2. misc-audio
  3. 182636-20292

Previous Ownership...does it matter to you?

I'm curious as to how others feel about knowing the previous ownership history when purchasing used audio equipment. Not necessarily who specifically owned as that's usually not possible but how many owners.

It might give you a glimpse into whether the item has been shipped back and forth from coast to coast in the US, Canada, or another country and if there's something not as advertised with the item since it continues to change hands too frequently.

I recently exchanged messages with a seller of a previous set of very nice speakers I previously owned. I knew the complete history, the buyer listed himself as the third owner when in fact he was the fifth owner. When I shared the details, his response was "could care less about ownership and how many times it's changed hands....".

I was surprised by the response. The obvious reason to understand ownership it's one of the listing rules from both Audiogon and US Audiomart in regards to the rating scale. Both Audiogon and US Audiomart are specific that anything a 9 or above must be single owner. In the case I reference above, the seller lists as a 9 even knowing he's the fifth owner. 

What is your approach to knowing ownership history? Does it matter or not to you?

128x128jcoehler
soaringbear
5 posts
 

Prndlus, you said it. You use your intuition. 
if I get an odd feeling about the equipment or the seller, I stop looking.

I think this is the heart of the question. It’s about integrity and trust. we each have our ways of evaluating a potential seller/buyer. I just prefer intuition. And then I follow up with dialogue and request for more pictures. If someone were to balk, or have an attitude, I would move on.

you can’t make a good deal with someone who isn’t acting in good faith.

jeffseight's avatar
jeffseight
574 posts
 

If you want higher SQ for the $ then  buy used. Assuming there is a limit to your budget of course otherwise you can spend away!

Most of the time once you have zeroed in on your desired item

you can find one used, with a transferable warranty, 2-3 months old, 25-30% off 

MSRP. Requires some patience so if you have to have it yesterday you are 

a "new" buyer. 

Some people sell items before they have even been burned in. 

In which case the seller never heard his item at its optimum.

 

-Check the Shark, eBay, Craigslist in certain markets. Sometimes The Music Room.

-Ask the seller to see his purchase receipt.

-Call the factory with the serial# and see when it was made.

-Ship by Fed Ex Ground. Open an account to save a little. 

-Insure the purchase for at least 1/2 the value. 

-Only buy if the original boxing is available.

If you follow these rules you can usually resell

an item within the 1st year for what you paid,

 

 

 

wolf_garcia
6,711 posts
 

If the previous owner was a saltine aficionado there could be a crumb issue.

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,912 posts
 

I have purchased a number of used pieces and the only thing I care about is condition and age. I will only buy something that looks new, yes I am thinking about resale should I choose to sell someday . I baby my gear, I am the guy you want to buy used from. But I rarely sell , I am more apt to trade toward new .

I have had a a major upgrade of most components in the past year. All new , speakers have a ten year warranty , DAC has a five year warranty , amp and preamp have a lifetime warranty. I’m 55 , this is probably my last major upgrade so warranty is an important factor .

wturkey's avatar
wturkey
780 posts
 

“Previous Ownership...does it matter to you?”

Warranty wise? Absolutely!

Otherwise, sort of. A solid back story is nice. 

More to discover