Resale....why such a hassle??

[tradernick]

Because someone selling something seems sales-pitchy you will instantly ignore an item? No, I still don't get it. I get that you'd do it, just seems like throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

I understand it seems that way to you. We all have things that set our BS radar off and this is one for me.

I can see where that mindset helps someone like me by lessening my competition. I should probably just shut up.

Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. I just have no time to jump through all those hoops. And if you're saying that you could trade a high end bass for 3 in-demand lower priced pieces and then package them up and list them and pay the Paypal fees and pay to ship them and still come out with significantly ahead of just selling when you factor in all the time it took... okay. Knock yourself out.

Of course, you 'need the money' (or this hypothetical seller does)... but it takes time to get all those things shipped to you and list them and find buyers and complete the transactions, right? So I guess you don't need the money that bad. See my point?

In any case, I do recognize that you're probably a more savvy trader than I, despite my screen name. Like I said in an earlier post, I've bought most of my big pieces of gear here over the past xx years.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I understand it seems that way to you. We all have things that set our BS radar off and this is one for me.

Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. I just have no time to jump through all those hoops. And if you're saying that you could trade a high end bass for 3 in-demand lower priced pieces and then package them up and list them and pay the Paypal fees and pay to ship them and still come out with significantly ahead of just selling when you factor in all the time it took... okay. Knock yourself out.

Of course, you 'need the money' (or this hypothetical seller does)... but it takes time to get all those things shipped to you and list them and find buyers and complete the transactions, right? So I guess you don't need the money that bad. See my point?

In any case, I do recognize that you're probably a more savvy trader than I, despite my screen name. Like I said in an earlier post, I've bought most of my big pieces of gear here over the past xx years.

Lies set off my BS meter. Hype, not so much.


Growing up as a relatively broke musician I learned the value of knowing the market and being prepared to exploit it (not in a negative sense). It has paid off well, I've had my hands on tons of cool gear at a fraction of the cost and can usually turn it over at a profit. So when I see the mindset that that doesn't happen, I speak up. Oh contraire.


There can be a distinct difference between "need the money" and "need the money NOW" or worse, "last week". That's why I always recommend considering resale value before time of purchase even if you never plan on selling. What you consider hoops I consider a means to an end. I treat them like business transactions and when I price I don't forget to take into consideration my expenses. I see a lot of folks who do. It's not what you get, it's what you keep.


As far as all the time, again, to me, that's an assumption. It doesn't really have to take much time at all. I took a bass I wanted $2500 (my cut) for to a local store to put on consignment and >>I<< sold it to a guy within 25 minutes. The only thing anyone at the store had to do was write up the consignment, take his money and give me my cut. IIRC I got the bass in a straight trade for a bass I paid $1400 for. I made a pretty tidy profit.

It can happen. Details, details, details. For me, it's fun. If I can spend four or five hours total on a transaction that nets me a grand or more, I'm cool with that

 

[Brad Johnson]

IME most people don't know how to sell. Not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[two fingers]

I've given up selling my used gear as it is now TABOO to own such things. A combo amp that weighs 100lbs doesn't interest anyone (Yorkville bassmaster 400 115). Last time I tried to sell it I had ZERO offers. I almost posted an ad saying that I'd pay 50 for someone to come take it. I stopped when I realized someone might actually take me up on it. I'd rather set it on fire while playing the star spangled banner before I just give it away.

Video or it didn't happen....

 

[tradernick]

I wanted $2500 (my cut) for to a local store to put on consignment and >>I<< sold it to a guy within 25 minutes. IIRC I got the bass in a straight trade for a bass I paid $1400 for. I made a pretty tidy profit.

If I can spend four or five hours total on a transaction that nets me a grand or more, I'm cool with that

Well, you're the man when it comes to this stuff. I think your results are outliers but you've paid your dues and you know what you're doing, clearly. Not 1 in 20 guys here have traded a $1400 bass straight across for another bass which was then sold for $2500 (or more right? That was your cut). That's like a no hitter-type performance.

I still wouldn't dream of trying what you mentioned, trading an expensive piece for 3 cheaper in-demand pieces in an effort to flip them (with all the listings, Paypal fees, packing, shipping, plus the potential hassles when any of those 3 buyers turn into a pumpkin and file a Paypal dispute).

 

[Brad Johnson]

Well, you're the man when it comes to this stuff. I think your results are outliers but you've paid your dues and you know what you're doing, clearly. Not 1 in 20 guys here have traded a $1400 bass straight across for another bass which was then sold for $2500 (or more right? That was your cut). That's like a no hitter-type performance.

I still wouldn't dream of trying what you mentioned, trading an expensive piece for 3 cheaper in-demand pieces in an effort to flip them (with all the listings, Paypal fees, packing, shipping, plus the potential hassles when any of those 3 buyers turn into a pumpkin and file a Paypal dispute).

Cool... my point is that most anyone could do what I'm doing. The fact that more don't has always been a mystery. Especially when so many people talk about how they'd like to do it and they get directions.


