oh I've been here a few times. so much regret and lessons learned..I truly hope to never be in that situation again because most of my fear wouldn't sell quick for ok money.
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Selling gear to pay bills
- Thread starter TjMetalhead
- Start date
Whatever Music Go-Round would give me for it. And that was in an emergency...
Has happened to me once so far. Years ago (I had been saving money for quite a while) I ordered a Modulus Q5, alder body, quilted maple top, 2 Bartolinis, active 3-band EQ - just a great bass.
Roughly two years later I, unfortunately, had to sell it because things were really tight. The bass was in perfect condition and I got a little less than half of what I had paid. Worst deal of my life ever.
Roughly two years later I, unfortunately, had to sell it because things were really tight. The bass was in perfect condition and I got a little less than half of what I had paid. Worst deal of my life ever.
Just don't mention in your ad why you are selling, people will smell blood in the water and lowball you like crazy. Sorry about the situation.
I’ve never bought gear if i had other obligations so i’ve never had to sell anything to make ends. I tend to let stuff pile up then purge it, and start all over with stuff i didn’t have room for until i sold my old stuff. That’s pretty much amps and cabs, and was basses until I found “the one”. TBH, outside a tiny stash of sentimental treasures and a few firearms, i’ve owned my old j plus longer than anything except my old FL. But it’s in boxes and has unofficially been given to my nephew to do with as he will after i shuffle off this mortal coil.
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I've always been pretty bad with money but always was making enough that it wasn't a problem and have never missed any credit card or other payments.
I've sold 2 basses over the years to help tide me over - luckily both didn't really get played although I'm wishing I had held onto the Gibson Ripper. I didn't like it that much but it was pristine for a '74. I'd get double what I got for it then...
I think you probably have to a little lower than GC - they have a guarantee whereas, regardless of how much of an upstanding guy I'm sure you are... your buyers may not be so forgiving
I reckon 15-20% below is probably what you need to expect, especially if it's not rare/discontinued gear
I've sold 2 basses over the years to help tide me over - luckily both didn't really get played although I'm wishing I had held onto the Gibson Ripper. I didn't like it that much but it was pristine for a '74. I'd get double what I got for it then...
I think you probably have to a little lower than GC - they have a guarantee whereas, regardless of how much of an upstanding guy I'm sure you are... your buyers may not be so forgiving
I reckon 15-20% below is probably what you need to expect, especially if it's not rare/discontinued gear
All I have left is a single bass, an effect pedal, my laptop, USB interface, and my headphones.
Had to sell my GK MB410E (which was a dream cabinet for me), Crown XLS1000, Sansamp RPM, my fretless, and my MIM Deluxe Fender Strat.
Not too happy about any of it, but my wife and I made it through tough times and got to keep our house. That’s more important.
Thankfully, I don’t really play in bands anymore anyway, so while I loved my rig, I didn’t need it anymore. Miss the fretless and the Strat was a beauty, but they don’t quite fit my needs right now anyway. Though I am looking for a short scale fretless bass to tune up an octave, but it needs to be very cheap, and I can wait until I find the right deal.
Had to sell my GK MB410E (which was a dream cabinet for me), Crown XLS1000, Sansamp RPM, my fretless, and my MIM Deluxe Fender Strat.
Not too happy about any of it, but my wife and I made it through tough times and got to keep our house. That’s more important.
Thankfully, I don’t really play in bands anymore anyway, so while I loved my rig, I didn’t need it anymore. Miss the fretless and the Strat was a beauty, but they don’t quite fit my needs right now anyway. Though I am looking for a short scale fretless bass to tune up an octave, but it needs to be very cheap, and I can wait until I find the right deal.
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Been there my friend. I have needed to sell gear pretty quickly a few times, back in the lean years. In those instances, I needed to sell it pretty darn low in order to incentivize someone to buy it asap. So low, in fact, that more than once, the buyer thought it might be stolen :/
With a low priced amp, you have to sell locally because you don't have any negotiated bulk terms with a shipper that Musicians Friend, Guitar Center, etc has and that allows them to offer free shipping on new items. It may cost you $70-80 to ship that combo. So, local Craigslist is the best way to go. If you need to sell more quickly, you have to list the item at a lower price. A quick sale price would probably be $250, or 50% assuming that it's in really good condition. If it has dings and cuts, expect even lower. The sale price is $499 and GC routinely has 15% off coupons, so you're battling against people being able to buy it brand new for $425. Would I pay $350 when I can get it brand new for just $75 more? No.
You may have noticed that I haven't mentioned paying bills or anything, because it doesn't matter what the reason is that you're selling something. If someone lists "selling to pay for a new kidney" or whatever, I usually just pass. Others will see "must sale" and low ball. Most of the time they're flipping gear and need to find low prices to make their business model work.
I think $325 would be a fair listing price to move in a reasonable time period, but if you need it quickly, probably list at $299 and expect lower offers.
