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Classic gear from yesteryear; vintage audio standing the test of time.

RE: Ethical issue buying vintage equipment

I think that there is an ethical obligation not to lie or deliberately mislead (except where both parties share a culture where this is regarded as an expected and possiby enjoyable part of buying and selling). I also think that there is an additional ethical and practical obligation where the seller has a reasonable expectation that you would act in their interests as much as in your own.

Beyond that I think that your friend's son is on shaky ground and I seriously doubt that he really practices what he preaches. Did you ask your friend's son the basis for his opinion?

Why does he believe that the buyer has an obligation to determine the price?

Does he think that any such obligation is always the same regardless of the circumstances of the seller or your relationship with them?

Does this mean that if he were selling an item by auction that he believed was worth about a $1000 that he would insist that the auction be stopped at $1000 regardless of how many people wanted to bid more?

How does he determine what a fair price is? The market price for old stereo equipment varies enormously depending upon where or how you sell it, how quickly you want to sell it, how much effort you are prepared to make, how well it is presented and explained, your credibility as a seller, who assumes the risk if it doesn't work as hoped and whether you want to get the highest price or just want to pass it on to someone who will love it and look after it rather than sending it to the landfill.

David



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