BASS TRADING

[waltwpowell]

I want to trade a bass but I've never done it before. What is the safest way to trade basses and protect yourself from being ripped off?

[mattygbass]

most people on here are pretty decent, make sure they have some feedback, and get their personal info.

[J. Crawford]

Yep, right here on the TB Classifieds.

[mellowgerman]

Originally Posted by mattygbass

most people on here are pretty decent, make sure they have some feedback, and get their personal info.

+1
also, get in touch with them via telephone and have a chat... it's pretty easy to tell who knows about basses, is a true enthusiast, and actually has some experience playing.

[trujo777]

+1 about using feedback as a reference. some of us have worked very hard to get positive feedback for that same reason.
also exchanging and verifying information of the other party helps such as address, phone number etc...

[blendermassacre]

more kc tb'ers are always a good thing. I think a phone call and an attempt to simultaneous ship dates are a pretty good thing. Having no feedback does make it harder for you, though.

[andysvec]

I've done many deals through TB, both with the current rating system and tons with the old one, never had one problem with any TBers! (VS only a few ebay transactions I've done and was burned on one).

[bongomania]

Yep, you'll find lots of people to trade with who have good references and/or feedback, but if you have no references or feedback yourself then it puts you at a disadvantage from the other person's perspective. If you have Ebay feedback, or professional music-industry references, that will help. Short of that, just be sure to talk to each other on the phone so you can each get a feel for the other's integrity.

[Commreman]

I have had several very successful trades here.

Check feedback. Get phone numbers. Talk. Develop a trust level. Exchange photos of the gear being traded. Check out how they participate in threads. If it's a local deal, meet in person.

Everyone I've dealt with on TB are stand up guys and gals.

[irishpride28]

Definitely here, this is a place filled with people just as eager to make an honest transaction as you!

[bpwb]

Agree with all stated above. An ounce of CYA is good too. Make sure to always use some form of shipping that will provide tracking information, signature required is good or delivery confirmation. Just to make sure things are going as they should. Be clear and honest with any and all imperfections that may exist, even if it is not something that bothers you. The littlest thing may bother someone else. Some people are very meticulous about how they care for their instruments. Leave not stone unturned in terms of sharing information. Other than that, all of the other stuff about phone calls and sharing information and getting a feel for the other party and their integrity is a good thing. I have done over a 1000 transactions on eBay and another 100 or so on other auction related sights. Out of all of those experiences, I believe I have had 4 sour deals. On only one time did I get burned and it was not for any large some of money. Most people are trustworthy. It is a very small minority that spoil it for the rest of us. Good luck with your trade!

JB

[Vakmere]

So far so good for me to.

[SteveC]

I think a phone call is big. You can get a good "feel" for someone when you talk to them. I have not done a few deals after talking on the phone because something didn't seem right. It could have been my imagination, but better safe than sorry.

[blendermassacre]

for sure safe > sorry.

[jazzenfunk]

I agree that talking on the phone goes very far in making both parties feel at ease, getting to know each other, breaking the ice, so to speak.
That being said, I have dealt with quite a few tb folks who seem to want to do the whole buy/sell thing via i/b, email, etc.

The transactions always go smoothly, but I always offer my phone# and encourage communication. I guess some of us are just real busy!

[yellofury]

So far I have a had some great trades/buys here at TB
I always offer my cell number ,email etc,.
All my trades have been via PMs and email and all smooth

[MaddAnthony_59]

Another thing I like to do is have the trader send me $1.00 through Paypal for Goods, and I'll do the same. This way you have a 3rd parties confirmation on who this other person is, and his confirmed address, etc...

[mlwarriner]

all of the above info is very good, but ultimately it comes down to trust.

99.99999% of the people on here are good solid folks, and will never do you wrong. the ones who will, or might, do you wrong should have feedback ratings that reflect that.

but in the end, unless you're going to do a face-to-face deal, you have to trust that the person on the other end of the deal is going to do the right thing.

do your research, talk to others who have dealt with whom you're planning a deal, etc.

[mlwarriner]

and yeah - ask every question you can think of that might make you dislike the item in question. ask for pictures, as many and as detailed as you need, to feel right about the deal.

again - most sellers/traders will put everything out there on the table for you. but some won't. and if they don't tell you, and you don't ask, you're pretty much stuck with whatever it is, however it comes.

[mozarwasagenius]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Yep, you'll find lots of people to trade with who have good references and/or feedback, but if you have no references or feedback yourself then it puts you at a disadvantage from the other person's perspective. If you have Ebay feedback, or professional music-industry references, that will help. Short of that, just be sure to talk to each other on the phone so you can each get a feel for the other's integrity.

+1 wise words
bongo knows what's he's talking about