Help Evaluating Used Receiver

Test where?
Test how?
Test with what?

It should look good, clean and not show signs of wear. It should power up and respond to the remote control. Beyond that, you need a source, display and speakers. I suspect that the best you can do is have the seller demo it.

And he did not want to drive them hard for what reason? Because the speakers are crappy or will the receiver shutdown. What speakers are you using? If you purchase this the owner should be willing to let you take it home even if he goes with you and connect to your set-up. Then run it like you stole it. If it shuts down give it back to him to carry home. If not, on a used system I would look elsewhere. Its a real bargain for a reason.

yeah, "not wanting to drive it hard" sounds a bit suspicious. There are probably tons of used receivers out there from people who have simply upgraded to something new, so there should be lots of other fish in the sea if this one sounds too "fishy"

There are also refurbs available for attractive prices and they come with return privileges and warranties (short ones).

My advice would be to walk away as it sounds "fishy" as others have mentioned. I would look at some of the refurb deals you see online.