tonykay; I hear you. If someone is close by and want to hear the unit I would only agree with that if the person made an offer. That offer can be contingent with the buyer saying that they want to make sure the item works as I advertised it. However, since I'm not a store and don't want to be one, I don't want lookie loos.
I have sold many items and made many transactions out of my home and each time the person stated on Audiogon (for example) that they were buying the item. Again, I have no problem connecting the item to my existing system and letting that person hear their own music played. They paid when they got to my home and saw/heard the unit.
If they change their mind after hearing it, I really wouldn't have a problem with that either, I guess. But, that hasn't happened to me yet.
Each time, the buyer brought their own music and we sat, talked about music and equipment, enjoyed the music and the purchase was made. Sometimes it took an hour or so and was fun.
I actually prefer to physically pick up the item for sale if I was the buyer. Because 1) I want to make sure it was in the condition the seller stated, 2) I want to hear it work and is not filled with sand, 3) I prefer to physically hand over cash instead of internet money transactions, but you can't have everything I guess.
But to your point, if a potential buyer said to me they have to hear it first before making the offer, I would kindly turn that buyer down. I don't have the time. Make the offer (one should know about the equipment they want to buy), I'll accept the offer, then if he/she says that they must make sure the item works as advertised and want to hear it, that is fine.
Also, to me, it makes no sense for a buyer that lives in driving distance to pay me over the internet. I wouldn't do that. I would come by, listen and pay.
But, the offer has to be made and accepted first.
I bought a pair of Audio Research REF 250 amps months ago from my favorite dealer and that meant that one of my two Mark Levinson 23.5 amps has to go. I already have a seriously modified Bedini 250/250 amp (really nice amp) and a Mark Levinson ML3 amp as back up amps, so I really shouldn't keep the 23.5. I sent it in to an authorized Mark Levinson Service center for service and recapping. When I advertise it for sale, I would expect some buyers to want to come buy to hear and physically pick up this monster instead of shipping. So, that definitely would not be a problem. But, as I said earlier, offer made, price accepted, then come by to hear, pay and pick up.
enjoy
