buyer beware do not buy from this seller


i have been become extremely frustrated with a seller on Augiogon that goes by Robert from NY (with address of bobsprit(at)aol(dot)com and number of 7187577114) so i decided to post my experience here. he sold me a defective Rega DAC, which I paid $700. after i received it and discovered that it was defective (static popping sounds), he offered me a replacement as he claimed that it was still under warranty. he seemed like a reasonable guy over the phone so i trusted him and sent it back to him in September 2012. since then, he has been avoiding my phone calls and have not replied to my emails. the few times that he has answered my phone calls, he gives bogus excuses, such as that he forgot to send it, and claims he will send it in next few days. he even offers that if the DAC still has issues that he will refund me the money. i have yet to see an email from him that the DAC has been sent. it's obvious that he has no intention on sending a replacement.

i have sold and bought many items over the internet, mostly on ebay, and have had no issues such as this so far. i have always treated my buyers with respect and disclosed any defects in any of the items i sell and i expect the same from others. it's sellers like this that ruin the online community. Robert, you sold your integrity and honesty for $700. karma does exist..you'll see.
woo999
Truly a cautionary tale, that perhaps strengthens the case for doing e-bay transactions and using paypal payment system. Audiogon does not have the 'muscle' to back up buyers.
Problems like these are on the rise here. Too many flakey people have glommed onto the site as a way to make money selling trash.
Reminds me of eBay...
Feedback for Robert.......

Feedback for robert (33 - 100.00%)Summary
Positive Feedback+11Neutral Feedback+0Negative Feedback-0How this works
Feedback left on orders impacts a member's rating.

•Positives count +3
•Neutrals count +1
•Negatives count -4
All feedback
ShowAll feedback Positive feedback Neutral feedback Negative feedbackechoes (66 - 100.00%) left feedback on February 21, 2010 2:45pm
It was a pleasure to work with Robert, great communication, would do business with again anytime! this is what audiogon's all about!
+3
echoes (66 - 100.00%) left feedback on November 28, 2009 5:31am
Easy transaction, quick payment, excellent communication! Deal with Robert with confidence!
+3
yawtre (3 - 100.00%) left feedback on December 25, 2008 6:30am
GREAT SELLER!!!! THANKS!!!!
+3
wurlitzer (45 - 100.00%) left feedback on March 12, 2007 3:08pm
John is great to work with and honest. Unit arrived in perfect condition and was exactly as described. Very pleased with all aspects of the deal and would buy again. The Cayin A-88T sounds as good or better than my McIntosh Gordon Gow 275
+3
robertb53 (No Feedback) left feedback on February 7, 2007 7:28am
Thanks, Koby, for your excellent service. I would like to chat longer on the phone someday.
+3
radiowonder (36 - 100.00%) left feedback on December 27, 2006 7:09am
Thanks for the speedy service..I will return.
+3
hvy66 (No Feedback) left feedback on July 30, 2006 2:48pm
Easy to deal with. Very quick responses and fast shipping. No surprises...thanks again
+3
erichoii (18 - 100.00%) left feedback on January 24, 2006 2:02pm
I really recommend this seller. Good communication, very satisfied. thanks!
+3
olimpico (678 - 100.00%) left feedback on November 22, 2005 2:37pm
Excellent Audiogon member. Product shipped fast and in AAAA+ conditions. Thanks Robert
+3
crt (472 - 98.77%) left feedback on May 1, 2005 4:32pm
Great seller; very honest and honorable. A man you can trust. A++
+3
Member Lookup
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Seems like the last feedback is three years old. May be he had an expensive divorce since then.

If the story is verifyably true (email track!), you should be able to escalate and get him banned from Audiogon. I had one incident over the last decade and my fraudulent trading partner was banned. Easy to come back with new email address, but at least it would wipe out the 100% rating record.