How do you pay? Why?

Raquel, I know you to be careful in your words and advice, but your warnings in this thread scare the crap out of me as a buyer. I have to say that if I was new to this site (or even a seasoned vet), I don't think I'd ever buy anything from anyone due to your warnings about payment and shipping methods. It'd be possibly less expensive and less nerve wracking to buy locally from a dealer.

Fortunately, I have had excellent experiences buying from and selling to Audiogon members. The three insurance claims I have been involved with have all been paid in full (although the UPS claims did take up to three months as you say).

BTW, I thought I read somewhere in a post that BAX Global is no longer shipping loudspeakers. Has anyone confirmed this? And...if someone works primarily from home, what is the next best shipper to Bax Global, since Bax only ships to commercial addresses?

Grant- The last time I looked at the BAX web site, they had a residential surcharge, so it seems that they must now pick up and deliver to homes. In that case it was a substantial additional charge, but in the past I have received a 42" plasma, a 32" CRT TV(!!) and speakers w/o any damage via BAX. With respect to USPS, there are weight limits and also a low value limit for insurance on international shipments ($600, IIRC). One higher cost alternative is to have the UPS store or Kinko's do the packing. I would double check, but since they are owned by the shipping co, they should not be able to claim inadequate packing. They ARE more expensive on the base shipping charge AND charge quite a bit for packing. Its really a cost-benefit analysis.

As far as problems with the transaction end, I have been burned once on condition (7/10 rated sub arrived fully functional but with 3 chipped coats of paint, dinged corners, and stained cloth) and once on a purchase ("seller" skipped with my $). I have had one outgoing shipment damaged (USPS paid claim after 6 months) and one incoming (UPS approved claim based on 3/16" shipping bolt badly deformed, showing package had been dropped from great height). I have had a pair of monoblocks arrive intact even tho they were both packed with one layer of bubble-wrap, in a single box, with only peanuts around them!!! I watched the UPS guy tumble a SOTA TT end over end down the ramp, and it was fine. I worked in high school as a shipping clerk, and I was trained as a scientist. I understand the physics and mechanics of shipping, so I am pretty darn careful packer. I've probably had 175-200 transactions, so my experience is better than yours.

In terms of payment methods, I agree, as a buyer I want to use pp if its a small item and/or time critical. As a seller I want a wire transfer or USPS m.o. OTOH, if the seller has lots of good feedback, I don't have a problem with a personal or cashier's check. I am most cautious, of course, with overseas transactions (sorry folks) due to higher fraud potential and possibility of misunderstandings, but I have bought from Australia, Hong Kong, France, England, and Hungary, and have shipped to Singapore, Australia, Italy, Spain and Canada, w/o any problems.

The system ain't perfect, but it sure beats getting 10 cents on the dollar in trade like the old days!!!

Raquel

"Anyone who ships a lot on Audiogon should open a commercial account with a professional freight forwarder such as BaxGlobal, as they have real insurance and expertise with high-value goods."

You may want to re-check your facts, or at least update them as they pretain to Bax especially.

I have an account with BAX GLOBAL... or I did until recently. Not only will BAX not provide more than $500 coverage, regarless the actual value, they will not ship loudspeakers or high end audio components.

My agent told me they were trying to make changes to those regards, but as recently as about ten days ago or less, they told me they wouldn't ship either a pair of speakers, or an audio amplifier... further, if they were allowed to do so, the only 'value' that could be declared was the $500.

I consequently closed the account at that point. have they changed to now shipping such items less than two weeks later?

Tvad
yes BAX will deliver to residential, and yes there is a charge... and for stairs too. Best bet is to just go pick it up at the terminal... if you do use BAX.

the way 'round with the other main dogs is going online and doing your shipping there. As a shipping label is then produced by your printer a pick up for it is also set. I found it a little tricky but it can be done. I just did exactly that when I sent my speakers out wwest recently.

BTW... all went well. I think it helps to have an account but I'm not sure.

I have had an account with UPS and FedEx for a couple of years. It's a good way to go.

BTW, UPS will pick up for an additional fee...even with UPS Ground Shipments.

My FedEx account does not allow for pick-up for Ground shipments, so I can create the shipment and label at home, but I have to drop off the item at a FedEx location.

Interesting about the none acceptance of speakers or high end electronic gear. I had gotten a quote for a subwoofer a few months ago from BAX. They hit me up for a significant fee for excess value insurance, but they did accept it. Maybe things have changed recently. BTW, you will get lower rates with an account and on-line label production with Fedex; don't know about UPS.