That is why I rarely take the time to fish through tb classifieds anymore. People think basses are worth more than they actually sell for. at least on ebay I can search by price
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Do those overpriced basses ever sell on ebay?
- Thread starter Nate74
- Start date
That is why I rarely take the time to fish through tb classifieds anymore. People think basses are worth more than they actually sell for. at least on ebay I can search by price
Everyone thinks highly of the stuff they own. Including me, this is why i can't sell anything.
Individual sellers? Could be simple ignorance; or greed; might be "what the hell" fishing; or the married guy's "I'm trying to sell it, but nobody wants it" ploy. Businesses? No idea; maybe they sell enough stuff that they can afford to leave an overpriced item listed, Which, IIRC, is free on eBay. I've been looking at a bass on e-Bay, for instance, that's been there for about 4 years now. The price came down about 2 years ago (by $200), but IMO it's still overpriced. But, if they ever come down just a little more...
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Example, I've noticed a few 95'-97' Fenders Deluxe V listed here for $1400+. That almost double what I paid and Sold mines for 2 yrs ago. Those used to go for around $800 on here all day everyday.
There are steinberger xl-2 constantly listed and relisted at infinitum, set up by some "legendary" guitar tech, at $10k-15k... Is there any reason for that besides charlatanism?
Yeah fenders prices are typically a bit out there. I paid $300 plus shipping for my mim Jazz. Sold it for the same. Yet I see people trying to sell the exact same model for $500-$550 on a regular basis now that fender raised their prices. Heck a few years back they only cost $399 new. $550 for a used mim Jazz is a rip off imo. My view is a bass is only worth what it sells for used. It's not based on a percentage of new cost or any of that
20-30% higher than the going rate?? Sounds like they are just adjusting for the EBAY & PAYPAL FEES..
Just wait till its been re listed a few times and email the dude an offer. If he's serious he'll have a counter offer, a bit if back and forth and you should get closer to the price you want.
You and I have very different perspectives on flogging my friend.This. I don't ever remember a time here when basses were listed with such firm prices..... for months at a time. And many have phrases like "must sell" or "wife says one has to go". I think often guys are posting ads just so they can point to them and show their wives (under whose thumbs they obviously reside) and say.....
"See, your highness? I placed the ad as you had instructed. Please, no flogging tonight!"
All the while they know they have placed an ad with a price so high that no bassist in his right mind would touch it with a ten foot pole.
As for the OP's topic, I think sometimes it is smart to just throw a number out there and see if someone wants it that badly. Why not? Say you have a bass worth $2,000. Why not start an auction and put a buy it now price of $3,000 up there just to see if this is someone's "holy grail" of basses?
I have had my eye out for a bass just like the first one I ever played live (which was actually a borrowed bass). If I were to find one in great shape it might be worth $650 at best. However, I would be willing to pay more than that to insure I got it before someone else did. The market doesn't support such a price, but it's more than worth it to me.
For real though this right here is a real thing.
The high prices and holier than thouness of some sellers has kept me from making major purchases on eBay. I asked a fellow who had had a cab listed four or five months in a row but with it listed as local pickup for the east coast. I asked him if an extra 150 would get it shipped to Colorado and he came back real snarky and hostile and generally not fun.
My Dads friend built an awesome house. then immmediately listed it for 40% above market value. Saying simply, Ill live in it and if someone comes along that simply has to have the house, theyll pay it. Til then ill enjoy it.
As far as Businesses, my only guess would be kinda the same thing, someone with too much money who jsut has to have it. Or maybe its click bait. People see the fancy vintage toy but cant afford it. But they click on "other auctions to see what else"
As far as Businesses, my only guess would be kinda the same thing, someone with too much money who jsut has to have it. Or maybe its click bait. People see the fancy vintage toy but cant afford it. But they click on "other auctions to see what else"
I guess if the factory raises prices on something you may get away with asking more, I mean if it’s still a % cheaper than a new one and it’s basically the same, and of course if someone is willing to buy it for that price.
