2. amps-preamps
  3. 190130-140513

A Better Way to Buy Gear - Help Needed

** this is a Sale-Process question... not a Gear question**

Hi All:

I intend to upgrade my stereo this year and have located an item that I want to purchase. Unfortunately, there is a ‘snag’ -- the seller insists on receiving the money before I get to see the item.

With this introduction, I would greatly appreciate knowing your individual/collective experience and advice.  Perhaps there is a solution!

 

About the Sale-Process:

The seller accepts only cash or PayPal Family & Friends:  He gets the money before I get the item. 

Because I would be without PP Buyer Protection, I would be stuck with any/all repair(s).

 

About the item:

The item is sealed in a box (NOS), so I cannot

    1. determine if it was damaged during shipping (to his house),
    2. power-up the unit and demo/confirm the functions. 
    3. verify the cosmetic appearance of the item
    4. verify that the correct item is in the box!
    5. Condition is advertised = 11/10

The item is big, heavy and expensive.  I have seen a photo of the box, but there is no meaningful information visible in that photo (e.g. company, make, model).

 

Additional information:

The seller lives in another State, a long way from my location.  A visit would involve a flight (or a long drive) and day or two in a hotel.  

The seller has a 95% rating. 

To me, a good rating means that I am willing to engage with a seller, but it does NOT justify sending the money without verifying the item’s existence/condition.

 

My question:

Because I am not inclined to send cash up-front, is there a better way forward for this ‘money-before-gear’ type of sale?

 

Thanks in advance for your replies, and happy listening!

inagroove
toronto416
230 posts
 

Is it an amp or a box full of bricks?  If he has not opened the box how does he know what is in it and in what condition it is in?

I would never buy without proper photos, and never buy from someone with less than 100% positive ratings.

If you ask for photos and he refuses you should run - unless you are looking for some really expensive bricks...

inagroove OP
119 posts
 

Hi All,

Wow!  It seems unanimous..."Full Reverse... All Engines".

@ grislybutter - For reference, the item is between $10k and $15k, so I am with you folks - No verify, No buy.  (sounds a bit like Boby Marley).

@ czarivey - I have never hear of Zelle before, but what a coincidence, just this the seller sent me not telling me that Zelle is connected to his bank account.  Small World.

What I am NOT hearing is that I missed something - i.e. an easy solution.  That said, thanks again for the imput. I am more comfortable playing by the normal rules...

Now for some music!

mlsstl
1,438 posts
 

The only "easy solution" when dealing with a either a scammer or a jerk seller that is unwilling to show what is being sold is to walk away.   Going forward with the transaction is a major roll of the dice. 

grislybutter
3,117 posts
 

I can add what I rarely end up doing: it's best to buy/sell when you have the upper hand (leverage is a ....)

Our desires can often weaken us into dicey transactions 

dill
2,533 posts
 

Ok, look at from his prospective. First why does he want funds that are not refundable in advance? Now, no offense, what does your feedback look like to him? If I really wanted it, I would take a drive, with a friend, pay cash and be on my way. You could broker a deal saying it saves him from having to ship it and he gets a bit less cash in hand.

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