My list of seller red flags


I’ve compiled a list of annoying things sellers do. If I see any of these red flags I will not buy from them. Ideally every seller should agree to not do any of these before they are allowed to sell online.

- Overpriced
- Don’t talk about any flaws
- Keep re-posting
- Use unrelated keywords in ad so ad comes up when you search for different brand
- Paranoid language like " Cash and Carry only", "No spammers", No Trades...
- Using all CAPS and !!! marks

- Used car salesman lingo like"only $xxx , a great deal, a steal , and the worse, RARE "
- Ad consists entirely of copy/pasted info. from manufacturer website
- Any textspeak
- Gimmicky pricing like $999 or $995 or the worse, random price like $927
- Saying price is "Firm"..

- Reducing price by insignificant amount to bump ad
- Tooting own horn, i.e describing how awesome their product is.. Comes across as desperate to me..
- Seller saying they will lose money or taking a big loss .. Not my problem..

- Selling several items in one ad and updating the ad to say "SOLD" on certain items.
12inch45rpm
I did a trade once, never again.  Got burned on a Dynavecter MC  Cartridge.  I took it in trade plus cash for an amp I sold.  When I went to install the cartridge a couple of months later, I found the suspension had completely collapsed and the cantilever was cocked to the left a bit.  I had looked at it when I first got it but never took it off the mounting plate.   So now it is $$$ only.  
I agree with Grannyring. 

 I'm usually not open to trades however,  if someone has an item that is interesting sure why not. Lots of audiophiles like to trade without shelling out cash or much of it. Of course feedback is important.  
I hate it when the seller posts a stock photo of the item...and no photo of the actual item.  That is just ridiculous.
No offense to the OP but for a person with only two transactions on Audiogon he posts as though his wisdom is the fruit of many.
Maybe a repeat of someone else’s comments, but... I’ve found... that it makes no difference how the ad is worded... you really must establish a working / trusting relationship with the seller or buyer via phone discussions. If you do so, the risk is greatly reduced that you will be scammed. As someone said above - "common sense" is the key... as well as... their feedback / reviews, on here and other forums.