Shipping and selling through eBay?

xxfaux_punkxx · #1 04-03-2010, 01:49 PM

Where would be the best place to go to sell an instrument? I want to avoid pawnshops and guitar stores because I'll only get a fraction of what I paid for it let alone what it's worth. I've tried craig's list with not much luck and I'm thinking of going to ebay but I really don't know what to make for the shipping let alone how to box it up.

Anyone have any expierence in selling basses off ebay?

It weights 7lbs. if that helps with anything.

nutso42 · #2 04-03-2010, 02:01 PM

PICS!

CardinalFan984 · #3 04-03-2010, 02:03 PM

pay the $20 for a membership and try to sell it here on the classifieds

xxfaux_punkxx · #4 04-03-2010, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutso42

PICS!

I can't post pics. I just got in trouble for being to specific oops.

Daveomd · #5 04-03-2010, 03:21 PM

Ebay is pretty hit and miss. It depends on what you're selling, if anybody wants it, how bad they want it, and if they have any money while it's up for auction. Look around and see what other people are charging for shipping and use that as a guideline. Shipping prices are determined by the size of the box as well as the weight. I've gone to local music stores for empty boxes to use for shipping, sometimes they charge a small price, sometimes they're free. Be sure to loosen the strings and use lots of bubble wrap. I've sold a few things on the Bay and I've been amazed at some of the bids I've received. I've gotten way more than I expected for some items and no bids at all for stuff I was sure people would be all over. Start off with a low starting price. The reserve can be a gamble because if it's too high people will stop bidding. On my last auction I went with no reserve and ended up doing better than I had with one. Once the ball starts rolling it becomes sort of a competion among the bidders and if the reserve doesn't run everyone off the ones who really want it will keep trying to win. It's nerve wracking, but if you have something someone really wants, it's definitely better than a pawn shop.

**DeanT** · #6 04-03-2010, 03:23 PM

I've sold many basses on eBay in the past 12 years I've been registered there. The trick is the list it for the minimum you want, with no reserve. So, if you want to get at least, say, $500, start your listing at $500. If you list it low, invariable you you will get one or two bidders and not get anywhere near what you want.

Also, don't go overboard on the shipping. Charge what it actually costs you for shipping, insurance and packaging. You can get an idea on UPS or FedEx what it will cost.

Stinsok · #7 04-03-2010, 03:27 PM

You will come out better selling here. Listing and final value fees really add up. Bad transactions are rare here.

Thunder Pulse · #8 04-03-2010, 03:28 PM

Is there a reason you don't want to list it for sale here?

xxfaux_punkxx · #9 04-03-2010, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunder Pulse

Is there a reason you don't want to list it for sale here?

Honestly I'm thinking about it, but I'd rather avoid spending money to sell it if I can.

cassanova · #10 04-03-2010, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxfaux_punkxx

Honestly I'm thinking about it, but I'd rather avoid spending money to sell it if I can.

Then you want to avoid ebay.

shaggy45 · #11 04-03-2010, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassanova

Then you want to avoid ebay.

Exactly what i was thinking

jkramer5 · #12 04-03-2010, 03:57 PM

You're gonna spend money selling it on Ebay, they charge a listing fee, and take a percentage from the final sales price. It's your choice, you can pay up front here, and get a bunch of benefits for your cash, or give it to Ebay.

Since you aren't asking Ebay how to sell your bass, why don't you contribute here? I've both bought and sold stuff here, and I can say that from my experience doing it at both places, I'd rather do it here for sure.

electracoyote · #13 04-03-2010, 04:07 PM

Most people shopping CL, eBay, and here are looking for a deal. If you price your instrument higher than fair used street value, it won't sell for a long time.

Of the three mentioned, only CL has no fees. Price it fair on CL, I don't see why it wouldn't sell. If you try to get a 100% return on your investment, turn a profit, etc., you'll wait a long time for the right sucker.

Anyone who does just a little research on the 'net will know what a fair price is for your item, so you should research it as well.

$20.00 to join TB or pay the associated user fees on eBay. Either way, if you do a long-distance transaction, you're looking at a boxing and shipping fee, which you should try to calculate and make the buyer pay for. If you know how to prep and box a guitar, you can usually get it FedEx'd or UPS for around $40-$50. If you have no clue how it's done, I'm sure a Google search would answer that as well. Letting FedEx or UPS prep and box the guitar is much more expensive.

