sell here and give ebay the boot

[onepixel]

Just because a seller is a member here on AK doesn't make them bonafide. You still have to know who you're dealing with. So far I've been quite happy buying from "established" members.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Just because a seller is a member here on AK doesn't make them bonafide. You still have to know who you're dealing with. So far I've been quite happy buying from "established" members.

How does one get 'bonafide' and 'established'?

 

[moinau]

This is good advice. I'll second (third, or fourth) it. And while there are many reasons to become an AK subscriber ---least of which is paying to sustain something you think is valuable because server space isn't free--- Barter Town isn't exactly a buzz of activity. I think Bowtie was right in saying that buying and selling isn't the focus of AK. We're kind of the inverse of Audiogon, which I see as a very active resale marketplace that happens to also have a forum.

Hi,
Good advice from 'BRETa' and 'BOWTIE427ss' I also like AK because the focus is on helping each other and the general audio discussion happening everyday. But we all need to find the next 'SOMETHING' so I have this other marketplace that I sometime look at, it could be of interest to some of you guys although most sellers if not all are in Canada.
Cheers.
www.canuckaudiomart.com/

 

[Arkay]

In my experience with two other boards, if a member has been around a while and has a bunch of posts, then they probably (1) are genuinely interested in audio (as opposed to just out to flip gear for money), and (2) care something about their reputation on the board, giving them a reason to deliver their end of a bargain.

It is the "members" with zero posts or only a few posts who are the risky ones to deal with. A scammer only looking to collect money without sending the goods or have you send gear without paying, would usually not invest the time posting meaningful posts over a period of time.

I'm not saying a newbie is automatically a bad risk: heck, someone might legitimately and honestly join here just to sell something they have, or to find a good deal on well-maintained gear. It's just a difference in the probabilities.

 

[JHS2RT]

I too just became an AK Subscriber for the extra forums,and love it!!
And I make this pledge --Anything I sell (audio related) will be offered to AK members FIRST.Plus I will donate a % to AK. Screw E Bay !
We have a nice little community here and as the saying goes --Family First.
James

 

[SpeakerLabFan]

Glad to see this thread and the deserved attention for AK's Barter Town. I've had great experience as a buyer.

Never in a million years would I purchase a Manley Stingray tube amp on an auction site or anywhere that involved shipping.

However Barter Town + established member with an excellent shipping track record was just the ticket.

It's also been fun finding that I can help out with a few of the Item Wanted listings. :thmbsp:

 

[bebopdeluxe]

While I have had success both buying and selling on Barter Town, I have to go into it with the understanding that I am going to probably get less money that I would get on, say, Audiogon (another place where I have sold gear). For the most part, I am fine with that - I like the idea of my stuff going to a fellow AKer - although in certain cases, there are transactions that (based solely on the bigger volume and selection that A'gon possesses) may be better suited on Audiogon....for example, I sold MY Manley Stingray on Audiogon - partly because I thought I would get a better price, and partly because I thought it would sell faster. For the most part, though, I will give stuff a shot here first.