Audiogon advice needed

CCNJ
CCNJ Posts: 384
edited July 2012 in The Clubhouse
I am selling my Emotiva amp on Audiogon local pickup only. Someone is interested and has 4 positive transactions in 2011. He wants to audition the amp at my house. What do you guys do to verify that a buyer is legit or am I nuts for letting a stranger over? He gave me his cell phone and town he lives in but online searches yield nothing on this person.:rolleyes:
Rig1 - Totem Hawks, Benchmark HDR, Parasound A21, Sonus, Samsung 52 LCD, Audioquest Type4
Rig2 - LFD LE IV Integrated, Harbeth P3ESR, Rega Dac, MF V-Link, IMAC, Audioquest Type4
Post edited by CCNJ on
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited July 2012
    There are crazies out there, but for the most part I'm guessing that if someone responds to an ad (especially on Audiogon) and gives you some of his personal info, he is somewhat legit.

    I've had people over to audition gear, and went into other peoples houses to do the same multiple times.

    I would always recommend rolling with a friend, however. Have a buddy over while this guy stops by.
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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  • Glowrdr
    Glowrdr Posts: 1,103
    edited July 2012
    I know in MN, you can look up criminal records by name only (just for peace of mind). Other then that, I generally give people the benefit of the doubt on certain items (i.e. you're browsing audio community vs getting a response from CL)

    I wouldn't think twice about having a fellow Polkie at my place - and my Glock doesn't mind either :loneranger:
    65" Sony X900 (XBR-65X900E)
    Pioneer Elite SC-37
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    Polk Monitor 40's (4)
    Polk Monitor CS2
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    Dish Network "The Hoppa"
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,396
    edited July 2012
    I don't know man... inviting an Emoette into your home could be asking for trouble.:eek::razz::wink:
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited July 2012
    Glowrdr wrote: »
    (i.e. you're browsing audio community vs getting a response from CL)

    This...
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited July 2012
    If you are advertising it as local pick up only, then I think it is fair game for people to want to hear the gear. I would talk to him on the phone first about the gear and to get a sense of him. If everything felt good to me then I would definitely invite him over. The only reason I wouldn't is if I got a bad vibe from him on the phone. Trust your gut.

    I saw a guys ad on Audiogon with my same zip code, so I emailed him asking if he was interested in getting together and listen to music. He said he was interested, so we talked on the phone then made plans for me to go over his house. He had a sweet system, and we had a great time. Two weeks ago I invited him over to my house with some other friends to listen to music. So I basically made a new friend!
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited July 2012
    Being paranoid is a survival trait. I used to post here under my real name, and city. Then it occurred to me it was not very bright to be advertising that stereo and HT gear is available for the taking when I am not home. I have seen a few times on this site where somebody responds with their first post asking to check out somebody's gear for sale. It is always for something nice, such as a Cary pre/pro, etc. No thanks.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited July 2012
    Glowrdr wrote: »
    I know in MN, you can look up criminal records by name only (just for peace of mind). Other then that, I generally give people the benefit of the doubt on certain items (i.e. you're browsing audio community vs getting a response from CL)

    I wouldn't think twice about having a fellow Polkie at my place - and my Glock doesn't mind either :loneranger:

    Where was my invite for beers when I was there last month? :razz:
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  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,506
    edited July 2012
    Like was said, you need to actually talk to him & feel things out. I've sold a number of thing out of the house to total strangers, but I've always demoed it in the garage with spare gear. Nobody comes in the house. I really don't think it's necessary to provide an optimal listening environement. As long as the buyer can verify everything works that has always been sufficient for my sales in the past.

    -Dave
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited July 2012
    Ern Dog wrote: »
    If you are advertising it as local pick up only, then I think it is fair game for people to want to hear the gear. I would talk to him on the phone first about the gear and to get a sense of him. If everything felt good to me then I would definitely invite him over. The only reason I wouldn't is if I got a bad vibe from him on the phone. Trust your gut.

    I saw a guys ad on Audiogon with my same zip code, so I emailed him asking if he was interested in getting together and listen to music. He said he was interested, so we talked on the phone then made plans for me to go over his house. He had a sweet system, and we had a great time. Two weeks ago I invited him over to my house with some other friends to listen to music. So I basically made a new friend!

    This wasn't my brother was it? What street did he live on?
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • CCNJ
    CCNJ Posts: 384
    edited July 2012
    Hey thanks for the feedback everyone. I spoke to the buyer on the phone. Seemed like a real nice guy. He said that based on my Audiogon feedback, he trusted me and did not need a home audition of the amp. He is picking it up boxed on Saturday.

    As of Saturday at 11:00, I will be officially without an amp. Some Emo haters would say I was always without an amp:cheesy grin: Anyway, I am 95% sure a Parasound Halo A21 is in my very near future.
    Rig1 - Totem Hawks, Benchmark HDR, Parasound A21, Sonus, Samsung 52 LCD, Audioquest Type4
    Rig2 - LFD LE IV Integrated, Harbeth P3ESR, Rega Dac, MF V-Link, IMAC, Audioquest Type4
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,120
    edited July 2012
    CCNJ wrote: »
    Anyway, I am 95% sure a Parasound Halo A21 is in my very near future.

    THAT! is the direction I am considering, as well . . . (perhaps this is for a new thread?) Gents, would this work well with my SDA SRS 2s? I know I need to upgrade my source, but I think power needs trump source

    TY

    G
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited July 2012
    headrott wrote: »
    This wasn't my brother was it? What street did he live on?

    I don't remember the street name, but his name is Scott. That would be pretty trippy if that was your bro.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,511
    edited July 2012
    GlennDog wrote: »
    THAT! is the direction I am considering, as well . . . (perhaps this is for a new thread?) Gents, would this work well with my SDA SRS 2s? I know I need to upgrade my source, but I think power needs trump source

    TY

    G

    Source trumps everything. Garbage in, garbage out.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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