slight rant re: used strings

[buddyro57]

Maybe this isn't the place for this, I defer to the moderator. I have been surprised by some of the prices asked for used strings....c'mon fellas, if you open the strings, install them, then take them off, I personally do not think you can ask 80 to 90% of the new price. I would never pay those prices. I jumped on someone not too long ago for asking almost the exact price for an "only minutes old" set of strings (but who really can tell if that's true?). I received a pretty stern reply, but hey- I figure if you are going to post to this network of brethren, there is some responsibility to be fair...likewise it is fair to point out an egregious mispricing, on strings or any other merchandise. This is one place where I think we should suspend to some degree at least the notion of Caveat Emptor. Interested to hear your thoughts- maybe I have too much time on my hands....
Schwabe

[jazzbass72]

Originally Posted by buddyro57

maybe I have too much time on my hands....

well, no offense, but that might be the case. If you have a problem with someone's asking price for used strings or whatever, you should voice your complaints to that one person only, just as you've done before. No use in humiliating the seller publicly, IMHO. If some used strings are overpriced, they won't sell anyways. Just wait for someone to sell the same product for the price you're looking to spend: he/she will materialize sooner or later...just be quick in grabbing the deal.

That said, I feel this thread is kinda unnecessary. Just my $0.000002, of course. No flames, please!

-MP

[JimmyM]

The way I see it, you have two choices...buy the strings or don't buy the strings. This community stuff is for the birds. Yes, it's a community to a certain extent, but none of these people know me from Adam and I don't know them either. Therefore they are entitled to charge whatever they want. And you are entitled not to buy them if the price is too high.

[bassmonkeee]

Honestly, it's really none of your business to tell someone what they can sell strings for.

If you think it's too much, don't buy them.

If you took the time to send me a message that my asking price was too high, I'd tell you to pound sand and to mind your own business.

[fish slapper]

I think the message here is "buyer beware." But it is a good community thing to post a "what's an fair price for used strings" thread. Maybe in the strings section. I personally aim for 50% of new price for anything used and if its been out of the package and installed, yes that's used.

I'm sure anyone placing an ad here would respond to offers.

[buddyro57]

These two comments caught my eye: "This community stuff is for the birds"

This is an unfortunate opinion, and the philosophy apparently shared by some of the sellers I referred to in my initial rant. I don’t see it that way, and I hope that I am not alone in that view. I mean, c’mon, this aint Ebay fellas.

“Honestly, it's really none of your business to tell someone what they can sell strings for”

I am not “telling” anyone what price to sell for, my concern is that someone unknowingly pay 130. for a used set of Obligatos, when a new set could be purchased for 136. (this actually happened recently and I made a comment ….which resulted in an immediate lowering of the price and a nasty PM).

I do agree that most buyers vote with their feet, still, I don’t have any problem calling a spade a spade when its appropriate. Those who might try to dupe a potential buyer should be willing to weather a critical comment.

[drurb]

I'm gonna stay away from the central issue and just note that there are some things I would never buy used (let your imaginations run wild here ). Strings are included in that list. I've never bought used strings and never will. No offense to those who choose to do so.

[JimmyM]

It ain't Ebay, but it ain't the Best Friends Forever club, either.

[hdiddy]

Originally Posted by buddyro57

I am not “telling” anyone what price to sell for, my concern is that someone unknowingly pay 130. for a used set of Obligatos, when a new set could be purchased for 136. (this actually happened recently and I made a comment ….which resulted in an immediate lowering of the price and a nasty PM).

IMO, most of the sales at these type of prices usually don't go through and nobody responds to them. Just wait a while and they'll usually drop.

Another thing is that some of us have bought from the same seller once before and on TB, there is a bigger sense of trust than buyers/sellers on ebay. Personally, I don't mind paying a little more for someone I know because I'd like to see them get some money back. I'm just being nice to my fellow TB DBer. Still I probably wouldn't buy anything 90% of the new price anyway. Might as well buy brand spanking new.

Anyways, if you don't like the price, then don't buy. No use getting your panties in a bunch.

[Bobby King]

Originally Posted by fish slapper

I personally aim for 50% of new price for anything used and if its been out of the package and installed, yes that's used.

My 2 cents: I agree mostly with the above -- installed strings that have been tuned to pitch, bent over a bridge and wrapped around tuning posts automatically lose 50% of the new value. If they were more expensive strings, certain guts or whatever, then I could see asking a bit more if they were really minimally used. Still, I think that people have the right to ask whatever they want and let the marketplace dictate what people are willing to pay.

As far as new strings, I'm amazed at how retailers prices vary on the same strings. Sometimes as much as $50! For most popular brands, I've found that Quinn Violins or Lemur Music will have very good, competitive prices, but on the very common brands -- Spirocore, Helicore, Obligato -- just Google and you may find great deals. For instance, I found a special on Thomastik Superflexibles from a retailer called Giardinelli for $79. Some people just need to be better informed about retail options for bass strings, especially if they're about to spend $130 for used Obligatos!

