Trade Ins at GC

r05c03 · #1 09-15-2005, 12:32 PM

Hey,

Yeah so I am thinking about going down to Guitar Center and trading in my Ibanez GSR 200 and Shecter C4 and buying a one bass (The C4 is very new, but it is deep and boomy and I already have a hollow body that sounds kind of like it so I do not want to replicate that sound / have a bunch of basses). From your experience how much do you think I pull out of my two basses to put towards a new bass. Is it worht it, or would I be better off selling my two basses separately? Thanks for you opinions.

xshawnxearthx · #2 09-15-2005, 12:36 PM

honestly? maybe 350-400

lonote · #3 09-15-2005, 12:41 PM

Sell them yourself. Guitar Center will give you half of what they can sell them for...and you can sell them for what GC can sell them for. You will ALWAYS lose money if you trade in an instrument rather than selling it yourself.

mark beem · #4 09-15-2005, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r05c03

Hey,

Yeah so I am thinking about going down to Guitar Center and trading in my Ibanez GSR 200 and Shecter C4 and buying a one bass (The C4 is very new, but it is deep and boomy and I already have a hollow body that sounds kind of like it so I do not want to replicate that sound / have a bunch of basses). From your experience how much do you think I pull out of my two basses to put towards a new bass. Is it worht it, or would I be better off selling my two basses separately? Thanks for you opinions.

-Always-* a better idea to sell privately rather than trade-in..

*
Except in certain unforeseeable, extenuating circumstances, the event that said bass is a custom or "boutique" instrument, your online screen name consists of a misspelled primate reference, you have a odd fixation with toilet seat shaped things or any instance where one or more of the above may apply.

bassmonkeee · #5 09-15-2005, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark beem

-Always- a better idea to sell privately rather than trade-in..

Not always--I couldn't get $1600 out of a bass when I tried to sell it online. But, I was able to get $2200 in trade-in value at GC. It certainly helps to have bought a whole bunch of stuff in the past from them, but still, it CAN be done if you rock.

Lower priced items, though, you're probably better off selling them yourself....

mark beem · #6 09-15-2005, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmonkeee

Not always--I couldn't get $1600 out of a bass when I tried to sell it online. But, I was able to get $2200 in trade-in value at GC. It certainly helps to have bought a whole bunch of stuff in the past from them, but still, it CAN be done if you rock.

Lower priced items, though, you're probably better off selling them yourself....

Fine.. I changed it...

Happy now???

bassmonkeee · #7 09-15-2005, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark beem

Fine.. I changed it...

Happy now???

I like the dichotomy of "always" and "YMMV."

Are you running for office, Mark?

mark beem · #8 09-15-2005, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmonkeee

I like the dichotomy of "always" and "YMMV."

Are you running for office, Mark?

What do moon phases have to do with this???

Ok, how's that???

grumble, grumble, smart-ass, grumble, grumble...

bassmonkeee · #9 09-15-2005, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark beem

Ok, how's that???

grumble, grumble, smart-ass, grumble, grumble...

*smooch*

bluemonk · #10 09-15-2005, 09:13 PM

Back to the question...
I've found GC to be the worst place for trade-ins. They will give you half what they intend to sell a bass for. You'd do better selling your basses yourself, if you can get someone to buy. Otherwise, I think the Mom-n-Pop stores are better for trade-ins.

alembicfive · #11 09-15-2005, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluemonk

Back to the question...
I've found GC to be the worst place for trade-ins. They will give you half what they intend to sell a bass for. You'd do better selling your basses yourself, if you can get someone to buy. Otherwise, I think the Mom-n-Pop stores are better for trade-ins.

What he said +100!! eBay is the way to go.....

I recently was looking into trading in a Carvin at a GC near me. Now this Carvin was a beautiful bass, Quilted maple top, maple fretboard, 5-string and in brand new condition....plus ABS case! Guitar Center offered me $250!!!! OH YEA!! A whole $250!! I told the manager I was never so insulted....and they lost me as a customer! Well long story short....I got more then double that on eBay!

Planet Boulder · #12 09-15-2005, 10:47 PM

My advice: Become a member of Talkbass (it pays for itself, trust me) and sell them here. You are far more likely to find honest buyers here and, chances are, there's probably someone reading this right now who needs one of the basses you are selling.

violatedppl · #13 09-15-2005, 10:56 PM

I returned a ibanez srx505 that I bought their like 3 months after I bought it and they gave me all my money back plus a bad ass deal on my mike dirnt. but still I think you would be better off selling it yourself. most people that work at GC are asses. the one in concord CA, has some really cool people workin thier I must admit

peter G · #14 09-15-2005, 10:58 PM

while all that's said about GC trade-ins are true. you get more if you make them knock down the price on the new bass as well.oh and tell to eat the tax as too

**embellisher** · #15 09-16-2005, 07:26 PM

Typically, you will do much better if you sell the basses yourself and then go and buy the new one with the proceeds.

Moved to Miscellaneous.

Knavery · #16 09-18-2005, 11:22 PM

Sell yourself. That's the best way.

1. Register on eBay
2. Take pictures of product
3. Create auction of product
4. Sit and wait
5. Reap benefits

Sounds pretty easy to me--as long as you're not asking too much.