• 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.

Lesson learned: shame on me

Nobis17

Nobis17

Supporting Member
Dec 18, 2018
603
1,842
New England
#1
Just a quick lesson learned that I wanted to share with people, because I didn't think anything about it at the time, then got hate mail after the fact.

Quick story:

I had listed a bass on the TB classifieds as well as Reverb. An interested party on reverb asked some questions about the bass, and was showing genuine interest. I suggested to him (through the reverb messaging system), since he was local, if he wanted to complete the sale on the TB forum we could meet up and skip the tax and selling fees.

I found out today, through an email stating my reverb account was under review, that that is, in fact, a violation of Reverb's Terms & Policies.

I had to re-review the Terms & Policies to have the review lifted, but the warning was still there. Lesson learned.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gearhead17, JRA, Bassic_desires and 1 other person
#2
Yeah, you basically can't use Reverb if you're going to try to undercut their fees by redirecting people to another service. That's pretty much standard, true on ebay as well. No harm no foul, as long as they get their promised slice of the sale. If they don't, they get angry. Justifiably.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gibson Victory, JRA, Killing Floor and 2 others
#7
Of course, it's in their interest to want their cut, and you found that one out. They've got server costs to maintain and everything, and they're setting you up with a market of potential buyers.

But whatever, worse crimes have been committed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nobis17
#13
Thumpin6string said:
Funny, I have done that several times and shifted a sale from Reverb to TB with no warnings or reviews. I wonder if the buyer reported you?
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure it was a combination of word I used that flagged it. If I had simple said, "PM me on talkbass", I'm sure it wouldn't have flagged. But as said above, I learned my lesson :P, and I totally understand them needing to take their cut - they are a business after all :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: JRA
#14
Ebay scans all correspondence passing through their messaging system. It’s very hard to pass anything through their system that looks suspicious without getting a slap on the wrist, or worse. They seem to catch everything. No doubt Reverb is the same.

Be careful what you say on those private messaging systems. OTOH it’s irrefutable evidence of who said what if a dispute arises.
 
#15
Nobis17 said:
I'm pretty sure it was a combination of word I used that flagged it. If I had simple said, "PM me on talkbass", I'm sure it wouldn't have flagged. But as said above, I learned my lesson :p, and I totally understand them needing to take their cut - they are a business after all :)
Click to expand...
I actually told the buyer that I could sell for less on TB due to not having the Reverb fees. I guess they were too busy going after you that they missed mine.:)
 
#18
buldog5151bass said:
Why should Reverb allow you to utilize their service/exposure, and not get paid?
Click to expand...

E2942 said:
Exposure!
Click to expand...
Question answered!

Seriously though, I don't think anyone is suggesting that Reverb should allow that. Just that it is, in fact, a Reverb policy, so beware.

Frankly, I wasn't aware, so I'm glad for the heads up.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back