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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
br3098
997 posts
 
If an item is priced to sell you will not have to deal with low-ballers because it will sell before they get a chance to even see your ad. That is why explicitly saying "Price is firm" is unnecessary. It just makes you look stubborn and will scare away potential buyers.
Well, maybe. It sounds like it will simply scare YOU away.

Look, I don't often list gear as "firm" but if/when I do it's because there are a lot of low-ballers out there.

I understand that your job is to get gear as cheaply as you can, just as mine if to get as much for my gear as I can. There's usually a happy compromise that makes for a win-win. But your first post makes it sound (to me) as if you feel that sellers owe you something. Other than a complete description and and timely communication, what else is a seller obligated to provide?

falconquest's avatar
falconquest
1,108 posts
 
@br3098 In response to your last question.....honesty. And an accurate description of the item offered. If I understand the condition, I know the price I am willing to pay. If an item is in great condition (and that's how I buy) then I will have done the research on the price and if I feel you're a good honest person then I will pay your price. That's how it works!


br3098
997 posts
 
falconquest, I get it. We are in agreement. I was really asking the OP why he felt it necessary to create (and then advertise) a seller checklist. This is supposed to be a hobby. It it's not fun we call it work. Well, most of the time anyway...

jakeman's avatar
jakeman
78 posts
 
My big Red Flag is powers up , unable to test. Everyone on Audiogon has the equipment to check what they are selling. Possibly reel to reel tapes may be a problem. Also extreme low balling , if you cant get close to the asking price, move on.
glupson
7,842 posts
 
"As for price is firm, it signals someone difficult to deal with."
No, it signals someone easy to deal with. Yes, no, done. Seller does not want to waste her/his or your time.

"It's the market that determines the price, not what you think it is worth."
No, it is the seller that determines amount she/he will separate from an item for.
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