Making a trade at a music store

[Youngspanion]

I'm sure that I can go into the Guitar Center or Sam Ash near me and ask this question but I figure I'll ask here for some good information.

Lets say I go and find a bass that I like and I purchase it. I bring it home and its all good. About 2 or 3 weeks go by and I decide that I like it better then what I already have. So I go back and want to trade mine in for it. How can this work?

Is it better to do a trade in at the time of purchase? Would I actually have to return it first and then repurchase it with the trade?

[String Theory]

You can buy a bass at anytime. You can sell your bass to them at anytime (for chump change). I think you will only be able to trade your bass in at the time you purchase one. But remember if their offer is lower than you are willing to take then don't be afraid to walk.

[danomite64]

Talkbass, Craigslist and Ebay are much better ways to sell an unwanted bass IME.

[WoodyG3]

Sell the bass yourself. You will make out WAY better.

[Youngspanion]

Originally Posted by danomite64

Talkbass, Craigslist and Ebay are much better ways to sell an unwanted bass IME.

You know. Its such a pain in the ass though. shipping costs. Packing. Waiting for a purchaser. Plus if I do it my way, I can go to the store, take something home without actually floating any cash until I sell something.

[Staccato]

If you're trading a bass that you bought for say, $1,200, while the store can buy a 'new' one from the factory for $900...they may be better off buying a factory 'new' one from their distributor. Buying/trading your bass may be okay for them-if you're willing to take a loss, and settle for an amount below $900. That's a big loss for you-considering you bought the bass very recently!

Your top two choices involve no trades.
1. Buy a bass for the long term with no intention of trading.
2. Return a bass with tags/plastic still attached (and no visible wear) for a full refund, if the store policy permits this.

[TNCreature]

I may be reading this incorrectly, but how do you trade a bass for one that you have already purchased and brought home with you?

[DavC]

if it's that close , .. or that hard of a decision ... then the new and old bass must be rather similar somehow ...

save your money ... work on and mod your current bass to make it play , feel and sound better ....

trading stuff in at music stores is nothing like it used to be a few years or several decades ago ...


or , .. audition/play basses at the store and pick the one that feels best ... stores don't Rent stuff ... i wouldn't want to go into a store to buy something New , that someone has already used ... i've bben on both sides of the sales counter over the decades , ... trying to sell used crap as brand new just sucks ...

make an informed smart decision and stick to it ...

sell your old bass somewhere if you need/want to ...
if you buy a new bass , .. use that box to ship the old bass ..!

it might seem like a hassle ... but that's how you'll get the most out of your old gear ...

[lowphatbass]

Originally Posted by TNCreature

I may be reading this incorrectly, but how do you trade a bass for one that you have already purchased and brought home with you?

I think what the op is saying is: He buys a bass(meanwhile keeping his current bass which he already owns), decides he likes it so much he no longer needs the "current" bass and want's to "retroactively" trade the older bass-in against the one that he recently purchased. Makes perfect sense.

[fourstringdrums]

I don't know of any retailer that will let you do an afterthought trade. That would require giving you back some money that you've already paid. At that point it becomes them buying the bass from you and most retailers are hesitant to do that.

[Youngspanion]

Originally Posted by lowphatbass

I think what the op is saying is: He buys a bass(meanwhile keeping his current bass which he already owns), decides he likes it so much he no longer needs the "current" bass and want's to "retroactively" trade the older bass-in against the one that he recently purchased. Makes perfect sense.

Yes. Thats it. I'm going to ask in store anyway.

[jordak]

If you can find a buyer - it isn't always easy, you can probably get a better deal. If you are trading in though, you would benefit from bringing your bass with you because SamAsh does pay the tax amount to you when you are buying something right then and there.

[pfactor2]

Good question. I think the deal is done after the fact. Wouldn't hurt to ask. I do know from experience they will offer about half what you want for it on average. Try craigslist.Peace