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Audiogon Grading Scale - the gold standard?

I recently got duped by an eBay seller's item representation, "...excellent cosmetically." Seller offers no equitable restitution, maintaining we merely have a difference of "opinion" as to the meaning of "excellent." My question is, how effective do you feel the "Audiogon Grading Scale" has been in eliminating misunderstandings/misrepresentations that would otherwise arise by way of subjective characterizations? I am pleased to say it's been working quite well thus far for me. Any suggestions as to how it might be further improved upon? BTW, for those interested, why not get a laugh out of this at my expense (literally). Check out http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1291871809
fam124
stretch
3 posts
 
Last week I saw an ampifier here on Audiogon that interested me. The manufacturer of the amp has been out of business for years, yet the amp was rated 9/10. I called the phone# in the ad as it was a west coast dealer selling a used amp. The person who answered the phone was very upset and nasty when I questioned the age of the amp. Although he sells thru Audiogon, he stated that he does not agree with the rating system and will not adhere to it. If he has an old item in what he feels is mint condition he gives the item a 9/10 as if it were less than 3 years old. Naturally I did'nt buy the item but the incident has made me reluctant to purchase via Audiogon.
Dennis
fam124 OP
57 posts
 
Dennis: I must convey I've found the Audiogon community as a whole is composed overwhelmingly of the most forthright individuals I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. If you are considering to trade audio stuff anywhere, I'd have to opine Audiogon is "the gold standard." The notion that the particular seller you mention so much as states he "will not adhere to it [AGS]" warrants his getting the permanent boot, IMHO. For such being the case, if he is allowed to continue to conduct business here, it would seem someone is inevitably going to be defrauded.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Audiogon rating system is not any better. It is solely up to the grader. Audiogon's 10/10 is basically brand new. There are lots of 10/10 ratings on used equipment.
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
Gold Standard or not, I recently bought a speaker system via Audiogon that was graded 9/l0, arrived at something like 6/l0 and carried other, shall we say, discrepancies from the posted description. Then the seller nagged me for positive feedback, and not just once. But the speakers are great, so the moral of all this is a little cloudy. I guess caveat emptor still covers it.
fam124 OP
57 posts
 
Let us please be clear...I concur and would further amplify what most have pointed out, namely that AGS is of NO USE whatsoever in deterring the unscrupulous. What it DOES do that I find of value is to establish defined parameters by which abuses/deviations are much more easily, successfully, conclusively demonstrated. This can prove of particular benefit where the injured/defrauded party seeks to make their case—whatever the venue.
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