You may have noticed that I haven't mentioned paying bills or anything, because it doesn't matter what the reason is that you're selling something. If someone lists "selling to pay for a new kidney" or whatever, I usually just pass. Others will see "must sale" and low ball. Most of the time they're flipping gear and need to find low prices to make their business model work.
I think $325 would be a fair listing price to move in a reasonable time period, but if you need it quickly, probably list at $299 and expect lower offers.
I feel your pain. Have you listed it on Reverb.com and your local Craigslist. You can list it as local pickup only and avoid the hassle of shipping which will be expensive. I am in the same position with my amp and it is tough to get a fair price in a buyer's market.
You never get what you want so be prepared to take a hit. 
Good luck. 
You never get what you want so be prepared to take a hit. Good luck. 
1) A pawn shop id for truly desperate people or people who just want something out of their way. They likely would offer you $100 +/-.
2) Contact the university. Ask them if you can set up a payment plan. I'll bet you a really nice lunch that they will work something out for you. They are used to recent graduates not having any money. To be sure they don't get all "strong-arm tactics".
The fact that you are hanging around a bass forum tells me that you are still really into bass. So try to avoid selling all of your gear if you can.
2) Contact the university. Ask them if you can set up a payment plan. I'll bet you a really nice lunch that they will work something out for you. They are used to recent graduates not having any money. To be sure they don't get all "strong-arm tactics".
The fact that you are hanging around a bass forum tells me that you are still really into bass. So try to avoid selling all of your gear if you can.
Obviously there are happier options than selling gear. But if you have to, you have to.
Fortunately the amp you're talking about selling is not a rare or out of production piece - it's something you can easily replace down the line when you have more funds, if you miss it.
The people who say "never sell gear" are saying that because they once sold something unique and the regretted it. Your amp is not in any way unique (unless your grandfather left it to you or something), so for you, it's just a matter of taking the hit on value. Later in life, the $100 you'll lose if you sell it for $250 is not going to seem that important.
Fortunately the amp you're talking about selling is not a rare or out of production piece - it's something you can easily replace down the line when you have more funds, if you miss it.
The people who say "never sell gear" are saying that because they once sold something unique and the regretted it. Your amp is not in any way unique (unless your grandfather left it to you or something), so for you, it's just a matter of taking the hit on value. Later in life, the $100 you'll lose if you sell it for $250 is not going to seem that important.
I always have a chuckle when people list things as “must sell!” and their price is way too high.
Say you get another $50 for it. Is the aggravation of dealing with many flakey buyers and showing it to people who pass on it really worth it?
Say you get another $50 for it. Is the aggravation of dealing with many flakey buyers and showing it to people who pass on it really worth it?
I've listed gear to pay bills more times than I care to admit. I hate it. Its the worst. But I look at it this way, I can always (well, in most cases) recoup it down the road if I really want it bad enough.
But I am TERRIBLE at the not seeming desperate thing. I list low and then go even lower when an offer is put in. I'm probably the worst at selling under pressure. Hell, I'm not much better at it if I'm just trying to sell to buy more gear haha I have buddies that are superb at it. I just haven't learned how to chill with sales. I get WAY too excited. But best of luck to you @TjMetalhead !! I hope you can make it happen.
But I am TERRIBLE at the not seeming desperate thing. I list low and then go even lower when an offer is put in. I'm probably the worst at selling under pressure. Hell, I'm not much better at it if I'm just trying to sell to buy more gear haha I have buddies that are superb at it. I just haven't learned how to chill with sales. I get WAY too excited. But best of luck to you @TjMetalhead !! I hope you can make it happen.
I've sold a bunch of gear over the years, and never regretted any of it. Always sold stuff I wasn't using to replace with (or save up for) something I wanted more. I wasn't in the OP's situation, though - always sold because I wanted to, not because I had to. That makes a difference, but if you don't really need or like the amp, the only regret might be selling for less than you think it's worth. That said, it's only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. I always figure out my bottom line price in advance and price a little above that, to give myself some wiggle room when offers come in low. But don't be afraid to say no.
I've been fortunate, that I never had to... the one item I do regret selling, for the sole reason I didn't think I needed them anymore, was Taurus II pedals... I bought them new for $500 and sold for $350...
... I'm still going to counseling over it.
... I'm still going to counseling over it.
Dang dude I would have taken it awhile back. I have the same amp now.
I hear you on the frustration. People are always expecting too good of a deal and don’t care about the other person. I always discount to a fair price somewhat below market and I still get low offers.
Some people are more business and less focused on what’s fair for all parties. I understand it to a degree but honestly I’m not sure why anyone would feel ok taking advantage of another. It is possible for everyone to get a good deal.
I have sold gear for 25% of resale value out of sheer desperation.
I have since wised up/matured a little, and purchase things a bit more frugally......
I have since wised up/matured a little, and purchase things a bit more frugally......
there is a reason there are so many musical instruments in pawn shops
To be realistic, if one worries about the other guy, then that makes 2 people worrying about him, and no one worrying about you. IME, people take care of themselves just fine without any help.
As for the sale: as they say in real estate "The first offer is usually the best offer."
