Is Audiogon Safe?
Sam -- Wed, 10/21/2009 - 02:23
some people on Audiogon.com are selling audio components that are recently released or near mint condition or fairly new models of gear sometimes at 1/2 price? Is it safe to buy anything from there? Why would anyone buy some of this stuff and sell it at 1/2 the price? I don't see the logic or reason. and in the descriptions they say nothing about the history of the product or why they are selling it or who/where they are at? etc..... any thoughts?
Audiogon is, by definition, less safe than e-Bay / PayPal. On e-Bay, you can see the feedback history of the person with whom you're dealing. If the vendor has a history of selling expensive audio items and good feedback for doing so, then you can have at least some confidence that they're legit. Additionally, PayPal can be used to deny payment if the item you receive is significantly other than its description.
For Audiogon, you have none of these protections. Of course, there is the option of using a third party payment service that offers protection. Additionally, you often have the luxury of communicating extensively with the seller prior to the sale. All of the questions that you mention I would probably ask before even considering an audiogon purchase. If any of the answers I received seemed incomplete, evasive, or illogical, I'd not consider that vendor at all.
Finally, there are legit reasons for selling at a significant discount - the item may be scratched, damaged, or a factory second. The item may be from an estate sale or garage sale where even for half the original value the vendor is making money. The item may be from a business that has gone bankrupt, and the distress sale of assets may dictate that a quick sale is better than one that maximizes profits. Take each case on its merits and see.
Having said all this, I must also say that I've never bought an item via Audiogon. My preferred methods of equipment acquisition are (in order of preference) garage/estate sales, clearance sales at local shops, e-Bay, and craigslist. I would also say that my buying habits have occasionally been "penny wise and pound foolish." Although I've owned lots of nice equipment over the years, I've seldom achieved that synergy that a well-matched set of components can create. For this reason, I've recently taken Mr. Robert Harley's advice and am now shopping for a dealer, rather than for components. Happy Shopping!
Boomzilla
I have successfully bought and sold items via Audiogon.
Safeguards include member's feedback and the ability to pay via Paypal.
As with any online transaction the secret to success is to "KNOW THE SELLER OR BUYER"
Always correspond via email and if possible (if they are in the same country) via phone to confirm details of the transaction.
If any deal seems too good to be true, walk away. Greed (the desire for a deal that is too good) is what gets you in trouble.
I have, over the past fifteen years, sold musical instruments and hifi gear to people all over the world and I've never had a deal go bad. Most people are honest, and if you ask enough questions the dishonest ones will stand out.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
Thanks, Steven - I've learned something. I didn't realize that Audiogon had seller feedback or that PayPal was an option. I agree with your other comments, point-for-point.
Boomzilla
Audiogon is a great resource. Buyer and seller feedback is available as well as Paypall. When I got back into the high-end six years ago, I bought my speakers, turntable, tonearm, cartridge and cables from a dealer and my electronics from Audiogon. I have since upgraded my electronics each time on audiogon and never had a problem. I recently even bought a cartridge (unopened/unused) on Audiogon and saved a lot of money. Just ask a lot of questions, email back and forth and read all feedback. I did see a pure scam involving an SME 30 for sale in London for $4K, emailed a few times and quickly learned that the seller was bogus. I enjoy reading and contributing to the forums and viewing other people's systems. I've actually learned a lot from Audiogon.
I have sold a limited amount on Audiogon, but all has been positive.
I recently sold a Classe' SSP-25, and my two local used dealers said they didn't want it, as they have not been able to sell them. I posted it on Audiogon, and sold it for the full price, which was a bit higher than I wanted for "breathing room", in 11 hours, to someone in the "hood" (In Seattle..I live in Portland).
I also sold a mint old Dyna FM-3, which had been completely restored, with the same local (un)interest by my dealers, in a mere 4 hours, for what I paid for it two years ago.
Both transactions were Paypal, and went smooth.
Highly recommended!
Mike
I
VinylGuy
I have used Audiogon to buy equipment, audio racks, cd's, cables and power filters all with excellent results. I have yet to deal with anyone (individual or brick and mortar store) that were nothing short of smooth, positive transactions. I use a special email for Audiogon and Ebay, I only pay with a special credit card and I only pay via paypal. Taking these actions makes me comfortable in dealing with Audiogon. It has been a boon to buyers and sellers alike.
Thanks for everyones input!
I've sold a preamp on audiogon before and now have a couple of sets of speakers up there for sale, though I doubt they will garner much interest due to their age. Still, I visit often and browse and helped a friend buy a turntable through the site. I've found for the most part that the individuals are honest hobbyists like us, selling a piece or two here or there to fund the next addition. Or thinning the herd. The dealers on there seem reputable from their ads but I've only communicated with one and he was very open and honest.
Within that context, you can easily learn to spot the sharks coming over from Ebay pretty quickly - they pop up every now and then with descriptions that are just mind-boggling in their praise for whatever they are selling, even if it's the biggest piece of 70s crap ever manufactured. There are also folks who cross advetise Audiogon and Ebay and are honest in their descriptions and dealings.
Steven's comments are dead on: get to know the person with whom you may be dealing.
I've bought and sold on Audiogon and had nothing but good transactions. A lot of the people there are enthusiasts who have no reason to cheat anyone and actually enjoy the trading process. If you look at the feedback ratings of Audiogon users, they are almost always 100% positive- as Steven said, most people are honest.
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