[DrBassie]

Don't like the price = don't buy. It's up to the purchaser to research prices, not the seller. If the seller is misrepresenting the product, then there's a problem. If the buyer accepts the offered price, that's his business.

[seansbrew]

I feel that I have the right to purchase or not purchase anything from anyone. I also have the right to ask whatever I want for whatever I am selling. The only question you need to ask yourself is: is it worth it to me? If not then move on. Chances are, if the seller is asking an outrageous price, than they might never sell their item, that's their problem.
There is nother wrong with making an offer to a seller that is open to it. If it is rejected, that is thier right.

[Jeremy Allen]

I think it really depends on what kind of string it is. Anyone who buys a used set of Obligatos or Dominants at any price is taking quite a risk, as those strings (especially Obligatos, in my recollection) don't fare well once they've been installed and taken off. But Spirocores--heck, everybody knows they last quite a long time and take a bit of time to break in and actually sound good, so buying a two-week-old set for 90% of the new price may not be too bad, and buying a three-month-old set for 60% of the new price isn't unreasonable. I'm happy to let someone else break them in for me, actually.

I don't think buyers have any more right to wag their fingers at sellers than sellers have to charge inflated prices. The solution is for the buyer to simply make an offer, with an explanation if necessary, and then the seller can either accept it or decline it and let the haggling begin. It's an art lost on most of us (in America, at least).

[seansbrew]

Originally Posted by Johono5

The solution is for the buyer to simply make an offer, with an explanation if necessary, and then the seller can either accept it or decline it and let the haggling begin. It's an art lost on most of us (in America, at least).

That statement brought back some memories. After spending sometime over seas, I got used to this way of buying things. I can remember visiting a department store shortly after my return to the U.S. When my items were rung up and my total given, I almost countered with a haggle. LOL

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Johono5

I think it really depends on what kind of string it is. Anyone who buys a used set of Obligatos or Dominants at any price is taking quite a risk, as those strings (especially Obligatos, in my recollection) don't fare well once they've been installed and taken off. But Spirocores--heck, everybody knows they last quite a long time and take a bit of time to break in and actually sound good, so buying a two-week-old set for 90% of the new price may not be too bad, and buying a three-month-old set for 60% of the new price isn't unreasonable. I'm happy to let someone else break them in for me, actually.

I don't think buyers have any more right to wag their fingers at sellers than sellers have to charge inflated prices. The solution is for the buyer to simply make an offer, with an explanation if necessary, and then the seller can either accept it or decline it and let the haggling begin. It's an art lost on most of us (in America, at least).

I agree that some used strings would be more of a risk than others. As for me, I wouldn't even want used Spiros. First, they are likely to break over the bridge in a different spot on my bass than another. Second, I really don't know how they might have been treated. In the end, and I'm speaking only for myself here, the savings is just not worth the risk given how important a purchase it is coupled with the fact that we are not discussing large amounts of money. I suppose, however, that if one was in the habit of switching strings often in order to explore how different ones sound, then buying used might make some sense until a specific set was decided upon.

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Used Strings could do almost anything. Even new ones can have a bad apple in the pack. I often move strings around from Bass to Bass but when I decide I don't want them or will never use them, I give them away, period.

I gave several sets to a friend that has some Basses and several students. I tell him to use them or give them to someone that can't afford strings. I tested several new Sets for Pirastro about 1-2 years ago and gave away Orig. Flex, Orig Flatchromes, Olivs and Permanants. Recently I got a set from them as a thanks for showing them some 20+ year old Stark+ strings came with my Dodd from London. They said the Orig Flex is similar to them now. One day a customer trying a Bass prefered the Blue Origs so we put them on. Then I had some work done on the Bass after he returned it. Soon after I put a used set or Stark Flexs which I had on and off a few times and gave away a fairly fresh set just because it is not what I like or use.

Some people buy strings just to test them out and this can be expensive. What is the value of a used set? Whatever someone will pay for them and be happy 'after' they put them on a Bass.

[dfp]

i personally find the true sound of my instrument, as i wish to hear it, at least, in strings that have already been played a few weeks. that's not to say i'd pay more for used strings, tho, just pointing out the irony of value...

the real crime is how much a new pack of strings costs. wonder how many sets have sold just b/c of TalkBass...

as for used prices, i agree with the "mind your business" camp.

[bassame]

Originally Posted by Dave Peeples

"just pointing out the irony of value..."

Nice phrase, that.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Dave Peeples

i personally find the true sound of my instrument, as i wish to hear it, at least, in strings that have already been played a few weeks.

True enough, but I would prefer that they start out new and get played in on my bass.

[Albot]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

It ain't Ebay, but it ain't the Best Friends Forever club, either.

Damn! Im in the wrong forum again!