Update on Audiogon policies

IronLion · « **on:** 28 Oct 2008, 03:09 pm »

I emailed a guy who had an ad up on Audiogon the other day to inquire about an amp he was selling, and through the course of a few emails I learned the following about some of Audiogon's new policies that I would not have known had he not told me from his unfortunate experience selling the amp there.

-If someone sends you an offer through the "Make and offer" link, you are charged 1% as soon as you accept the offer. Apparently this applies whether or not the sale actually goes through, so the potential buyer can back out as has happened to this seller before and Audiogon will not give you that 1% back.

-They prevent you from posting any new ads until the balance from the forementioned is paid.

miklorsmith · « **Reply #1 on:** 28 Oct 2008, 03:11 pm »

But hey the 1% is a discount from the 1.5% they started with.

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 Oct 2008, 03:31 pm »

I wish folks would use the contact seller route instead. Hoepfully that won;t be eliminated.

miklorsmith · « **Reply #3 on:** 28 Oct 2008, 03:34 pm »

Is there a sticky here anywhere with other selling sites? We should have some easy reference.

Don_S · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 Oct 2008, 03:54 pm »

Ouch, That policy stinks. I recently (before the new policy) had two Audiogon deals fall through after negotiations were complete and agreed upon. "The wife" nixed one and the buyer changed his mind on the other one and bought a new unit instead. Both were in the $1500 range.

I notice that the "send email" link is small and the "Make your Offer" link is large. Guess which one people are going to choose. I have been getting many low-ball offers. How does Audiogon know the seller has accepted an offer?

I have been out of town and out-of-touch for three weeks. Did Audiogon lower the fees to 1%? In the original thread disgus(t)ing the new fees, I predicted they would lower the fee to make users feel like they won the battle. Actually we have lost. I also predicted that fees will rise in the future when they feel like users have adjusted and can absorb another bump. We still need to develop a good alternative.

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 Oct 2008, 03:58 pm »

They've take $6.85 in added fees from me in the last 2 weeks.

vman71 · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Oct 2008, 05:32 pm »

I wish that everyone would just stop using them to sell their stuff and use AC or AA or anybody else EXCEPT them.

I've stood firm on boycotting them and will continue to do so. We all need to do our part in spreading the word to stop using them to sell their stuff.

They will only change their policies if their business is affected.

sts9fan · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Oct 2008, 05:46 pm »

why would I boycott the easiest way to sell my stuff? They can charge what the market will bare.

Dan_ed · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 Oct 2008, 05:53 pm »

Quote from: sts9fan on 28 Oct 2008, 05:46 pm

why would I boycott the easiest way to sell my stuff? They can charge what the market will bare.

AMEN! All this bitchin' and moanin' about a few bucks that you can easily get around or pass on to the buyer.

Don_S · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 Oct 2008, 06:02 pm »

Dan_ed, It isn't always that easy to pass on the cost to the buyer. I have met some great buyers on Audiogon but for every good buyer I have had to wade through a lot of low-ballers and those who like to brag about the great deals they get on Audiogon. Those who like to buy at a price that guarantees them "no risk" and the possibility of a profit if they resell. Buyers who forget there are two sides to the transaction. Buyers who forget the sellers who purchased new equipment are already taking a big hit and would appreciate a price that is fair to both buyer and seller. Many buyers are only concerned with driving the price as low as possible. They forget the seller would also like to sell as high as possible and that maybe there is a more equatable middle ground.

You also forgot the problem mentioned in the original post---that being Audiogon charging a fee for sales that did not get completed. Have they upgraded the site (more photos/ad, longer (optional) auctions) since increasing fees dramatically?

richidoo · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 Oct 2008, 06:34 pm »

Primedia is a large publishing corporation. They own audiogon and Stereophile. They see rich people selling luxury items for only $6 per transaction on Agon and they smell profit. In their other online classified ad websites like Hotrod magazine, you can sell anything for any price for free. But because Audiogon is a monopoly, they understand correctly that we will pay any fee until an alternative comes around.

Why don't audiophiles organize in order to switch en masse to AudioXsell.com? If we did it all at once, the market would move there and there would be traffic. How do we organize? That's what we should be talking about. We are in control because we have the dollars and hobby interest, but exercising the control is the difficult part. Primedia could care less about serving our industry.

miklorsmith · « **Reply #11 on:** 28 Oct 2008, 07:42 pm »

If it doesn't go here first, I'll take my preamp over there before going to Agon.

