Any Tips on Buying?

No, do not make an offer until all of your questions have been answered and you feel comfortable entering into a deal. Once you do make an offer, see it through. If there is a subsequent problem with the item (it is damaged in shipping, or misrepresented in some way), that is another matter. But backing out of a deal because you want to "secure a place in line" before you have done your homework is absolutely not the right thing to do.

By the way, and for what it's worth, I value a seller's feedback far more than I value photographs. Most folks here--especially experienced members--are meticulously honest. If there is a flaw in an expensive piece of gear, of course I would want to see it. But I do not need to see photographs in most cases on anything but the most expensive gear, such as amps or speakers, and perhaps not then, depending on the seller and the description.

I almost never buy from anyone without a solid record of positive feedback.

You should never make an offer unless you're willing to go through with the purchase. If you're not sure, you should make inquiries. If you lose the sale by doing that, then so be it and move on.

Hi Jim....first know what you want. If you are anywhere near New Jersey, stop in to Audio Connection in Verona, NJ ....great place. By the way....I hope that Cardas works for you....it was awful in my rig.

Thanks for such consistent and frank advice.
I know that making an offer constitutes an agreement to buy, but I wanted to hear what others have been doing. I'm glad to know how many honest and decent folks are members of Agon.(except for those who slipped thru the cracks during the change in Audiogon ownership). It seems like the best of the lot are the ones who participate on the forums.

Even if you "Made An Offer" the "Buy It Now" takes precedent over that offer. You still would have lost the sale.

Mofi- I realize that's always a possibility when waiting for a reply. Walter said it best when he stated to "secure a place in line" with an offer is the wrong thing to do. I've been wondering how many members are actually doing that; we'll never know because there's no way to give negative feedback unless the sale is made.

Again, I agree with Walter that good feedback says more than a photo, unless it is a big-ticket item.

And thanks all for the replies and helping me realize that it was only a cable and not the deal of a lifetime on an amp or speakers.

Walter and Stringreen nail this.
First do your own research...know what you want, how much it is worth, and how much you are willing to pay for it, and then pulling the trigger will be much easier.
When you find what you are looking for, evaluate the condition, ask your questions and check out the seller and their feedback. Dealing with a bad seller is rarely worth the headache.
When you make an offer, or select "buy it now," you should be ready to purchase since the Audiogon community expects you to honor your offer.
Backing out on offers will quickly earn you the reputation of someone to avoid dealing with.
You have quite a few sales here and excellent feedback so I suggest you keep doing what you have been doing.
BTW, good post as it brought out some good advice that will help everyone who reads it.