Your thoughts on Audiogon Feedback

[ecod123]

Hi All,
Not sure where to post this and hope this is the right place. Need advice from fellow Polkies.

I recently bought an integrated amp on Audiogon. It's rated 8/10 with a very brief description: "Excellent condition with all packing material." Two photos, both front view, were posted on the listing. I did emailed the seller a number of times to get more information on the item.

Amp arrived well packed, in original factory shipping box and no visible damage to the shipping box. Upon inspection, I noticed that all six caps of the binding posts/speaker taps on the back were cracked, a couple pretty badly (this problem was never disclosed).

I immediately took some pictures and emailed the seller about the undisclosed condition with the pictures attached. The seller ignored my emails.

I felt that the cracked caps condition was material and should have been disclosed. It would have caused me pause because the cracked caps would have indicated some past abuse. At the very least, I would have asked more questions.

After not hearing from the seller for 2 weeks, I decided to leave a Neutral feedback with comments noting the undisclosed conditions but also stated that item was shipped fast and well packed, and so far the amp is working. I felt that the rating was justified in light of totality of the circumstances.

The seller is now trying to get the Neutral feedback changed to Positive via Audiogon dispute process. His stated rationale provided to is that they were no scratches on the front and 8/10 rating covered all other problems, including the undisclosed cracked caps. By that explanation, I guess a smashed up back would also be legit for an 8/10 rating.

For my fellow Polkies who are experienced with Audiogon purchases (I had only 3 audiogon purchases, all wonderfully positives, and hundreds of ebays, forums purchases), my question, given my little experience on Audiogon, is whether the seller's explanation is consistent with the 8/10 rating and should I accede to his rating change request? I am aware that he could retaliate by leaving me a Negative feedback but I am sure I could contest that with Audiogon since I paid promptly.

Your thoughts? Thanks in advance.

[dorokusai]

While I feel for you, the only thing most Audiogon users rally on is faceplate stuff....sometimes chassis issues depending on the rating. I take my sales very seriously, unfortunately, many do not anymore. It used to be the BEST place to buy...now it's almost the best place.

I would take solace in the cap issue that it was probably from overtightening and not abuse. Depending on the binder, it's easily fixed and not something to get stressed over.

That being said, if it was an existing condition it should have been disclosed. Your feedback sounds justified to me. The Audiogon ratings need to be tweaked, just like the rules to sell in our own Flea Market.

Now, you'll just have to let it play out. Just get the caps ordered and move on.

[ecod123]

While I feel for you, the only thing most Audiogon users rally on is faceplate stuff....sometimes chassis issues depending on the rating. I take my sales very seriously, unfortunately, many do not anymore. It used to be the BEST place to buy...now it's almost the best place.

I would take solace in the cap issue that it was probably from overtightening and not abuse. Depending on the binder, it's easily fixed and not something to get stressed over.

That being said, if it was an existing condition it should have been disclosed. Your feedback sounds justified to me. The Audiogon ratings need to be tweaked, just like the rules to sell in our own Flea Market.

Now, you'll just have to let it play out. Just get the caps ordered and move on.

Well said. I wholeheartedly agree with the tweaking needed for Audiogon's rating system.

Actually, thanks to fellow Polkies, I managed to locate close matching caps (PE and other major audio parts retailers do not carry similar caps) - had to buy the whole binding posts to get the caps and 4 pairs to get 2 black and 4 red caps (unfortunately, these binding posts are not cheap). I did moved on, until yesterday when the seller started the dispute process.

Thanks for the insightful post - I think I will leave it at Neutral and if the seller retaliates, I will just proceed accordingly then.

[thsmith]

Not disclosed and ignored emails for 2 weeks. I would have given negative feedback.

[dorokusai]

Well said. I wholeheartedly agree with the tweaking needed for Audiogon's rating system.

Actually, thanks to fellow Polkies, I managed to locate close matching caps (PE and other major audio parts retailers do not carry similar caps) - had to buy the whole binding posts to get the caps and 4 pairs to get 2 black and 4 red caps (unfortunately, these binding posts are not cheap). I did moved on, until yesterday when the seller started the dispute process.

Thanks for the insightful post - I think I will leave it at Neutral and if the seller retaliates, I will just proceed accordingly then.

Ecod - I'm not saying that you haven't moved on...heck, you were probably nicer than I would have been but you want to give the benefit of the doubt, you know? Then you get screwed.

Great job, don't let it get you down and fight that SOB. At this point, it's balls to the wall time. Post your costs involved with the repair, as a counter comment and that you tried to be cost effective as well. The fact is it wasn't disclosed prior to sale, regardless of the Audiogon rating system. It should have been a courtesy that something was in fact, REALITY, damaged and needed replacement. You should link the thread so we can get involved since it's public.

[billbillw]

Sounds like the seller is a jerk. At a very minimum, he should have responded prior to you leaving the feedback. He knew you had an issue with the condition. I don't believe 8/10 rating covers things like cracked binding posts.

I am assuming what you are calling 'caps' are in fact the binding post nuts. Have you actually replaced the parts yet? I have found that most binding post nuts do not unscrew completely. They are 'captive.' If that is the case, you may have to replace the entire post assembly which may be more involved than you might think.

If that is the case, you may just want to start your own dispute process with the seller and attempt to get some money back, or return the item.

[heiney9]

Do you know for sure this wasn't shipping damage? I had a very heavy tube amp shipped to me and while the box looked fine from the outside the amp was damaged. The seller redunded me $75 so I could fix the binding posts.

You keep using the words "undisclosed issue". If it's shipping damage the seller is still responsible as he needs to file a claim. If the claim is denied, it's still the sellers responsibility. I know because I sold a cdp on Audiogon that was damaged in shipping and the claim was denied, I appealed it was denied again and I took the unit back and refunded the buyers money. I still have the damaged, unoperable cdp in a closet.

Sometimes it's all in how you approach the subject. If you came out of the gate accusing the seller of "misrepresentation" when it most likely could have been damaged in shipping, I'd probably ignore you too at first. But you are correct that the seller is responsible and your neutral was certainly fair.

H9