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Shady Lane

Garage Sales....Why?

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Why do people lie about thier items at garage sales?

I asked the guy point blank if the amp and turntables work....he said "They work great"

Amp has one channel out....both turntables have tonearm problems....I guess I could sell the headshells and cartridges to recoup some of my money.

Why do people feel they have to lie?

Follow Ups:

Carry a pair of headphones ... - reelsmith. 18:19:34 07/12/07 (0)
Every garage has a place to plug stuff in. So, take the stuff into the garage, plug it in, connect the 'phones and see if it works. That's what I do.

If its a turntable, at least make sure it spins. I won't buy any tapedeck I can't listen to first. A power amp has to at least light up, same goes for a tuner ...and I check to see if bulbs are out.

I've never yet been told "no" when I ask if I can plug something in before I buy it.

Picked up a Marantz 2230B last week for $2 !!! Three bulbs out, otherwise perfect.

Dean.
RE: Garage Sales....Why? - gkargreen 10:14:14 06/20/07 (0)
I don't do many garage sales, but most local hamfests, you get a feel for what works and what doesn't at any rate, I usually pay with the thought in mind that it may not work, storage, transportation (theirs or mine!) and other factors make this kind of transaction less than perfect, but for the most part I have done well, with just a few clunkers. If your not buying from an established store, there are always chances you take, the pricing, as well as knowing your equipment and, when possible, the dealer, reflect this. I know several people I won't buy from at the hamfest, reputation of mostly shoddy merch, but this past weekend, scored very well (could have been quite the opposite, thought...)
It probably hadn't been played in years - Pacman 08:19:35 06/14/07 (0)
Often equipment that works fine will crater in storage. The guy might have been honest. When he last played the equipment it worked fine- 20 years ago.

A similar thing happened to me. I had a Denon HT reciever that worked great. I upgraded and put it in my closet to keep as a spare amp. About a year later, a friend of mine was building an HT system and I offered to sell him the Denon. He came over to pick it up and was ready to take it but I insisted he listen to it. It never occurred to me that anything would be wrong - I just wanted him to hear it.

However, when we set it up the panel display was dead. Needless to say we canceled the sale. Obviously, I would have returned his money if he set it up at his house and it didn't work. But the last thing I wanted to do was sell my buddy a piece of junk and I almost did.
DUDE-people who take good care of their equipment would NOT HAVE IT OUTSIDE!!!!! - Duilawyer 18:36:34 06/11/07 (2)
This is really a no brainer; sorry.
- But what if it's his WIDOW though, maaaaate? - Timbo in Oz 18:34:01 06/15/07 (1)
  I've picked up a heap of classics through THAT schtick!
  
  "At last I can empty the lounge room of all HIS stuff!"
  
  Warmest
  Timbo in Oz
  The Skyptical Mensurer and Audio Scrounger
  And gladly would he learn and gladly teach - Chaucer. ;-)!
  'Still not saluting.'
  http://www.theanalogdept.com/systems_gallery.htm
  - good point, did not think of that. nt - Duilawyer 06:19:02 06/22/07 (0)
    .
RE: Garage Sales....Why? - Byrd69 12:12:58 06/06/07 (0)
Due to the fact that many people feel the need to lie about the worthiness of their garage sale items, I'm going to begin carrying a $1 pair of speakers and a $5 receiver with me. Then, when the person says "It works fine"...then I can pull out my gear and try whatever they are selling. If the person denys me the opportunity, then I know something is up and I should be walking.

Byrd
Why lie - unclestu52 00:06:19 06/06/07 (0)
when the buyer knows where you live?
I would be scared to death of retaliation.

Stu
RE: Garage Sales....Why? - John N 19:11:56 06/04/07 (3)
Just out of curiosity, how much did you pay?
- RE: Garage Sales....Why? - Phil D 14:34:00 06/05/07 (2)
  I paid $50 for the set-up....two Gemini turntables with Stanton cartridges, a mixer, amp and the "coffin"
  
  When I got to their sale, I told them I look for stereo stuff....they told me they had DJ gear and I told them I really don't get into DJ gear....
  
  I looked anyway and they said it worked great....all they were asking for it was $50. I looked at the amp and noticed the one speaker post was broken off...that's when the lady said "That's why it's only $50!"
  
  Anyway, If I knew a channel was out on the amp and that I needed to work on the 'tables, I would have passed on the deal.
  
  Lucky for me, I got the 'tables working so I can use them...I may even send one to Gemini to have it refurbed if it is not too expensive. They are not bad turntables...knock-off of the Technics SL-1200.
  
  Sorry for the long answer!
  - RE: you only paid 50 bucks for 2 turntables+carts, an amp , a mixer and a speaker box and you are complaining? - Quest 09:44:47 06/08/07 (1)
    *tusk...tusk*
    - RE: you only paid 50 bucks for 2 turntables+carts, an amp , a mixer and a speaker box and you are complaining? - Phil D 14:00:25 06/10/07 (0)
      Yes, I am complaining!
      
      I only bought the items because the seller TOLD ME TO MY FACE that everything worked!
      
      The amp is not worth repairing....the turntables are worth only $20 each....the mixer is of no use to me...
      
      Whether I paid $5, $50 or $500....the point is the SELLER LIED! If I knew the amp was bad or the turntables needed that much work I would not have bought at ANY price, nor would I have taken them for FREE!
RE: Garage Sales....Why? - audiogatorjim 18:06:47 06/03/07 (2)
That is a da_n good question that I have often wondered. Why on earth would they even sell something that they know does not work? What do they think; that it will magically fix itself from the garage sale to the buyer's home??

Generally, after this happens to me (and, ultimately, we are to blame for not asking the item to be tested) I get mad for a bit, then I classify the seller as a schmuck, and realize there are many out there and you cannot win nor try to educate them on honesty, integrity, etc.

Sad really, because it's usually not about much $$. "The customer is always right" typically does not apply to garage sales.
- I assume desperation for $$ made them give up their integrity - Duilawyer 16:07:45 06/04/07 (1)
  listen to Todd sing "Honest Work".
  - *IF indeed they ever had any....* n/t - grinagog 20:57:46 06/06/07 (0)
    Grins
It just shows that there are lots of dishonest people out there - Quest 20:20:47 06/02/07 (1)
and frankly, unless you are absolutely certain that you are capable of restoring them to good health and functionality, always ask for a test run first before you shell out your hard earned $$.

My 2c's worth. I know my boundaries when I go garage-sale hunting.
- RE: It just shows that there are lots of dishonest people out there - Phil D 17:49:34 06/04/07 (0)
  Well, got one turntable up and running....I don't know if I can get the other going or not.
  
  At least the cartridges are pretty nice.
  
  More to come....

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