How to go about selling expensive gear?

[Sunset Shalom]

I see expensive stuff on craigslist all the time, some sits for months and others sell pretty quick.

Part of it is knowing the value. If you ask well above the common used price you are going to have trouble finding a buyer. Or if you list it just under other used prices it may sell in a flash.

Make it clear in your add you won't even consider lowballs to avoid people wasting your time.

One example is a Leslie cab I saw on CR locally that sat for like 6 months. The asking price was 700$ and it was untested No surprise there.

 

[BboogieXVII]

TB probably is the best place to sell high end gear. Next best place would be Reverb in my opinion

Ebay is good also but has substantial fees that you need to take into account.

 

[40Hz]

FWIW I'd be far more comfortable buying something really expensive here than I'd ever be off CL.

 

[Doner Designs]

I have had ok results with Talkbass, Reverb and ebay in that order of preference. I sell cabs to Guitar Center to avoid the shipping hassle and cost. A bass can be shipped for about $50, so an expensive item is worth advertising nationally.

 

[Kmonk]

Moderately priced to expensive gear is always the hardest to sell. Most people are looking for bargains. I have had several Hartke items for sale for a couple of months and have only received one inquiry one of piece of the rig. Despite what many TBER'S state, I have had great luck with Criagslist. I prefer to deal in person so there is no misunderstanding. You can try Reverb and Ebay and specify "Local Pickup" but selling may be difficult. You might have to just be patient and wait until a local buyer wants you are selling. It really depends on whether or not you need the money.

 

[Groove Doctor]

I've been trying out some 2000- and up guitars lately because I have been conditioned to believe more money equals more instrument. I ended up buying a sub 400- guitar that felt and sounded better than all the expensive ones. They were all from the same brand so the argument Brand A is better than Brand B does not apply in this case.

Some truth here, but with one caveat:
Any single brand that makes both $400 and $2000 basses isn't boutique IME. Personal tastes/music played/etc means I can't concur your conclusion.

I've tried them all. Only four boutique brands have floored me, and I own one bass from each of the two affordable brands (bought used of course, off eBay and another Bass Forum). My vintage Fender P was from our CL-equivalent site (Gumtree) from the other side of the country.

Most of my other basses were Made In Japan decades ago, and sound/feel a stack better than the price I paid. I LIKE them a lot, but LOVE my two boutique basses. Worth every cent.

 

[Groove Doctor]

OP: any trade interests? List them, even if obscure. I picked up an unused laptop as part of a trade recently. We each saved hundreds of dollars.

 

[5544]

...

While I agree with the sentiment, I don't see how this is at all helpful to the OP, who is looking to sell an expensive piece of kit they already own and not trying to buy something new, or sell the bass for the price of a Squier.

The OP is looking for insight why he is unable to get anybody to look at their gear or get offers above the price of a Squier.

I just happened to give a buyer's perspective. Considering that I probably traveled over 1000km and had over 50 new & used instruments from shops, private sellers and even a couple 2400- guitars sent to my home in the last couple of months, I would like to think my opinion holds up better than the "Squier vs Fender" argument that people are so quick to point out.

 

[LeeNunn]

I had had no luck selling a 1981 G&L L1000 closet queen. I posted it here on TB expecting to ship it. A Canadian buyer sent a trusted friend to look at it. The friend paid cash. Very easy. I will sell my next bass here by following the advice above.

 

[planetdrumz]

Ive had good luck selling all types of gear on CL.....its not that bad, Just simply state that your price is firm and you wont respond to any offers below asking price (unless you want to).

 

[fhm555]

Within the limits you have imposed, your only option is to sell local and take what you can get, or list it and forget it unless or until someone contacts you.

If you list local on CL expect to field a lot of low ballers and lookers who couldn't buy it if it was five bucks.

Or you could bite the bullet and accept that shipping an item is the only way you will ever get it in front of prospective buyers looking for something other than an opportunity to buy local for cheap, then flip it and ship it.

And one last thing, just because you paid a lot does not mean you can get a lit for it second hand. It will all depend on availability. If you own one of a million bomber2000 amp heads currently on the used market, the only way yours will sell is a huge pool of prospects and at or below the lowest priced example advertised to the same pool of prospects you are trolling in. If on the ither hand you have one of five macdaddy fivers and a million prospects are looking for one, you can pretty much set the market.