What frustrates you the most about seller’s for sale ads?


Audiogon has been in existence for over 20 years now, and if you are like myself, you probably have read thousands of for sale ads. When I read most of these ads, I always feel like the seller is leaving out vital information about the actual product (unit they own) they’re trying to sell. Some sellers are spot on when they sell something. They describe the unit in full detail, but most don’t. To me that’s a red flag and frustrating. For myself, the most frustrating thing is most ads leave out equipment age. If I’m buying something used this is vital info I want to know. If a seller doesn’t know the age of the unit don’t rate it 9/10 and later telI me I don’t know the actual age. One retailer, I will not mention names, always gives you 3-4 paragraphs of how great of business they are, and leaves one sentence at the end to describe the actual product being sold. LOL


 
hiendmmoe

This is tangential to what you’re asking but there are things in ad descriptions that leave me scratching my head.

“Built like a tank!” — That creates an image for me of something huge, loud, covered in dirt and dangerous. Maybe that’s the truth but that’s not what I’m usually looking for in a piece of gear.

“If you’re reading this ad you already know…” — I’d guess that is supposed to flatter the potential buyer but, for me, it’s seldom true. Most of the ads I read are for gear I know nothing about, that’s how I’ve learned about the gear I do know about.

“I’ll probably regret selling this…” — Then I’d advise against it.


If your selling speakers take a picture of them with the grills off. And always a pic of the back of a piece of gear. If your selling tubed equipment list the tube complement. And a good description including the age of the unit if you know it.
As a seller, I expect people to A: be able to read. Read the ENTIRE description. Then B: do due diligence BEFORE offering. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been offered X amount for something, agreed on the terms and then asked a slew of questions. Ask prior. Simple. As a buyer, I go into purchasing an item after researching it, to include reviews etc. I do not expect a seller to add additional info other than condition and any issues. I don’t need to waste time reading a 14 paragraph dissertation on the awesomeness of cryo-treatment. The real problem is most people have no idea how negotiation works. Nor, the value of a commitment. Verbal or otherwise.
Include clear, in focus pictures. Not three blurry pictures of the same angle. If a picture is blurry, don’t use it. Simple retake it.