[chadh]

When I check out audiogon, I usually peruse the classifieds.  But every now and then, I look at the auctions and I always get confused by what I see.  

For example, I see a whole bunch of no reserve, $1 opening bid auctions for cables that have retail prices listed at $1000+, or $600+.  In itself, that doesn't seem strange.  But the bids submitted end up being in the $50-$100 range.  Are these items listed for auction simply to draw attention to the products?  Or are the retail prices listed overwhelmingly inflated in order to generate more interest in the auction?  

I fight with myself every single time I see a $1250 power cord with two hours left on the auction, with the current high bid somewhere around $65 as I presume that I'm not really getting such a fabulous deal.  But if this is akin to a "giveaway" in order to generate interest, then I'd be more interested.  Of course, if it were commonly known that these are giveaways to generate interest, then everybody would be bidding on them and prices would go through the roof...hmmm...

The other curious thing I saw just today was an auction for a copy of a RVG remastering of "Free for All" by Art Blakey and the Messengers, on CD.  This is an awesome album!  I know because I bought it a few months ago in the local record store for $15.  But the auction had generated a price of $22 or more, with half a day to go.  Do some of these CDs simply get "rare" very quickly?  Or is this just a case of a fool and his money being easily parted?

Chad

[ted_b]

Many of the A-gon auctions are just for marketing purposes.  I tried bidding on a Denon 5910 universal player (street price around $2600).  I won the bid at $1700 but it was still under the reserve.  The seller, a well-known A-gon etailer, sent me emails for days asking if I wanted to still buy it, at $2800 or whatever, whcih was the price he was selling them for in the classifieds anyway.  No intention of truly auctioning them off...

[wje]

The seller, a well-known A-gon etailer, sent me emails for days asking if I wanted to still buy it, at $2800 or whatever, whcih was the price he was selling them for in the classifieds anyway.

It was probably that tool from American Theater Systems.  After a bad experience with them, I've learned to shop with other e-tailers.

[ted_b]

The seller, a well-known A-gon etailer, sent me emails for days asking if I wanted to still buy it, at $2800 or whatever, whcih was the price he was selling them for in the classifieds anyway.

It was probably that tool from American Theater Systems.  After a bad experience with them, I've learned to shop with other e-tailers.

 

[chadh]

Well, I can see that sort of approach for advertising purposes only.  But these  other auctions are $1 minimum bid, no reserve auctions.  They are guaranteed to sell at the winning price.  But the winning price seems bound to be on the order of 10% of the supposed retail price.

Chad

[maxwalrath]

MSRP's misleading on cables? Nathan......any comments?

[ekovalsky]

The seller, a well-known A-gon etailer, sent me emails for days asking if I wanted to still buy it, at $2800 or whatever, whcih was the price he was selling them for in the classifieds anyway.

It was probably that tool from American Theater Systems.  After a bad experience with them, I've learned to shop with other e-tailers.

I was thinking about ordering a Sony 1080p projector from this guy.  What happened ?

[crossroadazn]

I wouldnot do business with them, they advertised a Yamaha receiver for a sale price when I called and asked about it they hang up. I reported to A'gon and try to write in the forums but A'gon didnot allow.

[ss397]

i bought a power conditioner from american theater and it was defective. they gave me an awful time about returning it. i wouldn't buy from them and advise you not to either. just get someone else to get close to their price.

[wje]

The seller, a well-known A-gon etailer, sent me emails for days asking if I wanted to still buy it, at $2800 or whatever, whcih was the price he was selling them for in the classifieds anyway.

It was probably that tool from American Theater Systems.  After a bad experience with them, I've learned to shop with other e-tailers.

I was thinking about ordering a Sony 1080p projector from this guy.  What happened ?

Last year, I ordered a home theater receiver from them.  Several days passed, so I inquired about the status.  They said it would ship "soon".  I then asked to cancel the order.  They then told me I'd have to pay a restocking fee of 10% or so.  I then asked them to proceed with applying the credit back to my credit card.  Well, I had to call several times to ensure my credit was being processed.  My wife called - and they insulted her (I don't mean in a minor way, either).  They accused my credit card company of lying.

In the end, it took about a month to finally see my credit.  They didn't take the 10% restocking fee, either.  Seemed like a silly fee considering they had a sold me a receiver that they didn't have in stock - so, how can you effectively charge a restocking fee?

Some people have had good experiences with this company.  I'm assuming those were transactions where the item was stocked and promptly shipped - and no issues were encountered with the merchandise.  I'd hate to see how the company responds if an issue was encountered with the items ordered.  It'd be quite the painful ordeal.

[wje]

I wouldnot do business with them, they advertised a Yamaha receiver for a sale price when I called and asked about it they hang up. I reported to A'gon and try to write in the forums but A'gon didnot allow.

Audiogon is flakey in that way.  Plus, if you try and leave negative feedback on a transaction with the retailer, the retailer has to respond to the feedback before it will get posted.  You can't just freely list the negative experience and have it show up.  ATS can portray a sterling rating at Audiogon because they (ATS) simply ignores the negative feedback made by dissatisfied customers - so, it never shows up.

[lcrim]

There are many questionable practices associated with Audiogon.
A year ago I thought I had bought an integrated amp on Audiogon.  The guy had zero feedback on Audiogon but he also referenced an Ebay account which was a high positive.  The price was very attractive and I Paypaled him the money.  Long story short- I lost the money.  Paypal and Audiogon shut him off but refused to give me any information to aid in prosecution despite recognizing that he was a thief.  I did get the FBI internet fraud unit involved and they can get some information from Audiogon and Paypal.  Several attornies have told me that both organizations could be legally compelled to give me whatever information they have but I never did that.
I now do speak on the phone with anyone I'm contemplating buying from and yes I still use Audiogon and Paypal but I'm much more cautious.  The attitude from these two companies is that the individual's privacy is of higher importance than helping in prosecutions of fraud.  I lost around $550 not thousands but it still pissed me off and made me feel foolish.  
 
This thread asked about auctions on Audiogon, I think, and I have never messed with that.  I've been reading "Freakonomics" recently and how it is possible to use economics to measure such things as personal honesty.  I recommend the book highly but I started thinking about Audiogon a nd Ebay etc. and whether or not there is data available regarding reported fraud.  Perhaps it is in the eye of the beholder but designing a process like Audiogon's auction that structurally promotes these kinds of excesses is again a very questionabe practice.
I do believe that overwhelmingly people are honest.  On the other hand, there are predators out there and I see no reason to make it easier for them.