Buying Used

[adk highlander]

Uggh, sometimes buying used can be a pain. After I saw the hafler that Seth picked up a month or so ago I got the bug for a small amp to run my zone 2 speakers. I thought I got a gread deal on epray for a Sonance Sonamp 260 for just 90 bucks shipped.

Well it took 12 days to get here from OH. 12 days!!! What did USPS walk it here. So it gets here today and the box looks ok and it is even in the original packing so I'm feeling ok.

Now I get home and hook it up and...... nothing. I get a little sound with static if I crank it all the way but something is obviously wrong. I checked the fuse and tried different connectors and speakers and I get nothing.

The seller said he would refund me if it was DOA. I've emailed him and now I wait.

 

[Rob Babcock]

That sucks. Still, I've bought & sold lots of gear and have had very very few problems. I sold a tubed integrated amp once only to hear from the seller that one input didn't work. Everything else worked except that one; I couldn't say if it worked when I sold it or not, I'd only ever used it with the CD input. We reached an accomodation that satisfied the buyer, though. That's the only thing I've ever bought or sold that ended up being problematic.

Best of luck getting it sorted out. And don't give up on used- there's just too many good deals!

 

[adk highlander]

Thanks Rob. It was just the topper to a real crap day. All things electronic were against me today. This is an issue when you spend you day in front of a computer, but that is another rant.

Good news, I just got an email back from the seller and he said he will give me a refund and even pay for the return shipping. That's really cool and for that I may even cover the return costs myself just in appreciation of his response.

 

[highfihoney]

It happens when buying used,i rarely buy anything brand new.

A couple things to remember when buying used that will make the whole process easier to do,remember that most of the time your buying from a fellow hobbiest like yourself,a person with family & work obligations that come first,also unless you paid extra for saturday delievery then saturday & sunday dont count in shipping lag time,also be sure to account for the payment clearing the bank,even when paying with Paypal,what Paypal considers an instant payment for the buyer takes 2 to 3 business days to reach the sellers bank account,more & more sellers are waiting for Paypal to clear their account due to charge back scams from buyers.

Also try & remember that the older the peice of gear your buying the more chance of it being damaged in transit,sometimes all it takes to damage a peice of older gear is the shock of transit with no visible signs of damage to the box.

Patience is the key to finding good deals on used gear,its also the key to keeping your sanity durring the transaction.

 

[adk highlander]

Thanks for the comments. I hear what you are saying on all accounts.

I think in this case I am luck the guy is holding to his word and will give me a refund. I will probably try again as soon as the refund comes through.

 

[Fryguy]

I'd have to agree, haven't gotten burned buying used before. You usually get an impression of the seller even just based on their emails.

I offered a buyer a refund on a "broken" game that turned out not to be the one I sold him even. Most people are nice about that sort of thing.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Buying used can save you money if you get a good product for less than new, but can cost a lot if the item is broken. It is always a gamble, and one I have never been willing to take. (Speakers are especially worrisome, as they are so easily damaged.)

 

[Seth=L]

Wait, is this my fault?

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Wait, is this my fault?

Yes, for buying the Hafler!

 

[adk highlander]

Well I jumped again and hope this one pays off better. I went over to audiogon and found someone selling an Onkyo M-282 for 100 bucks plus shipping. This will be a much better fit for me at 100x2 at 8ohms and 12v trigger it will give me a bit more headroom when running all of my speakers through zone 2. The guy had very good feedback, reasonable shipping and buying from there I feel I am working with someone who like highfihoney said has an investment in this hobby.

It is funny that I bid on several of these and the Integra clone and kept losing.

 

[highfihoney]

It is always a gamble, and one I have never been willing to take. (Speakers are especially worrisome, as they are so easily damaged.)

Buying used speakers is the best way to cut your total system costs in half,the key to used speakers is to buy local so you can see & hear in person,speaker warrenty's are worthless.

The same applies to gear,if your a patient person use the Audiogon zip code search feature,keep checking every few days & see what comes up for sale in your driving range.

Lotsa bucks to be saved buying used if your patient.