Hope this helps, good luck with your sale.

xxfaux_punkxx · #14 04-03-2010, 04:19 PM

Yeah I just checked ebay. I've never dealt with them before (buying or selling) but I don't think i'll be going through there. I'd much rather sell through here to be honest because I know it'll be going to a good home and I might even be able to trade for what I want rather then searching for a deals etc. I'm not trying to turn a profit. I'm trying to sell for around $30 off the original price (no more then 50). It is less then 6 months old and I'm the first owner. I even have the warranty for it.

Only reason why I haven't paid my dues to sell it here yet is because my fiance' is at work and I want to talk to her about sells fees first. She's the expierenced one in all of this after all.

Daveomd · #15 04-03-2010, 06:18 PM

Yeah, I just had a run-in with Ebay after I made my previous post today. A few weeks ago I sold a 73 P Bass body that had been refinished by RS Guitarworks and the buyer immediately started questioning whether it was real or not even though I included a certificate from RS stating that it was a 73 and that they had done the refin. So I get an E-mail today from the buyer saying he sanded all the finish off and, due to the fact that it's a two-piece body and not "a single plank of wood" it's a fake, he wants a full refund. Sorry, but not after you strip a $300 finish, d-bag. So anyway, it's out of my hands now and up to Ebay as to what happens. I think this will be the end of Ebay for me.

Boot Soul · #16 04-04-2010, 09:36 AM

I guess I was ripped off too then, because I have what I thought to be a refinished clearcoat alder 3-piece 1973 Fender P-Bass body. I bought it with what I was told were the original pickups, wiring harness and pots, and bridge. All of the routings and all looked right compared with pictures seen online. I put a '66 neck on it, and it's really good sounding and lightweight.

Was there a specific year, or span of years, when Fender went from single piece to multi piece bodies?

Caca de Kick · #17 04-04-2010, 11:19 AM

You can sell by: Talk Bass classifieds, Ebay, and Bassgear, Craigslist.

First things first, you need to research what the market is like for your bass by looking at what other folks are listing/selling them for. Are you in a reasonable ball-park price? Is it rare? Is the market already flooded with everyone and their brother trying to sell the same bass? Do you have great pictures of yours to make it more appealing than anyone else's? If there's no case, is it going to be packed like Fort Knox?

Caca de Kick · #18 04-04-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daveomd

he sanded all the finish off and, due to the fact that it's a two-piece body and not "a single plank of wood" it's a fake, he wants a full refund.

Quote:

Was there a specific year, or span of years, when Fender went from single piece to multi piece bodies?

Fenders are typically 2 and 3 pieces for burst and natural finishes, and from 2-5 pieces under solid finishes.
Sorry you guys, but you can count on one hand how many one-piece bass bodies Fender built back in the day, they simply didn't on mass produced basses.

electracoyote · #19 04-04-2010, 12:37 PM

CacaDeKck said

"First things first, you need to research what the market is like for your bass by looking at what other folks are listing/selling them for. Are you in a reasonable ball-park price? Is it rare? Is the market already flooded with everyone and their brother trying to sell the same bass? Do you have great pictures of yours to make it more appealing than anyone else's?"

^^^ This ^^^

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxfaux_punkxx

I'm trying to sell for around $30 off the original price (no more then 50). It is less then 6 months old and I'm the first owner. I even have the warranty for it.

Pardon my bluntness, but $30.00 off is not a great incentive for a lot of buyers. Your warranty may not transfer. Many people would just as soon pay the extra $30.00 for the comfort and peace of mind of a warranty/return policy option, and possibly free shipping from the retailer.

Do a little research, see what your item is selling for based on condition, not age.

A-Step-Towards · #20 04-04-2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxfaux_punkxx

Yeah I just checked ebay. I've never dealt with them before (buying or selling) but I don't think i'll be going through there. I'd much rather sell through here to be honest because I know it'll be going to a good home and I might even be able to trade for what I want rather then searching for a deals etc. I'm not trying to turn a profit. I'm trying to sell for around $30 off the original price (no more then 50). It is less then 6 months old and I'm the first owner. I even have the warranty for it.

Only reason why I haven't paid my dues to sell it here yet is because my fiance' is at work and I want to talk to her about sells fees first. She's the expierenced one in all of this after all.

Not going to happen , unless you got it at a great price , or you find a sucker.

I would say a used bass on average in decnet shape is only worth 60-70% of whta it was new,in great shape. Most people on craigslist are looking for 50% off , at least i am.