Oh boy! I've noticed lately that many selling the "higher end" guitars on ebay are asking way too much for the guitars they are selling and the potential buyers are willing to pay way too little. The result is many are not buying or selling but just continually relisting and watching (and wasting everyones time and money). We need to be realistic and reasonable and less greedy on both sides. This observation is obviously not true in all cases but true none the less.
I own a guitar store here in Virginia. I get tons of trade ins and people looking just to sell to me outright. My instore prices are always priced to make the deal attractive to the customer because in order to continue buying at the level we do, we need to move the product. After I have shown a guitar in my store for about 30 days to my regular daily customers, I post the item on eBay with a minimum openning bid ($3.99), no reserve, no games and let the market decide who gets what. During the 10 years that I have done this, I have only taken a blood bath twice. That's okay too.... people find that the auctions are legit and everyone gets a chance to bid. I do however get a ton of please take it down and I will buy today and also lots of interest in overseas buyers. I never close an auction, I offer a return policy if the item is not as listed. But when a guitar is in the early days of an auction and bid is say.... $100.00 on a Approximately $1400.00 guitar.... Alot of overseas bidders what shipping costs figured to the penny, etc. That takes alot of time since only one person is going to win and about 1/3 of the bidders are asking shipping price based on they might get the guitar for $100. (highly unlikely). So I simplify by sellng in the USA only and I foot the shipping and insurance bill. For now, this method has always worked for both me and my buyer. Thanks for reading and posting here. Lots of good information from knowledgable buyers and sellers.
Hi, Just like to get some feedback on a hypothetical listing. Seller advertises high end Fender as 2009 model- New. Even though buyers should always read fine print and ask questions of course, title implies new model as in complete with case, etc. Buyer bids, then finds out case and accessories are not included. Buyer has excellent feedback rating and does not want to create problems for seller, but feels as if listing was not complete as mentioned in ebay seller policy. Would a retraction be justified for buyer or does buyer have to chalk it up to an ebay learning experience though a costly one at that?
I have bought two high end guitars on eBay and a few inexpensive ones as well. All have been good experiences.
I think that the really big retailers are ruining eBay for the little guys.
I can't stand the 5-star rating system. Too strict against the sellers, and sellers shoule be able to give negs for poorly behaving buyers, balance is lost.
Must use Buy It Now and PayPal.
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