When buying through Agon a buyer should always-

My account gets locked on a pretty regular basis. The first time it happened, I contacted audiogon and asked if it was legit, and why. Turns out someone in Florida repeatedly tries to access my account. I'm in Wisconsin. If you go to "my page" you can pull up a history of when, and where you log in from. If you see an unusual place, change your password. I get a link from audiogon that allows me to unlock my account right away. I unlock it, then go immediately to my page, and change my password. It takes about 30 seconds. Other than a slight inconvenience, its not a big deal. To my knowledge, nobody has ever actually gained access to my account.

I repeat this again, and again and again - always contact the seller by phone ! You will know in minutes, if you are dealing with a real audiophile or not. Ask him about his system, his experience with other gear, etc. Scammers are not audiophiles !

Another thing to check if you see that the item is beeing listed as located abroad - check the sellers feedback. If the seler is not from the US, you will see the word 'international deal' mentioned a lot in his feedback. Scammers do not have many accounts to choose from, and most of the time thay are forced to use accounts from US members, which be default will not have that fact mentioned.

Yes contact the seller by phone! Problem is Agon will prevent it! We all know how to get past it, but sometimes the Agon police catch it and don't let it through. Again AudiogoN, change this policy please.

I know your worried about folks talking and not finishing the sale through your system ...... Ok, just charge more for your ads and let us talk! Got it!

I have an idea for a secure method for verifying a posted ad is in fact posted by the username shown on the ad.

Agon would have write a slight program change from the way an ad is posted now.

The procedure the seller uses now to design his ad would not change.

The difference would be when the seller tells the Agon computer to post the ad. Before the ad would be posted a verification email would be sent to the member's on file verified email address by the Agon computer.

The email from Agon would tell the member an ad has been entered into the Agon system. If the ad was placed by the member, the member would then be directed to enter the supplied authentication code in a box provided and then click on send. At no time is the member directed to the Agon login page. The authentication code can only be viewed from the Agon member's verified email address.

Unless the Agon computer receives the correct authentication code the ad will not be posted.

Agon could send a return email telling the Agon member the authentication code was correct and the ad has been posted.

What do you guys think? Would it work? Do you see any way a hacker could get around the secure authentication procedure?

Jeah48 its a great idea. This method is used by Apple when verifying apple id or password recovery. But at the same time even good rated members can decide to "walk" with the last transaction in pocket.

There really needs to be sanctioned support from Audiogon for legal proceedings against a seller who steals. Here Audiogon can ask for a premium membership to cover some of their cost.

These are bad economic times and there is holes in the Audiogon system that needs to be plugged.