Luc, I empathize with the frustration that prompted you to begin this thread. It's easy to see from some of the responses that sellers are equally frustrated as well. Can't we all just get along? Seriously though...I've been a member of AudioGon since week one. And in that time I've bought and sold regularly from this site and others. Suffice it to say that I've bought and sold a fair amount of components, and have some experience at this.
By listing components for sale regularly, it doesn't take anyone very long before they come to a quick realization that the majority of email inquiries on for sale items, are nothing more than folks looking to get something for nothing. I like a great buy on a component as well as the next person, however, over time, repeated ridiculous offers conforms a seller to ignoring the ridiculous offers altogether. You all know what type of offer I'm speaking about. The one that is 25% of retail for a current model item in mint condition. Get real! Sorry, but this type of offer merits no response from me, and is hardly worth the time it takes to delete it from my inbox. Does that make me discourteous? I've not given any thought to that, nor have I given thought to the buyers motives by sending it my way...frankly, it's not worth my time to reply to ridiculous offers, and it doesn't do one any good to become emotional or frustrated about the situation. I simply see it as the cost of doing business on the web...nothing more.
Bottom line. A fair offer for an advertised item deserves a prompt reply. A ridiculous offer deserves nothing, IMHO. If your listing is priced competitively, a QUALIFIED buyer will step up to acquire it eventually. Patience is a prerequisite for selling any used gear.
For the record, a vast majority of the ridiculous offers I've received in the past have been sent by individuals inquiring from AudioGon. Over the years, we've all observed reserve auctions on items that don't generate enough bids that come close to meet a sellers respectable reserve price. I suspect this same mentality carries over to many members making inquiries on classified ads. My belief is, one can ask what they will, but I'm not OBLIGATED to reply out of some sense of courtesy. Why dignify a ridiculous (lowball) offer with a reply? I won't waste my time with it.
Enjoy!
By listing components for sale regularly, it doesn't take anyone very long before they come to a quick realization that the majority of email inquiries on for sale items, are nothing more than folks looking to get something for nothing. I like a great buy on a component as well as the next person, however, over time, repeated ridiculous offers conforms a seller to ignoring the ridiculous offers altogether. You all know what type of offer I'm speaking about. The one that is 25% of retail for a current model item in mint condition. Get real! Sorry, but this type of offer merits no response from me, and is hardly worth the time it takes to delete it from my inbox. Does that make me discourteous? I've not given any thought to that, nor have I given thought to the buyers motives by sending it my way...frankly, it's not worth my time to reply to ridiculous offers, and it doesn't do one any good to become emotional or frustrated about the situation. I simply see it as the cost of doing business on the web...nothing more.
Bottom line. A fair offer for an advertised item deserves a prompt reply. A ridiculous offer deserves nothing, IMHO. If your listing is priced competitively, a QUALIFIED buyer will step up to acquire it eventually. Patience is a prerequisite for selling any used gear.
For the record, a vast majority of the ridiculous offers I've received in the past have been sent by individuals inquiring from AudioGon. Over the years, we've all observed reserve auctions on items that don't generate enough bids that come close to meet a sellers respectable reserve price. I suspect this same mentality carries over to many members making inquiries on classified ads. My belief is, one can ask what they will, but I'm not OBLIGATED to reply out of some sense of courtesy. Why dignify a ridiculous (lowball) offer with a reply? I won't waste my time with it.
Enjoy!