Audiogon forums would be the best place to advertise for AudioXsell, too bad they filter every post.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #12 on:** 28 Oct 2008, 08:02 pm »

Quote from: Don_S on 28 Oct 2008, 06:02 pm

Have they upgraded the site (more photos/ad, longer (optional) auctions) since increasing fees dramatically?

That's the part that rides me about them....in all the years I've traded there (7 or so now), they have not upgraded the site significantly at all

Say what you want about ebay, but they plow back enhancements to their site as their fees have risen. I see Audiogon just leaving the door open for some enterprising outfit to take them on by not adding content to the higher fees charged.

Anyhow, I use them as I see fit to....but, as I've said before, I've sold 8 of my last 10 items here on AudioCircle. You must have pictures and a good description, a good price, you need to answer/update your post to bump it forward, it helps to be a bit whitty and if you've had previous transactions, a buddy to endorse you (alternatively, someone that owns that same piece of equipment endorse it).

The last two are 'luck' items....the first 3 are something anyone can do.

Then again, I'm a marketing guy and take common sense measures as the 'norm'...and that may not be for most (it ain't rocket science so I figure wrongly anyone can, but I'm surprised that not everyone can or does, even tho it seems incredibly simple and second nature to me

).

The great creator gave me incredibly feeble gifts to use....but I use them as much as I can

Anyhow, AC is free and it's well worth trying to sell here.

John

cryoparts · « **Reply #13 on:** 28 Oct 2008, 08:05 pm »

Quote from: richidoo on 28 Oct 2008, 06:34 pm

Why don't audiophiles organize in order to switch en masse to AudioXsell.com?

AudioXsell.com is a great site run by great guys! Tom and team are dedicated audiophiles with a good business sense.

There is also http://www.hifihock.com. Dragan (owner) is VERY responsive to requests and is trying really hard to make his site a go.

Peace,

Lee

Dan_ed · « **Reply #14 on:** 28 Oct 2008, 08:36 pm »

Quote from: Don_S on 28 Oct 2008, 06:02 pm

You also forgot the problem mentioned in the original post---that being Audiogon charging a fee for sales that did not get completed.

They bill you for the fee if the offer is ACCEPTED, which is the start of a contract for sale of the item. That doesn't mean you have to pay it if the deal falls through and no transaction takes place. Since the seller would still have the item it is pretty simple to show that the sale didn't happen. If one is just trying to skirt the charge after the sale, well, good luck to you.

In all of the deals I have done on A'gon I have never and have never had a seller use the A'gon interface for offers. Why the hell would anyone start now?

kck · « **Reply #15 on:** 28 Oct 2008, 08:43 pm »

Quote from: Dan_ed on 28 Oct 2008, 08:36 pm

Quote from: Don_S on 28 Oct 2008, 06:02 pm
You also forgot the problem mentioned in the original post---that being Audiogon charging a fee for sales that did not get completed.

In all of the deals I have done on A'gon I have never and have never had a seller use the A'gon interface for offers. Why the hell would anyone start now?

Actually, I have had TWO of these in the past four listings I put up. Newbies (and both of these buyers were) do not really think of simple email, esp when the other link is more prominent. Well planned by Audiogon indeed.

And how would one 'prove' you still have the item? You could take a photo with a newspaper, or relist the item. But as the OP said, Audiogon will not just cancel the charge, and even with proof it will be like pulling teeth.

miklorsmith · « **Reply #16 on:** 28 Oct 2008, 08:57 pm »

HiFiHock has the first 10 listings free! My preamp is now listed there.

The revolution has begun.

Niteshade · « **Reply #17 on:** 28 Oct 2008, 08:58 pm »

Here's the problem: I'm trying to build up feedback on Audiogon and have done well so far. If I move somewhere else...it will be time to start all over again.

IronLion · « **Reply #18 on:** 28 Oct 2008, 09:02 pm »

Quote from: Niteshade on 28 Oct 2008, 08:58 pm

Here's the problem: I'm trying to build up feedback on Audiogon and have done well so far. If I move somewhere else...it will be time to start all over again.

You can always refer people to your Audiogon or eBay feedback and have them email you through that to confirm that it is in fact your profile. I have done this before on Headfi and also here at AC.

toobluvr · « **Reply #19 on:** 28 Oct 2008, 09:12 pm »

How does AG enforce the commission?

In other words, if "make an offer" is not used, and buyer and seller instead negotiate a sale via "contact the seller" and then private e-mail, how does AG even know that a deal was done?

The seller could then just let the ad expire as if it was not sold.
How would AG know any different?