Be nice to nOobs

Hi David, as others mentioned, no response is just plain rude, and that has not been my experience here. Sometimes you will see the seller finally get around to marking the item "sold" shortly after you e-mail them, which might indicate he had already sold it before you responded. You should still get a response, but everyone does not operate that way. Just hang in there, and be very sure you are clear in your offer. In other words, if it is an item you really want, from a well-regarded seller, make it clear you are making a firm offer, and not just kicking tires.

To Mrjstark, I must take exception to your profiling everyone with feedback scores over 300 as "in it for the money," and those with scores over 100 as being insensitive to newer members, or that they "don't remember the day they started." That is just plain not true here and paints a distorted picture for David. One of the best things about this site is the wealth of information offered to the newer members by those with more experience, and even by some folks in the industry. Also, many with higher feedback scores are not in business, but have simply been at this a while, and enjoy trying new equipment. My current feedback score is over 300, and I have lost money overall. However, I am willing to sell for similar prices to those at which I purchase, and sometimes for less, just for the opportunity to upgrade and to try new stuff. In the meantime, I get to enjoy using the equipment I purchased.

It is a general observation, not a rule to go by.
There are great, helpful, knowledgeable audiophiles out there.
Don't get me wrong, I am not pointing fingers at anyone.
But through closer look at the treads, posts and activities, you don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to put peaces together and figure out who is who.
I don't see anything wrong in making a few $$$ here and there, I just wish that cards were on the table.
I agree with you that I might have exaggerated a little in my previous post. However my general experience and opinion is unchanged.

I actually find the most knowledgeable sellers to be the ones with the most feedback. They seem to know the program, describe their gear more accurately, and understand the norms of dealing on this site. Those with low feedback are a wild card, especially regarding the correct packing of gear for shipment and describing the cosmetic and functional defects in a piece.

I agree with Viridian. I've never had any problems with sellers with high feedback. I've only had two 'problems', both related to a large discrepancy in the items description. Both sellers had less than 25 transactions on AudiogoN.

Maybe it just all depends on your POV.

John

I have to step in and defend at least myself, maybe others. If you are trying to state some kind of rule, there are always exceptions. There are risks with ANY transaction. Just look at the welborne debacle.

I've got stellar feedback on Ebay, but only 2 transactions here on Audiogon. I personally don't want ANY problems, just happiness on both ends. Honesty is the only way to assure this, and when somebody complains I just take it back even though they are just a pain in the ass tire kicker. You can't expect to please everybody.