2. misc-audio
  3. 125930-12768

Can a buyer back out with no penalty?

Hi members,

Last week I got an offer for a preamp on Audiogon which I am selling. The buyer offer cash local pickup and he required an audition before taking the preamp. It seems fair to me so I accepted his offer.

Yesterday he came to my house with another guy. They spent almost an hour to play through my system. Then finally they said they don't want to buy it with the reason "I don't like the sound". I tried to explain to him that after the buyers' offer is accepted that is a commitment to buy. Unless the product was not as described in the ads, he has to take it. They just left without saying anything.

My question is: what do we do with that kind of buyer, how to deal with this situation correctly?

Thanks,

Calvin

dangcaonguyen

Showing 7 responses by inna

inna
7,132 posts
 
I would never allow audition in my house and would never take cash.
Buyer should know what he is buying. If the received item is not in an advertised condition then it is a reason for a dispute.
We are not dealers.
inna
7,132 posts
 
Dangcaonguyen, I understand and could probably make an exception for some people, but very few. I bought all my equipment unheard, got lucky, most of it was bought on Audiogon.
inna
7,132 posts
 
Why refusing cash? First, I would want to get paid before delivery or even pick-up to avoid a potential 'shoot-out'. And second, there are fake banknotes. In any case, I suggest accepting cash only in $20 not $50 or $100 bills. Again, I might make exceptions, but as a general rule - no way. If the banknotes are fake and you take them to the bank and the bank figures it out, you may have problems or at least a very unpleasant day, not to mention you will have no money.
inna
7,132 posts
 
There are fakes that only very good equipment can detect. Why take chances?
I don't like deposit approach, that's too business-like and unfriendly.
As for leaving negative or not, I decide on case by case basis. Even one negative feedback carries a lot of weight on Audiogon. In the OP's case I would not leave any feedback but would not deal with this person again. He did nothing terribly wrong.
inna
7,132 posts
 
Breaking contract on a small scale is wrong but not terribly wrong. I believe, negative feedback would violate the principle of adequate reaction in this case.
inna
7,132 posts
 
I agree with Raymonda's tone - take life easy. People are too uptight these days and demand guarantee. There are no guarantees.
inna
7,132 posts
 
Tls49, your prosecutor's presentation is overruled. There are and should be the degrees of wrong. The tricky part is who decides. In this case, it is obvious - the one who started the thread.
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