@dweller: It's a nice idea, but the basic economics work out that it's more viable for dealers simply to do consigned sales, as it allows them to take 30% to 40% off the top of the final sale price as their fee. When payment clears the merchandise ships. Also, it doesn't so much weed out the crooks as shield the seller via the dealer, in that you are passing any PayPal bottlenecks over to the dealer.
Thief Alert
aircooled911 is trying to sell equipment here. I thought I purchased a Yggy dac and sent him the money along with extra for a few more items. He would not use paypal so I gave in . I know, please don't rail me for proper purchases on the internet. I have been selling and buying stereo equipment for years with no problems.
He went dark last week after a 100 or so emails. Please stay away. I have the banks involved, and my cousin is a bail bondsman/bounty hunter so it should be fun if I ever catch up with this guy.
He went dark last week after a 100 or so emails. Please stay away. I have the banks involved, and my cousin is a bail bondsman/bounty hunter so it should be fun if I ever catch up with this guy.
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Looks like he's still in business: http://http//www.usaudiomart.com/details/649388963-magico-q1/ Perhaps you could arrange to meet him to inspect these speakers? |
It was 2004, when a seller listed a $2k valued amp for sale for $1k. The seller insisted upon payment via MO or bank check. That seller sold that same amp listing to some 20 or so people here. I was one of them. My local police department worked with the bank to attempt to investigate. The seller had payments mailed to a PO box and cashed payments with a false ID. That was the last time I didn't use PP. Consider yourself lucky you aren't out $1k or more. Buyer beware...always. |
In case any of you don't know it, AudioGon had a serious problem with many accounts being hacked about 5 years ago when they started trying to update the site. It can still be happening? When I emailed them stating my account was hacked they took action but I had to lose my account and start over. They also tried to keep it secret as when I posted it on the Forums they quickly deleted it. Ever since Agon has been Rare selling platform for me. Ebay currently has continuos hacked accounts, so even mega buck companies with lots of security get screwed. Members with excellent feedback and havent used their accounts in a while are usually the targets. There is no reason not to use Paypal, its insurance for buyers and protects sellers as well. They have saved my ass many times because of shady buyers looking to get either discounts or claim false information to gain from. You simply need to educate yourself with Paypals policies and generally will have no problems. That said I have had some minor losses, stuff happens. But if you are so desperate to buy something and fall for a story that sounded too good to be true then it was a good lesson learned. |
I always use Pay-Pal, no problem....I always pay their fees, I don't do friends and gifts.....I tell people when they pay me , keep it straight .......I would say Pay-Pal has paid me back at least 6000.00 in bad purchases.....That 4% they charge is cheep insurance .......I had a strange thing happen....I bought something in UK for 750.00, didn't get a tracking number after several days so I asked Audiogon to check it out....The seller got mad and cancelled my buy and sent my money back.....The seller was new to Audiogon, was out of the US and had one very short feed-back........Wonder why he got mad at me ??? autospec |
Out of curiosity, what is the etiquette for mentioning something if you think you smell something fishy. The other day I was interested in a piece of equipment and I asked the seller a question about the voltage. He answered and later that week I noticed that his photos (posted a week after initially putting up the post) contradicted his answer. I'm a relatively new member, so not looking to cause a stink, but wonder what is customary in such a case. I investigated a little further and noticed that all his 100% positive feedback was from before 2013. It smacked of a hacked account. I considered asking him the same question publicly as a way of tripping him up if he wasn't legit. Any thoughts on best practices in a situation like this? Josh |
I just sold a PrimaLuna integrated amp, without paypal, and had a flawless transaction. I've been an Audiogon member since 2001 and have perfect feedback. I choose not to use paypal due to their unreasonable bias for the buyer (or so I've heard). I don't know the profile of the alleged perp in this case. If you use caution, there is no reason not to accept checks or postal money orders for payment. BTW, The buyer of my PL joined AGon the day he made the offer to me and had no feedback. He was a perfect gentleman. |
