Resale....why such a hassle??

[soulman969]

And I’ve just figured out the soulman and I are both old enough to remember that commercial.

They were hilarious though with all of the pro athletes and the one with George Steinbrenner firing Billy Martin over it. One of the more successful advertising campaigns in history I've read.

How 'bout the old black and white Certs commercials?

"It's a candy mint".

"No, it's a breath mint"

Announcer: "Stop, you're both right. It's two mints in one".

Oh crap, now I really do feel old. drool

 

[MultiScaleMale]

the whole industry is in a slump. sales of new guitars are way down too. a lot of kids would rather play computer games than to put in the time and effort required to learn an instrument. maybe the next jimi Hendrix or eddie van halen needs to come along to rekindle interest.

Sales are actually up, but don’t let that stop you from complaining about these darn kids today.

Guitar market retail sales U.S. 2005-2017 | Statistic

 

[whero]

When I decide something has to go then I'll price it to go. Someone once said to me that as soon as you unwrap a new item it loses 50% of it's value. That's an overstatement, but it's a rule I still remember.

Sure, if I bought a classic 50s MIA Fender or something with particular provenance, e.g. the actual bass Jaco used on Heavy Weather, then I'd expect to get some serious coin. But I'll never own something like that anyway. I'll look around at online sites (eBay, craigslist, TradeMe here in New Zealand, ...) and see what the market thinks a good price is. I'll have an idea of the lowest I'll accept and people are welcome to put in insulting low ball offers, and I'm free to just say "No".

 

[dennis james]

Sales are actually up, but don’t let that stop you from complaining about these darn kids today.

Guitar market retail sales U.S. 2005-2017 | Statistic

strange. I recently read an article about Gibson filing for bankruptcy and the article stated that demand for guitars is way down. maybe they meant demand for Gibson guitars.

 

[Kun2112]

These hypotheticals sum up 90% of my experiences buying and selling used gear:
(Me selling a '59 P-Bass) Buyer says: "Man, it's 60 years old, and the paint's all worn...I'll give ya fifty bucks."
(Me spotting a Squier Affinity P-Bass) Seller says: "I can't take less than $800 for it."

 

[CoffeeLove]

Bass gear is only worth what a person is willing pay for it. I see a ton of gear here on TB sitting for long periods of time, and have no problem making an offer that is quite a bit lower than the asking price (0-30%), otherwise I am then stuck with an item that will not sell if it did not fit my tastes. I make offers based on an easy resale in the case I choose not to keep it, so that might be 0-30% off the asking price (just depends if priced properly originally). And similarly, I am not offended if someone makes a low offer on something I am selling, it is easy to say no thank you. I love sampling new gear, and this seems to be one of the best way to go about it.

 

[Iridescentone]

I'd like to comment on the adage that "value is ultimately set by the buyer". It's true for sure, but it's only one half of the equation with online sales, like ebay listings, e.g.

The other half is the "presentation". That's solely on the seller, who's job is to influence buyers to "set their values" as high as possible, by providing a fully comprehensive description of every aspect of the item for sale, including obvious things that might not seem necessary to mention. It can't be done in 50 words and 4 crummy pics on ebay. It takes time and effort to do it well, but it pays dividends.

Along with full disclosure of any issues, include hi-res pics from all angles that a buyer might want to see. A dozen good pics, and pay the extra fee for close-up views. There's more to it, but do that for starters, and you'll fare much better than other sellers with the same item, but who's listings are half-assed.

 

[FenderP]

Just read though the entire thread.

It's not hard to weed out decent sellers and buyers. UNless it's some weird/rare/vintage thing that truly appreciated in value, I generally have never gotten back what I paid, but if you think you have unobtainum and price it accordingly, expect it to sit.

One thing I haven't really seen discussed is that when you get something esoteric/boutique it's harder to move. For example, people here know brands like Rob Allen, Sadowsky, etc. But to your average CLer, it's not a Fender. So if you get something unique, you need to sell where people actually know what it is.

