My list of seller red flags


I’ve compiled a list of annoying things sellers do. If I see any of these red flags I will not buy from them. Ideally every seller should agree to not do any of these before they are allowed to sell online.

- Overpriced
- Don’t talk about any flaws
- Keep re-posting
- Use unrelated keywords in ad so ad comes up when you search for different brand
- Paranoid language like " Cash and Carry only", "No spammers", No Trades...
- Using all CAPS and !!! marks

- Used car salesman lingo like"only $xxx , a great deal, a steal , and the worse, RARE "
- Ad consists entirely of copy/pasted info. from manufacturer website
- Any textspeak
- Gimmicky pricing like $999 or $995 or the worse, random price like $927
- Saying price is "Firm"..

- Reducing price by insignificant amount to bump ad
- Tooting own horn, i.e describing how awesome their product is.. Comes across as desperate to me..
- Seller saying they will lose money or taking a big loss .. Not my problem..

- Selling several items in one ad and updating the ad to say "SOLD" on certain items.
12inch45rpm
I'm surprised negative feedback wasn't mentioned. That's the only red flag I look for when shopping here. 

As far as I am concerned sellers can list it and word it anyway they please as long as no untruths.

I think I am adult enough to figure out if it is of interest to myself.

As Mark says, feedback is much more important IMHO.

Remember though...
Common sense is the least common of all senses nowadays.
Regarding negative feedback, I look at how the seller responds to it. If I see any defensiveness or belligerence I will pass. At least on Discogs you see that a lot.
I agree with everything you listed except for "no trades".  Why do you consider that as wrong?  I've included it in some ads in response to experiences to prospective buyers who email a list of items they think I'll accept in lieu of cash.
Regarding "no trades", we are not in the dark ages. Society has been using money now for a long time.. The chance of me having something you want is like one in a million. When people mention trades I think they are not serious about selling or new to selling..