Fair to change ad from sale to auction?

No, you cannot change you mind. To change the deal would be dishonorable, despicable, and worthy of contempt. You must decide before you post whether it will be a classified ad or an auction. Certainly, you have the right to sell your property to whomever you wish, but if you violate the Audiogon rules, you should justifiably be banned from this venue.

Why would anyone think it would be OK to change from an item offered "For Sale" at a given price, to an auction just because there was more than one person showing interest You can't change the rules after the game has started.

Probably every Audiogon member with multiple sales, and multiple purchases can understand your frustration about selling lower than someone else was willing to pay. But, almost certainly, you can look forward to being on the buyer side, and wanting to be treated to any bargain that you earn by promptly agreeing to pay someone else their bargain asking price. Only an auction will elicit the highest possible price if you wish to have buyers fighting for your item. Abruptly changing to an auction after you get your buyer seems contrary to Audiogon spirit. There is definitely a comraderie among Audiogon members based upon trading around equipment at a bargain price. In that regard, Audiogon is serving as a hobbyist outlet rather than a strictly commercial enterprise. I think you can expect your overall experience to be more fun if you do not set the goal of extracting the absolute maximum from others, and giving the least from yourself. Your question shows you have your heart in the right place, and seeing how the membership responds should reflect a range of opinions. Hopefully enough responses will be posted so you can feel comfortable deciding how you want to proceed on Audiogon.

It's called jerking people around and I doubt most people would ask the question and opine that one shouldn't be offended by such a practice. Once you start buying/selling stuff you should act like a mensch. My two cents worth.

I don't think this is even a question...sure you like the other offer it's higher...and yes the other guys a jerk because he won't meet that offer...I am not suprised to hear this...I look at the way things are going in the world and it sure has changed (having grown up during the end of the depression)...If I see an item for sale contact the seller to buy at his or her price...I think thats all thats needed...I also have always taken OBO to mean you are willing to go LOWER not HIGHER...Doing the right thing is good for your well being...it gives you that feeling "hey I did the right thing" ...and thats what I think you should do...first come first served...thats what this site is all about...finding items used at a price that you could otherwise never own...Good Luck its one you have to search your feelings to see if the extra money is worth it.