Wow, everything posted for sale is ''light use''??

Huh especially used phono cartridges. Without going into deep details, multiply low-hundreds of hours by 10 to get the actuals.
I only buy new or retip contenders.

"I will share this with you that the best items I have received have this somewhere in their ad- "You will not be dissapointed"."

Thanks for the tip Mark, valuable info for buyers and sellers! I think another reason might be the fact that some components really don't work well in a given system, not that the product is bad but it just doesn't pan out for what ever reason. Often the owner may keep it around for a while with little use before finally deciding to sell. I myself have done that and it seems there may be hoarders among us that maybe want to clean out the closet especially in a depressed economy.

The posts I don't understand are the ones that say "New, in box"...huh?

Man. It's damned if you do and damned if you don't. If you put one line descriptions on your ads someone will start a thread griping about it. If you use some more descriptions someone will gripe about it in a thread...

For me I've put some of the terms the OP has mentioned in my classified ads because 1) its true for the items I've sold, 2) I'm trying to not lose too much money from re-selling the item 3) I'm trying to be descriptive in my ads so I can get a sale. I realize when re-selling electronics be prepared to lose money but if I'm not as descriptive or truthful a sale won't happen or the insane low-balling occurs.

It may surprise you that most 'audiophiles' never do listen to their equipment. They acquire it for 'eye candy' status, and it leaves them feeling superior. So, when they get tired of looking at it, up it goes on Audiogon. Sad.

Well, my system is always lightly used because I never put too much pressure on any knobs or buttons on any of the components when I press or turn them, nor do I poke my finger in any speaker drivers and put dings in them. Lest I forget to mention, I always wear white gloves when handling audio gear.... so they always look "New in Box" or in "Mint" condition....:-):-):-)

I have to agree with Viridian that most are true. I have a fair amount of transactions and most all went very well with items as described. I will share this with you that the best items I have received have this somewhere in their ad- "You will not be dissapointed".

Liz, I know it's hard to believe but there are cartridges out there for sale that do in fact have low to no hours on them. I bought a new Shelter 5000 once and it only took 1-2 hours before I realized that this was not a good match for my VPI tone arm. Someone got a real good deal. I also have purchased used cartridges with under 100 advertised hours on them. They looked brand new.

Tom6897:

Your post is very true.

I still have equipment that was my fathers from the 1960s. Tube phono, tube stereo, speakers etc. All in working order never repaired. Only used on weekends and special occasions.

Electronic equipment for the most part does not break or go bad. The quality is actually quite good with a very high percentage of gear. It is the owners of the equipment that are not satisfied and are always looking to replace what they have. Hence, the high turnover, which is why we have this site to ponder such things.

Until I found out about AudiogoN I never considered replacing my equipment with the frequency that I have done in the past three years. I am sure many of you were the same way before it became commonplace to buy and sell at will.

I like to purchase cables "with very light use" because they have much longer life expectancy before they wear out. I hate it when cables wear out, especially in the middle of a song!

My grandmother only listened to it on sunday mornings before church.

All my gear is also gluten free and casein free.
With little to no exposition to muscle relaxants and long coat chihuahuas.
Lol

That only matters if the price isnt in line with typical used gear. If its half its new price who cares? If however they sell for 80% or so of new price then I would be worried. Whats light use anyway? Its all in how one thinks its defined, some think 2hrs daily is light use, some would say 2hrs weekly is light, others 2hrs monthly so its just hard to define anyway.

I would like to assume that once one can afford the really good stuff they then have no time to listen to it. Or they have so much money combined with "upgrade fever" that they are quick to move on. Buyer beware,..in all cases. I yet believe there are some real deals out there. As for me, I buy it to enjoy it. And only hope too get in as much time as possible to listen.