Important Reminder for Sellers: Setting Clear Expectations in Gear Transactions (A Cautionary Tale)

[antfarm]

I prefer selling my basses in person.

Disclosing every little flaw in the description would shy away potential buyers or be seen as an invitation to offer a lower price.

Not disclosing them could lead to a situation like the one OP found himself in.

 

[friskinator]

I don't know how you guys make local, in-person deals happen. I live in a big city, and I have almost no luck selling anything, even with nice gear at fair prices. But yeah, the buyers that treat a Squier like it's a Sadowsky drive me nuts. If you want to be treated like you're buying from a retail store, then you should buy from one.

 

[Mike Vee]

This is getting more common on TB I'm afraid. More hobbyist/collectors and less gigging players here. I recently had a guy ask if 9.2 lbs meant 9 lbs 2 oz or 9 lbs 3.2 oz as it could be either one. I told him that if 1.2 oz is a deal breaker then this was not the bass for him.

That's a very very common question and should be treated with respect.

As a seller, I err on the side of under promise, over deliver. I take lots of good photos and disclose any issues, no matter how small. I also believe in making sure the written description is thorough, to cover my ass.
I haven't dealt with many weirdos, but have received many messages about how the item is 'better than described.'

"Mint" is a loaded word, "beyond mint' is theoretically impossible. Mint=100% condition. Excellent still implies that it's like 95%+ condition, which gives room for minor things like pick scratches, maybe a small ding on the tip of the headstock. Mint really should be banned from describing the condition of anything used. Maybe only when it's NOS in it's factory sealed box/package, but even then it's condition won't really be known until it's opened up. It could have a small scratch from the factory or it's condition deteriorated while in extended storage.

On the flip side, as a buyer, I keep my expectations lower than the pictures and description provide. I also ask questions about things that have been overlooked in the pics or description. I have my reconciliation with my expectation when the item is in my possession. I'll overlook set up things, but will not accept undisclosed issues with more serious things like neck/truss issues, bad electronics, etc...

I know exactly what I'm doing, I've been selling since about 1999. I have gotten only two negative comments that entire time, two complete psychopaths.

On Reverb you're not allowed to put mint unless it's actually new but you're not a retailer. Just because I am saying "mint" here for the sake of conversation doesn't mean I don't know how to categorize a listing.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

When I sold on Reverb I stated in my shop policy that I would not accept returns. I also stated in the ad that this was a private sale. I was very fortunate as I never had any problems except one. That is when Fedex somehow managed to snap the headstock off a beautiful 8 string octave course bass that was no longer in production so it was irreplaceable. I had to fight with reverb to get my money despite the fact that I purchased insurance through Reverb. I have since closed my account and now I sell on CL, cash only, no trades, face to face. I still stipulate this is a private sale.

 

[Pep]

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share a recent experience as a general reminder to those of us who sell gear here on TalkBass. My goal is to help other sellers avoid the frustrations I encountered, especially when it comes to handling expectations for used instruments.

I recently sold a bass that had been thoroughly inspected and set up by a highly reputable shop. I confirmed the instrument's playability and ensured it was in excellent condition before listing it. Shortly after the sale, however, the buyer raised concerns that I found unrealistic for a mass-produced, used instrument. They expected sub-millimeter tolerances and factory-level precision on a bass that was clearly listed as used, albeit in excellent condition. The demands were so extreme and pedantic that I started to question whether this was a case of buyer's remorse—or simply bad faith.

While I did my best to resolve the issue, it became clear that the buyer's expectations were quite different from mine. This experience reminded me how important it is to:

• Document the Condition: Take EXTREMELY detailed photos and videos of the instrument prior to shipping. Having a thorough record can be incredibly helpful if a dispute arises.
• Set Realistic Expectations: Be clear in your listing about what "used" means. If a buyer is expecting a showroom-perfect instrument, it's best to address that upfront. In my case, I believed the instrument was in excellent condition, but the buyer's expectations were far higher than typical for a used item.
• Be Prepared for Unreasonable Demands: While most buyers are reasonable, occasionally you may encounter someone whose standards may not align with yours. Having clear, written communication about the condition and expectations can help resolve these situations—or even prevent them entirely.

Selling gear online is a great way to share and find quality instruments, but it's always wise to protect yourself by setting clear boundaries and thoroughly documenting your items.

