Is it too much to ask....

I never list any of the salient aspects of the gear that I am selling, other than condition. The reason, simple, after many, many transactions, if someone has not done the research to know what they are buying, I really don't want to sell to them. I am a hobbyist not a retailer.

Now, you could make the argument that they are going to see that I am selling a 400 watt amp and then figure out if it is what they need, but my practial experience runs counter to this. BTW, IMHO the input impedance of an amp or the output impedance of a preamp, is going to be a much more salient bit of info than how many watts an amp puts out.

So yes, in my estimation it is too much to ask. And I understand that may preclude us from doing business, but it seems that we are both comfortable with that.

It wouldn't be hard at all..but I explained why I won't be doing it.

And an amps job is to linearly amplify a signal, something it won't be doing if there is a significant impedance mismatch with the output impedance of the preamp driving it.

Best,
Marty

Don, you bring up an interesting point. I always post pictures and if there is a defect, I highlight it. But I love to purchase things from sellers with no pictures, no feedback and/or English as a second language. It's certainly a risk, but the selling price may end up being half of what it would normally be. Those things are going to cost you money in your selling price. But no specs, I'm not sure, however your point about time to sale seems quite salient and right on the money.

If we take the emotion out of it, there are two types of buyers on the 'gon, those that are looking for a specific item and and will attempt to buy it when it becomes available, and those that would like to select an item from the currently available stock.

I don't have a political agenda or philisopical bent on this subject; my perspective is based solely on experience. That experience is twelve years here, and approximately an equal amount of time before that selling in AudioMart.

I like to enjoy what I buy, and I always want my trading partners to enjoy what they buy from me. Until now, although I do not publicize it in my ads, I will take back anything for any reason and pay shipping both ways. Hey, I'm nuts, but you do business your way, I'll do it mine. My feedback reflects this policy.

When I have had problems - problems that have cost me a bit of money over time - it has been with a subset of the later group. A small percentage of them do not understand how the product that they are purchasing impacts their system architecture and therefore the sound that they will get.

My experience leads me to making the jump that these buyers did not do sufficient research or were simply impetuous in their purchases.

I believe that not posting specs deters these buyers to some small extent, while not causing an undue hardship on others that are shopping from available items - again another jump and another assumption that has passed the litmus test of my practical experience.

I don't believe that I am snooty about sales, I will spend as much time as required by my potential trading partner on the phone, or via e-mail. And numerous times, after having spoken with someone considering buying something I am selling, I have recommended that they not buy the item. On two occasions I have chosen to refuse to sell the item to a prospective buyer. And fortunately, I don't need a quick sale.

So I can certainly be called direct, politically incorrect, abrasive and a dick. But snooty and imperious...I'm not so sure.

RL, since you want to look back at this from an emotional angle, I am sure neither of us will loose any sleep in not becoming trading partners, but my feedback speaks very well of those that have taken the leap of faith and navigated my unfriendly ads. And I, for one, would be more than happy to purchase from you in spite of your ads being cluttered with specs.

Just as you think that, as a seller, I am cutting myself off from excellent buyers, you too, as a buyer, may be cutting yourself off from goods that you may want to buy.

But your mind is already closed on the issue. As you so aptly put it, "I am surprised at your response". We are often surprised when we are unable to consider others positions on an issue and draw conclusions about their motivations.

And it seems disingenous, at best, to post a thread asking for opinions on a topic and then deriding those that hold views counter to your own.

Happy listening,
Marty