Is it too much to ask....

I have a thought about all this but you all should know what it is, so i'm not telling. Ha!

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.

I wasn't asking for someone to re-iterate *every* single spec. on the amp. But it would seem prudent to at least list the power rating, perhaps the THD and such, the weight, and dimensions.

Asking a potential buyer to Google up these simple facts will, IMHO, reduce your chances of selling the amp. I try to divine the power rating from the Mfgr's. Model #, but sometimes that is not possible.

BTW, I've been in this hobby for many, many years (45+) and I know a few things about how amps work, and how they're spec'd. - not a newb by any means.

Folks who get all self-righteous and proudly declare "I would never deign to publish the specs. of my amp!, Certainly, sir, you should know ALL of the specs. of ALL the amps there are out there!" amuse me...

As for "why would anyone look at 40 or 50 amps?" Oh, I dunno, perhaps I was helping a friend find suitable amplification for his system. It's a sure bet I'd never recommend one of Viridian's pieces, no matter the specs. or price...
-RW-

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

Marty, get the hell out of here.....and take your logical rationality with you damn it!! ;)