Proper used gear sales etiquette.

[BogeyBass]

I just sold a proper working and sounding BBC 212 "The Tank" cabinet to a gentleman through a Craig's List ad. It was a parking lot sale, he did not try it out, he did his homework and knew what these were all about. He gets back in touch with me after getting it to his home and tried it out. He says it rattles at certain frequencies and will break up hitting certain notes. He did A/B comparisons with other cabinets and amp heads and the BBC is not holding up the the others.

I have been using this cabinet for months at a weekly gig (Fender Rumble 500 head) with no issues. The last gig was a week ago. I bought this cabinet used on Reverb.com months ago. I have another BBC 112 that suites me better.

He said he will try it out at a band rehearsal tonight and let me know how it did. If he doesn't like it he said we will "have a conversation". The BBC line is not for everyone. A friend of mine bought a 1015 and returned it.

I don't mean to be harsh saying "Buyer Beware" but that is the way I feel. I'm not feeling the return if that "conversation" goes that way. Is that bad etiquette?

If you truly know there is nothing wrong with the cab. Which sounds like you do and it's perfectly fine.

I wouldn't worry about it.

Most likely the guy was rattling stuff in his house. Our he's personally having buyers remorse for other reasons and trying to return it.

I've sold hundreds of items from musical equipment to cars on Craigslist.

And only had one crybaby.
The item was fine
I could tell he just wanted his money back. Most likely made a compulsive decision and changed minds.

Probably same reason some stores offer store credit only on returns.

So you don't become a rental company.

Likewise every one is big and tough in text. Just ignore his " were gonna have problems" type texts trying to arouse a emotional response from you.

Probably being threatening cause he literally already knows there is absolutely nothing he can do. Cause the decision to buy was his fault. But any musical equipment I've sold I usually let the people come to the house, and encourage them to bring instruments/ effects cords or whatever and listen to the equipment. Likewise jamed along on drums for guitar or bass cabs if they wanted.

No refunds
Basically like a flea market or garage sale or thrift store.
No refunds. Think things out before you buy

 

[Low Class]

I guess I'll to change "All Sales are Final" to "All Sales and Conversations are Final"!

 

[NOVAX]

One man's rattle is another man's growl.

 

[GBBSbassist]

People confuse buying off CL with buying from GC.

My take is a buyer can try something out as much as they like as long as they like, but once it's out the door, it's theirs. He might have dropped it on the way home. Who knows?

Agreed. I've been on the receiving end of someone wanting a return on something I damn well know was in 100% working condition when it left my hands. I promptly told him that it wasn't going to happen. So I agree. Try it out as much as you want BEFORE you buy.

When I sell amps on a local deal I have them come to my house. I demo it for them. Once money changes hands they can do whatever they want with it. If I have to ship something or meet somewhere, I will record myself playing through the amp showing no audible issues in case they come back later and say something is wrong.

Heh, I'm picturing someone holding a copy of today's newspaper in the video saying "That was taken this morning."

 

[beaglesandbass]

Heh, I'm picturing someone holding a copy of today's newspaper in the video saying "That was taken this morning."

Hahaha. Reminds me of a Dave Chappelle skit from years ago.

I've been burned before though, so I try and take every step to stop that from happening.

 

[6Bass101]

When I buy something off of CL, I make sure I want to keep it before handing over the money and walking away. I have no expectation of being able to get my money back. I have the same expectation of anyone buying from me.

 

[Mister Boh]

Since safety came up earlier in the thread, many police stations have offered safe places for face to face transactions. Most buyers seem pretty happy to meet there rather than a random parking lot, since the sketch factor goes both ways.

This and a disposable phone number are great ways to not become your cragslist buyers sales engineers (or human skin furniture). Also, make sure your photos aren't tagged with GPS coordinates if you take them from your phone.

 

[BostonJazz72]

It is a slippery slope whenever selling your gear. On one hand you do not want to appear like you are liar and sold bad equipment and on the other hand you don't want to be taken advantage of. Usually, when I sell just to be safe I do not do anything with the cash for at least a few days for the buyer to just test the equipment. Not to say I would take it back but to just be on the safe side. On my Reverb site I list all sales of final.

I had a few times when I took something back because it could have been possible that FedEx damaged the item. Luckily, I had insurance on it. As a side note - the worst time I sold to someone was on FB Marketplace. I was actually selling a camera. I met the person at a Starbucks and she wanted to try her memory card in the camera. I said 'fine'. As I talked to another person in her party she put in her card but broke it off without me looking and then claimed the camera was broken. Since the camera was fine when I brought it down and I was not sure what happened since I wasn't looking, I called off the sale. I brought the camera to a repair shop and they said the memory card was broken in it. The next day, I called her out on it and reported her to FB for fraud. Long story short - she paid for the repair and camera.

I usually make a video of all of my equipment before sending it for proof that it works prior to selling, too. Pictures, etc. Anything helps. Be careful out there b/c some people will take advantage of you.

 

[lfmn16]

This is the problem with parking lot deals.

 

[Flamingo21]

If it's distorting like he says, why would he even consider seeing how it plays in a mix? That doesn't make any sense.

This. He seems a fraud to me. Block him.

 

[Indiana Mike]

It could something on the room making noise. I've chased buzzes and rattles only to find it was something in the room .

Sold as is, is as is. If you knew it was fine that's the way it is.

You have no idea how it's been treated or used .

 

[Ken R]

I'll meet people in a 7-11 parking lot. I'll have friends in the lot too, just observing from a distance. I bring a portable inverter generator, the amp or bass that is for sale. Play it till your fingers fall off. Pay me if you like it, walk away if you don't. Cash only, all sales final.

 

[cheapbasslovin]

When I buy used I eat all the problems and I expect others to do the same.

 

[Indiana Mike]

Sounds like buyers remorse

 

[gorneyg]

Won't do parking lot deals for a number of reasons...this is just one of them.

 

[David Sutkin]

All Sales FINAL is my motto.

NOW you tell me?!

 

[David Sutkin]

Won't do parking lot deals for a number of reasons...this is just one of them.

I recently bought a used bass from a relatively local TB seller ... Parking lot meetup too ... To my surprise, the seller brought a portable bass amp so I could make SURE there were no issues with its playability before exchanging cash.



OP, I’m in agreement with most here, if the rig was fine the day it traded hands, you don’t owe this guy anything.

 

[klejst]

Just be completely honest and upfront about what you're selling and if you're in the buyer role hope the seller is the same with you.

 

[Crater]

My thinking is this: if he didn't TEST the cab before hand, he accepted the risk that it might not work. This is why I wouldn't buy a cab without testing it first, personally. I can understand that's difficult to impossible if one is making the purchase in a parking lot. A bass guitar I would buy without testing it through an amp, because I can test the playing feel without plugging it in. Any electronics issues I can deal with myself. I accepted that risk.

I've had sellers set up the equipment in their garage for buyers to test without inviting strangers inside their house. It's a good compromise if you have a garage.

I tell buyers I have a comprehensive "30/30 Warranty" - it's good for 30 seconds and 30 yards after leaving my house.

If the buyer wants to return the cab, let him! Explain that you sold the cab to pay bills, and you can refund him his $$ as soon as you sell the cab again.

 

[Slevage]

Whose call was it to do the parking lot deal and not power it up?

Someone had to suggest it first.