2. misc-audio
  3. 169332-139027

thought on eBay?

I've bought and sold things on eBay, but never $$$ audio equipment. I have had good experiences with Audiogon and AudioMart but I'm cautious about eBay, if only because many sellers often have little history with audio gear. I'm looking at an item that will likely end up in the $4k range from a seller who doesn't accept returns and has almost no record of selling audio equipment but does have an extensive and excellent record of buying and selling other things. 

1) In general, would you guys spend many thousands of dollars on eBay if there are no red flags--or do you say "never eBay" for big purchases?

2) Can anyone explain the reality of eBay's policies? I can see the "money back guarantee" if the item arrives "broken, damaged, or faulty." But I've also heard plenty of horror stories out here about companies that offer similar guarantees in theory but are awful to deal with in reality. I'll add that sometimes "faulty" for stereo gear can be a vast grey area.

So, bottom line: would you make a big audio purchase through eBay, especially from a seller with little visible audio experience?
northman
aewarren
644 posts
 
I feel a lot better when the seller has the original boxes and/or shipping containers. 
genesis777
112 posts
 
I buy and sell on ebay all the time. It doesn't matter if a seller says no returns. If you have a problem ebay will allow you to return the item regardless of what the seller says. In my experience the buyer is in the better position with ebay than the seller. I'm more concerned with places like Audiomart than I am with ebay. 
mickeyb
573 posts
 
Never buy audio gear on eBay. Most people find gear at estate sales and garage sales and know nothing about the equipment except the name on the front. I’ll only buy from us audio mart or Audiogon where most of the sellers are hardcore audiophiles and honest. Not worth the gamble. 
charles7
109 posts
 
1. Watch your local Craigslist for as long your patience holds out.
2. Use a true community buy/sell forum, like Audiogon. Same thing for photography gear (FredMiranda.com).
3. While you wait, keep doing research to find alternative gear that fulfills the function you have in mind at the quality level you want.

dwmaggie
222 posts
 
Ebay and paypal will protect the buyer 100%.  I have purchased a whole lot of electronics on ebay.  Only had one problem.  Seller claimed to be a record executive, packed a Proceed AVP 2 in a way too small box with crumpled newspaper for packing material.  The box arrived covered in USPS red tape and really beat up.  It was missing the volume knob, the inner chassis was floating.  I took a lot of pictures.  Submitted my complaint with about ten pictures to ebay.  I had a return shipping label within a few hours, a refund came about a day later.  I have two ebay purchases awaiting shipment today.  I have also purchased from Agon and Audio Circle and US Audio Mart with zero problems.  I refuse to sell on ebay.  Ace Ventura works for Brown, Fed Ex and USPS.  I had to submit a claim to Fed Ex for about $299.  It took a few weeks but Fed Ex refunded the full purchase price and shipping, I still have the item, go figure, and yes it works, my complaint was a badly dinged corner.  My tube amp was 2000.00, my Marantz was just over 2000.00.  As others have said document your gear upon arrival with pictures.
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