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I am considering making my first purchase of used gear from audiogon. I am a little apprehensive and I am curious what types of things to look for when purchasing a piece of used equipment online? Are there standard questions you are asking the seller? Also, do I need to consider how I pay? Is there anything to protect the buyer?
Follow Ups:
Thanks for all the advice! Off to shop . . .
This is one of the rare cases where I perfer to use a credit card. At least (depending on your card) you have protection; often iron clad. Sure you'll pay a little bit more (since the only folks on Agon who'll except credit cards are generally dealers)but again, it takes a LOT of the risk away compared to a US postal money order (who won't even deal with you until 90 days has passed. Not a big deal if your buying a power cord but..).As far as private parties are concerned, ask the person (preferablly over the phone) if you can come by, pick-up, or inspect the item at the place or origin(even if you live far away; they don't need to know that bit of information....yet); if they say 'yes' then that's a good sign. If they say 'no' then I'd be hesitant and even reluctant. HTH'd
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As Powermatic stated try to get a sense of who the seller/buyer is. I have only done a 5 or 6 transactions on Audiogon but everyone of them went fine. A few emails back and forth should give you a pretty good idea especially when some personal info comes out (I am buying for my 21 y/o daughter, I've tried this I want to try that, BTW I also used to live in Topeka, etc). One thing that has given me confidence is finding out if the other party is active on AA. The guys who are registered members and post are a pretty good lot. I had one sale that seemed a little questionable until I found out the buyer is a frequent and knowledgeable poster on one of the other asylums. Knowing this I had full confidence that the deal was right.
I may be an egoist but at least I don't talk about other people.
I have 116 transactions, about 50/50 buying/selling. When buying high ticket items, I usually insist on a phone conversation. You can learn a lot about someone's intent and demeanor by talking to them, even if it's not in person. I NEVER do business with someone who has ZERO feedback and has only been registered a very short time. I did sell some speakers to a guy with no feedback one time, but after a lengthy phone conversation, I had a nice warm fuzzy about him, and my instincts were right on. It turned out to be one of the best deals I have done on the 'Gon.I have heard good and bad about paypal, but have had only positive experiences with it. But of course, a good ole postal MO is the best way to insure you don't get ripped off when selling.
There are some fine people on Agon, but lately there have been a lot of scam artists showing up. Just be careful and use some common sense and you should be ok.
I've bought and sold a couple of dozen audio components on eBay, and just 'discovered' Audiogon recently and bought my first component there. I've never had any issue.
The feedback systems are a little different eBay vs. Agon but are critical in either case. I paid more for the A-gon item from a seller with more/better feedback when the same item was for sale by a 'lesser' seller for less money.
There is some risk, though. If he has good feedback it's unlikely he's a scammer, but you may pay and then something happens to the guy - Job loss, wife files for divorce...Hey, it could happen.
The more positive ratings the seller has, the more confidence you can have that this guy's on the up and up. Ask for pics, ask for condition, ask if they have the original box and manual. I always pay by postal money order, and ask that they send me the UPS or FedEx tracking # when they ship. Shofar, show good. It never hurts to talk to the guy on the phone, to get a sense of his personality as well (and no, I'm not at all sexist, but I think of well over 50 successful transactions I've done via 'Gon, only one was with a lady).
Powermatic makes good points, especially about developing a feel for the seller.Communication is key. I've never been really burned, but a couple of times things weren't packed very well, and I had some stuff damaged in shipment. It's also nice during a transaction to post each stage of action... "I just got a money order for you" "I mailed it this morning and it should be to you by the end of the week" "I packed it in bubble wrap and double-boxed it for you" "I received it this morning but haven't had a chance to test it yet" etc.
Standard stuff:
* How old is it?
* Are you the original owner?
* Howcum you're selling it?
* Has it ever been in for service? For what?
* What are you replacing it with?
* What do you think its best/worst features are (folks who are hobbyists and involved take better care of their stuff, and are likely to get it to you in good condition)
* Pictures are key -- look for obvious signs of wear/abuse and ask the seller about it
* unlike eBay, most A'goners are hobbyists, which means they are involved (obsessed?) but may overvalue "hot" items and undervalue last year's "hot" items. That's where some of the best deals lie. It's helpful to be knowledgeable about brands and models. Often asking questions on the forums about a piece of gear that's listed will clue you in to reliability issues, or other things you should know about when buying. ("oh yeah, do you know about the power supply problems for the first year of production on that player?") Use the whole site, not just reading sales descriptions.Most of the experienced folks will take the time to walk someone through what they expect, and will want you to be happy with your purchase. I've talked a couple people out of buying gear that I've been selling which I thought wouldn't work in their systems.
Let me reiterate: over 30 transactions (something like 35, I think) and never been burned. Lots of wonderful gear at terrific prices. Met some great people, some with whom I still chat. Great site, great resource.
Go for it!
Do photos show the dust-covered piece sitting on a 55 gal. drum in the center of a chaotic garage, or in a carpeted, well-kept home, preferably with the type of furniture that denotes wealthy retiree?Do your phone and/or e-mail conversations give you the sense that you're talking to someone honest, and desirous of a happy outcome for both of you?
Do they have original box and packing material? Remember, the component had to travel by truck to somewhere when it was new, and presumably did so safely. You want it to be packed like that for it's final journey.
And, of course, positive feedback.
Hope this helps. I've made, I believe, 8 purchases on A'gon, and I've been happy with each one. I think it's the only way to buy this stuff.
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