Must be you, I've done a lot of business on Reverb, like any Platform it's not perfect or tailored to any one's specific needs, unfortunately it's not about us, BUT, they've treated me well, if you don't like the prices, move on.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Is it me, or is Reverb a total joke?
- Thread starter BassyBill
- Start date
If only there were laws dictating what people could sell things for in this free market.
Reverb is a worldwide marketplace, so individuals set the prices.
That being said, with the exception of TalkBass classifieds, I have had more positive experiences via Reverb than any other marketplace or seller.
I have even seen people trying to sell bass guitars for double what they purchased them for from me through TalkBass. Stings a little, but that is the free market / capitalism for you.
That being said, with the exception of TalkBass classifieds, I have had more positive experiences via Reverb than any other marketplace or seller.
I have even seen people trying to sell bass guitars for double what they purchased them for from me through TalkBass. Stings a little, but that is the free market / capitalism for you.
If you watch Reverb patiently you will still find excellent peer-to-peer deals — last week for instance I copped a Mesa Subway 112 cab in perfect condition from an individual who by their own description just wanted to get an excellent piece of gear into the hands of someone who will use and appreciate it. $600 shipped - just look up the prices, used or new. You see stuff like this with some regularity. It's an excellent resource IMO.
Say what you will about Reverb, but I'm glad that it exists. If I find something I'm interested in, I will often attempt to find the business or individual off of Reverb and make them an offer. They save on Reverb fees and I usually get a better price without paying taxes. Where Reverb is valuable is in the sheer number of people that will see your item.
Knowing what the market is for a particular item helps weed out the dreamers. My particular scope of interest these days is largely instruments that have been out of production for decades, so there are fewer "deals" out there, though they do exist.
The reality is that you must accept that when shopping on a platform like Reverb or Ebay there are going to be fees and taxes that need to be factored in, resulting in a higher net price over what you may get it for on TB or Craigslist usually. Even given that though, TB pricing generally is more realistic than other platforms....sometimes by a huge margin.
The reality is that you must accept that when shopping on a platform like Reverb or Ebay there are going to be fees and taxes that need to be factored in, resulting in a higher net price over what you may get it for on TB or Craigslist usually. Even given that though, TB pricing generally is more realistic than other platforms....sometimes by a huge margin.
Last edited:
i make an offer and if they decline i move on. not sure why this guy made this thread
It has become nuts. Reverb charges too much and people who sell on there are listing much higher to cover those costs and to negotiate towards a price they will actually accept.
Buying used/mint items from stores on Reverb can work quite well. Usually a customer return or often brand new. Plus, return policies can be generous allowing me to try some pedals with ease. AND... I often get pretty good offers for items I'm watching. Got a brand new Walrus Mira comp for $99 recently.
It's exactly the same here in the classifieds. How many ads have the line "just looking to get back what I put in" on them, with the prices being almost exactly the same as the new cost. At least on reverb, they have the excuse of trying to recoup all the fees.
Folks nowadays seem to live by the motto "a deal for me but none for thee."
Sounds like you would have been better off doing a local Craigslist or FB deal. I've considered selling lower end basses online but the math just doesn't work out. If you're only going to pocket $80, might as well donate it give it to some local kid.
A. I have never, in over 30 years of gigging and recording, ever needed to avail myself of a music gear manufacturer's warranty. Music gear should be made strong enough to withstand the pressures of professional touring, and most of it is. I've had gear fail, on rare occasions, but none of it ever within a warranty period.
B. Lots of Reverb sellers have return policies. I do not offer returns when selling via auction sites, which I've been doing for over 20 years. It's never been a problem for me, either as a seller or as a buyer.
C. Original, single owner? Who cares? What I care about is: does it work, is it in good condition for the price?
For a 12% price differential, yeah, I'd probably just go and buy new. For 20-25% off, which is pretty common, I'll buy used.
And yes, there are always people selling online who have unrealistic expectations of what their gear can and will fetch. Feel free to pass those people by.
Last edited:
Buying from a business through Reverb will yield better results because most don't have the luxury of letting gear sit so they can get the price they want. If it's not priced low enough to sell eventually they'll have to start cutting prices or entertain offers.
Also bear in mind that consumer shipping prices have skyrocketed and have made it pretty difficult for individuals to compete with big companies who have contracts with shipping services that get them substantial discounts. Individual shippers are now subsidizing the rates of large shippers.
Reverb shipping service comes with a steep discount. Wish for a larger discount? Use Pirateship.com
I have gotten some pretty good deals on Reverb, but yeah, Reverb, Ebay, etc, there are always people posting higher prices than I would pay or want to pay. If it's something I really want, I just wait for a deal if it's more than I am willing to pay. It's a market of sellers and buyers, nothing new.
