if you're reading this then you already know...

I see both sides of this, yes it is lazy and a bit stupid but it also is a selling point to convince you this is an awesome product, a very subtle technique of hype.
I also think in many cases if you are looking to buy a most likely high ticket item you should know what it is, its specs and how it performs because you should have already been doing extensive homework.

Chadnliz,

What if I don't know what it is? I picture or a brief description might pique my interest and cause me to do some research.

Most of the time, I DO already know because it's some weird thing that interests me or I would have skipped it to begin with. But the one time I DID NOT KNOW (and this was recent) it pissed me off because I wanted to know.

I also think in many cases if you are looking to buy a most likely high ticket item you should know what it is, its specs and how it performs because you should have already been doing extensive homework.

this is true, you should, and many/or most people do by the time they see an ad. But what about those who don't? Does a seller want to miss a potential sale because he/she couldn't say "this is a x widget and you can read up on it at this link to the mfg website".

Further (and this is the stupid part), why say "if you're reading this"? If I'm reading this, then OF COURSE, I'm reading this. And how does it follow that I know all about the item BECAUSE I'm reading this?

I have purchased Audio gear that I found through a used equip ad both here and ebay and I previously knew nothing about, but since the ad peeked my interest, I spent the time to learn more about it. I have also sold gear to individuals who were in the same situation prior to seeing my ad.

Why are you even clicking on the ad if you don't already know what it is? Or do some of you people just buy stuff because the ad has lots of info, links and pretty pictures? Part of the reason I've sold equipment on Audiogon is because I thought it would be found by knowledgeable potential buyers. After reading this thread I might reconsider my position and in the future address my ads towards uninformed people who know nothing about the product, but just might buy it anyway.

Lazy sellers, maybe? What about lazy buyers?