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Best way to sell locally?

#63
winston said:
I've had good luck with Craigslist over the years. Most important is understanding that there's pricing to sell, then there's everything else. Do your research on pricing, check Reverb, TB, eBay and other Craigslist locales. I set a firm price below the lowest actual selling prices I've seen in the last 3-6 months.

The key is to make your ad an intelligence test and vigorously ignore all people who fail it. Aside from good pix and a comprehensive description, something like "Local cash only sale, will not ship. Price is firm, please don't contact me if you don't understand what that means, thanks. No emails or texts, please call and leave a message with your location and 2 or 3 times that work for you to meet up this week. I have researched similar pieces on (Reverb, TB, eBay) and this is x dollars below actual sale prices in the last y months." Has worked on many occasions for me in the last 20+ years for both inexpensive garden variety and pricey booteek gear. Almost inevitably people show up excited that this piece is still available for literally the lowest price they will find.

I hear some people say "only meet people for CL transactions in a public place like a police station parking lot." That's up to you, but it's a red flag to me that seller may be hiding something. On several occasions when I've bought gear in such environs it's had undisclosed issues that would have been evident in a more conducive location.
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I do something very similar except I build in a small margin to haggle with. People like to feel like they're getting a deal.
 
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#64
Have sold lots of gear on eBay since they first started then Reverb and here on TB. In the early days online selling was actually fun and less hassle, less fees. About 15 years ago the fees went way up and it was always protecting the buyer (not the seller), even if they were in the wrong, and returns and all that. Always prefer to sell locally: The buyer gets to check out the gear firsthand to confirm everything works, pays cash and walks away. I do some vetting on the buyer to try and confirm they are legit then do the deal on my front porch where there is a power outlet. Cash is alway king.
 
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#65
If you can find a local music shop with a reasonable consignment fee, that may be a good way to go.

I've been selling pedals on reverb recently, and have had good experiences. The Reverb protection option is worth taking for and extra fee. It takes much of the stress out of shipping something.
 
#66
I've sold a fair few things via FB market place. Luckily, my flat (apartment for those of you across the pond) has a communal area so I'm not as concerned about people coming to me.

Only issue is dealing with the inevitable idiots and time wasters.

I always state "price is firm, no offers" but I guarantee someone will always ask "what's your best price?". And I don't care if you can come tonight - you're not doing me a favour by taking it off my hands quickly, or if you have to pay for public transport or petrol - I'm not compensating your travel expenses by reducing the price.

I also state "first come first served". I will not take deposits and hold the item for someone. Likewise, I won't hold the item for someone if they fail to turn up when they said they would.
 
#70
My best local experiences were TB sales, met in a public space as most people are recommending. I would never, ever tell an anonymous internet person where I live. If they need to plug it in and try it, they need to figure out how to do that, but it's a bit of a red flag IMO, because it means they might not be fully intending to buy it. In that case, I would say, sure, if you can figure out how to do that in a parking lot, you can plug it in, but only to make sure it works. If you might pull out of the sale, I am not coming to meet you. I don't have time or patience for tire kickers - that's what GC is for.
 
#71
Don_Chancho said:
I'm looking to offload some gear but I'm a little intimidated by the idea of shipping something so I'm curious what would be the best way to sell gear locally. I live in NYC so I'm theory my odds should be good.

Would you guys recommend FB market place, eBay, talkbass, or reverb?
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Best luck for me has been FB Marketplace by far for selling amps and instruments locally. I'll run ads simultaneously on Craigslist - nada.

I'll qualify and vet, and if I agree to a meet at the house, I'll have the one item in the living room, ask them to text from their car, then have my rottie greet them at the curb and escort them in. It's the only way she'll let them in. We have to do that with friends & fam too.
 
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#72
lermgalieu said:
My best local experiences were TB sales, met in a public space as most people are recommending. I would never, ever tell an anonymous internet person where I live. If they need to plug it in and try it, they need to figure out how to do that, but it's a bit of a red flag IMO, because it means they might not be fully intending to buy it. In that case, I would say, sure, if you can figure out how to do that in a parking lot, you can plug it in, but only to make sure it works. If you might pull out of the sale, I am not coming to meet you. I don't have time or patience for tire kickers - that's what GC is for.
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Anybody this accommodating can keep their stuff.
 
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#74
Try to make it in Europe or Japan first. American bands are more exotic to audiences in those places. Heavy music is very big in Europe especially Symphonic Metal. I know a couple bands in New Jersey that have been around since the early 90s. If you ask anybody in NJ about them you get a blank look. These bands can do big tours in Europe two or three times a year and one is also very popular in Japan.
 
#75
LordRyan said:
Try to make it in Europe or Japan first. American bands are more exotic to audiences in those places. Heavy music is very big in Europe especially Symphonic Metal. I know a couple bands in New Jersey that have been around since the early 90s. If you ask anybody in NJ about them you get a blank look. These bands can do big tours in Europe two or three times a year and one is also very popular in Japan.
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Did you reply to the wrong thread?
 
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