Buying Used Equipment on the Internet

I’ve purchased thousands upon many thousands on 98% used gear for 30 years. I began with rec.audio.marketplace. In ‘95 through’97 Audio Review was the hottest used gear site on the internet. Then came along an upstart called Audiogon in ‘97. AG was never better than those first 5 years. 
 

Only once did I get burned on buying a listed item. The seller requested a prepaid money order for an amplifier that was listed for $400 less than it should have been. Turns out that 7 people paid for and purchased the same amplifier. It was on AG. $1100 lesson learned. 
 

Buying used isn’t a big deal as some make it out to be. You cover yourself by paying via Credit Card, preferably Amex. Even Visa or MC will honor a charge back and return your every penny. So where’s the risk? It’s non existent. 
 

The fact your purchase is covered will eliminate any paranoia for PayPal purchases. If a seller insists on FF simply understand that he’s not your seller and move on. There’s plenty more gear options available from other sellers who understand that the marketplace isn’t what it used to be. For in the 90’s we’d simply send someone a check in the mail. Those days are gone. 
 

I’ve purchased on AM, here obviously, and eBay. 95% of sellers are honest people. But today’s buyers don’t have to take on that risk for the 5% who are shady. Good luck!

OP...I would echo the thumbs up for TMR, Upscale Audio, Echo Hifi in Portland, OR and Hawthorne Stereo in Seattle...I've purchased from all 4 of these sites and have been treated fairly. 

The vast majority of 100% feedback, hobbyist gear traders on here are not going to stick you with a "lemon". I once sold a DAC that arrived DOA -- somehow it went bad between my last listen and arriving at the buyer. After a couple hundred transactions, something like this is bound to happen.

After a friendly & brief exchange of diagnostics (did you try power cycling etc) I took it back with no aggravation, and issued a full refund plus return shipping costs and an earnest apology for the trouble.

Of course your experience can vary greatly by seller. That’s the risk component. That’s also why these prices are a lot lower than retail. If you’re not comfortable with that, if you’re going to obsess over some obscure blemish on the bottom of a chassis (PLENTY of items arrive new from factory with blemishes, btw), or want to return items after trial because they’re not your preferred "flavor", then you need to pay the premium to a dealer (dealers will also have limited tolerance for that too lol).

The question you ask is a good one. 

You wrote, "I'm new to this hobby and currently still trying out new gear to see what I like". Later you mentioned you are looking at a used audio piece. I assume you mean "new... to you" if you are buying used. If not, buy a new Parasound from an authorized dealer to negate risks.

Half of the gear I own is "new", and the other half was bought "used". The advice offered to you so far is good advice. I will add this. Consider the reason why the seller is letting a piece go... for sale. Some are updating their gear. Great reason to sell. Some are trying something else, another good reason or something is wrong with the gear they are selling, some are buying at estate sales, goodwill, or from ebay to RESELL. That's not a good reason to sell (or rather to buy). If the seller looks legit, answers questions without problems, has a good reason to sell, agrees with all terms, even if it involves returning the item and I feel I can reduce my risks in buying.... that's what i am looking for.

I sell very little HiFi equipment, but do have a collectors head (my term for being a little obsessional with hoarding 🤣)

Some of my buying methods are only completed if my requests are agreed to be honoured. Others, especially Import Purchases from Japan are Punts, and the chosen buying price is really the only means to protect ones interests. 

Through my HiFi Club and my other enthusiasm being Photography.

I have learned of experiences encountered by others selling Audio Devices and Camera Equipment.

I used all the info given to me, as a preparation to create a platform for my selling on redundant items from my Camera Equipment recently.

I had to wait a little longer than typical in relation to finding a buyer, as my asking prices have been very competitive.

Due to my Payment Request, I had to endure a few who claimed to really know their stuff, (sending extracts to show contravention) and were quite sure they could 'bully' the sale into their favour. I looked on these types as very organised scammers.

I sold my equipment as a Bank Transfer Payment Method, with the option to Pick Up directly from myself. I have not had any difficulties with any Vendor who could see the value in the quality of the item and its well documented usage history, a few items were paid for in advance and then passed on to the Buyer at an agreed place, to fit in with my weekly movements required by my work.

The above Posts in this thread as well as my own, is only a snap shot of experiences being had by Vendors/Buyers using the Web to access Sellers/Buyers.

There are numerous stories where loss is the result, I know of a few encountered by friends and family. Keep this in the foresight when in any communication.

Note: Once one unwanted outcome to a sale is known, a Google Search will soon show up a quantity of reports where similarities are to be seen.

With Ebay the 30 Day Protection is more than enough to receive goods and use them for something one would not want to use their own equipment for, or would not want to purchase the needed item, which is only intended for a temporary usage. Ebay successfully supplies goods for Holiday Periods, to be returned once having been left on a Beach for ?? Days throughout a Holiday period. 

Once the item has served its purpose as a free hire period back it comes to the Vendor with a BS description as to why it don't work or match a sales description.

Even worse, when 30 Days is plenty time for an Item to be cannibalised for its working parts, with these being exchanged for parts in a model which is with fault. The arrangement for a professional service to carry out the work (not knowing they are complicit in supporting a scam) is even possible in this time scale. The sent Item with Serial Number recorded is returned as a partially functioning or non-working item, with a not as advertised buyers complaint. 

None of these abuses being described are fantastical, they are all strongly suspected to have been realised and the suspicions raised by the Vendor of how they have been scammed are most likely very accurate.

It is also a strong suspicion buyers under one Moniker are quite possibly Sellers under another Moniker, where the item acquired is only intended as temporary,  with the ulterior motive to create goods that are saleable using components from temporary owned purchases. 

Bank Drafts and Cash on Collection or a ESCROW with a pre agreed 24 Hour Payment Release are certainly a friend of the Vendor.

A Buyer has the opportunity to work out the condition of their purchase within 24 hours, visual inspection is minutes, a working demo' can be numerous hours within this time frame.

The reduction in time to dispute a sale, should be a negotiable agreement that can be selected as a option for all sales payment platforms. It will certainly sift out the individuals who are dedicated to the sale, without a hidden agenda, needing the additional time to fulfil their deceitful intentions.