I buy and sell used hifi and golf clubs, my two hobbies. I always make sure they’re clean and detailed photos from multiple angles. It amazes me how many people on the golf forum I’m on post for sale photos of dirty clubs with dirt and grass stains still on them, dirty grips, etc. Not only do I clean my clubs during and after rounds, I absolutely clean up clubs for photos when I’m selling them. Crazy. If there’s something that looks like a mark on stereo equipment but its the lighting I make sure to mention that.
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I don’t think vendors realise how repellent their AI-generated descriptions are. Redacted from a current listing:
Featuring a collection of their greatest hits, this album is a must-have for any fan of rock and country rock.
…
This CD has a run time of 48 minutes and includes tracks from various albums released throughout the years.
…
The edition of this CD is the best of, making it a perfect addition to any music collection.
This one has everything: “featuring,” “must-have,” “perfect addition”!
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I did have my best result from an online purchase from a seller with no feedback. Back in 2023 I’d seen a NAP 200 DR for sale just 2 years old (2021 model) and it wasn’t selling so heart in my mouth I made a low offer. The offer was accepted and the seller contacted me to ask when I would collect. Now I’m nervous because it said free shipping so I pointed this out and he said well ok I’ll post it out. The next 3 days I really was suffering from buyers remorse and then it arrived in its original box with all the books, leads and a new set of speaker connections. Every time I look at that amp it does bring a little smile to my face.
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Me too but it was an immaculate 52.
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I had that happen once with a pair of headphones. I obviously changed the pads (factored in at buying time) and the worn headband was changed too.
The smell of smoke eventually went away, after a wipe over with bicarbonate of soda and of course the new fabric parts.
The cans did not turn out to be the bargain they seemed.
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There are also a bunch of people who sell hifi items as a major side hussle or as a business, but sometimes operating as a private, not business, seller on eBay.
Did stumble across an ad last year – wrongly listed a Naim cdi/12/160 system as n-vi, full of dust and looked filthy, the house looked like just got broken into. I think the owner maybe too old to clean things up, passed away eventually and the system left was listed by the family.
Indeed, though they are businesses in my view and come under 4 in my assessment even if describing themselves as private sellers. With hifi stuff it is clear the moment you start seeking more info.
Is there any reason not to show photos of the full unit serial number on eBay listings?
Nothing official I’m sure - the only reason I can think of is presumed protection for the seller, though exactly from what I don’t know.
The “sceptic” in me can think of a few reasons. The first being to attempt to hide the age because it’s well past needing a service and the seller doesn’t want to pay for that service The second is related to the first, they are asking and expecting to get top Dollar without paying to have it serviced.
I suppose there’s a potential for someone to use the serial number to lie by reporting a theft, and then to report it’s being sold online. But I’ve not ever heard of that happening.
When I’ve sold Naim gear I included pictures with serial numbers, but I also had bills of sales proving ownership.
I totally agree about Tom Tom, superb service. They also use a top quality courier, not cheap but then you get what you pay for.
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IMHO best not to, in case the photos are copied on to other, often nefarious, listings.
Trimming-off the last 2/3 digits seems sensible, as the learned buyer can check age from this.
Whenever I’ve sold stuff, I try to provide all salient information, pics from various angles, and be very honest about condition.
Bargains can be had with poorly-advertised kit though if you can establish more info, and it’s within travelling range and you can pay by cash/bank TF.
It guards against cloning or someone who copies and uses the images for a bogus fraudulent sale.
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The same thing happened to me. Coincidentally both were tonearm cables with the seller living in a country beginning with an “I”. My wife vividly remembers the “Israel cable”, as she likes to call it.
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