2. misc-audio
  3. 136498-4976

what can reasonably be expected of a seller?

Let's get the obvious out of the way.  If the seller posts the item "as-is" & "untested" then that's that and you get what you get.  Right?  But if neither of these is indicated and the item is listed as practically new or unused or immaculate....  or has been in ideal storage for years, then is it perfectly reasonable to ask the seller about functionality, to request the seller test the item to confirm proper functioning?  If the price is really good, is it reasonable to ask about functionality?    I've had 2 situations lately where this has come up.   In the first instance, the seller was willing to accommodate and I did pay for the item and was awaiting confirmation that the item worked properly but was unexpectedly told that he sold to another who didn't need confirmation and my money was refunded.  And in the second instance, I asked the seller to connect the cdp he was selling to a system to confirm that if worked properly as it could be a decade old and had "probably" never been used.  He responded that he wasn't connecting it to anything and didn't have time to sit and play it and that it was already packed.   So, am I just being unreasonable and expecting to much?  What do you think is reasonable?  Thanks.
lcherepkai
basement
245 posts
 
That's funny! I had similar experiences with Fedex around here some time ago. 

For awhile, (I was working downtown), I began to notice that most Fedex drivers would drop, throw, slam packages for seemingly no reason, while UPS treated them like...packages?


When I used to visit another forum, many had the same experiences, but with different carriers, sometime just the opposite experience. 


The issues don't seem to be carrier related, but regional. Sometimes even down to an individual. 


But, WHY a human in better than average shape would want to drop or toss a box is indeed strange. 
harold-not-the-barrel
799 posts
 
If you have worries why buy ? As for NOS and new stuff or even used gear claimed to be fully operational but seller refuses to answer to your questions and requests and so you think you have doubts about seller´s honesty ? Go elsewhere.
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
I buy lots of gear and it’s no big deal for me to buy as-is or distressed gear, and at this stage of the game, much 50+ year old gear is distressed, and a fair amount of recently minted kit is as well.

 But if you want me to purchase your item without information on its functionality or history I’ll probably give you between 5 and 25 cents on the dollar, because I know that some times I will have to part the unit out. 

IMHO, the seller has no obligation other than to describe the item correctly, or cordially refuse to describe the functionality at all, and to ship in a timely manner. The buyer is an adult and can decide to roll the dice, or not.
harold-not-the-barrel
799 posts
 
^ Exactly. I have bought a few HQ vintage carts off Audiogon (all from famous Russian fellow Victor Simakov) and a few off eBay. All perfectly functional despite their age (most from 80´s). And for reasonable prices as they all have proved to be in excellent working order. Obviously I have been lucky but it was my decision not anyone else´s. I´m grown up and know what am doing, and I actually like to take changes when it´s possible to get famous vintage carts for a good price. For example my superbly performing TOTL ASTATIC costed under 300 euros. Another ASTATIC claimed to be without stylus but to my delight it actually came with sharp stylus. This superb cart was 100 euros + postage. I won´t hesitate buying again from these sellers from the other side of the world some day.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
4,946 posts
 
Seller absolutely needs to include the phrase... "Museum Quality" in the title description.
I kid you not just read that in an ad in eBay for a mark levinson product.

Nice way to alternatively describe "old piece of junk"!

A must have in my next listing!
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