Previous Ownership...does it matter to you?

About half the gear I’ve bought over the last 5 years is used. I’ve haven’t yet (knock on wood) had a bad experience. I have walked away from a few deals when my intuition told me something was fishy.

To me the first thing I look for is a sense of integrity from the seller. If I know a seller has lied to me or skirted the truth, I’m out. No matter how little the lie, without confidence in a buyer’s word, I’m gone.

An example, there was a guy selling an item some distance away for a very good price, third-hand. I asked for pictures. Pictures were great. However, I know the pictures had been modified to cover up some cosmetic blemishes. I passed. If the supplied pictures had been un-modified (showing the blemishes), I would have gladly completed the deal. 

After that, it’s condition (both cosmetic and functional). Pluses are original packing materials. Modifications are red flags (unless a vintage item where a refurbishment is appropriate).

I have never sold something that I bought used.  That is about to change.  I will be selling my perfect Denafrips Ares II to upgrade to another Denafrips probably a Pontus II but not sure.  My question is how do I know how many owners there were before me.  I bought it from a younger guy but the deal was perfect, we even split shipping costs.  It was as described and works flawlessly.  If someone asks me how many owners I am not sure because I did not ask.  I would say two?

I have only purchased used equipment 4 or 5 times, in each case my 1st and foremost concern was checking out the seller's sales feedback , and couple that  with the nature/tone of our back and forth communication.to get a gauge on the person I might be dealing with . (I do the same 1st when selling gear. ). Then I focus on condition, age, location of the item (shipping handling consideration) , and whether or not the original packaging is available and it's condition.

Smokers or not?  The smell might bother a lot of people.

Ideally i like to purchase from original owner who has all the original packaging material and manuals.

i find most people in this hobby are fairly honest and  want to change their systems  occasionly as they get the upgrade bug,  I have not had a bad experience yet ( knock wood)

i have been upgrading my YBA electronics  form the entry level up to the top of their line  and have not taken a huge hit yet on resale every purchase i have made sure that all original packaging is in place then when i go to resell  it makes a difference.

if you talk to the seller off line  and even by tel  if you are purchasing a large ticket item it will give you a sense of the person and their sincerity, but i have found  nothing but great feedbackbuying & selling.

Plus if on audiogon or audiomart  the feddback process is very good in weeding out scammers.

I have never purchased off of Ebay though so i cant comment  on that service, i am  leary of buying on Ebay  so i stay away form that buying option

Cheers!