Phony buyers on Audiogon


Here's the story:
I'm selling an amp and I get an offer from a non-member to buy it at my asking price. No questions about the amp whatsoever.
While I'm a little suspicious what can I do? So I send him my name and address. Never get a check so send him an e-mail. He has no money and can't buy the amp.
Why would someone offer to buy and want my name and address when they don't intend to? Should I be worried?
cdc
probably changed their mind but just don't want to admit it, so made up the "I'm broke" excuse instead. Doubtful that someone would hunt you down for a $950 component if that's your concern? Don't lose any sleep over this one...
Nothing unusual here by my experience...best of luck with your sale, and take Bob's good advice.
You SHOULD be worried. If someone just offers to buy at your asking price without asking questions about your amp, then tells you that he has no money, I reckon he is after something else. The problem with Audiogon is they allow non-members to make offers so you have nowhere to trace back to the phony buyers or leave negative feedbacks because they are non-members.
As far as I am concerned, if a buyer makes an offer and the seller accepts his offer, then it is a binding contract. I know in reality a lot of buyers opt out of their offers after they find out the bottom line of the sellers. This is something that Audiogon should enforce to allow sellers to leave negative feedbacks on phony buyers or non-serious buyers so that the sellers are aware of them before they start negotiating the deals.
Belfran; I'm sure management has plenty else to do, than concern itself with "deals-that-don't-go-thru". As a buyer or seller your job is to know the game and proceed with intelligence and caution. Always check the feedback of a buyer---AND---seller.Wait for funds to clear before shipping. BTW,an out of state check from a small bank "can" take up to 14 days.(not the commonly thought--10-days.) I would NEVER do a COD,unless the buyer has at least 15+'s. The feedback system is there for our protection;and about as good as it gets--use it.
You could state in your conditions that buyers must be A'gon members and even have a certain amount of pos feedback. while it may cull some out, if they really want it, it is up to them to convince you to sell it if they do not meet the conditions.