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So what do you do with basses you can't sell

#81
When I list something, I use the Dutch auction method. I start out at x dollars, then drop the price by $20 after a few weeks. You pick the amount and the interval. Keep doing this until it sells or you reach the point where it’s not worth it to you to sell. I’ve never failed to sell this way.

Last Fall I sold a baritone acoustic guitar. It took 3-4 months, and I had to come down by fifty bucks, but I got an acceptable amount. Be patient.
 
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#83
Swipter said:
...it continues to sit there.
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Sid the Kid said:
Convert it to fretless?
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always the best choice for some, always the second-best choice for everyone else! :bassist:
 
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#85
BGroovy said:
For local only sales I've had the most luck with Facebook Marketplace. I've sold a decent amount of gear over the last two years. I list on Craigslist and Facebook. It's hard to sell anything on TB if you're not willing to ship.

I get a lot of fun trade offers locally and sometimes I take them.
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Man, I would hate to open my Facebook back to do this.
 
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#86
Swipter said:
No one seems interested on a few different sites. So what do you do? I just stare at it and mumble you should be goooooooonnnnneeee.

But it continues to sit there.
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Generally speaking, I don’t buy instruments I don’t need, when I’m done with them I got my money’s worth and then some. If there is any residual value it’s a plus. Over the last 50 years I sold one bass. A 1974 Rick 4001 I bought new in 1974 and owned for 34 years, and traded one other even up for a better bass.

As for gear the same rules apply. I don’t buy what don’t need, and when I’m done I got my money’s worth. I don’t by brand new gear at full retail and focus on gently used gear at significant discount off full retail prices.The last brand new amp and new bass was 50 years ago and learned my lesson.

To liquidate, I just take it to guitar center and take what they will give me. No fuss, no muss, and quick.

Keep in mind , I’m a very patient buyer, and it may take years from the time the lightbulb come on I want something for it to show up at the right price and condition. Case in point My MIG Warwick Corvette which took about 3 some odd years to show up on CC online used gear. This was a $2,000+ bass in 2006. In 2015 it was listed at $599 listed in great condition so I snapped it up.

When it arrived it came in a brand new, Road Runner semi hard case. The bass itself wasn’t in great condition by their definition more like very good, the manager agreed Tom waive the shipping charge. Since then I’ve played hundreds of performances, rehearsals, and recording sessions with it. I made over $2,000 in performance fees, and I’ll bet if I took it to GC today, they would offer me somewhere between $800-$1,000 as they are selling them used at $1,200-$1,400.
 
#88
Swipter said:
Man, I would hate to open my Facebook back to do this.
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I was in the same boat. I’m not on Facebook anymore but needed the account for Marketplace. It’s much more active than Craigslist for buying and selling (although I use both).

And of course like everyone else has said - price. There’s a lot of gear out there and price moves it. My ‘79 Greco has enough problems I could never move it for what I’d be comfortable selling it for so it’s my perpetual project bass.
 
#89
usually I lower the price until it gets bought. price is the ticket.

this said, I did gift a bass once, as the market value wasn't high enough to justify selling it, but I wanted to get rid of it.
 
#90
Swipter said:
I have the Squier CV 60s P bass listed. I'm not shipping so that adds an issue.
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if you’re advertising on a major international website like the ‘Verb but are not willing to ship, then you are excluding a huge number of potential buyers, regardless of price. You might get lucky but it’s like playing the lottery.

I get not wanting to ship a bass since shipping costs are high these days which can significantly cut into your payment received. This shipping cost of an affordable bass makes it difficult to sell online without coming close to giving it away.

Sometimes you can come out ahead if you separate the body, neck, pickups, electronics, etc. Overall shipping costs may be lower and packaging smaller items are easier. Something to consider.
 
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#96
Bermuda Ron said:
The only "pickup only" listings I would ever consider would be for a double-bass, a pedal harp, or a Hammond B-3 organ! If you don't ship then don't advertise online.
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It works if you live in an area that's densely populated enough and are willing to drive ~ an hour. If the buyer will drive an hour as well, that puts me within range of at least 15 million people. I've sold and bought with local pickup and it works well. Especially with something like a speaker cabinet.
 
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