I'm going to try and sell all my Tube gear. What site is the best for listing some expensive amps, phono stage, and preamp? Also, what's the best way to get paid? PayPal. Bank transfer. Bank check?
Thanks, John
I used to list on Audiogon. Today I find their fees are excessive and their policies are too controlling. Same for the payment processor PayPal. Unless those conditions change I will not use either again.
Currently I use an audio forum named Audioaficionado.com. It is fairly large -- Threads: 46,735, Posts: 1,004,184, Members: 179,626. It is unencumbered with all the ads you see on most audio forums. It has an annual membership fee of $25. Among other benefits, that includes a discount at AcousticSounds and access to their Buy and Sell area. You can place as many ads as you want without charge and without time limit. Once you and a buyer make contact you can continue via email or phone. This year I sold my ARC Ref 10, Ref 10 phono and Alexia 2 speakers there with no ads placed anywhere else. Previously I sold a Kuzma 4Point and a SME V tonearm there. Ads are accessible only to the membership so you are working within a known community where reputations are known.
For shipping I make that the buyer's responsibility to arrange and coordinate any insurance. Pickup at my home.
For payment the easiest and cheapest method is Bank Wire. My experience has that as a $15-$20 cost to each party.
Imo the key to selling is to set an attractive and realistic price for buyers that will minimize back and forth dickering. If desirable equipment takes months to sell, it is probably because the price is set too high. If buyer says "I want to buy from you but need to sell my XYZ first" or has a problem with price, I will offer to hold the piece for them with a 15-30% non-refundable down payment and the balance in 1-3 months. Those terms can be negotiable. It gives the buyer time to raise funds.