2. misc-audio
  3. 136498-4976

what can reasonably be expected of a seller?

Let's get the obvious out of the way.  If the seller posts the item "as-is" & "untested" then that's that and you get what you get.  Right?  But if neither of these is indicated and the item is listed as practically new or unused or immaculate....  or has been in ideal storage for years, then is it perfectly reasonable to ask the seller about functionality, to request the seller test the item to confirm proper functioning?  If the price is really good, is it reasonable to ask about functionality?    I've had 2 situations lately where this has come up.   In the first instance, the seller was willing to accommodate and I did pay for the item and was awaiting confirmation that the item worked properly but was unexpectedly told that he sold to another who didn't need confirmation and my money was refunded.  And in the second instance, I asked the seller to connect the cdp he was selling to a system to confirm that if worked properly as it could be a decade old and had "probably" never been used.  He responded that he wasn't connecting it to anything and didn't have time to sit and play it and that it was already packed.   So, am I just being unreasonable and expecting to much?  What do you think is reasonable?  Thanks.
lcherepkai
lcherepkai OP
280 posts
 
akg_ca:  I am in agreement that feedback is essential when considering trusting a seller and I've passed on many items because of poor feedback.  But I very much differ with you on your first point.  You mention the PITA factor for opening a stored item.  Yes, it can be a hassle but, isn't it necessary to know if the item is fully functional?  Can you know this if the item has been in storage for any amount of time?   And what would the nonrefundable deposit be for that you mention?   As I indicated at the beginning of this post, if a seller clearly states the item is "untested" and/or "sold as-is" then the buyer should accept that. 

But if a seller wants hundreds or thousands of my hard-earned dollars, then I unhesitatingly believe opening a box is justified and not at all whining.  That seems common sense.  Of course, since paypal almost always favors the buyer,  I could just make the purchase and, if at all disappointed, send it back on the seller's dime (COD) and let paypal refund my purchase.  But I'm not that kind of jerk and that's the whole point of this post.  And it seems most agree.  I find that reassuring and thank all who responded.
Lyle
austinbob
235 posts
 
I’ve had good luck overall, buying and selling. Feedback is crucial. Communication is crucial. Verifying performance is crucial. 
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Tbh when I see that an item has been in storage for a long time I get very nervous as a buyer.
How was it stored? What environment?
A lot of electronics can have adverse effects to long term less than ideal storage conditions.
Same with speakers, surrounds can deteriorate, diaphragm can weaken.

I would ESPECIALLY want a full working guaranteed test from long term storage items.
However most times I just pass on these items to start with for above stated concerns.
spin4cards
37 posts
 
Regarding sellers who are listing untested items... I'm not sure about Audiogon, but what I am about to say holds true for every ebay transaction that I have been involved with. I buy and sell a lot of vacuum tubes. It's nice when the seller has already tested them and you know pretty much what to expect when you get them. On the other hand, there are other sellers who ignorantly think that the buyer is assuming the risk when they list their tubes as "Untested" and/or "As Is". This could not be farther from the truth. First of all, how does someone place a price on something when they don't even know if it works? I'll still buy those tubes if the price is right because I know that if they test bad the seller is going to get them back regardless of their return or "No Returns" policy. This holds true for other items as well. Got an untested turntable that you somehow came up with a price for? No problem. I''ll buy it. If it works I keep it. If it doesn't you get it back etc., etc., etc.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
@spin4cards.
That will work for the majority of the time as eBay can and will make a seller take an item back no matter how they described it or state no returns.
UNLESS they are savvy enough to know to list it in the for parts or not working category, then you have very little comeback even if in the description they say it is in working condition and turns out not to be.
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