Deals in Audiogon-USA

[srinisundar]

I could see lot of us are buying in in Audiogon and on continuation with Amazon / Ebay would like to create an specific thread for Audiogon deals.

Starting with deals in Integrated amplifiers.

1) Music hall a25.2

https://app.audiogon.com/listings/music-hall-a25-2-intergated-amp-delightfully-musical

Asking price of $275 seems to be an nice price for an used one and still there is a chance of negotiating.

Regards

 

[AMITNOIDA]

@Srini
Thanks for opening the thread. I like to ask few basic questions. Please excuse me.
1) What's the best method to pay to seller? Is it Paypall?
2) What's the procedure for opening of a Paypal account? How much time it require to open a paypal account?
3) What's the best courier for getting the item?
4) What's the experience of Forum members with customs while importing an used item?

I am curious to know because I may purchase few items from Audiogon or Ebay related to my Vinyl set-up in future.

Regards

 

[jls001]

1) What's the best method to pay to seller? Is it Paypall? --> Paypal is very convenient. Much easier than bank transfer, or buying with credit cards. Give Paypal your credit card info once, and that info is tied to your email ID. So no need to key in your credit card details for every transaction - convenient and way safer than sending credit card info each time. Paypal is fast becoming the most preferred mode of payment for many traders. Only dampener is the paypal fee of 2-4%

2) What's the procedure for opening of a Paypal account? How much time it require to open a paypal account? --> Registration is easy and requires you to provide an email ID, Credit Card details, and PAN card number (IIRC). It takes a few days for the account to activate. The only info needed for a Paypal transaction between Paypal registered members is their email IDs

3) What's the best courier for getting the item? --> I don't have too much experience with private couriers but normal postal service is good and cheap option if you are not in terrible hurry to receive an item.

4) What's the experience of Forum members with customs while importing an used item? --> no experience paying Customs duty as I have bought only low-value items. I think Rs 25000 limit applies. Others with experience please chip in.

 

[srinisundar]

@Srini
Thanks for opening the thread. I like to ask few basic questions. Please excuse me.
1) What's the best method to pay to seller? Is it Paypall?
2) What's the procedure for opening of a Paypal account? How much time it require to open a paypal account?
3) What's the best courier for getting the item?
4) What's the experience of Forum members with customs while importing an used item?

I am curious to know because I may purchase few items from Audiogon or Ebay related to my Vinyl set-up in future.

Regards

Hi Amit,

I try to answer for all the questions, if missed or wrong members can correct it.

1) What's the best method to pay to seller? Is it Paypall?

Paypal is always better and safer and generally few sellers will ask to pay 3% extra which is paypal charges for the seller.

2) What's the procedure for opening of a Paypal account? How much time it require to open a paypal account?

Opening an Paypal is simple and only you should have an credit card and an bank account in your name. Recently i have not opened account hence lead time to activate i don't know. But earlier it is 1 day on completion of form and reconfirm the account(this procedure you will know while completion of filling the account).

3) What's the best courier for getting the item?

Couriers charges are different for all brands. Safer is DHL/UPS/Aramex but the rates are high. For smaller items ( less than 1/2kg- Aramex is cheaper-shop and ship ). Usualy charges are $18 per kg. I have tried Vpost too and never faced a problem, but the items are handled by our local postal department and sensitive items should not be shipped by them.

4) What's the experience of Forum members with customs while importing an used item?

No issues with customs so far as long as you are providing the bills and paid print out page of items by paypal or bank transfer. However customs charges are based on your luck and generaly for electronic items it will be 36% and for computer based items 4% + other charges.

Regards

 

[sabarishm]

Agrees to Srini on the duty/tax part. Its completely on your luck. I have been charged duty on items that are 50USD and escaped it once on a 100usd package, maybe the guys got confused on where to include the fishing rod, reels and artificial lures that I order. Most of the times on a low value item, marking the package as gift help you escape the duty/taxes.

 

[GeorgeO]

Many( maybe most) Audiogon sellers will not ship outside the US. Some do, especially if they are commercial vendors.

 

[srinisundar]

Many( maybe most) Audiogon sellers will not ship outside the US. Some do, especially if they are commercial vendors.

GeorgeO,

yes u r right.

But enough we had discussed about shipping from USA, so shipping should not be an problem with an local shipping address given by Bordelinx / vpost / Aramex(shop and ship)...

Regards

 

[kaushik]

Dont even dream of gettin via courier /cargo it will go 2.5x the sale price
Audiogon prices are always real high in other sale items ...

 

[srinisundar]

Dont even dream of gettin via courier /cargo it will go 2.5x the sale price
Audiogon prices are always real high in other sale items ...

It is always better to decide to buy an item with an "Buy it now" Price rather sitting and watching in ebay till the bidding ends. I do have both experience.

I don't think so it will be 2.5x the sale price to get it shipped to India. I have bought items weighing less than 0.5kg to 25kg from USA/Audiogon. You should be smart enough to calculate the landing price including customs charges and buy accordingly againt the prevailing price in India.

 

[mekr]

My Audiogon Experience,bought Zeothecus Rack at a very good price from US,when the rack landed at my place shipped through DHL,found to be new and unused piece.
Sometimes you get very good deals on audiogon and rarely used equipment,but before buying any hifi equipment,check the electrical input if it is 220V,otherwise all US and canadian equipment is 110V

 

[kaushik]

price=15k aprox
shipping=8K or more
Duty = 3.5k

nearly double d price...

yes for expensive items import may work