EBAY Deals

i too always am on E-BAY,even if i'm not searching for a specific item i still look to see if theres a good deal. and there usually is,i am always in the market for a bargin,but i still am careful because there is always one out there looking to finagle someone. i never gotten burned but have heard to stories and have known a couple of victims,so it pays to do some research before you just hit the BUY IT NOW magic button

 

General rules I go by:

1) First and foremost, research the seller via his/her feedback. If the feedback is iffy, he/she could be selling a Fodera for 100 bucks and I wouldn't touch it.

2) Research the product. Don't just go to Harmony-Central, do a search on Google and hell, ask others on these boards.

3) Research the relative value of it and stick with a top figure that you would feel comfortable paying. You may see a Geddy Lee that you have been dying for, but if it's selling for $750.00, pass. There will be others.

I've been lucky as I have never been burned on ebay (knock on wood).

 

I saw that bass last night and thought that it was a pretty good deal, but the more I thought about it, the more I remembered that these Smith's don't do so hot on the resale end for whatever reason. I would really like to try one someday though.
I bought a dead mint 97 Smith CRVG or CRV Pro 5 with a Flamed Bubinga top and back for $1200. It was up for bid for just a couple of hours untill I snatched it up. That's been my best ebay purchase. It's actually my favorite bass right now.

 

just got a mim jazz, listed as excellent, original, slight scratches.

paid and when i got it it had visible holes for an aftermarket bridge drilled in it, was filthy, every screw was rusty, crusty and filled with crud.

the seller would not make good and he had limited but 100% positve feedback. aaarrggghhhh!!!!!

what a jerk, and like ebay cares or will do anything! pay $20 for a non binding arbitration??? if he cared he'd have made good.

bill

 

Bill,
I had one of those sellers as well, only my experience was a little worse. About 4 or 5 years ago, right when ebay just got started, I bought a late 70's Pbass from this person. The add said near mint. When it arrived, it was far from mint, but it was okay because I like the look of a worn in Fender. Well, something wasn't right with the way it was set up, so I took to my place that does my work. I wanted them to mill the frets and have it set up. They called a little while later and said there's nothing we can do to this bass. The trussrod was broken. I was pissed, and notified the seller. His response was that it was fine when he sent it, so the shop must have broken in. I showed my tech this email response,and he was furious. He's actually one of the three in the country that Fender sends work to. To cut to the chase, the seller did nothing, but my tech got me a brand new neck from Fender, which at the time they weren't selling, and Frender, after hearing my story, sold it to me at cost. This was my first ebay experience, and it took about three years before I bought anything of significant value from there. There are good sellers and bad sellers, but I agree that you really have to do your research.

 

Here's my latest ebay saga . . .

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=86316&highlight=vaccaro

I'm afraid if we post all the good deals here, we'll increase competition and inflate the price. Good for the sellers, but not the buyers. That said, I'm very happy w/ the Vaccaro from seller #2 in the linked thread, they've got a bunch.

>so, I should be working, but I am highly undermotivated, so I pretty much look at basses most of the day.

How many others are doing the same right now? Gotta love the 'net!

 

Newer model Warwick Thumb 4 N/T with ovangol neck. $900. Not bad would be excellent if it had the wenge going for it. I'd probably still buy it if I had the money and stain the sucker black. mmmmmmmm

Thumb N/T ovankol

 

Yeah $900 I don't think is a bad price for a N/T Thumb 4, even if it is one of the newer one's. Leaves alot of finacial space to customize the thing. Which if I bought it and it was a newer one I'd have to do.

I also found this. Not sure if it's a deal or not but it's definatly interesting if it's as old as the seller claim. If it is I'd scoop it up for sure, finaces permiting.

70's Wal a walla ?

 

Ritter on Ebay!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2541958572&category=4713&rd=1

 

There's a Fender MIA Jazz 5 Deluxe in Inca Silver on there right now for $650 buy it now in mint condition. I would get it and defret it but I am short about $100 and I need a new amp.

 

I have had some very good luck with e-bay,especially with basses.but when i bought Doc Martens,i got "mis-led" a few times.Lately i have seen some cherry Fenders being sold for a fair price,but its always when i'm broke .I would advice asking some questions,sometimes people dont even know what they are selling,while sometimes they know and are playing dumb .Last week a guy had a Fender Squier package for auction(bass,amp & excessories)and the opening bid was 350.00 $$ and it was used,he claimed he got it as part of a auto accident award.i asked a bunch of questions and found him to be an honest(but un-knowing)man.he lowered the price and re-listed it.While on the other hand i have found situations to be the exact opposite.so tread lightly and be careful.