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Resale....why such a hassle??
- Thread starter Jscriv
- Start date
So many of us have trouble selling used gear, even if its a VERY sought after bass. But Ya know what I find funny?...I have posted in the WANT-AD section of TB at least 30-40 times since membership in 2011 and maybe had 1-2 responses, and not even responses about what I am looking for... WTH? Recently if I consider selling a bass, I will check the recent Want-ads...cant hurt right? I find it very hard to believe that out of thousands of members, NOBODY wants to make a quick buck when you have cash in your hand ready to buy..Just a little rant
But one of the bigger issues I am seeing is that the GC used section has plenty to choose from, and often lower pricing, and sometimes ridiculously high AND steals. And everyone knows they can buy the bass, have it shipped for $20, "test drive" it, then return it and get a full refund..
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We're flooded with Asian instruments. People have less disposable cash than they did 10 years ago.
Less people are learning to play actual instruments.
The world is in a race to the bottom.
Less people are learning to play actual instruments.
The world is in a race to the bottom.
Cl is tough, however a parts bass for 400ish is priced high. I'd get a new bass with parts that belong.
And this is one reason I bought all my gear used from a previous owner. ('Cept strings of course.) And that dear friends is the best strategy to gain some advantage out of the OP's original statement.
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I haven't seen that problem at all. I have sold numerous basses, parts and an amp both locally through Craig's List and online here over the past 15 years. I researched what the make and model were selling for, priced mine accordingly and, with the exception of one bass that had no offers at all, everything sold at full ask and fairly quickly.
In fact, I have been happily surprised at the lack of haggling and time wasters.
I guess this is the very definition of YMMV.
Some of the social skills of buyers I’ve dealt with are pretty cringeworthy but others are super cool and became friends. One dude just couldn’t get the hint and my wife was like “ok we are eating dinner time to go” Lolol
Having to deal with boxes, tape, and shipping costs is the biggest hassle for me though
Having to deal with boxes, tape, and shipping costs is the biggest hassle for me though
How is trying to get a great deal being rude?
Do they include harsh language with their offer?
“Hey ***, I’ll give you $400 and you’d be a **** to not take it.”
If you want people to treat you nicely while lowballing you, sell it at a retail store.
I think certain cultural perceptions of haggling/negotiating prices are demographic. Some people’s culture see it as rude while others see it as normal business. I think that might be the source of his frustration
I think a lot of it has to do with people "pricing to sell", aka: selling something for 40% less of retail that's still in box. Essentially destroying the value an item may hold, and then the same people will talk about how musicians shouldn't play for 50 dollars so everyone else doing this for a living can make money. It's a combination of things - a lot of which have been listed already.
Another thing I have noticed is that very few people these days prepare for a "rainy day".
In other words, people who live paycheck to paycheck will own $10K worth of bass gear. Next thing you know, the transmission on the car goes out, or they get laid off, or a baby is coming, and they have to "raise funds" to handle things.
That leads to "fire sale" prices, which in turn drags down the price of similar gear being sold elsewhere.
Again, that's not a lecture... just an observation.
Look on your local CL, or even here, and see how many listings include "must sell" and/or the circumstances that force the sale of that item..... and really low prices.
In other words, people who live paycheck to paycheck will own $10K worth of bass gear. Next thing you know, the transmission on the car goes out, or they get laid off, or a baby is coming, and they have to "raise funds" to handle things.
That leads to "fire sale" prices, which in turn drags down the price of similar gear being sold elsewhere.
Again, that's not a lecture... just an observation.
Look on your local CL, or even here, and see how many listings include "must sell" and/or the circumstances that force the sale of that item..... and really low prices.
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Actually, prices went WAY down on new gear since 1987.
For the price of my first entry level 100 W combo, you now get a full 500W rig.
For the price of my first 2nd hand Ibanez, you now get a new MIM Fender or MM Sterling.
It lowers 2nd hand prices. People also prefer to get newer gear that costs less, it also drives the market down.
In the end music gear lasts way too long and novelty wears so fast that the used market is slowly vanishing.
When I place a craigslist ad, I write that lowball offers will be ignored, as well as 'do you still have it?'. I think lots of the lowballs are just folks who want you to respond so they can add your email to a spam list. I will also ignore anything that seems odd.
There is a larger issue that has been discussed, whether the overall demand for gits is shrinking. That sort of thing really drives down prices. Personally selling used for 50% off new is not unexpected. The rule of thumb for electronic gear is 60% of used. As with any sales on craigslist, once the price is low enough, there will be buyers--my experience.
There is a larger issue that has been discussed, whether the overall demand for gits is shrinking. That sort of thing really drives down prices. Personally selling used for 50% off new is not unexpected. The rule of thumb for electronic gear is 60% of used. As with any sales on craigslist, once the price is low enough, there will be buyers--my experience.
And the opposite. The Feeler.
People don’t need or want to sell something, but if they can get a premium price for it they will part ways.
The fact that they say in the ad that it’s a feeler really baffles me.
You might as well just say, “Hey! If you’re stupid enough to pay this much, then I’m smart enough to sell.”
I pass “Feeler” ads right by without so much as a glance.
Gee, just list the thing at whatever price you want without all the drama.
It's a pain because buyers are much more educated now and it's easier to do research. Back in the 1990s it may not have been easy for the average person to find out what an MIM P bass is worth on the used market, now in a matter of seconds I can find hundreds of them to compare. Unless there is something unique about the instrument, you're probably not going to fetch a premium price for it.
Let's not forget how much the shipping charges have risen in very recent years. I used to be able to ship a bass box across the country for less than $80. Now, if it's less than $160, I'm amazed.
That cuts very deep into the ability to buy or sell as an individual.
And years ago, as a GC employee, I was amazed that people would take the offers we'd have to give. I thought it's insane to sell to them!
Not so much anymore... you can sell to them, that's a guarantee. They will offer you money and pay you. It may not be a great deal for the seller, but it's a guarantee.
CL, TB, Reverb, etc: you put the item out there and you could sell it in a day or it could stagnate for 5 years. You don't know.
That cuts very deep into the ability to buy or sell as an individual.
And years ago, as a GC employee, I was amazed that people would take the offers we'd have to give. I thought it's insane to sell to them!
Not so much anymore... you can sell to them, that's a guarantee. They will offer you money and pay you. It may not be a great deal for the seller, but it's a guarantee.
CL, TB, Reverb, etc: you put the item out there and you could sell it in a day or it could stagnate for 5 years. You don't know.
Four things are making it hard IMO:
- Totally saturated buyers market
- Painful increase in shipping and packing expenses for private sellers on anything larger and heavier than a pedal.
- Amateurs in the market with unrealistic expectations for both purchase and sale pricing.
- Increase in dishonest dealings and scams has made the legitimate buyers and sellers far more wary of who they will talk to let alone who they’ll take a chance on dealing with.
This also helps the seller know how to price an item.