You have an interesting POV as far as costs to sell... Paypal and ebay might total 10%, shipping coast to coast with insurance for a $2k bass might be $100. Packing? I buy bass boxes at Fedex for $12. Price the item accordingly and if you trade as I described you can still easily turn a profit. I'm describing what I've done dozens of times. Like clockwork.

 

[joellay]

I've bought and sold gear. I see a lot of overpriced gear. I see a ton overpriced on this forum. Unless something is vintage or unique you will be lucky to get half, unless it has a transferable warranty.

 

[MikeybassS]

Anyone else find selling used gear to be a total pain in the patoot? Lots of insane low balls and ridiculous trade offers. It's not 2002 anymore. Or 1987 for that matter. Prices have gone up. Maybe it's just where I live, maybe there's just not much of a market. But boy is it a hassle.

In London I have always found this to be the case, like you say, way back since 2002 and before. Some of the stores, sort of understandably, are the worst culprits... I'll mention no names (shhh! The Bass Gallery).

 

[dave_bass5]

Anyone else find selling used gear to be a total pain in the patoot? Lots of insane low balls and ridiculous trade offers. It's not 2002 anymore. Or 1987 for that matter. Prices have gone up. Maybe it's just where I live, maybe there's just not much of a market. But boy is it a hassle.

It bothers me that i can state no trades, pick up only or shipped to mainland UK, and still i get idiots asking if i can send it, even half way around the world, would i want xxxx as a trade etc.
I dont mind a low offer, but why do people insist on dictating how someone wants to go about selling something.
im the kind of person who will take time to reply to people, as thats polite, but its just time wasting and if i dont waste time replying i feel guilty.

 

[BioDriver]

I do think geography plays a role. You're more likely to get fair deals in places that have a larger concentration of musicians, such as Atlanta, Austin, LA, NY, Nashville, etc. IME and YMMV.

 

[kbr]

I'll give you negative 5$ for this thread. I'll also trade a slightly stained rolled up newspaper for your favorite bass. Did I say stained? I meant it was relic'ed.

 

[Standalone]

Market's been very different since 2008. When the economy was piping hot, there was a lot of turnover and sellers had willing buyers creating Bass collections etc.

All that has changed. At the same time, the Internet has enabled us to all know about underrated player's instruments, which have gone up in price.

 

[Bassheart365]

I have noticed it. Fewer new musicians, which means fewer potential buyers?

 

[Maryvillebass]

I sold the best player i ever had.... i just decided i didn't need a 2000 dollar bass. Doesn't mean it wasn't the best i ever had, just meant i didn't think the best bass i have ever played was worth not having 2000 dollars more in the bank.

 

[Roger Davis]

It's very slow in UK.

 

[mkizem]

Anyone else find selling used gear to be a total pain in the patoot? Lots of insane low balls and ridiculous trade offers. It's not 2002 anymore. Or 1987 for that matter. Prices have gone up. Maybe it's just where I live, maybe there's just not much of a market. But boy is it a hassle.

I think it's also just a sign of the economy over the past ten years. In my experience, it's been this way since the start of the recession in 2008. Up until then, most gear I listed on eBay went within a few days. Now, it'll sit for weeks or more. People just don't have the same kind of disposable income they used to. Seasonal slumps are real, too. Summer and just after Christmas are usually the worst times to try to sell.

 

[Steppenwolf1971]

I think about all the midrange bass heads I've spent money on I want to Barr on myself. I finally pulled my head out and bought a Verellen stereo digital amp for live shows and a Science Mother amp for home. I should have done this along time ago and would recommend getting a good amp and be done fiddling around, trying things out etc.

 

[JZQuantum]

I have hardly any issues selling on TB...that site that starts with an e and ends with a Y...many knuckleheads to deal with on there.

 

[bholder]

If resale is a hassle the price is too high. That is all. The math can be brutal.

 

[coffeethecat28]

It all comes down to unrealistic expectations of an instrument's worth by the seller. As a rule, any used instrument is only worth one half on average of its original sale price. It's just that simple. And then there's the relics, either real or contrived, where owners believe that because their instrument has that "stank" of wicked cool usage and stage time, it just has to be worth a small fortune. Wrong! At least for me it's wrong. To others, that cherish unplayable, beat up, electronically challenged instruments, almost any price is a bargain. That's their thing. And that's what keeps the market flowing. As a buyer and working musician, I look for extremely playable, great sounding, high quality instruments, preferably new so I know exactly what I'm getting when I open the box. And no, you don't have to buy "high-end" instruments to achieve this goal. For example, I'll play a high quality production made Fender Jazz Bass over any so-called high-end bass anytime. They sound and play just as good for less than half or more of the price! And my instruments must be quickly replaceable if some low-life does a smash and grab, I can have an almost exact duplicate delivered to my door in two days time! But that's my MO. Your results will surely vary based on what's important to you. Happy Trails.