Phony buyers on Audiogon

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.

Belfran, read the A'gon rules for leaving feedback. In this particular case, the guy probably got cold feet. Are lowballers, lookey-loos and phony buyers annoying? Yes. I have had it done to me a countless number of times, but did I feel the need to leave negative feedback or even want to? No. Like it or not, people have the right to change their minds. Life is too short. Lesson learned and move on. The guy wasn't even an A'gon member. Red flag anyone?

Dma,
May be it is about time Audiogon changes its rules for leaving feedback.
No, you are wrong in stating that people have the right to change their minds. NOT if a buyer offers and a seller accepts his offer. This is a binding CONTRACT !!!!!!!!!! If a buyer or seller changes his mind after they have formed a contract, then he is in BREACH of the contract.
If you are saying that you can't red flag a non-Audiogon member, then the management of Audiogon should start think of a new system of either not allow non-members to bid or to leave feedbacks on them.
Next time you bid an item, think hard, you could be sued if you opt out, my friend!!!!!!!!!

I think it's important to honor our "agreements". The seller (if honorable) may have refused a latter offer(perhaps for more money) that may not reappear again for some time. In the interim his piece is losing value over time. A contract is a contract. The premise of this site would crumble should the validity of these contracts be lost.

Belfran,
Do I think it is important to honor a verbal contract? Of course I do, but not all "verbal contacts gone bad" are as cut and dried as someone backing out or changing their minds. There could be other reasons, but you would have them all slapped with negative feedback regardless of the reason. In any event, There are more important things to concern ourselves with even if it is a simple case of cold feet. 'Tis easy enough to move on to the next buyer. If your equipment is priced fairly it will sell. With an auction, especially a dealer auction it usually states "Your bid is a binding contract". That is a different issue. Until A'gon decides to change their policies concerning this issue with private buyers/sellers try to deal with it as best you can.