Is Not Responding To An Offer Just Plain Rude?

I suspect that it's just contagious. 

I have a simple compromise solution that mostly resolves my issues with the Make-an-Offer system.
If an offer comes in that’s not acceptable to you, for whatever reason, just hit the ‘Decline’ button right away so that the person making the offer can move on.
My biggest issue was submitting an offer then hearing nothing for 48 hrs until the offer expires. That’s the ‘rude’ part, mostly.

If the seller receives an offer and is genuinely thinking about it, let the bidder know - “thanks, I’m thinking about it”, that’s common courtesy at play and not too difficult to implement.

That’s it.
Decline the offer promptly or communicate your position to the bidder promptly.

Easy peasy.

@arizonabob.  I respectfully disagree with you.  The incentive for a person to buy is their own business.  If they want an item, for whatever reason, that is on them.  However, I stand by my statement that paypal protects the buyer and not the seller.  So, I have no use for it.

If a buyer is a looky loo type that wants to try an item, find out if they really like it or not, they can tell paypal that the item is faulty or some such and paypal will require a refund.

The misconception that many have here is that many of us that sell are not in a business.  we are not a store, dealership, etc.  I don't have time for tire kickers.  I like dealing with people that know what they want and why they want it.  not experimenting.  

I have no problem, having long conversations with potential buyers to discuss who I am, who they are, our interests and the item for sale.  For me (pre-covid) to not have any problem with buyers coming to my home, bringing their favorite music with them, and listening to the equipment, says a lot about me.  I'm not trying to hide anything. The equipment I sell (when I sell) is exactly as I described it.

When someone pays me by check, I make it clear that I won't ship until the check clears.  Yes, in this case, the buyer takes a risk, but, so do I in other examples.  That is where the many phone conversations and background checks come it. 

I sold a classic car on the internet to a buyer in Germany a few years ago.  He never physically saw the car.  The advertisements, phone calls, photos, paperwork, etc. really helped.  he transferred funds into my back account via wire transfer from a US bank.  My bank would not accept wire transfers from overseas.  When the boat arrived and the car was offloaded, he called me and told me that the car was exactly as I stated.  He was thrilled.  

Sometimes, you have to do your research, background checks, phone calls, etc. and take a chance.  Especially if you can't physically pick up a unit.

I've bought many items on Audiogon (pre paypal) with a check that I sent to the seller.  

So, I stand by my point.  Audiogon is in bed with paypal (business reasons) and therefore, is limiting how purchases can be made.  That is because of paypal trying to monopolize the industry.    That does not mean that I have to like it or eat the paypal fee.

What if the buyer lives within driving distance?   That person will come to my home (well.... not now... covid), listen to the unit, pay me and take it home.  Why should we use paypal in that case?

anyway,  enjoy

No offer is an insult. Why anyone gets mad at an offer..... who knows? Just politely decline. I see most of the same stuff on here month after month. If I offer 60% after months on Audiogon you should be thrilled. The market works. People that price stuff to move get things sold.

@arizonabob and @bubba12,

"Seems many of you change your audio systems like I change my socks."

"If I offer 60% after months on Audiogon you should be thrilled."

I'm late to this conversation, but you guys took the words right out of my mouth!  You expect to avoid depreciation on gear when you rotate it like I rotate my tires?  Go purchase a brand new vehicle off a dealership lot, drive it home, then try reselling it or trading it in 6 months later.  See how big a hit you take.