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
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.
Nothing unusual about this. Unfortunately, people, for whatever reason, will want to buy or possess something and out of impulse they will "buy it!!". Explains why a lot of us are in credit card debt. Anyway, it is not uncommon, as another example, for people to bid on your auction and not come through if they win. Apparently, they think they win the item as a prize if they're the high bidder. It's the same with buying - the desire is strong but the money is not there.

If someone should offer me what I'm asking asking with no questions asked or without a lower offer, I would either suspect that either (a) my asking price is too low, (b) they're just kicking tires or (c) they actually want it. If they don't come through, so what. From where I sit, there a plenty of decent folks on this site - one potential buyer who didn't come through shouldn't worry you.
I have always made it a practice to have a live conversation with potential buyer before taking unit off of market. I also believe a postal money order or cashiers check should be sent prior to any COD to cover shipping cost and provide a good faith deposit. If buyer is unwilling to do this move on to someone else.