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Acceptable to ask seller for option to return a component?

I’m a bit new at this hobby, so am wondering if the option to return a purchase within a short period of time is accepted practice or just naive?

I just opted out of a potential sale of a 15+ year old component @ $3,000+ because the seller would only sell ‘as is’ with no option to send back if I felt the item did not appear as described. 

Is it acceptable practice for Audiogon sales to ask the seller for this option, or maybe ask only if the seller is a dealer?

djb2573
carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,625 posts
 

Sure it is OK to ask. It is just as OK to decline.

Post removed 
djb2573 OP
2 posts
 

Thanks everyone for the great replies, which seem to reflect both sides of the meter - OK to ask and not OK to ask, although most seem to favor asking. In my particular case, I did offer to pay for the return shipment, but did not consider a sellers concern for potential damage to a unit, as onhwy61 points out.

So far, my take-away from responses is its OK to ask, but most sellers will likely say no, so if you move forward make sure you use a protected payment in case of dispute, and know the resale value of the component if all goes awry. 
 

sounds_real_audio
1,014 posts
 

Good idea...get some speakers for a party and after words just return them..

chayro
2,997 posts
 

If you want to buy used with a return option, buy from TMR. They are good people. 

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