buyers/sellers that DEFAULT on contract

I've had a lot of people change their minds for various reasons after "committing" to a deal, but since they let me know ASAP and seemed to be honest, decent people, I haven't left bad feedback or anything. No funds or equipment had yet changed hands. It's frustrating, because I had marked my ads "sold" and everything, but like someone else said, that's just doing business on the net. People do have second thoughts, the check they were waiting for doesn't come in, the amp they thought they had in hand doesn't come in, and that affects their plan to purchase the preamp I had for sale. Oh well, at least they let me know before any funds were lost. I've never had anyone cheat me on this site, or eBay, and I hope I never will. I think Audiogoners are the best buyers/sellers out there.

Bill, You need to let Audiogon know. It's your responsibility. They can't be everywhere, but they can be where you point them. Go for it and good luck!

Don't look to A'gone for help. This type of person is good at what he does. I had a buyer say ship;"Postal cod" / I did, he paid with "bad" check. I'm still holding a bum piece of paper/ he has my cables/ he still posts to threads here. However he explained it to A-gone / all they said to me was "work it out".

Hmmmm, I've also had deals fall apart. In fact one of the "high n mighty" posters IN THIS THREAD wrote an e-mail saying "I definately want these cables, tell me how much shipping will be to ... and I will have a check ready." I sent the shipping amount and got back something like "It turns out that I can't afford the cables at this time."

It's all about ethics. I have even followed through with deals several times even though I changed plans and no longer needed the item. I just resold the items here, sometimes for a profit, sometimes at a loss.

If you look at the seller's and poster's "handles", you will see that this is a relatively small community and lots of items make the rounds. Think twice before you cheat or break your word with someone. What comes around...

Metaphysics, I know EXACTLY what you mean, lately I have had several "confirmed" buyers, who said money order was going to be sent, addresses exchanged, one guy had me waiting at my house for 3 hrs so he could pick up in person the cables I "sold" him, and each changed his mind! Because each had the courtesy to call me and let me know what had happened, I have forgiven and forgotten, without negative feedback or angry retorts. As for myself, I have followed through each time I confirmed a deal w/a seller, whether or not I subsequently wished I could have changed my mind! I will not do that to someone, but others feel it's fair. I'm not sure I would say that it's unethical to back out when you've verbally or in email agreed to purchase, but it is unfair and inconsiderate. Someone with buyer's remorse can always resell on this or other sites. Someone else said, and I agree, that cable sales seem to be "flake magnets." I've had two confirmed buyers call later to say, oops, they are not long enough, or they are too long! Can't you measure before you tell me you want them? Sheeeshhh.
Somewhat Perturbed Sarah