Years ago I bought a Fender Mustang ri bass new at GC, got it for around $565.
I had it for years, but barely played it (went to fivers), and after one of the Fender price increases (one that happened years ago) I sold it for what I paid for it.
Bass was mint, and the kid was happy with it.
Years ago I bought a Fender Mustang ri bass new at GC, got it for around $565.
I had it for years, but barely played it (went to fivers), and after one of the Fender price increases (one that happened years ago) I sold it for what I paid for it.
Bass was mint, and the kid was happy with it.
Pricing is an interesting thing. Right now there are several new MIJ Fender basses not selling on Fleabay for 150% of retail, I guess because the sellers figure someone will eventually pay through the nose for one of the last ones ever. And several are on Amazon for 200% of retail! 
Meanwhile, guys are offering late model American Standards for 50-60% of retail on TB. Those are mostly sitting too. And redefining the market in a way that will make it rough on future sellers.
Go figure!
Meanwhile, guys are offering late model American Standards for 50-60% of retail on TB. Those are mostly sitting too. And redefining the market in a way that will make it rough on future sellers.
Go figure!
Most of my experience with this comes from collecting vintage tube stereo gear, much of which I found on Ebay in years past. Unfortunately, Ebay has changed a lot. It used to be mostly all auctions. Now it's mostly Buy It Now with sellers asking ridiculous prices. I think most of them are just looking for suckers. I haven't sold anything on Ebay in years, but I was recently told that Buy It Now listings are free. So sellers can just keep listing something over and over in hopes of finding a sucker and it costs them nothing to keep trying. I've seen gear that has been continuously listed for years (yes, years!) with a price that's 3 or 4 (or more) times what an item is actually worth. Most of them will keep listing at that price despite the fact that identical items actually sell for much less. Obviously, some of these sellers don't really need the money anytime soon. I tend to find things in flea markets or thrift stores these days. I sometimes have sellers claim an item is "going for" a certain amount on Ebay. If I suggest they sell it on Ebay, then, or point out that asking price and actual price paid are two different things, they act all insulted. Fortunately, on Ebay you can check the box on the left menu labelled 'completed listings' and you can see (prices in green) the items that actually sold. Knowledgeable, and less greedy, sellers are not afraid to list a high dollar item in an auction - even with a starting bid of 99 cents - because they know it will sell at a good price.
Ive noticed lately a lot of people making comments about the over-inflated prices on Ebay, especilly for musical instruments, everyone trying to make a buk and not willing to budge,.....mabye its just me but I feel like a lot of people are getting sick of it, and when enough people get sick of something they search for change, I wouldnt be surprised to see things start to change for these online buyers very soon, not a good one.
Since nobody's pointed this out yet, if an item sells, the price was right, no matter how unreasonably high every other potential buyer deemed the price. If the item never sells due to the asking price failing to appeal to buyers, the seller isn't motivated to sell. Simple as that.
Correct. Recently I paid a hefty price (to me, anyway) for a rare, limited-edition bass on Fleabay. Shortly after that, a nearly identical one went for about $400 more. Someone couldn't live without it, and bam! it sold. What's the right price? The price the buyer is willing to pay.
A FAIR price is what the buyer is willing to pay. The fact that a large number of these guitars and basses don't sell proves that prices are inflated.
I often "watch" overpriced basses on Ebay just to see if they sell and if they do, at what price. Most of the time they don't sell.
I have often pondered this question myself. Especially when it comes to vintage offerings. 70's P Basses have been selling in the 1500 to 2200 dollar range. I see mid 70's basses on eBay with a 4500 dollar buy it now option. That's simply insane pricing.
I think a couple are posted with a crazy high asking price and then others base their asking price on the high asking prices they see. I really hope people are not paying those prices but I am sure some do.
I think a couple are posted with a crazy high asking price and then others base their asking price on the high asking prices they see. I really hope people are not paying those prices but I am sure some do.
