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Inexperienced Seller Question

It’s been a long time since I sold anything here, and I’ve only ever sold a few things.  The last time was a turntable about 9 years ago.  Despite me spending about 2 hours working on the packaging UPD managed to crush the stylus on a MC cartridge.  The buyer was super understanding but dealing with UPS was a nasty experience.  I also don’t turn over components, being very happy with my current setup.

  However I have a pieces that have been in my basement for years.  They were supplanted by upgrading.  I had thought we might get a second home and would use them there but we have decided to be long term renters in retirement instead.

   Anyway I am looking for advice from previous sellers, just general tips.  The world of the scammers has gotten so sophisticated and criminality increased in brazenness.  I also don’t know if shipping has changed.

  First up is a Parasound JC1 Preamp.  I benched it for a tubed preamp a few years ago, just preferred the tube sound.  I had to replace a tube a few months ago and found that the Parasound, which I put back in, wasn’t working in one channel.  I had it serviced at Deltronics in Chicago, asked them to recap anything and fix the potentiometer on the volume knob.  It sounds great now.  I had forgotten how quiet this unit is.  I still prefer the tubed sound and would like to sell.  Per AI these units are going for around $1200 (it cost me $4K new then, and news are going for around $5.5K).  I would be happy to get around $900 if it’s a hassle free transaction.

   I have the remote, not the box, and the sale will be strictly as is.

   I realize that as a seller I will have no feedback, since I have been so inactive.  How would one deal with that?

  Any tips from veteran sellers?  And is Agon the best place to sell?  The site market place doesn’t seem nearly as active as it did 10 years ago.

 

mahler123
thecarpathian's avatar
thecarpathian
6,122 posts
 

If you live in a populated area or semi, I would put it on Craigslist (seriously), here, and USAM, and initially shoot for local sale only. That way negates any shipping hassles. That seems like a really good asking price, especially with the servicing done. I predict a relatively quick local sale! If lack of feedback is a concern, explain the situation and point out your long standing membership here. Anyone interested in your piece will likely know Audiogon.

 

secretguy
1,983 posts
 

If you live in a populated area or semi, I would put it on Craigslist (seriously), here, and USAM, and initially shoot for local sale only. That way negates any shipping hassles. That seems like a really good asking price, especially with the servicing done. I predict a relatively quick local sale! If lack of feedback is a concern, explain the situation and point out your long standing membershi

This!

thecarpathian's avatar
thecarpathian
6,122 posts
 

Forgot to add lack of seller feedback isn’t nearly as relevant when selling local, so another plus as opposed to non local.

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
2,451 posts
 

If listing privately, advertising at a low low price (well below market) for "hassle free sale" is often not effective, and sometimes counterproductive. It draws in more of the obnoxious people. List for what it’s worth, and screen your buyers (be choosy). On the other hand, it’s also easy to misjudge the REAL market (often worse than your think), and list too high. Anyways the JC-2 is a nice unit and 900 does seem low.  

Also, you mean the JC-2 preamp, not JC-1 (which is a mono amp). And IIRC there is a revision version (BP) that accounts for some of the increased MSRP. However "now going for 5.5K" sounds like an AI hallucination. These details matter when listing!

And I’m sorry but if UPS damaged your MC cart then it likely wasn’t packed properly. It must be packed separately in its own case/shell - never mounted to a tonearm! Packaging physics is undefeated - there’s a right and wrong way for every component. Fortunately, components like the JC-2 come from factory with thick form-fitting closed-cell foam (polyethylene) and double or triple-wall boxes. Nothing can move around, at all. That kind of packing is EXCELLENT and has a near 100% success rate for safe transit with UPS or FedEx. When you have that kind of packing, you’re golden to ship. I’ve even shipped up to 135 lbs VAC tube amps - you need at least 2" - 3" of premium polyethylene foam (multi-layer is best) all around, but it gets the job done. You can buy good foam on Amazon but it ain't cheap. 

If you really want low hassle you can contact TMR (The Music Room) - but you’ll obviously relinquish a big chunk of its market value. Maybe try a consignment sale if not in a hurry.

I’ve done local sales but honestly despise it. Having a new stranger in the home, or arranging a meet somewhere. Ugh, no thanks. It’s higher risk IMO.

mitch2
4,739 posts
 

Here are a few thoughts:

  • TMR as mentioned is not a reasonable idea if easy and safe are your priorities over maximum return
  • Audiogon is still good but I find USAM to be easier and reliable
  • To help with pricing, go here (link), enter the item you are selling and look up for sale and sold/expired listings for the listing prices being asked by others
  • Take good pictures
  • Package securely, and double box if possible
  • Sell to buyers with good feedback - stipulate that in your ad. You don’t have to sell to someone just because they say they can pay. If you don’t like the communication with a certain buyer, or don’t feel comfortable, then don’t sell to them
  • Payment by cash, money order, check (wait till it clears to ship), or PP (but not F&F)
  • Spell out your terms such as no overseas sales, no proxies,  no buyers with negative feedback, and your required pmt methods
  • Ship by a trackable method and insure your shipment
  • Maintain good communication with your buyer until you know everything has worked out

Good luck

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