• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Used Shops

So I have to get cash quick and need to let a bass go very very quickly, I tried craigslist but it's not going so great, I don't have time for eBay, how bad of a hit am I going to take a local used shop realistically? What should I "let" them get away with, 50 percent?
 
pawn shops in my area only give you 1/3 of what they're selling for on evil bay

That's what I've been told as well. Sucks to be poor, on so many levels.

GC or Sam Ash is fast, and won't net you a lot, but more than going to a pawn shop IME

Probably close to twice as much as the pawn shop, if it's a nice instrument. Still, OP is looking at no more than 60% of the actual value.

I have no idea which GC is the closest to Woodstock, but if you're in dire need of cash - and fast - it might be worth taking a ride. If you have a few days to blow, $4 spent on a Supporting Membership here might prove to be a very good investment.

Wishing you the very best of luck.
 
if I were in that position I would just list on craiglist for a very good price. that usually moves things pretty quickly.
Like if I think I could get $500 usd for something, and I want to move it fast ? I'd list it for $300 be done with it.
I sold a nice preamp that way. worth about $1200 on the open market, I just didn't want to deal with selling or anything, so I listed it for $700, had about 4 calls in the first hour, sold it for $700 the next day.

Yes, I know I could have gotten at least $1000 for it if I had listed it higher and waited 2 weeks for a real buyer to come through. eff that, I just want to get it out of my studio.
 
(Former Music store employee chiming in)

All depends on what your selling and where your going to bring it. If your bringing an Ibanez or Fender bass to GC, then your lucky to get 30%-40% of what they are going to tag it at (typically 70%-75% of what a new one goes for). They have probably 350 used Ibanez basses chain wide and really don't need another one.

You can get a little higher if its a vintage or rare piece, but still probably in the 50% range.

Some mom and pop shops will pay a little more, the problem is finding a good one. Here in RI, its Empire Guitars. But they also tend to be more picky on what they take in.

I say put it here on TB for a reasonable price and take offers. This place has never done me wrong.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ronaldpdbrandt
Here's where the unsolicited advice comes in:

Is selling this bass the only way to get you out of a bind? Nothing else you can sell? No corners you can cut? Maybe a family member you could borrow money from? I'm speaking as a recently but no so much anymore chronically broke formerly impulsive bass buyer and seller. Selling a bass for a huge loss never ended up making enough of a difference when I needed the cash and I just ended up missing a great bass and eventually spending again on another one. After flipping and shipping and trading and selling, you don't get anywhere. Keep the bass if you can. Good luck.
 
You'll take a hit selling to a shop for sure. At some, you'll do better taking it in trade if they have something you want. But the amount they're giving you will go soft if you demand that they match internet prices for the item you trade for. To be fair to them, they're a business, not a charity. Depending on New York law (I wouldn't know, not living there) they may have to hold it for some period (30 days?) to make sure it hasn't been reported stolen, for starters, during which time it will be taking up floor space and tying up capital.. After that, they are assuming the risk that it may not sell quickly. They have to pay overhead costs that online sellers may not (rent, insurance, employees, etc.). If they are Fender and/or Gibson dealerships, they are forced to take an arbitrary, non-trivial number of new instruments, dictated by those companies, into inventory every so often. Keeping a brick-and-mortar music store in business in the internet age has got to be a tough assignment.

I'd go CL if your item is something that's a huge hassle to ship, or Reverb or here if not.
 
Luckily I haven't had to do this for a few years but I've pawned my German made '08 Warwick Corvette Bubinga 6'er before in Sacramento a handful of times. They were generous to give me a $225 loan. The bass is worth around $1200. They usually only do 10% of retail.