Trading a bass internationally...

Evil Undead · #1 09-23-2011, 07:48 AM

Has anyone done this? Is it too much of a risk, even with a TB member with excellent feedback?

I'm thinking of signing up for a supporting membership and posting my bass for trade, but I'm nervous!

Please give me your views

Thanks!

tekdiver500ft · #2 09-23-2011, 08:01 AM

Everything is a risk. If you don't bet, you can't win.

I just sold my bass to a fellow TBer. I didn't worry about it much, and it seems I was right. I say to go for it.

Evil Undead · #3 09-23-2011, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekdiver500ft

Everything is a risk. If you don't bet, you can't win.

I just sold my bass to a fellow TBer. I didn't worry about it much, and it seems I was right. I say to go for it.

I don't think I'd be as concerned if I was selling, but trading is something else entirely

Relic · #4 09-23-2011, 08:39 AM

If it were me, I'd have them ship first and everything should be insured and have tracking.

Jonyak · #5 09-23-2011, 08:41 AM

I traded with a member from the states.

everything worked out fine.

Longhair · #6 09-23-2011, 08:41 AM

Relic · #7 09-23-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhair

What is the difference between trading with someone if you lived in New York City and they lived in Los Angeles vs. you living in New York City and they lived in London England?

If you both used UPS with insurance and tracking numbers in both cases, the only difference is the person that you are trading with.

So long as you use UPS, you're probably ok. It's when you start using the varying postal services that it gets dicey because it gets transferred from one to another internationally and it's a biotch to try to track anything in the event of a calamity.

Evil Undead · #8 09-23-2011, 10:01 AM

So UPS are the best courier?

tekdiver500ft · #9 09-23-2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

So UPS are the best courier?

Not necessarily, although they are excellent. The important thing is that you both use the same one.

Evil Undead · #10 09-23-2011, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relic

If it were me, I'd have them ship first and everything should be insured and have tracking.

Yeah, that works in principle, but what proof would I have that the other guy ships what he says he will?

Same goes for the other dude... I know I'm genuine but he wouldn't automatically know that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekdiver500ft

Not necessarily, although they are excellent. The important thing is that you both use the same one.

May I ask why that is? Not disputing, just curious.

Urgh... I've just realised that I'd get hit with customs duty and tax on this end as well as the huge postage cost... it may not be financially economical.

Relic · #11 09-23-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

Yeah, that works in principle, but what proof would I have that the other guy ships what he says he will?

Same goes for the other dude... I know I'm genuine but he wouldn't automatically know that.

May I ask why that is? Not disputing, just curious.

Urgh... I've just realised that I'd get hit with customs duty and tax on this end as well as the huge postage cost... it may not be financially economical.

No, I mean have him ship first then once it arrives and you look it over, then ship yours. Takes longer but it's safer for you.

Not sure about the customs and such. Last few times I sent something it wasn't bad at all, maybe because it was smaller stuff. I shipped a bass to India once without issue but that was a few years ago

neurotictim · #12 09-23-2011, 11:12 AM

I've never done it, but a long-term TBer with a solid feedback rating I would be okay with. Truth be told, this website is a boon for honest buying/selling/trading because it's such a powerful community. If a long-standing member of this site screws someone, he/she will never be able to use this as a resource/GAS source again.

I can think of few incidents, and often they were solved just by the unsatisfied person starting a thread and the community putting pressure on the other party.

No or bad feedback/short-term TBer - I wouldn't do it.