selling equipment to music stores -- proper etiquette?

[Tenorhaulic]

So I'm selling off a few amps to the local music store tomorrow. What have you guys learned as far as tricks to get the most return? I will be talking to the store owner and requesting cash. Besides cleaning up the amps as well as possible, what else can I do?

I've had this one mint Kustom KBA100 for a year but it's still got its tags on it. I have the warranty card and manual. Do I lie and tell him it's only a few weeks old? Further, do I immediately request a cash value, or do I ask him for his offer?

If his offer is lower than my threshold (about $200, $210) do I just accept it or should I provide a reasonable set of arguments for him to accept my offer? Do I tell him another store would give me X amount of money?

I've been going to this store for awhile and the owner and guitar tech both appear to like me. I need to get these amps sold quick, and this store is my best bet. Thanks for your help guys.

[Figjam]

I just, dont. They never give you good deals really.

[Stumpy]

Dunno where you live...but http://www.craigslist.com is a much better way to go. I posted something and got a call in an hour after posting.

Stumpy

[AuG]

I would guess they would give you about 10% of what they expect to sell it for. That's kind of the rule of thumb for pawn shops, resale stores, etc.
A better option would be to pay Paul 20 bucks for a supporting membership, then you can list your gear here on Talkbass for free and probably sell it within a few days. At least around here you can negotiate a price with members instead of having to settle for whatever the music store offers.

[Figjam]

10% So you're saying theyd turn a 90% profit. I disagree.

[lesfleanut]

They will lowball you no matter what, and in no way will they be willing to pay anything close to what you want. I'd shy away from saying "X competitor has made me this offer.." because it makes you look like a jerk, and they still won't make a larger offer.

If you want the most out of your stuff, sell it on your own to a private party. Perhaps you have a newspaper around the area that people buy/sell in, maybe you could try ebay, and there's always talkbass for supporting members.

Either way, if you need money and you need it yesterday, guitar shops are the way to go, but they will lowball the crap out of you. You've got to see things their way though... They need to make a profit, and the only way to do that is to buy used gear well below value and resell at most likely under value.

[tommyr01]

It's been my experience that the stores just are not going to give you what you want (generally). I always just had to make myself okay with taking less than I wanted, if I really had to get rid of the equipment. If you really want to get rid of it quick you might have to take less, if you can hold out, then classifieds are best.
Just my 2 cents

[west*coast*bass]

You need to understand that in the store owners mind, you need his cash more than he needs your used gear. You will not get top dollar at all. Basically, you should not expect to get more than 50% of what he will sell it for used. It really does not matter what it's worth to you, it's up to him or her. If the number is too low for you, respectfully walk away from the deal and sell the items on your own.

[DougP]

if you go to an all-used store, they might offer you 50% of the "new" price.

craigs list gets my vote though.

[AuG]

Originally Posted by Figjam

10% So you're saying theyd turn a 90% profit. I disagree.

You're right that is a low figure. I was thinking of a trip to the pawn shop I took a little bit ago...

[KeithBMI]

Take in an eBay listing that sold for what you want. They'll give you at least as much as that. If you're buying something, that helps too.

[Boplicity]

I had a lot of bass equipment and a keyboard I sold at one of Nashville's better known used equipment stores. I was really shocked at how little I was offered for the equipment.

It was painful to me to sell the things, but I was moving to out of state and to much smaller digs. I simply couldn't store all I had. Anyhoo, they really lowballed me. They wouldn't take my fifteen inch speaker and cab at all...said there was "no demand." I ended up giving it away to a guy I knew with a rehearsal studio.

I won't tell you what they said about each and everything, but they have a reason or excuse to lowball each item, especially pedals and wireless sets. They are pros at acting unimpressed.

If you have the time, try to sell your equipment through classified ads in the newspaper or E-Bay or even here at TalkBass. You will end up with much more money and you won't have someone telling you how "unworthy" your equipment is of being in their store taking up space. Good luck.

[Wesley R]

ahead selling something to a store. Long story.

Typically, take a low resale value, didvide by two and that would be the best you will come out with, generally less.
Another thing is you will never get more tha 60%-70% of what they can buy it for new.
Try a consignment shop, e-bay, here, keep it, loan to a friend that will give it back to you some day. I have no experience with Craigs list, but many recommend it.

One darned ggod rule for any negotiating is never get into a negatiation that you are not willing to walk away from.


Best of Luck,
Wesley R.

[Mojo-Man]

Proper etiquette?
Get ready to be screwed.
Your luck to got 25-30 % what its worth.

My bud worked at GC for years.
If item is worth $1000.00 they would never give you more than $250-$300 dollars.

They want to make at least 3 times what they pay.

[Joe Nerve]

Bad move. All the posts here seem to agree. Imagine you were selling your stuff at a great price. That's what the guy in the music store is going to want to be able to sell it for if he/she has to. Then they're going to want to make a substantial profit on top of that. You can't win selling stuff to stores. And it's difficult not to get resentful even though it makes sense that throw such lowball numbers at ya.

I've had great success with craigs list. You will DEFINITELY get more money posting your stuff there than going to a music store.

And to answer your initial question, I'd say tell them what you want for whatever your selling, then be prepared for them to offer you half of whatever that was. They might offer a little more than half, but that's pretty much been my experience. Most guys are kind enough to just tell you to sell it elsewhere.

[steve21]

Screw selling to a store.

Screw craigslist.

Fork the 30 bucks and sell it on TB... that's the way to know A) You're helping out the best online community there is, B) You know who's buying it C) Someone here can get it and enjoy

[NOLA Bass]

Keep in mind that they need to both make a profit and pay the salesperson commission once it is sold. The only way you may get a good deal is on a trade in (maybe being the key word).
Become a supporting member and sell it here or try out Craig's List or even Evil Bay before you get screwed.

[Tenorhaulic]

Thanks dudes. The store is a local place so we'll see how that turns out, and I have it listed on craigslist too.

[gkbass13]

i say sell it consignment. i sold a tobias bass consignment and after the 20% fee i still made more than what i paid for the thing!

[AuG]

Originally Posted by Wesley R

One darned ggod rule for any negotiating is never get into a negatiation that you are not willing to walk away from.


Best of Luck,
Wesley R.

Read a little book called "The Art of Negotiating" did we?