2. misc-audio
  3. 187411-74972

Has buying and/or selling audio gear changed?

Hi Everyone, I've been a longtime observer on Audiogon but this is my first post.  I recently ran into a situation that was new to me as I've recently sold some of my gear and I'm in the process of replacing it.  I've used the normal websites (Audiogon, US Audiomart, TMR, etc) and those transactions have been smooth without any issues.  I normally use PP Goods and Services as well as insurance with shipping.  However, I recently was on a website of a well-known individual in the industry who has a piece of equipment that was reasonable priced.  No, it wasn't a "too good to be true" price but was in the ballpark of what one would expect.  As we were ready to finalize the sale, he informed me that he only does PayPal F&F and he won't insure the product for shipping stating this is now the industry standard and it was non-negotiable.  Is this the new standard and all my other recent transactions were non-typical because I used PP Goods & Services and made sure the shipping had insurance to try and provide some protection?  I don't live close enough to buy the gear in person and I've bought and sold across the US and never had a problem but always used Goods and Services for peace of mind for the unexpected issue or problem.  For the record, I'm only interested in conversation that is related to what the industry standard is, not the individual involved here.  Let me know your thoughts.      

128x128listenup23
czarivey
5,946 posts
 

For those of you who say "paypal goods and services of hit the road", what do you do if they don't take paypal?

@carlsbad2 , as you may've noticed the ENTIRE world is divided by 2 very easily distinct parts: one part can and the other cannot...

I thought coin dealers/collectors never bite on e-commerce at all. I do have diamonds and fine watches, but would unlikely deal with neither paypal nor even cashapp. The very best I've ever done is accepting personal checks and sending items after clearing. Normally, if I'm acting with client distant from me, i'd find an escrower that can communicate via facetime or any video conversation and do it that way. This is how you develop trust pretty much by involving people instead of trying to mingle with monstrous morons from PP or PayPal with FrenchFries and other funky menus. 

chazz101s's avatar
chazz101s
11 posts
 

Using F&F can mean a fee from your credit card company.

Happened to me with Bank of America.

Bye, bye, BofA.

F&F, never again.

lhasaguy's avatar
lhasaguy
336 posts
 

I have bought and sold coins on eBay for over 20 years.  The cost of PP is baked into the purchase price IMHO.  I would Never use F&F as it is too dangerous.  High ticket items >1,000 in my case go signature confirmation and registered mail if being sent to a grading company.  
 

I have never had a big deal go bad and my total sales approach 150K.  I am Not a professional dealer, just a knowledgable enthusiast.

Trust, but verify is my motto.  Among my dealer friends, personal checks are good that day on in person sales at coin shows.

chenry's avatar
chenry
183 posts
 

F&F is no more an "industry standard" than is under-declaring value on import goods. It is not an acceptable term for closing a business transaction.

Insuring product in transit is also expected.

 

 

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,895 posts
 

I have to admit, I didn’t even realize you could do F&F payments via credit card, until this thread. That seems - rife for all manner of schemes, scams, and abuse 😅

Using F&F can mean a fee from your credit card company.

Well that makes sense - of course PP is not going to set themselves up to lose money on the transaction. Did you mean your CC charged you an additional fee on top of Paypal’s for a F&F CC payment?

I'm definitely not a fan of our over-complicated tax code. Sometimes it feels like criminals and unscrupulous characters can get away with things all day, but if I don't dot all my i's and cross every t, they'll nail me to a cross.

More to discover