Selling on ebay vs Audigon

i've sold alot of stuff over 20+ years on ebay and concluded that 97% of buyers are either neutral or genuinely nice and appreciative, while the remaining 3% are either schemer/scammers or utterly unreasonable. it's like shoplifting--you gotta figure the latter group are an unavoidable cost of doing business. 

In the last two years, I sold quite a bit of hgher-end equipment for the window of a friend who passed away. I used both E-Bay and AG. I sold about 70% of the stuff on AG, and the other 30% on E-Bay.

I didn't experience any of the "dishonesty you referred to, but there was more low balling on E-Bay. That is not to say it didn't happen on AG, there just wasn't as many ridiculous offers.

I did my homework via Bluebook, and was fair with pricing, and in the end, got near what I expected. A few items went much higher, a few went much lower, so it all balanced out in the end.

For what it is worth, I've been selling audio equipment (including pro-audio for PA systems), and I've only had one bad experience in the last 10 years. Biggest issue was my complaints fell on deaf ears at E-Bay.

I think you have to be diligent and ask questions of potential buyers, or make your conditions clear ahead of time to deter scammers. That doesn't mean you won't get them, but it makes it easier to sniff them out. Good luck. Hope this helps.

ebay = fast, good prices, of which ebay takes 20%

USAM = slow, decent prices, zero commission

agon = 

 Members! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experiences here. I appreciate  it. One comment referencing shoplifters is especially accurate. The more they complain about being caught stealing the deeper hole they dig for themselves. Wouldn't it be great if all Buyers and Sellers were to be assigned, IF they wish, a number that would show their verified background as far as all their sales or purchases? Ebay's Feedback started out to be a valid useful tool. Now it is mostly a joke. I remember years back when ebay would actually let you leave a feedback for a seller or buyer even if you had not actually bought or sold to them. If you had  messaged the  seller and received a prompt informative response you could leave an appropriate comment. That didn't last too long. Gotta close now and get to my bidding on the Brooklyn Bridge. ( Its nice hearing from the "Good Guys" )

I have bought and sold for years on eBay. The difficulties with buying can be that many sellers are selling from 3rd party sites, and never actually come into physical contact with the items. This poses an issue if the quality is not up to par, or is misrepresented by the seller in the descriptions.

To counter this when I am selling. I put actual photos of the items with full descriptions, and beyond. You can tell that from the type of pics that you are looking at the actual item. Very important. I occasionally use a stock pic, followed up with actual pics. Never had an issue. 100% feedback.

I feel due to this kind of history as a seller, eBay really takes care of me as a buyer. Gives me great support, and rarely ever questions a complaint.

I recently won a case where UPS charged me for an oversized package due to its dimensions exceeding 130 inches in total. I questioned UPS store employees, and after a long conversation, they admitted that UPS adds 5 inches to all parcel dimensions, then calculates from there. EBay was was informed of this 'cheating' and will note it in any other disputes.

Be aware, is all I can say.