Buying and Selling; shipping items and Escrow.com

As the seller, I only accept certain payment (cleared check, or money order, etc.) and shipping terms of FOB (Free on Board) - in which the buyer’s shipper picks up the item, the buyer pays for shipping directly to the shipper, and risk of loss during shipment is the buyer’s risk to file claims with the shipper. Or, the buyer can pick up the item personally.

The buyer is free to choose the shipper the buyer prefers (UPS, FedEx, or freight shipper, etc.).

"UPS Pack & Ship" appears to be a good alternative for shipment to assure good insurance coverage and minimal potential for difficulties in settlement of claims.

I take plenty of pics of the item, the packaging and the packing process to provide to the buyer to support any claims.

The buyer is in control of the shipment and the risks, and determines the shipper in which he has the greatest confidence, who honors their insurance, which may be a freight shipper.

That is the best way to avoid conflicts.

@viridian and @bassdude

Thanks for the comments. 

I understand you, and many sellers, would prefer to put ALL of the Risk on the seller.  How nice for you. 

But there a few problems...

1. All functional (and most cosmetic) issues can be hidden with good photography.

2. AG advertisements require an item to be assigned a condition-rating (e.g. 9/10) and to state any defects (both functional and cosmetic).  If it ARRIVES (to the buyer) in a lesser condition, you are in breach of that contract (i.e. false advertising).

3. Cash up-front (including F&F), with no item in-hand leaves the buyer stranded, hoping they are not getting ripped-off.  If an issue arises, the Buyer does all of the work to rectify the problem - Truly unscrupulous.  

4. Sellers may have gotten the items from the gray-market, with absolutely no provenance, with the intent to 'flip' them for profit.  Consequently, the internal parts may not be original parts or may not even be functional.

5. The items being sold may be a knock-off items.  This is a very common issue with cables, tubes, etc. - it seems that China is especially adept at imitating trademarked goods.

If I were working with a Used Car Dealer, instead buying your used audio gear, at least I would have the chance to drive it, look under the hood, kick the tires, etc. BEFORE turning over my cash.

Clearly, your sales process falls below that considerably very-low bar.

** Again, I encourage ALL BUYERS to avoid buying from dealers who will not stand behind the sale.  It is our money, and we deserve to be protected from scammers. 

Ethical sellers should know enough to avoid that crowd by using a buyer-protection backed medium (ex. Credit Cards, PP, etc.).