Is ebay feedback worth anything on Audiogon?

While I might have liked more of the wrath of god sort of thing when attempts to rip me off were made, and was quite annoyed that the only way to remove unjustified negatives was to agree to withdraw my highly justified negative feedback, I have found Audiogon more interested in getting things corrected than Ebay. Two attempts to rip me off were made in each marketplace, but only the ones on Ebay were successful, because they just don't care. I say if it's ebay, to hell with it.

feedback is feedback. What I care about for an online purchase is 1)is the person selling or buying legitimate?, 2) is the person credible?, 3) Is the condition of item clearly and honestly described, and 4) of course price, terms, etc.

Proving #1 and 2 to me is done as effectively with ebay feedback as it is with A'gon. Indeed, a seller with 100 transaction feedback on ebay is more impressive to me than one with 5 transactions on A'gon, depending on WHAT the feedback says.

Proving #3 can't be done with feedback IMHO. For that it requires a conversation. I've done deals on both sites and when interested in an item ask VERY expilicit questions about the condition. If I receive equally explicit answers, I feel more confident. My experience is ebay sellers are more often than A'gon sellers terse in their response (leading me to believe they are dishonest, when they may simply be lazy or dumb). I say adios in these cases. I've also received terse replies on A'gon though.

for #4, well, we all have to work that out, and roll the dice.

If it's under the same username then I like to know about it if the person here has little feedback. It helps. My Ebay feedback is 260 and I use the same username at all sites so everybody will know it's me. I've not had any significant problem on Audiogon and have had only 2 on Ebay. Fortunately most people are honest but I'm always wary. Last deal here this guy actually sent me the amp before he got any money which made me feel good that he trusted me. We talked on the phone a couple of times and phone conversations I think are worth alot to both parties.

What if the scammer uses a screename of an Ebay'er that has a reputable rating?

I never take Ebay feedback into consideration. If someone doesn't have Audiogon feedback, fine, they are new here. I would be just a bit more cautious and do a little more due diligence (I am generally pretty paranoid to begin with). Ebay feedback does not impress me at all - no offense intended to you Ebay power sellers.

Like others here, I typically require a telephone conversation before sending money. I enjoy chatting with fellow hobbyists and I have met some very interesting people this way. That's one thing that I really like about Audiogon, almost everyone here is a hobbyist, even if they regularly make a profit through their transactions.

For the record: I have been hosed once on Ebay and once on Audiogon.