Add a Warranty section to Audiogon classified ads?

If the Audiogon policy truely lets you leave negative feedback then how did this misinformation spin so far out of control? I have never had to leave or recieve negative feedback so I assume many just excepted what was being told by others, but who is right?

As to Grant's thread; my position is best stated by Ncarv, and my answer is a definitive 'no' to the question. I don't really need another box to check yes or no when creating a listing. In a market of used items, part of the reason the seller is taking a loss and the buyer is paying so much less than retail, is that the risk exists that things do eventually wear out or fail. That risk is implied and understood by most folks looking to buy a used component. If you want to add a warranty you can always do so in writing in the ad and state your terms specifically.

In light of the response from A'gon on feedback, I'm going to have to check with an acquaintance who had recently got burned on a transaction and was doubly upset because A'gon had not posted the feedback he'd left since the seller obviously did not approve it. I don't know how it resolved, but now am curious because of recent criticism of the system. I do hope that it is as A'gon says. I sure would like to read a full accounting of a sellers feedback before purchasing something from them.

Marco

There is no need for a warranty "option," as Audiogon policy already makes this an implicit part of every deal. In every sale, the Seller warrants that the item will arrive as advertised and, if it does not, it is the Seller's responsibility to make the Buyer whole. Items are not sold on an "as-is" basis; rather, they are sold on an "as-advertised" basis. So, if an ad (or subsequent communication between Buyer and Seller) advertises the item as being in "good working order," then Audiogon policy already forces the Seller to warrant that it will arrive as such. To that extent, no further warranty is necessary.

If, on the other hand, you are suggesting an option to sell with an "extended" warranty, I would say that is a recipe for disaster. A warranty is a contract and, in my opinion, it would be impractical and unwise for people on audiogon to work out the terms of such a contract: how much extra it should cost; under what circumstances the Seller would have to honor the warranty; what is the process for submitting and resolving a claim.

The final possibility would be to allow Sellers to offer a something beyond a warranty -- i.e., a return policy. I suppose that, if a Seller wished to distinguish himself that way, more power to them. But that seems at odds with the spirit of the concept of Audiogon. Notably, on ebay, there is an option for sellers to specify a return policy -- and given the risks inherent in the ebay community, that may be appropriate there.

Bottom line is that a Buyer and Seller on Audigon can haggle whatever terms they like, but it would be irresponsible for Audiogon to tempt them to haggle over a warranty beyond what is already implicit in every audiogon transaction.

If the buyer expects a warranty, they should be buying new.
I should have been a lawyer.
Ngjockey (Threads | Answers)

Good statement.

11-30-07: Jeffreybowman2k
There is no need for a warranty "option," as Audiogon policy already makes this an implicit part of every deal...if an ad (or subsequent communication between Buyer and Seller) advertises the item as being in "good working order," then Audiogon policy already forces the Seller to warrant that it will arrive as such.

I've been searching the Audiogon Policy pages and I have not found any language to this effect. Would you kindly provide a link to the page on which the policy is found?

Thanks.