Best of luck with your transactions, and I hope everyone continues to have positive experiences buying and selling here on TalkBass!

Best regards.

I've been reading of your transaction in the thread by the seller and truly believe this is one of the those "once in a lifetime" where you've sold an instrument to someone who is going to be impossible to please. He has still to address the supposed "ski-slope" issue which leads me to think it may have been an added "ingredient" to validate his side of the purchase after he saw some votes (and responses) to his initial post that didn't really support him.

 

[murphy]

These bad stories are very off putting.
I am preparing to sell several basses on TB...Had mostly good experiences,
but bought two necks with undesclosed major fret sprout in the last two years

Plus someone else took my money, but then refused to send because I am in Canada!!??? Even agreed to me paying extra postage!

Maybe times have changed with the people.

 

[Matt-J2]

When I go to sell a bass or bass gear, I always start with Bass Pro Shops.

Then once that absurd ordeal is out of the way, I head to Guitar Center, because it can't get any worse!


For real though, I've never had truly egregious online selling experience, but I've had enough irritating ones that I don't do it much anymore. And that's for non-fragile stuff I can fit in easy to find, standard size boxes.

 

[atquinn]

I've sold plenty of gear over the years without any major issues. I've had a return or two over that time, but that's just the price of doing business IMO. I don't spend time dicking around though. If someone has a complaint, then they can return it in the condition in which it was received for a refund. I also tend to not comment about anything other than physical condition in my ads. I'll let you know about the dings and weight. I'm not going to tell you it plays like butter or it's the best sounding bass I've ever had but I have to sell it to pay for my cat's surgery or anything like that.

 

[urkel3000]

I don't know how you guys make local, in-person deals happen. I live in a big city, and I have almost no luck selling anything, even with nice gear at fair prices. But yeah, the buyers that treat a Squier like it's a Sadowsky drive me nuts. If you want to be treated like you're buying from a retail store, then you should buy from one.

I made out like a bandit when I lived in portland. I found a furman pq3 for eighty bucks (sold it in less than an hour for $450 on reverb), I got a minty MIJ Jackson dinky for a hundred bucks.... SVT610 for 500

 

[friskinator]

I made out like a bandit when I lived in portland. I found a furman pq3 for eighty bucks (sold it in less than an hour for $450 on reverb), I got a minty MIJ Jackson dinky for a hundred bucks.... SVT610 for 500

That's as a buyer, though. I meant as a seller. I've had almost zero luck on that end. At this point I'd rather just pay the Reverb fee and not have to deal with tire kickers or people asking "is this still available" then ghosting.

 

[vinlander]

That's as a buyer, though. I meant as a seller. I've had almost zero luck on that end. At this point I'd rather just pay the Reverb fee and not have to deal with tire kickers or people asking "is this still available" then ghosting.

Patience is the key when selling in person.
I always buy my instruments having in mind to never loose on the long run which translate as coming even or best making a small profit when I sell.
I stick to brand that tend to keep its value on the 2nd hand market.
Only exception to that rule was when I bought cheap used Epiphones guitars and learn how to tweak, upgrade and do my own setups.
I lost a bit money when I sold them hardly recouping my investment, but the learning aspect in that case was well worth it.

 

[Green Knight]

Every time I buy a bass from Japan, it arrives in better condition than the pictures suggest. Their ads focus in, in high key lighting, on every scratch, dent, bit of dirt, or scuff, no matter how insignificant. The descriptions often sound like the bass is just rusty hunks of metal screwed into bigger hunks of rotting wood. Then you get it and it looks awesome because your eyes don't have zoom lenses. I think that's a good approach.

 

[Lowbrow]

most people can internalize that used = not new, somewhat less than perfect, others not so much. Here's a rule: if you get a bunch of questions up front, especially if you get an odd one or two, cut off the negotiation immediately and wait for a different buyer. What happens on the front end is indication what to expect on the back end.

 

[friskinator]

Patience is the key when selling in person.
I always buy my instruments having in mind to never loose on the long run which translate as coming even or best making a small profit when I sell.
I stick to brand that tend to keep its value on the 2nd hand market.
Only exception to that rule was when I bought cheap used Epiphones guitars and learn how to tweak, upgrade and do my own setups.
I lost a bit money when I sold them hardly recouping my investment, but the learning aspect in that case was well worth it.

I do all those things, but still no luck with selling. Maybe my local market just isn't one that buys many instruments.