BUYERS, What Issues have you had with Sellers and Listings that Prevent you from Buying?

The more technology there is, the more some people will take advantage of it to rip other's off.

I understand some buyers wanting to use paypal.  That is because paypal protects the buyer only.  period.

There are risks on both sides when sell equipment.  The risk is minimized if the buyer comes and physically picks up the equipment.  That way, the seller can connect the equipment and the buyer can actually hear it work, then pay, take it away and all is good.

I accept cash and many times the buyer has  come over my home to listen to their music being played through the equipment.   We talk about equipment and music and everyone is happy.

I also accept person checks (from a recognized bank) or a bank certified cashiers check. Could the check be bad?  absolutely.  so the risk  is mine.  However, I don't ship until my bank tells me the check cleared.  Can the check still be fake?  yes?  That is a risk I'm taking.

But since I don't like paypal, I don't advertise my equipment with paypal as an option.  If the buyer wants to use paypal, then I tell them that they must be responsible for the paypal fee. period.

They are the one that wanted to use it so they should pay the fee.  They can receive the working item. Short out the output, fry the amp and tell paypal that the unit wasn't working when they received it.  Paypal will give them their money back and I'm out a working amp.  Or, they simply don't like the unit in their system and tell paypal it wasn't received as advertised and the same thing happens.

I am not a store.  no lookee loos here.  no return policy, unless it was my fault.  Everything I sell works as advertised.  I make certain of that.

I will buy or sell from a person with no prior feed back.  I will be more careful when buying with large sums. Speaking over the phone helps.  But, for something really expensive?  I would probably fly or drive  there, hear it work, take possession and pay, and arrange for shipping.  That's if their is no or little feedback. 

it can be nerve racking and a very real risk.

Feedback helps. Phone conversations also help. Asking the right questions helps.  Also, evidence that the seller actually owns the unit really helps.

And sorry, but lowballers do insult people.  There are lots of "flippers" out there.  They flip houses, cars, etc.  They want something for nothing and then turn around and sell it for as much as they can.

I don't like flippers like that.  they take advantage  of people's ignorance or pain (divorce, death in the family, etc.)

I list my equipment (when I sell) for about the average selling price or slightly lower.  People that come to me for ridiculously low offers (well that is a slap in my face).  They know perfectly well what the equipment is "worth".  but they want to make a profit because when they flip it, the new buyer isn't going to pay more than blue book. So they have to buy it for less than blue book.  However, that is not and should not be my problem.

Yes, I can ignore lowballlers.  I often do.  It still is an insult. A person coming in slightly lower than my list price, I can work with.  A lowballer/flipper is a person that just throws something against the wall to see what will stick.

move on.

However, every sell or buyer had to start  with zero feed back.  If I wanted $15,000 speakers and a seller on Audiogon listed a pair for sale, but had no feed back. Well, hmmm.  What is that person's story?  could be a death in the family and they have to sell the person's stuff. or a divorce and they have to sell to split the assets.  anything.

Phone time!!!!

drive and pick it up. or fly there if close enough, or have a friend go by to do the transaction.  Done that before.

enjoy