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No Sellers willing to do COD anymore???

I first got into this hobby about 4 years ago (at least in terms of owning "high end" equipment).......one of the main ways I was able to do that was by buying almost everything used. My speakers (B&W M802's) I found used at a local audio dealer, & after that, bought most of the rest of my system from private sellers thru Audiogon, always doing COD, which seemed almost SOP at that time.

Now, most sellers INSIST on Cashier's Check upfront, end of discussion. And I admit, when I'm selling items long distance, it would be nice to be able to impose that, but the last time I tried that when listing something FS, no one was willing to do that. Am I missing something? Would anyone ship their expensive audio stuff to someone just relying on their word that they'd then send them the $$$?? It seems too one-sided now......even with all the potential pitfalls of COD; at least it's sort of equal for both parties. Thanks for any input!
steveaudio
aroc
760 posts
 
As long as sellers can demand cash upfront - and get it from buyers - no seller in his right mind will ask for a COD. It seems to be a sellers market right now.
kira
83 posts
 
I have bought and sold many items on this website mostly using Fedex 2 or 3 day c.o.d. I have never had a problem. It is certified funds only for Fedex and the money is overnighted back to the shipper the same day the gear is received. Not like UPS where you can wait a week to get the money back. Besides, UPS couldn't track a package from my house to next door. With Fedex you always know exactly where the item is.
rosstaman
455 posts
 
I prefer FedEx COD. They get you the check within a few days after delivery. UPS and FedEx Ground take a few weeks—up to a month to get you the cashier's check or money order. USPS will not insure COD. I've only been burned once, when the buyer refused the package. It turns out that the same buyer played this game on a number of audiogoners, audiowebers and audiocomers as well. Now, if a buyer doesn't have any feedback, I ask for the check up front. If the buyer has excellent feedback, I'll go the COD route.
artprinteaa0
21 posts
 
Post office and demand a money order only. Of course you take a risk of somebody not paying it and having the item re-shipped back to you. I haven't had that happen here, but sure have w/ my business.
Don't bother w/ ups--they'll take a check drawen with crayon and claim no responsibility. And those checks will bounce all over the place. The other problem w/ ups is that I've had them take 5 months to mail the cod's to me. Usually it's 2 or 3 weeks, but not always. They do offer a service--for a nice fee of course--where you can get the check information pronto. But it's still a check and once UPS delivers the product the rest of the risks are yours. The only thing ups does well is to bill you, everything else they screw up.
piezo
304 posts
 
I have used COD in probably $10k worth of transactions both buying and selling over the last few years with no problem. I have asked for, and have had to pay in some ocassions, for two way shipping costs to ensure the buyer will show up for the stuff. I have also paid some up-front but have always managed to make it a credit card deal on the big ticket items so i get some protection. Usually a phone call or two is enough to tell if the other guy is a flake. The only way for both parties to feel totally safe is for cash, face to face deals.
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