I've generally had good experiences as a seller, and sure, I've been lowballed but I politely say no thanks. I do my homework and price realistically. Buyers who are serious can tell you're not in la la land. But as others have said, if you come at me with a 50% offer up front, I won't take you seriously if I've priced it fairly and will generally send a polite no thanks e-mail.

For example, let's say I priced a bass here in the classifieds at $650 after research on what used prices were (let's say average was $600 - 700 depending on condition, color, whatever). The new price at GC off the wall is $1200 (even haggling there, GC isn't going 50% off most likely). Knowing if I ship - which these days I generally won't include unless it's some super expensive bass to begin with - that factors in. At $600, I'm not including shipping knowing it's over $100.

And let's face it: the proliferation of fakes and people claiming "vintage" doesn't help. Provenance matters. I don't disassemble my basses, but if I was selling something where I know that mattered, I'd go pay someone to do it and take snaps for me of things like pots and such. If it's worth something and you're charging a decent amount of money, have something to back that up.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I'd like to comment on the adage that "value is ultimately set by the buyer". It's true for sure, but it's only one half of the equation with online sales, like ebay listings, e.g.

The other half is the "presentation". That's solely on the seller, who's job is to influence buyers to "set their values" as high as possible, by providing a fully comprehensive description of every aspect of the item for sale, including obvious things that might not seem necessary to mention. It can't be done in 50 words and 4 crummy pics on ebay. It takes time and effort to do it well, but it pays dividends.

Along with full disclosure of any issues, include hi-res pics from all angles that a buyer might want to see. A dozen good pics, and pay the extra fee for close-up views. There's more to it, but do that for starters, and you'll fare much better than other sellers with the same item, but who's listings are half-assed.

If, as a seller, a buyer requires all of that - I don’t want to sell to them. They’re highly likely to be the ones that expect the used item to be better than new and will file disputes to get money back or to return the item and I have to eat shipping costs both ways.

 

[FenderP]

If, as a seller, a buyer requires all of that - I don’t want to sell to them. They’re highly likely to be the ones that expect the used item to be better than new and will file disputes to get money back or to return the item and I have to eat shipping costs both ways.

I try to avoid eBay to sell because it's shoot the seller first nearly every time. Example: after I finished being in the Rush tribute band, I sold my Roland PK-5 MIDI pedals. Got a decent price, packed it with everything nicely, and sent it on its way. When it got there, the guy claimed the AC adapter was not in it (I know it was). Instead of contacting me and asking, he immediately filed a dispute with eBay. I had like 2 days to respond and fix it or I was screwed. So I want on Amazon, sent him a new adapter with 2 day shipping, and that was that.

KNowing how it was packed, I'm assuming he ripped through it and threw out the adapter. It happens, but it's experiences like that where I will either just sell locally or on here because in general, people are more reasonable.

I'm super careful and will go out of my way when selling to try to account for every ding or flaw and if I can, take pictures. That way there's no surprises, and if anyone ever disputes, I know how it was described with proof. Sad but true.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I love a great deal. And I assume every price I see is set to go down a certain percentage. But the 50% off stuff is crazy.

I tend to set my prices to what I think is fair, not overly optimistic to where I'll need to do a discount. That comes from having a good handle on the market. I tend to sell most things for asking price.

Even items that are priced right can be difficulty to move depending on demand.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I would never sell a bass anywhere and expect to get top dollar in return for any bass.
It's always a loss for the seller.

I always physically take in and sell a bass to the local Music Go Round instead.
Even after that,I notice that the bass will not stay in their possession very long.

Not true. If you buy low you can typically sell higher... and your "higher price" can still be a very good deal.

Stores are typically the worst place to sell an item IME because they have to resell. Unless there's a time crunch I wouldn't do it.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I take more pics than I usually offer in an ad for a sale, mainly as documentation in the event that there's an issue. I take pics of what I put in the shipping box so if something goes missing from inside of a box that hasn't been tampered with... awkward. And it can be pretty obvious that something's been taken apart after a sale if all of the screws are re-oriented

It makes sense to anticipate issues and safeguard against them.

