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reverb.com scam?

Nope. A user knowingly encouraging you to finish a deal outside of the very platform they're using to sell it to 'avoid fees' is a classic scam tactic, and it's just dishonest even if it's not a scam. If you're willing to do that to save 20%, then be ready to lose 100%.

He proposed me to go outside reverb before I mention any price reduction... My goal is not to do deal outside of reverb.com. The goal is to buy a bass at a good price not above the market price... and in confidence.
 
If you pay with regular Paypal, I feel it would be safe. No F&F. I have listed items on Reverb as well as here on TB. If a buyer contacts me through Reverb with an offer that I feel is too low due to the Reverb fees, I'll refuse the offer with that explanation and mention it is also listed here on TB and I have more room for negotiation. After that, the buyer can do as they like.
 
He proposed me to go outside reverb before I mention any price reduction... My goal is not to do deal outside of reverb.com. The goal is to buy a bass at a good price not above the market price... and in confidence.

As I posted, he still owes Reverb a cut since you both hooked up via Reverb. This has nothing to do with what price you agree on.

Tell him do it on Reverb or you're done if you want to do it there.
 
Don't use "Friends and Family". As mentioned before.
The seller has the option of giving reverb a cut when taking down the ad. Even when not selling via reverb. As probably mentioned before.

You should be fine. Just know the paypal terms.
Knowing the seller wants to dodge fees, it's up to you if you care about the seller scamming reverb. It's like going into a shop for the service but buying online. Where did that lead to?
 
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I had a buyer ask if he could pay me via Paypal to avoid sales tax through Reverb. I did it, but when I closed the listing, I still voluntarily paid Reverb their 5% fee since that's where the buyer found my instrument.

I don't mind tax-blocking the government since it's an out-of-state transaction and shouldn't be taxed. But since Reverb was the platform, I didn't feel right robbing them of their commission. If people keep circumventing Reverb fees, those fees will continue to go up. And that's no fun for anyone.
 
I bought a $3075 instrument on Reverb recently. The seller wanted $3200 firm. I wasn’t ready to pay more than $3000. He suggested going off site, using PayPal. He saved $160 on the Reverb fee, I saved 7% in taxes, but paid the PayPal fee, he paid shipping. Bottom line, while the seller avoids a 5% fee, the buyer avoids at least 6%, total savings is 11% minimum. The risk is ALL on the buyer, but with PayPal, there is some protection. I agree that this is unethical, but don’t feel that I did anything wrong as the buyer here- I didn’t place the ad...When I’m buying used gear, I want to see minimum 20% off list price, and it’s really tough to realize that when you’re losing more than half that to fees.
 
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I bought a $3075 instrument on Reverb recently. The seller wanted $3200 firm. I wasn’t ready to pay more than $3000. He suggested going off site, using PayPal. He saved $160 on the Reverb fee, I saved 7% in taxes, but paid the PayPal fee, he paid shipping. Bottom line, while the seller avoids a 5% fee, the buyer avoids at least 6%, total savings is 11% minimum. The risk is ALL on the buyer, but with PayPal, there is some protection. I agree that this is unethical, but don’t feel that I did anything wrong as the buyer here- I didn’t place the ad...When I’m buying used gear, I want to see minimum 20% off list price, and it’s really tough to realize that when you’re losing more than half that to fees.
You took part in a transaction you knew was unethical. You did something wrong. And boo-hoo about it being tough to reach a target value because of having to pay fees as a seller. There are alternatives to cheating - use them if you don't want to pay for a service.
 
@Wimington- it’s not as if I’m knowingly buying hot gear. Would you turn down an under the table offer from Johnny Seller on anything, or are you just virtue signaling here? My prior transaction via Reverb cost me over $300 in state taxes even though I reside in another state. If Johnny Seller can keep me from paying a redundant tax, I’ll tattoo his name on my buttocks. I don’t give a rat’s rear end about Johnny Seller’ relationship with a third party, that’s not my problem. Now myself? No, I’d honor the 5% fee if I were the seller because as a vendor, I recognize the fact that my gear would never be seen nationwide, and it’s worth the 5% to me, but I live in the real world, and I look both ways crossing a one way street. I think it unrealistic to expect my ethic of others. When I take the subway and the 20 people in front of me jump the turnstile, I still pay the fare, and I don’t judge the fare evaders. I question the CEO and Board of Directors of the system for not installing better barriers to free entry.
 
Thanks for your comments
First as buyer, I would prefer doing the deal through reverb.com than in direct with the seller.
This is the third weird seller since I am looking for this bass...
What I find strange it is if I offer 20% less than the price he was asking, it should be more than reverb fees...

In the U.K. and esp on eBay it’s quite common to see stuff listed far too high a price and use it to let people know it’s for sale and then put a line in which tells you it’s also for sale elsewhere (at a lower price) …
 
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Doing deal outside of platform outside of Reverb is common to avoid the fees. They get to list on the site and get the attention and avoid all the fees by doing the deal outside the site once you get ahold of them. If they get caught they will get banned. You won't have the reverb protection but if you using Paypal use the goods and services option NOT friends and family when you send the money and you will have protection through paypal and they side with the buy most of the time on a dispute. There will be a small fee on the buyer that the they might want you to cover but its worth it for the protection. Keep track of your email exchanges/pics wtc when doing the deal incase you have to file a dispute.
 
@Wimington- it’s not as if I’m knowingly buying hot gear. Would you turn down an under the table offer from Johnny Seller on anything, or are you just virtue signaling here? My prior transaction via Reverb cost me over $300 in state taxes even though I reside in another state. If Johnny Seller can keep me from paying a redundant tax, I’ll tattoo his name on my buttocks. I don’t give a rat’s rear end about Johnny Seller’ relationship with a third party, that’s not my problem. Now myself? No, I’d honor the 5% fee if I were the seller because as a vendor, I recognize the fact that my gear would never be seen nationwide, and it’s worth the 5% to me, but I live in the real world, and I look both ways crossing a one way street. I think it unrealistic to expect my ethic of others. When I take the subway and the 20 people in front of me jump the turnstile, I still pay the fare, and I don’t judge the fare evaders. I question the CEO and Board of Directors of the system for not installing better barriers to free entry.
Let me be clear: Yes (to the first part and yes I am aligning with virtue). Boo-hoo. You benefited from doing something you knew was unethical. Why is this even a debate?
 
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Could be legit - but curiosity killed the cat, I wouldn't personally do it.
Also could be a hacked account, brute-force attack account, could honestly just be someone who's scamming on low after building a rep. Again, can be legit but I personally wouldn't take the risk. Money ain't fun to risk with...
 
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Let me be clear: Yes (to the first part and yes I am aligning with virtue). Boo-hoo. You benefited from doing something you knew was unethical. Why is this even a debate?

Meh, this doesn't trigger high on my "unethical" meter. It's just the nature of the system. The fact is that Reverb cannot really prevent you from selling gear elsewhere just because you have it listed on their site. I'd wager a good portion of the stuff listed there is also listed on other platforms. If they don't like it they should charge to list an ad.

So essentially i lump this type of thing in with going 5 over the speed limit or killing an insect.
 

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