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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
teo_audio
2,197 posts
 
Using undue amounts of judgment and black and white as a substitute for intellectual capacity.

It is a common theme when the given animal underneath it all reaches it’s limits.

When the fight or flight and other associated underlying I/O filters - begins to openly step in.

Then we attempt a reasoned discussion of these part of us that are individually -- not up to debate.

Not gonna work.
jollygreenaudiophile2's avatar
jollygreenaudiophile2
275 posts
 
You are going to do what you will. 
 But I will say this anyway. I have sold probably as much used gear as anyone in say the top .005% tier as far as numbers. All of it at least seen as "Decent" gear. Most would call the great majority of it, "Hi-end", or even, "Boutique" type. 
And all of it with the exception of a few pieces I sold as "Salvage" even though it did work was in incredible shape. Especially since I had each piece professionally serviced before I listed it. Not because any of it "Needed service". But because of my being an "Audiophile", myself. I felt obligated to do so.
 After the first month dealing with various "Knuckleheads", of dubious intent.. Many with seemingly nothing to do except to ask if I would cut the price by a ludicrous amount. I soon listed all of the gear I was selling with the pricing as "Firm, Non-Neg and NO Trades wanted" And also quit answering the messages and emails about the price and etc. Just ignoring them completely.
  That worked quite well for me!
ejr1953
918 posts
 
Most of this equipment depreciates quite quickly.  How much is a used piece of equipment worth?  As much as anyone is willing to pay for it.  I agree with all comment in this post, good to see that I'm not the only one who has dealt with sellers who exhibit some of those characteristics.

One the "buyer" side, I have had bad experiences with those who want to deal with the negotiation by email or cell phone, bypassing the Audiogon formal "offer" feature.  I had one guy call me and after the "dance", seemed to come to agreement on the price.  He drove the 90 minutes to get to my house for the pickup, when he arrived said that he thought about the price we agreed on and could only offer me $600 less.  Of course, I don't deal with people who do such things, let him know that.  He actually asked if he could see the unit.
fbgbill's avatar
fbgbill
307 posts
 
I tried to buy an amplifier from someone on Audiogon. I made an offer which I thought was very reasonable. The offer was about 8% lower than their asking price. I never heard a thing. I really wanted the amp so I messaged them directly and ask what they might want for the amp. Never heard from them. This is someone that list a lot of items for sale. Needless to say I bought from a dealer and actually got a great deal. The amp on Audiogon is still for sale over six months later. Sellers please respond to request. At least say not or counter offer. 
jw944ts's avatar
jw944ts
327 posts
 
Don’t count on negative feedback...Audiogon prevented me from leaving reasonable and appropriate negative feedback after seller decided to back out of agreed on sale....
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