Sellers Beware!!!


Folks, 

I am wondering if anyone else here noticing the latest trend on Audiogon. I have been approached by buyers in Vietnam to buy my listings. I have gotten at least dozen offers in last month or so, they are pretending to be US based buyers, with US address and do not disclose their actual location until you have accepted the offer.  I have already declined two confirmed offers as soon as I figured out their true identity. The US address being provided on Audiogon is either a local business shop run by Vietnamese native or a 'friend' address. I googled the address and called the local address listed on Audiogon. It turns out to be small business shop and the owner had no idea about the sale or the product he is about to receive in next 2-3 days. 

The icing on the cake, the buyer gets bent of shape when you point out these last minute surprises and then try shift the blame on us that we are not very 'trusting'. Go figure! 

I am outlining some of the things that were common in my dealings, 

1. Broken English (sorry no offense)
2. 12-14 hour delay between communications
3. Start off with low ball offer and then agrees to pay within 10-15% off of your asking price
4. Unusual delay in receiving payments, they tend to apologize profusely and blame PayPal for delay
5. They will ask you to 'absorb' PayPal fee due higher percentage charged by PayPal on intl. transfers
6. Negative, neutral or no feedback
7. The address in their Audiogon profile will be either in west cost (CA) or east coast (NY). 

This thread is not intended to target a certain race or nationality, the sole purpose of this thread is to create awareness against the 'sneaky' buyers. I welcome all buyers, domestic or international and wish them a hassle free buying and selling experience on Audiogon. 

128x128lalitk

Showing 2 responses by czarivey

the BIGGEST concern about international sales -- RETURNS or REFUNDS.
Uninsured shipments would cost 3...4 times less than insured and registered, but if there’s any shipping damage, whatcha gonna do?
So there’s no difference. If I have product to sell, it won’t be shipped farther than Canada or Mexico.
It looks like seller should not care about shipping charges, but WRONG! eBay can make you pay for everything including shipping when it will come to the return.
Bear THAT in mind.


I don't discriminate either, I only follow line of simple rules:
1. Local pickup on any large, heavy or fragile items
If no local pickup -- arrange your own shipping of your choice no matter where you are and how you are.
2. No checks accepted even certified funds.
Money order, credit cards, cash will work.
3. All international sales -- arrange your own shipping and insurance. 20% of items sent internationally getting lost.  Therefore insurance may even cost more than item itself.