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Post by borborygmus on Jul 6, 2024 10:00:25 GMT
I still have this bouzouki for sale, and whilst there is no immediate need to get rid of it, it would be good to clear it out of my study. Open to offers, BTW. So, what's the best way to sell an instrument? Let's say, less than £2,000. A really high end luthier-made guitar I would put through a dealer, I think - like The Six-String Collective, or similar. If you wanted to move on this £300-ish bouzouki, would you use Facebook Marketplace? Gumtree? eBay? Reverb? Other? TIA, Peter |
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Post by Onechordtrick on Jul 6, 2024 11:47:19 GMT
I still have this bouzouki for sale, and whilst there is no immediate need to get rid of it, it would be good to clear it out of my study. Open to offers, BTW. So, what's the best way to sell an instrument? Let's say, less than £2,000. A really high end luthier-made guitar I would put through a dealer, I think - like The Six-String Collective, or similar. If you wanted to move on this £300-ish bouzouki, would you use Facebook Marketplace? Gumtree? eBay? Reverb? Other? TIA, Peter I’ve had success here and on Gumtree and Facebook. Just be patient with the time wasters on the latter two. Both ridiculous offers and I want to buy this but can’t come in person so will send my brother who’s a UPS driver scams. |
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Post by gsans on Jul 6, 2024 12:43:47 GMT
I’ve sold a few bits of gear on facebook marketplace and reverb before - as mentioned, more time wasters on marketplace, but no selling fees which is a plus. It’s also fairly easy to spot the genuine buyers, so long as you exercise a bit of caution. The other possibility is facebook groups - there’s one called the Irish Bouzouki Forum where people are often looking for cheaper/starter instruments and there’s plenty of buying and selling that happens in there. Definitely worth a look!
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Wild Violet
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Post by Wild Violet on Jul 6, 2024 13:02:17 GMT
I've had the best luck selling instruments on ebay. I tend to wait until I have an offer like "80% off selling fees" or "max £1 fees" though these seem to have dried up for me lately. I would insist on collection only so they could see what they were getting and couldn't claim damage afterward, and I wouldn't have the hassle or worry of shipping it.
For less valuable items I tend to use Facebook Marketplace. I do get loads of scam offers, but almost everything I've listed did eventually sell to a genuine buyer - though sometimes it took a while.
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Jul 6, 2024 13:18:56 GMT
Haven't used ebay for quite a while, but had OK experiences with Gumtree. I had hoped to find local buyers with the latter, but never did, but thankfully the ones I did sell to, after weeding out the timewasters, were jolly good chaps! Haven't used Facebook marketplace, but Glyn got a good local result on there recently.
Keith
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Jul 6, 2024 15:00:55 GMT
It’s a very difficult market just now, and I’ve had several things on both Gumtree and FB marketplace for a few months.
Had a successful few weeks recently and sold three instruments via marketplace, not even a tickle on gumtree.
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Post by newdave on Jul 6, 2024 19:52:00 GMT
I've never used Facebook Marketplace. I'm not on Facebook. Would you recommend it?
I've had some success with ebay in the past but I've become a bit worried about sending guitars recently so I've put them as collection only and not had much interest.
I got one bloke with no feedback ask if I was prepared to send a guitar to Germany. I said I would look into it and get back to him and then he bought it almost straight away - before i'd responded or anything. I cancelled the sale as soon as I saw he'd done that. He hadn't paid but I felt there was the potential for a problems and I just didn't fancy it.
I've not had any success from Gumtree but I'm going to put some stuff up there next week anyway.
Anyone want to buy a Yamaha LL or LS 56?
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minorkey
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Post by minorkey on Jul 6, 2024 21:20:19 GMT
I saw someone selling the same guitar I have for £120 on Facebook (Valencia VC204H). Mine cost £69 new. The one being sold had 2 strings missing too. Rip off merchant.
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Jul 7, 2024 8:51:01 GMT
I've only ever actually sold a couple of guitars; the last being a Crafter 12 string which was in A1 condition. I think I was being realistic in thinking I should be aiming to get a little under half of what the new price is/was (after discount) for a guitar that's not 'special' and retains its value. And then there are possible fees for selling, possible returns, false claims etc. To be frank I just didn't want the hassle of time wasters, packing, sending by courier etc or doing a deal which doesn't actually happen. So I sold it direct to a nearby guitar shop who gave me a sensible price bearing in mind they had to sell it on themselves and make a turn on the deal which is fair enough. No doubt I might have got another £30-£40 if I'd done it via ebay or whatever but I just don't want hassle any more at my time of life.
FFJ
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Post by borborygmus on Jul 7, 2024 10:21:44 GMT
The other possibility is facebook groups - there’s one called the Irish Bouzouki Forum where people are often looking for cheaper/starter instruments and there’s plenty of buying and selling that happens in there. Definitely worth a look! Thanks for the input, everyone. As I sorta expected, there is no consensus for success. But the Facebook forum mentioned here seems like a great idea for this particular instrument; I have joined that and will put the bouzouki up for sale there in the next few weeks. Peter |
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Post by lavaman on Jul 7, 2024 10:24:18 GMT
Over the last 12 months I've sold 4 guitars and 6 items of studio equipment. All on ebay when they offered 80% off fees. I place the advert at lunch time on Sunday and have usually made a sale by the following Tuesday. I use the 'buy it now' and 'make me an offer' options and make it clear that I won't ship outside of the UK. The key is an honest description of its condition, plenty of good photographs, and a realistic price. I ship with Parcelforce Express24
Iain
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Post by newdave on Jul 7, 2024 10:30:06 GMT
Over the last 12 months I've sold 4 guitars and 6 items of studio equipment. All on ebay when they offered 80% off fees. I place the advert at lunch time on Sunday and have usually made a sale by the following Tuesday. I use the 'buy it now' and 'make me an offer' options and make it clear that I won't ship outside of the UK. The key is an honest description of its condition, plenty of good photographs, and a realistic price. I ship with Parcelforce Express24 Iain Do you use Buy It Now in addition to an auction or instead of an auction? I've been putting mine up for auction with the Make Me An Offer option activated but I've not had any bids nor any offers. I don't think my prices are unrealistic. They are lower than other, similar or identical models (although they are not selling either). |
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Post by lavaman on Jul 7, 2024 11:25:26 GMT
Over the last 12 months I've sold 4 guitars and 6 items of studio equipment. All on ebay when they offered 80% off fees. I place the advert at lunch time on Sunday and have usually made a sale by the following Tuesday. I use the 'buy it now' and 'make me an offer' options and make it clear that I won't ship outside of the UK. The key is an honest description of its condition, plenty of good photographs, and a realistic price. I ship with Parcelforce Express24 Iain Do you use Buy It Now in addition to an auction or instead of an auction? I've been putting mine up for auction with the Make Me An Offer option activated but I've not had any bids nor any offers. I don't think my prices are unrealistic. They are lower than other, similar or identical models (although they are not selling either). Hi, I never use the auction facility, just the Buy It Now coupled with the 'Make me an offer' Iain |
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Post by newdave on Jul 8, 2024 12:23:23 GMT
Just spoke to Andertons and asked if they sell guitars on consignment. They said yes. They keep 50% of the sale price and you get the other 50%. Yikes.  Am waiting for a reply from The Six String Collective. Will inform you of their rates when I find out. |
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Post by newdave on Jul 8, 2024 12:47:00 GMT
If Andertons rate is typical and your guitar is of any value then it would be better to put a 25%-30% discount on it and keep all money.
You'd probably still sell it fairly quickly on ebay (I've never used Facebook marketplace) and you'd be quids in.
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