Cannot BELIEVE eBay selling fees! What's the best option for unloading gear?

G-MonRV5 · #1 05-29-2011, 06:55 PM

I've currently got a bass I need to unload, so I started to go the usual route of posting on eBay. Been using it for over 10 years now to sell (and occasionally buy) gear, and have had fairly good success in getting decent money for items sold.

But now, eBay is charging 9% fees for the final value of the item sold!!! That means if I want to sell a bass for $1,400, I have to pay them $125 of that money just to use their site!

Please tell me there are alternatives for the average schmoe to sell music gear on the internet. If so, what are the best options? (And yes, I am aware that TB is an option for supporting members, but not sure how successful that is... Please comment on your experience.)

Toastfuzz · #2 05-29-2011, 07:05 PM

TB is the best place to buy or sell a bass. And with the added bonus of your subsciption you help keep TB alive, win-win!

echoSE7EN · #3 05-29-2011, 07:06 PM

I've had nothing but successful (and positive) experiences buying and selling via TB. I will caveat that by saying that you're not going to get the exact price point you set a lot of the time. However, considering most users here are not only respectful of each other, but also knowledgeable regarding "realistic" prices, you shouldn't have any issues.

I don't use ebay anymore. And Craigslist has only netted me one successful, and painless experience in the eight years I've known about it.

Peepaleep · #4 05-29-2011, 07:10 PM

+1 to TB and Craigslist. I've had good experiences with both.

**dmonroe** · #5 05-29-2011, 07:12 PM

TB, TB, TB, TB!!!! I haven't had a bad experience yet.

OmnitzGarima · #6 05-29-2011, 07:13 PM

Craigslist can be a headache, but I have had some good results. I start there. I'd rather sell something locally for a lot less than deal with the ebay fees and shipping hassles. They have gotten greedy in my view (and apparently in yours as well).

FrenchAK · #7 05-29-2011, 07:15 PM

Talkbass and CL all the way. I've been incredibly successful on CL, and I've never actually used the TB classifieds, but they seem quite useful for that tiny fee.

bassteban · #8 05-29-2011, 07:17 PM

In all my transactions- like 120 or so, including the old feedack ones that are not on my record- I've been ripped twice, for a total of maybe $50 worth. Worth it.

BZadlo · #9 05-29-2011, 07:24 PM

I'm done with eBay!
You very very rarely find any good deals on there anymore anyway.

Peepaleep · #10 05-29-2011, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BZadlo

I'm done with eBay!
You very very rarely find any good deals on there anymore anyway.

I picked up a Lakland Skyline 44-60 fretless for $560 a few weeks ago. There are good deals to be had if you're patient enough to wait for them but you won't find them every day.

G-MonRV5 · #11 05-29-2011, 08:36 PM

Thanks for the comments. I will probably give TB a try later this week.

SlingBass4 · #12 05-29-2011, 08:38 PM

I've had better seller experiences with TB and Craigslist as opposed to eBay, as well. It's getting more rare to deal with an intelligent buyer on 'the bay'......yet I have purchased items that were priced right and without any issues. Fees and mounting responsibility for the seller is out of hand. Small wonder it's but a shadow of it's former self

KsToaDangr · #13 05-30-2011, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toastfuzz

TB is the best place to buy or sell a bass. And with the added bonus of your subsciption you help keep TB alive, win-win!

/thread

mmbongo · #14 05-30-2011, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-MonRV5

I've currently got a bass I need to unload, so I started to go the usual route of posting on eBay. Been using it for over 10 years now to sell (and occasionally buy) gear, and have had fairly good success in getting decent money for items sold.

But now, eBay is charging 9% fees for the final value of the item sold!!! That means if I want to sell a bass for $1,400, I have to pay them $125 of that money just to use their site!

I agree, that's ridiculous. You just have to simply add that cost to the price of the item.

However what you didn't mention is that the maxium fee is $100. So your $1400 sale will cost you $100. Your $4000 sale will cost you...$100.

MEKer · #15 05-30-2011, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

I agree, that's ridiculous. You just have to simply add that cost to the price of the item.

However what you didn't mention is that the maxium fee is $100. So your $1400 sale will cost you $100. Your $4000 sale will cost you...$100.

which makes more sense for high end sales so its still OK in my book...so far.

glenb73 · #16 05-30-2011, 07:41 PM

Not only does eBay get you with the 9% fee, but then if you use PayPal to collect the money, PayPal takes their cut as well. Only good thing is that when you place an item on ebay you probably have a higher chance of selling it because you can reach a larger audience, but eBay should be a last resort to selling something.

eyeballkid · #17 05-30-2011, 07:43 PM

Thats EXACTLY what it is for me. A LAAAAAAAST resort. I used to use ebay ALOT to sell hundreds of things, but I havent sold anything on there in about a year of any worth, cos between them, paypal, and shipping I could trade it in at Guitar Center for more!! LOL!!

MNAirHead · #18 05-30-2011, 07:46 PM

I don't list much stuff...

Quit complaining and spend the time/money to build a better ebay.

Tim

eyeballkid · #19 05-30-2011, 07:47 PM

and exactly HOW is one supposed to do that?

btw.. Talkbass IS my "better ebay"... no complaints there! .. and Im happy to spend my money to better that!

angrypanda · #20 05-30-2011, 07:52 PM

Not to mention that when I sold one of my 8 string guitars the buyer said that saddles on the bridge were stripped out and he couldn't tune it even though I only had it 6 months and never played it and it sat on a hanger on the studio wall the entire time.

There are a lot of shakedowns on Ebay and Ebay almost always rules in the buyers favor.