Audiogon Ethics


I have been an Audiogon member for a couple of years and am very fond of the idea that we are building a community of audiophiles based on trust and honesty. I recently saw a sales ad for a piece by a member who I sold an identical piece to a few months ago (I can't say it is my original piece but it would strike me as odd that someone would own two identical units). If the seller is indeed advertising the unit I initially sold him, he is misrepresenting the condition of the unit (e.g., implying that he purchased it new and that its age is less than it actually is). My question to everybody on this list is what, if anything, to do about this?

I am concerned about the implications of dishonesty for our community of audiophiles in general. I believe this question merits discussion among members. I look forward to your responses. Thanks.

Volker
drv
Ljgj is right about tubes but that is not limited to Audiogon. Lots of relabeling going on. Check carefully unless you buy from an established supplier.
I think we all need to remember that much of the equipment for sale on Audiogon is priced on the low side. No, not all of it, but many deals are out there, and if a person buys it and for whatever reason doesn't like it, he is free to ask whatever price the market will bear.

This recently happened to me on a Power 2SE amp. It sold for a very low $2300 to the first replier. I was the second, so I lost it. Immediately upon receiving the amp, the new buyer posted it for $2650 and sold it immediately. Was I and the original Seller pissed? Yes. Should we be? The answer is open to interpretation. The Seller wished I had gotten the amp because he knew I wanted it for myself, not for resale. I wish I had the amp. But this is a capitalist society, and that's the ballgame.

It is comforting to see that there are many Audiogon members who have strong moral codes that prevent them from engaging in these sort of transactions. On the other side of the coin, there are those who lie about and misrepresent condition, who then can use the excuse that "everyone's perception of mint is different." Personally, I'm tired of that hogwash. It's similar to the general decline in quality, pride of workmanship, respect of others, and, above all, shirking of personal responsibility that is so prevalent in societal decline.

On another note, I'm all for SERIAL NUMBERS IN AUDIOGON ADS!! Audiogon, let's do it.
If you sold something and got what you asked for it or are willing to settle for, then that is your primary concern as a seller. If you are acting as a buyer and you do not research as completely as possible what you are buying before you have made a purchase then that is your fault as a consumer. If you think that you have recieved something that was not as advertised then contact the seller. You can not expect Audiogon or any other company to act as your protector. If you trade in a car to a dealership do you go back a try to find out how much they are trying to sell it for? If they misrepresent the milage, thats fraud. If they misrepresent the condition( brakes are worn out). That's your fault.
jax - I'm not an attorney, but I do believe that not knowing about and not disclosing a serious flaw with the item you're selling, especially one that would effect its safety or operation is still fraud. From what I understand, consumer laws are set up to protect buyers from having to ask, and sellers having to answer a thousand discrete questions about an item just to assure themselves that the equipment is in the condition advertised. I believe that this comes under the heading of transacting in good faith.