#1919078 - 08/01/24 11:13 AM
Selling gear - what's worked best?
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flatcat
Loquacious Planeteer
Registered: 07/11/01
Posts: 30302
Loc: Westborough, MA, USA
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I have a lot of accumulated gear which is in multiple places. Some of it travels with me, some of it lives at home, some of it has been in storage for more than 15 years. I need to start thinking about unloading some of it as I approach leaving the Foreign Service.
I know, Reverb and eBay and Facebook Marketplace.
I don't have a lot of experience selling, though. So I'm looking for advice about maybe just dumping stuff off at Guitard Center,or about shipping things like amps. There's a part of me that knows I will get hosed if I bring stuff to GC or whatever, but the hassle factor would be low.
It's a couple years out, but I want to start thinking about it now. Advice appreciated.
_________________________
The internet, and the whole technology sector on which it floats, feels like a giant organ for bullshittery—for upscaling human access to speech and for amplifying lies. - Ian Bogost
Professor Truth T. Sweetness says,"Mind your manners!"
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#1919091 - 08/01/24 01:24 PM
Re: Selling gear - what's worked best?
[Re: flatcat]
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MadGuitrst
Offender Of Senses
Planeteer
Registered: 06/10/99
Posts: 22679
Loc: 3rd Stone From The Sun
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I've bought and sold via all of them.
If you sell to a music store, you will get approximately 50% of what you could get otherwise (at best) because they have to resell the item, so there's that. Least hassle, though.
Reverb has been best for me all around. When I was selling, fees were lower than that of eBay. Also, I used Reverb Payments instead of PayPal because of the new(er) buyer protection of 6 months to return an item (and sellers were having issues with it). I never had a single issue with Reverb and/or their payments. I only needed their assistance a couple of times and they were very good. That said, I haven't sold anything on Reverb since it's been sold to Etsy, and I haven't kept up on the changes, though I've seen people complain.
In the past, I bought and sold a decent amount of things on eBay. I never had problems there either, but the fees became a bit much, at least compared to Reverb at the time.
The biggest thing about Reverb and eBay, of course, is their reach. Be VERY accurate in your descriptions, very specific about your terms, take pics, and you should have have no issues.
Facebook Marketplace. It seems good for some things, but not so much for others, IMHO. It's kinda like the Wild West of buying/selling. I've bought and sold a few things without a hitch. That said, I've had plenty of the typical scammer bs contact me; be careful of anyone selling only via shipping, and check them out carefully!
Craigslist for selling has been hit or miss. Again, Nigerian princes are floating around, but who cares?
I've sold quite a few guitars on both Reverb and Craigslist over the years. I usually try Craigslist first, and if I don't get the response I want, go to Reverb. I will also go straight to Reverb first if I want a wider audience, or prefer not to deal in person (public meet-ups only), for whatever reason, at that time.
One positive thing about dealing in person, is that I've met some cool people recently, as both a buyer and seller, such as the guy who owns Philadelphia Luthier Tools & Supplies, who bought a 1980s Charvel from me (he collects them...really nice guy).
Nothing is going to be perfect, just protect yourself like with anything.
Best of luck, flat.
_________________________
“When your 'education' limits your imagination, it is called indoctrination.” -Feynman
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#1919092 - 08/01/24 01:27 PM
Re: Selling gear - what's worked best?
[Re: flatcat]
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The Vampire Lestat
Planeteer
Registered: 01/09/00
Posts: 4584
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I'd also consider Sweetwater's used site, which I believe has no fees if you take the sale in store credit. I could be wrong about that. The downside is that there's less people looking there to buy than on Reverb. If you are looking to sell gear to buy something new, it's a good deal.
I generally trade in gear at my local store. I take a big hit on the price, but they do offer me discounted prices on the mostly used gear that I buy with the trade in. I've never traded in gear in exchange for cash. I'd be better off selling on Reverb, but I work too much to devote time for the hassle. My local store treats me well too, so I don't feel as bad about it. They're just trying to make a living. I've a had a strange experience trading at Guitar Center, but I've bought tons of gear from their used site.
Edited by The Vampire Lestat (08/01/24 01:29 PM)
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#1919095 - 08/01/24 01:37 PM
Re: Selling gear - what's worked best?
[Re: The Vampire Lestat]
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Webster
Planeteer
Registered: 02/15/07
Posts: 17960
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Nextdoor.com is also a place that I've sold stuff. You'll typically be dealing with someone close to you. Not necessarily ideal for selling music gear - but another option, nonetheless.
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#1919104 - 08/01/24 02:18 PM
Re: Selling gear - what's worked best?
[Re: Webster]
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motown59
Planeteer/Artist # 238
Planeteer
Registered: 03/01/04
Posts: 18227
Loc: California
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I’ve always sold my gear on Craigslist or Offerup, having bought and sold tens of thousands of dollars of stuff. Your work and lifestyle may not work for those however. I used to eBay a lot of things. That has worked too.
I’ve had very few issues selling face to face. I vet the buyers over the phone and by email, generally meet in a public place.
The key to getting more inquiries and sales has always been great, artistic photos and precise descriptions. I’m fortunate to be a good photographer. That has really helped.
_________________________
kel
"I love what you guys are trying to do up there" ...from an audience member at one of my gigs.
