again! So many flakes out there it's just part of the selling game but I don't consider it anything to be concerned about. 

No official offer = no offer.

"No official offer = no offer."

Such a simple, effective solution to buying/selling BS.

I fully expect and understand that some potential buyers are going to ask questions and seek more information, and I do my best to be patient and provide accurate responses to their queries.  However, I always remind them, "the first acceptable offer takes it."  IOW, "money talks." - KISS

this is called "shopping." he didnt pick your speakers. thats all. 

Yes, this is common as anyone selling a lot of gear over the years knows.  It is frustrating for sure so I am sorry the OP had to deal with it. Consider it a learning experience and move on.   

What about that is untrustworthy or wrong?  He doesn't have to buy your speakers because he asked a question.

Today this is common proof  many people are not old school  and have no respect .

I always ask for a phone number or give mine  ,if serious a phone call will happen 

if not many just tire kickers.

@devinplombier

Everything you say is true, but on eBay, you can contact the seller directly if they didn't put in a shipping cost.   Plus on eBay you can make an offer without commitment (if rejected)

Not putting in a shipping cost invites people to ask how much to ship the item and what the total amount will be.  Sometimes the people decide on something else.   It's just part of selling on the internet, whether it's Audiogon, eBay Craig's List or Facebook marketplace.   There will be scammers (easy to spot), there will be people who ask and then stop responding.    If you don't have a thick skin, selling things online may not be for you.

My audiogon story.  Posted a Classe pre-amp in perfect condition.  Buyer from West coast bid and I accepted.  He called a week later and said amp was defective.  He said he put a power supply on it and it and it failed.!  I said send it back and refunded all his money.  I checked the pre-amp on return and it was perfect.  He had tested the pre-amp on a low voltage input and the pre-amp had gone into auto-protect mode.  Seller beware of idiots.  

This is how members get negative feedback, selling speakers and then have to ship them! If you are going to ship speakers make sure you have the original packing materials. 

Any way if you are selling, having people contact you with questions goes with the territory. I know it's annoying but eventually it could lead to a sale. Be patient, be nice. 

these stories are why I'm doing a lot more selling to TMR ... lose some on each sale, but so easy and no conflicts...

To OP. Yes offers must go through the official offer process. Know shipping cost beforehand. I have started to differentiate between East of Mississippi shipping and West of Mississippi shipping cost. Shipping across country invites problems with damage and delays. Offers on the East coast are more welcome. 

Here's the biggie. Filter people out by how they communicate in writing. Do they write in complete sentences? Do they come across as an adult? Are they knowledgeable? They must be polite. I'm not greedy. If red flags are raised I am polite to that person, but really don't try to do business with them. This works. I buy and sell on Craigslist, Reverb, USAUDIOMART, and Audiogon. I have made friends and met cool people by following my own rules. If people can't communicate properly, I don't deal with them.

@ancient_tones + 1, but for me, West Coast is preferable. But yes, communication can tell you a lot, though these days, it's possible that written communication could have been written by AI; I would have a chat with the person on the phone to discuss audiophile things to get a better idea if they're legit. 

@yragteddy I am a careful buyer!! Caveat Emptor is my closest buddy when looking at used sale items.

I have at times asked more from a seller than they are usually willing to go to, but my inquiries do at times put the genuine seller in the place where they have to stand behind their statements made.   

One Example being Vintage Valves being Purchased, I can have these measured within a few days of their being received. I always buy with the condition Valves will be tested on a Particular Measuring device and if not a close match to measurements shown with the Sale Info, the Valves will be returned with a full remuneration of monies paid. To have this option I will incur the cost to deliver and the cost to return.  More importantly why shouldn't I invest the little extra, to look after my own interests by utilising such an available local support.  

Being a Buyer of used items in audio, is for the buyer, One Big investigation into what is out there in the market that relates to their interest for a purchase. What is available for certain monies seen as a typical value and what is the lowest that is to be found where the Seller has shown their asking price.

Such an investigation is able to show what was thought of a unobtainable for a particular budget, might just be realised if a sale items appears that is a close mimic of one having been seen in a portal that shows a sale history.

When knowledge is gathered, the next for the Buyer becomes a period of inquiry and for some buyers, an offer is a very consolidated method of an inquiry. It certainly is an avoidance of making inquiries about the product in general. A follow up to learn the full bottom line associated with the purchase is not strange.

There are always shifting sands in the used market, an Item can appear, maybe a more expensive item, seen to be more affordable than typically seen and definitely seen to be the better option as a purchase. 

The seller has no authority over the Buyer and how they wish to spend their funds.

If the Buyer fails to do something to secure the sale for themselves, the seller should consider the item still for sale to anybody.

If the buyer having communicated with a seller, does not fully communicate their final decision, that is their business and if there is flak, that is theirs to take.

The seller has not said if they would have dropped the Buyer 'Frank', following their offer, if an offer came from another Buyer with an immediate offer of a deposit to secure the sale??  

To Publicly declare Frank as untrustworthy and to be avoided - WOW!!!

I hope Frank sees this post from the OP, I'm sure he will be totally contented not a Cent went to this sale from his coffer. 

My advice on the Gon is to a Buyer who may look at a Sale Item from the OP. The Buyer should express extreme caution in how they communicate, as there may be an outcome they are not deserved off, which becomes a very Public expressed content.     

@yragteddy It looks like when seeing the profile about your Tag, you are a Gon member for 12 Years and not once contributed to forum activity until producing this Thread.

Again WOW!!,

To get a gauge of how interested in the Gon forum you are. How much time is allocated to being an onlooker of forum activity ?  

I have bought vintage equipment on here...no problems with buying or delivery...but a short time later  3 broke down  2 pre amps and 1 amp..wasn't happy at all.