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Previous Ownership...does it matter to you?

I'm curious as to how others feel about knowing the previous ownership history when purchasing used audio equipment. Not necessarily who specifically owned as that's usually not possible but how many owners.

It might give you a glimpse into whether the item has been shipped back and forth from coast to coast in the US, Canada, or another country and if there's something not as advertised with the item since it continues to change hands too frequently.

I recently exchanged messages with a seller of a previous set of very nice speakers I previously owned. I knew the complete history, the buyer listed himself as the third owner when in fact he was the fifth owner. When I shared the details, his response was "could care less about ownership and how many times it's changed hands....".

I was surprised by the response. The obvious reason to understand ownership it's one of the listing rules from both Audiogon and US Audiomart in regards to the rating scale. Both Audiogon and US Audiomart are specific that anything a 9 or above must be single owner. In the case I reference above, the seller lists as a 9 even knowing he's the fifth owner. 

What is your approach to knowing ownership history? Does it matter or not to you?

jcoehler
facten
3,124 posts
 

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.

 

 

nyc_ben's avatar
nyc_ben
54 posts
 

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

ecpninja
99 posts
 

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!

 

scott22
277 posts
 

I’ve bought two systems cores used. My first adcom gear and snell speakers from a friend of a friend. The second system bought on Audiogon a technics sug700 and canton reference speakers all from local sellers. I used local sellers just in case there was an issue, the seller is close at hand. I would love to afford new.

 

wspohn's avatar
wspohn
651 posts
 

If it is in good shape and sounds the way it should why would I care if it had been owned by one owner or many?

We have a large Asian community here and most of the audiophiles in it change their gear every year or two when the latest and greatest new thing shows up. 

Audiophiles that don't agree with this can either pay retail when they buy new, or buy Bryston and get a copy of the original invoice from the dealer that sold it (they warranty for 20 years)

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