 

[Brad Johnson]

One of my favorite things here on TB is people who contact me to see if an item is still available, I respond and that's the last I hear from them. Happens pretty often, I have no idea why.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

It’s a flooded market...more inventory than there is buyers who have a use for the items.

 

[Iridescentone]

If, as a seller, a buyer requires all of that - I don’t want to sell to them. They’re highly likely to be the ones that expect the used item to be better than new and will file disputes to get money back or to return the item and I have to eat shipping costs both ways.

I see it just the opposite. The more info a seller provides, the less chance for misunderstandings or unreasonable buyer expectations. Less chance for unscrupulous buyers to make bogus claims of a "misrepresented item" because all aspects have been thoroughly described and photographed in the listing.

Those types of scammers avoid comprehensive listings in favor of weak listings, knowing that if push comes to shove, ebay will not accommodate them as easily, and probably not at all. It's a CYA strategy in that regard. In my view, sellers who don't cover all the bases are leaving themselves needlessly vulnerable.

OTOH, serious buyers can rest assured that because every aspect has been thoroughly described, if anything is amiss upon arrival, they'll have no trouble rectifying the situation. Buyers like that. And so do I as a buyer. If I have to ask the seller a dozen questions just to have a reasonable idea of what I'm bidding on, I'm just going to bail and spend my money elsewhere.

Sellers just need to make sure that the info in their listing is actually true. Obviously, integrity is prerequisite.

 

[soulman969]

If, as a seller, a buyer requires all of that - I don’t want to sell to them. They’re highly likely to be the ones that expect the used item to be better than new and will file disputes to get money back or to return the item and I have to eat shipping costs both ways.

I tend to agree. Going to that length when you have a return policy anyway seems a like overkill unless A) we're talking vintage or a highly priced custom or near custom item, or 2) there is damage you specifically want to highlight in order avoid a return based on a lack of full disclosure.

If we're talking about standard run of the mill stock stuff a few pics should do. If there are upgrades which can be photographed do it. Hell, look at the photos GC takes of their used gear. One shot from one angle and we're lucky if it's even in focus or lighted well.

I'll agree that a well written listing fully describing the item along with specs if available and flaws or damage if applicable should accompany any listing, even on CL. Many of those are so bare bones they're nearly worthless to anyone not intimately familiar with that specific item.

I'm not implying sellers shouldn't put top effort into the listing text and include good photos but will any of that prevent lowball offers? They haven't in my experience. On Reverb if you're a 5 star Preferred Seller most buyers should realize you didn't get that rating by screwing people over misrepresenting what you've sold.

As for CL any seriously interested local buyer will want to see and try out what he's buying before forking over his cash. In fact I insist on it because once it's paid for and leaves my place it's no longer mine. It belongs to the buyer without recourse because I would never sell something that was broken or not 100% operational.

 

[interp]

I’ve sold a lot of stuff on TalkBass and 9.5 out of 10 times it’s been easy and painless. My advice:
1. Have good stuff to sell, describe it accurately and be ready to answer questions.
2. Set reasonable prices and just ignore lowball offers.
3. Communicate well with your buyers.
4. Pack items really well and ship promptly.
5. Always leave positive feedback when it is due.

 

[EmuBass]

Well, just a side-topic-thought: does anybody know about the impact of electronic music on the analog scene ("real-world-instruments")? Is the need for bass-players decreasing since so many people are programming their "music"? What about the wedding-bands and stuff like that? What is your impression? Could be one factor for "flooding the market with 2nd-hand basses" ...

 

[tradernick]

The other half is the "presentation". That's solely on the seller, who's job is to influence buyers to "set their values" as high as possible, by providing a fully comprehensive description of every aspect of the item for sale

It's absolutely true that a very well presented ad can influence my buying decision. In my case it's probably not because I'm setting my actual $$ value for that instrument higher; rather, it's the seller I value. If the seller is the type of person to go to the trouble and take good pics and have a comprehensive, well-worded description, that's the kind of person I want to do business with.

Oh yes, one more thing. If your FS ad, like so many, says

'This is the best bass I've ever owned but I need the cash. Only trades I'll consider are....'

I skip it and move on.