Gear: Fender Medium pick
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#1919115 - 08/01/24 03:03 PM
Re: Selling gear - what's worked best?
[Re: motown59]
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Memphis Monroe
Loquacious Planeteer
Registered: 05/12/02
Posts: 29639
Loc: Pensacola, FL
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It's high time I get hip to Reverb myuself.
I've had pretty good success with Facebook Marketplace and before that, Craigslist. Of course, you just have to weed out the scammers because that's become more and more of a thing over the years. But, it's a good way to make connections and meet other musicians in your area too.
In your situation, I think something like Reverb or Sweetwater's used exchange program would be optimal. Of course, you could do all the above to cover your bases and see which options pay off best. Marketplace and Craigslist are free; so, that's kind of a no-brainer if you can coordinate face-to-face transactions.
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#1919136 - 08/01/24 03:48 PM
Re: Selling gear - what's worked best?
[Re: Memphis Monroe]
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Ismellelephant
Loquacious Planeteer
Registered: 07/10/01
Posts: 59654
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Reverb was awesome for me, was a couple of years ago. Stuff sold quick. One damaged shipment was resolved easily.
Heavy or delicate stuff craigslist. I have never used Facebook to sell but many do.
Congrats on dehoarding. When done, it is like being delivered.
_________________________
They call me Linkedin Twisty! Howdy!
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#1919146 - 08/01/24 04:22 PM
Re: Selling gear - what's worked best?
[Re: Ismellelephant]
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C Jo Go
EMERITUS ~ VS Roland
Loquacious Planeteer
Registered: 11/05/01
Posts: 38176
Loc: carmel valley,ca
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Just went through selling lots of gear ...Heavy stuff through Craigslist ( keyboards ) VS 2480 / etc. Rack stuff went to REVERB & EBAY
> as KEL says :: good photos and doc ... make sure you cover yourself for shipping and fees ... REVERB actually sells various boxes >>
I was in retail sales for many years ----lots of experience with the public ..
Good Luck
Edited by C Jo Go (08/01/24 05:16 PM)
_________________________
You got to know more ...than you know
**( ͡~ ͜ʖ ͡° )**
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#1919267 - 08/01/24 09:55 PM
Re: Selling gear - what's worked best?
[Re: C Jo Go]
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Ismellelephant
Loquacious Planeteer
Registered: 07/10/01
Posts: 59654
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All sold just through Reverb from 10-21 to 5-22. I always priced cheap to move it out. Being delivered by dehoarding can be lucrative.
$180.00 Art S8
$212.00 Ibanez UE405
$105.00 Yamaha MU100R
$179.00 Roland GI-20
$252.00 Rockman
$35.00 Guitar Case
$52.00 Behringer 1202 Mixer
$34.00 Behringer 802 Mixer
$85.00 UC33 Control Surface
$90.00 MXR Doubler
$345.00 Roland VP-7
$55.00 Strat Pick Guard
$140.00 Roland G50
$36.00 Yamaha MG012C Mixer
$68.00 Presonus Firepod
$35.00 Audiophile Sound card
$117.00 ProCo Mic Splitter
$70.00 Presonus Firepod
$160.00 Roland GR30
$35.00 Realistic EQ
$137.00 Carvin C1600
$110.00 Carvin Mon Amp
$167.00 Alesis Quadaverb
$55.00 Rocktron
$82.00 Rolls Mixer
$177.00 QSC Power Amp
$65.00 Shure 58 with vol Knob
$84.00 Behringer Mixer
$75.00 Digitech V
$1,238.00 Akai GX-635D
$160.00 Alesis Quadaverb
$223.00 TC SuS
$58.00 SourceAudio
$260.00 Gretsch Cocktail Drum
$643.00 Farfisa Organ
$153.00 Simmons Electronic Drums
$18.00 Shure 57
$235.00 Mackie SR32-4-VLZ PRO
$701.00 Crumar Performer
$660.00 Crumar Performer
$26.00 Mic
$266.00 Optigan Discs
$117.50 SansAmp
$340.00 J.Rockett AH OD
$8,950.50
_________________________
They call me Linkedin Twisty! Howdy!
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#1919302 - 08/02/24 12:33 AM
Re: Selling gear - what's worked best?
[Re: Ismellelephant]
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Wish
🌴 VSP Moderator 🌵
Planeteer
Registered: 09/09/00
Posts: 12048
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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Shure SM58 with a volume knob?
wtf?
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#1919535 - 08/03/24 12:04 PM
Re: Selling gear - what's worked best?
[Re: Ismellelephant]
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Marty Gilman
Official Planet Sax Monster - Planeteer/Artist # 117
Loquacious Planeteer
Registered: 04/05/00
Posts: 26800
Loc: Palm Beach, Florida- U S A
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I used to enjoy selling gear; now I dread it. The number of scammers on craigslist, marketplace are revolting.
Shipping is a pain in the arse.
Music stores can buy wholesale, don’t pay much. Ebay used to be my choice,
We should all use VSP classified first.
-m
_________________________
Can you play that an octave louder?
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#1919724 - 08/04/24 04:55 AM
Re: Selling gear - what's worked best?
[Re: Marty Gilman]
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The Vampire Lestat
Planeteer
Registered: 01/09/00
Posts: 4584
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I dread having to ship anything, which is why I mostly trade in gear.
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