Experiences with Selling on TalkBass

[PBassin]

Currently, I have a couple of basses listed on eBay. While I've never had any issues with selling on eBay, I don't particularly care for the cut eBay takes. As a result I've decided to possibly look into posting the basses in the TalkBass classifieds. However, as a potential first-time seller on this site I have a few questions before taking the plunge.

1. In general, how has your experience been with selling on TalkBass?

2. On average, how long did your listed bass sit in the classifieds before it was sold?

3. Was your sale pretty smooth or did you have any issues to work out?

4. What is the most accepted form of payment when using TalkBass?

5. Is there anything a new seller should be aware of before selling on TalkBass?

Thanks for your time!

 

[mark beem]

1. I've been on here since 2001 and have never had a bad transaction either buying or selling whether it be basses, amps or pedals.

2. Depends on what the item is and what the market is geared toward. If it's a high-priced, custom made bass that was built to your specs it can sit for a very long time before you find a buyer. I recently had an EBMM Sterling 5 in the classifieds that was only up a couple of days before it sold... I had a custom made Conklin Sidewinder 8 string that languished for months before I finally sold it. Again, it depends on what you're selling.

3. All my sales have gone smoothly.

4. PayPal is the most common I've seen.

5. You have to be a paying supporting member to post for sale ads in the classifieds. Be as descriptive as you can about the item you're selling. Be sure to post the weight if it's a guitar. Also note any and all issues with the instrument. Be up front and honest.

 

[Sid the Kid]

1. Good. It pays to be very honest about what you have for sale. The TB community can smell BS a mile away.

2. One sold overnight. One is still for sale and has been for a while. How long the sale will take depends on a combination of the items popularity, condition, and sale price. If you are impatient to sell just think about how much cash a pawn shop or worse a Guitar Center will give you for it and price accordingly.

3. Very smooth. Honesty and good communication are key.

4. Paypal protects the buyer and seller more than cash or check in the mail. I only use Paypal, and any serious buyer/seller will too.

5. Take your time making the listing. Take a lot of pictures in different lights. Point out flaws that you know are there. Be kind in conversations with people offering you somethig you don't want (in general just be nice to people, always the best way to be). Shipping a bass is expensive, especially shipping to Cali. Be prepared to pay up to $90 + insurance costs. It can be done cheaper but be prepared for that.

Have fun interacting with different bassists around the globe!

 

[Parzival]

Have bought and sold and it always went well. Great community of players here.

 

[SBassman]

I have always had good experiences selling to others here.
As for buying, I don't think I have ever bought here. *Most* people here do right.
But, when buying, beware. There is definitely a faction here thinking it is ok to take as much as they can during a sale.
Don't be lulled into thinking this community situation is above that. It's not at all.

 

[Arizona Jones]

1. In general, how has your experience been with selling on TalkBass?

Very good, positive. About 80 deals total; 50% buying, 50% selling.

Used to sell on eBay - 300 feedback - but I just don't like selling there anymore for various reasons.

2. On average, how long did your listed bass sit in the classifieds before it was sold?

Not long; days, week. But I've been know to drop my price in order to get the gear gone.

3. Was your sale pretty smooth or did you have any issues to work out?

Always gone pretty smooth; but the cost of shipping a bass seems to always be going up.

4. What is the most accepted form of payment when using TalkBass?

PayPal for registered users. New members with no feedback, postal money order only. (Just me?)

5. Is there anything a new seller should be aware of before selling on TalkBass?

Sell small items to build up feedback. Post feedback for other sites; eBay, etc.

Detail the condition of all parts of the bass; there aren't that many!

Ask for advise, here, if you need to.