Strangers at your house

Its your house, not much he can do that will put YOU in danger. Invite a buddie over to make sure everything goes smoothly.

 

If you've got other basses, don't leave them out. That goes the same for other expensive gear.

 

+1

Also, put yourself in his position - refusing to let him come over will not create a good impression of your trustworthiness as a seller.

 

You could always meet him at a music store where he could play it through an amp. That would be a good solution, IMO.

 

Let's see what cosmopolitan magazine says...substitute the phrase "selling bass" for "internet dating":

Consider meeting in a neutral spot (ie Starbucks) with the instrument. If he appears to be a deranged serial killer or even worse clean cut and polite--you can always push the plugged-in demo to "another time"

or you could both meet at a big music store, try out some amps (hey ya gotta do something with the money)....

 

yeah, i was going to suggest meeting at a guitar store, but i guess i was too slow!

 

I second lonote, if there are music stores near you it'd be better to meet there for both of your security, as well as so he can gauge how it sounds through an amp similar to his (as long as it's not some crazy boutique amp or homemade or something, clearly).

 

1. Make sure he removes his belt before touching a bass.
2. Don't let strangers see your other good stuff if you can avoid it.
3. Always be ready to take out anyone who would do you harm or steal your gear.

 

A lot of people seem to miss the obvious choice in handling the situation - Just. Say. No.

Explain to him that you are uncomfortable with a stranger coming into your home. If he does not understand that, then is this really an individual you want to deal with?

 

I'm never comfortable having someone in the house that I don't know. All my basses were stolen a few years ago (3 of them ) in a burglary. I'm sure it was someone from the group that was working on the house at the time. Cops never did anything...
Anyhow, I'm pretty sure he would appreciate an offer to meet at a music store and try it on a similar amp as mentioned above. If he had to come to the house I would have the bass, and an amp in a room close to where he came in so he could try it out. No reason to give a stranger a tour of your place so they can see everything you have.

 

Neutral place is best, such as a music store. Assuming he's legit, which he probably is, he only really cares about playing it somewhere before he buys it. I know that personally I really dislike buying a bass without playing it farily extensively before hand, unless I'm assured of being able to return it.

 

Ya it's a tough call. Whenever I see something posted in the area that I want, I try it out before buying. I have a real hard time purchasing something before playing it.

Most of the time people are accomodating. The music store thing is a good idea but you might wear out your welcome if you keep showing up with people to try out your bass.

 

Off subject but once had three mean looking guys knock on my door. When I answered it they said "where's Billy?"
I said theres no Billy that lives here ,they said "bulls***"
They were mad and I was concerned. I started thinking of the shotgun in my closet. Then they looked at each other and realized they had the wrong house or something because they just left. My brother once sold a beater car to a guy who robbed a bank and used it as his getaway car that he ditched, caused my brother a bunch of trouble .

No way would I let some stranger looking at a sale ad come into my house without other people I know being there, no matter how tough I think I am. Meet somewhere like suggested above.

 

Why not just show him in the back yard?
Don't really need to go in the house do you? - tell him you don't have an amp - so he needs to bring his, and get him to play outside - that way he can't CASE THE PLACE!
(If you've got a mate with a big dog it helps too!)

 

It's probably a bit chilly to be playing outdoors in Seattle these days...They probably don't have the snow that we do, though.

 

ha haha Sorry - i didn't even think of it! Forget my suggestion in that case.
Snow is something of a mystery to me - never even seen the stuff, about the coldest i ever get is holding a fresh beer in a breeze.

 

I once met up with a person at my local bass store. My wife thought he was weird and did not want him to come to the house (met him at GC). Another time a group of people came over and I told the person that only one was allowed. I always put all other gear out of view in another room. Also, I always keep my gun handy, yeah, GUN

 

+1. How does he sound on the phone? I would make sure you can take him before inviting him over.

 

+1

You don't ever want to let somebody you don't know into your house.

1) They might be able to "case" your house to see all of the nice things you have.

2) They may get sticky-fingers and take something while you aren't watching

2) They may try to bum rush you.

Then again, maybe they won't do any of these things but why take the risk? The best suggestion I heard was to meet at a local guitar shop. Neutral location, you aren't alone, and nobody sees anything you don't want them to see.

I always tell folks, the best way to avoid being a victim is to (proactively) keep out of situations that might make you one.