I find your thread to be one of the most interesting ever. Had around 65 transactions here and only conversed by phone 2 or 3 times. However, there are other philes that I've spoken to by phone that were not involved in a transaction with me. If your feedback is good and the other member has good feedback it really isn't a necessity to converse by phone during a transaction or even on a fact-finding mission. Frankly, I prefer not to speak to the other person and thereby keep personalities out of it. Personality can get in the way of business in my opinion. In other words let's keep it "just business."
I do agree that not speaking by phone is rather impersonal. But for me the most important aspect of this is a successful purchase or sale. And by successful I mean, you get what you paid for and it works as advertised, or you sell what you set out to sell and have a satisfied buyer. If you accomplish these goals, it's a win/win. Now I'll admit that one of the only fellows I ever spoke with during a transaction turned out to be a great guy and actually called me up long after our transaction to discuss audio. He was very likable. In fact we may have become friends if he had lived closer to my city.
So by keeping transactions here impersonal and not conversing on the phone, it's possible for someone to miss out on a good relationship with another person that has common interests. I will acknowledge that.
On the flip side, there are some quirky, and odd people in this hobby that I've spoken to by phone (that did not turn into a transaction) who I'd never want to meet in person.
I did break out of the mold just recently however. I not only spoke to a buyer by phone, but actually went to his home to deliver speakers. He seemed to be a good guy too.
I do agree that not speaking by phone is rather impersonal. But for me the most important aspect of this is a successful purchase or sale. And by successful I mean, you get what you paid for and it works as advertised, or you sell what you set out to sell and have a satisfied buyer. If you accomplish these goals, it's a win/win. Now I'll admit that one of the only fellows I ever spoke with during a transaction turned out to be a great guy and actually called me up long after our transaction to discuss audio. He was very likable. In fact we may have become friends if he had lived closer to my city.
So by keeping transactions here impersonal and not conversing on the phone, it's possible for someone to miss out on a good relationship with another person that has common interests. I will acknowledge that.
On the flip side, there are some quirky, and odd people in this hobby that I've spoken to by phone (that did not turn into a transaction) who I'd never want to meet in person.
I did break out of the mold just recently however. I not only spoke to a buyer by phone, but actually went to his home to deliver speakers. He seemed to be a good guy too.