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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
larsman's avatar
larsman
3,145 posts
 

@mahler123 - unless somebody there is selling the exact same thing that I am, I tend to go first to USAM and have had very good luck, with sales generally within 2 or 3 weeks. If somebody else is selling that item there, I go to A'gon, and that's fine too, though it costs a bit. 

mahler123 OP
3,996 posts
 

I might actually have box and packaging in a loft in my garage.  The trouble is that I was in much better physical condition when I purchased it and potentially stored it.  If I attempted to climb the ladder now and worm my way up there, either I will hurt myself or my wife will attack me for trying.  So I will have to ask my son and work around his schedule, so this may not appear on Agon for a bit.  I will repost here when it does.

  I wonder why the box has such a cache.  After 10 Chicago winters in a loft, it can’t be that valuable.

 

snapsc
722 posts
 

My own policy has been not to buy from sellers with limited feedback or who have only sold low dollar items and I think I'm pretty typical these days...therefore, as a seller with no feedback, most if not all buyers will be very cautious.

Using the words "as is" will create a huge red flag....therefore, it is important that you accurately rate the condition of the product and price it to that rating...and probably lower because you are an unknown.

Include a lot of pictures from all angles including the boxes and packing.  Include videos of the product functioning.

Assume that unless it is a local sale for cash, the buyer will want to use something like regular paypal so they can claw back a refund if there is a problem.

And, if you are going to ship...you may want to incur the extra cost of letting fedex/ups do the packing so that they assume the "breakage/loss" risk...why, because when you ship, no matter how you pack or how much insurance you buy, you are taking a risk.

Audiogon, USAM, Facebook Market and Craigslist are all viable options and using them all will give you the most "views" of what you are selling.

Good Luck!

mahler123 OP
3,996 posts
 

@snapsc 

 

Thanks, and all others as well

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