Selling to guitar center vs local shop consignment

[mambo4]

I have a high end bass I neef to sell for some emergency funds. I'm considering consignment at a local shop, but also selling to GC. I'm curious if GC pays a decent price for their used gear. Does anyone know how they are?

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

GC will offer no more than half of what they guess they might sell it for. They may not know what a fair market price is for anything that is not very common.

I recommend Craigs List to get the best price if you can stand not selling it immediately.

 

[Spectre1966]

You could post it here in the classifieds.....you never know....

 

[blue4]

Selling a high end bass on consignment or to a place like GC will never make anywhere close to what the bass is worth. I would take out a loan and take my time selling the bass for what it's worth to pay off the loan before going the route you are talking about.

 

[Gorn]

You have feedback here. If you post it for a stupid low price for a fast sale it'll still get you more than guitar center will give you.

 

[jdthebassman]

put it on reverb stay away from GC they will insult you with their offer

 

[Picton]

1. Look up comparable instruments at GC.
2. Halve that price. That's in the neighborhood of what GC is likely to offer.
3. Add 25% to that halved price and post it here.

The price will still be vastly below market, so a fast sale here is likely. Meanwhile, you'll be getting more than GC will give you and the comfort that the instrument is going to a good home.

Win-win.

 

[beaglesandbass]

GC will offer no more than half of what they guess they might sell it for.

This.

Honestly if I were you I'd pony up the $5 for 1 month supporting membership and sell it in the classifieds here. Like it's been said, even if you sell it at a low price it's still going to be more than what any shop is going to give you.

 

[klejst]

I'd sell it (or try to) locally or on classifieds before selling to a big chain store like Guitar Center...

 

[Gorn]

Selling it here for dirt cheap is the best way. You said it's high end so let's say a reasonable resale value is $2000? GC will give you $800. $1000 if you're very lucky. Craigslist might get you $2000 but it may take a while and damn near anything could happen meeting a stranger for such a high ticket item. Put it up here for maybe $1500? $1200? If it's a legit bass that people know and there's a market for it, someone's gonna get it if only to flip for a profit. In the end you'll still get more than anywhere else.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I think you best bet is your local CL and TB Classifieds. You do have to be supporting member, but you are offering to an audience of bass players.

 

[fhm555]

My local GC will look up your bass on ebay and get the average ebay selling price, then offer you half of that price if it's in really good shape, less if it's not so hot in the looks department. Mods or unique don't matter, and they will give you fifteen bucks for any case you want to sell them, nothing for gig bags.

I'm with those who said list it here. If you make it a killer deal, someone will jump on it pretty quick and you will still do better than you would on GC or consignment.

 

[QORC]

Guitar Center will give only 50% of its value. its a guaranteed sale, but it's half. I would try Craigs, Ebay, etc, before I resorted to GC

 

[Gorn]

It's not a guaranteed sale at all with GC. You could spend an hour there and walk out with nothing.

 

[two fingers]

Sell it here. Virtually all of my gear came from guys here. I have sold several pieces too. Great community to deal with.