Some Common Sense Rules to Buying and Selling Guitars and Music Gear on Craigslist, eBay, Reverb, etc.

I’ve been buying and selling on eBay for over 16 years, almost since day one of eBay; my history on Craigslist is about the same, and like many of you, I have started buying and selling on Reverb.  And so I propose that I am about as qualified as anybody to offer up some general guidelines for both buyers and sellers, so here goes!

Sellers:

• You must provide GOOD detailed pictures of the item you are selling; expect to field many requests of “I need to see pics”!  If you don’t provide pics we all know that you are either: 1) a crook, or 2) a do-fuss.  Number one lands you in jail and number two means that if your item sells at all, it will sell VERY cheap!

• You must provide excellent detailed descriptions of what you are selling.  Get your crap together before listing a musical item, get the details.  It’s not hard to figure out the year of a guitar’s manufacture, for instance … so include this info!

• Don’t use ALL CAPS, multiple exclamation-marks (!!!!), or stupid opinions in your description “This is hot and will sell FAST”.

• Be realistic about your price.  See what items like yours are actually SELLING for on Craigslist, eBay, etc and figure if you price yours at about that, it will sell; a little higher and it might still sell but will sell slowly, a little lower and it should sell quick.  Oh, and get a clue: “this instrument was once owned by a guy who was once in a band that had a little success” is NOT going to help your item sell, or make it worth a premium price.

• Don’t lie.  You would think this need not be stated, but … well, folks, fraud will get you in every imaginable form of trouble; it’s just not worth it!

• Communicate with folks!  Answer legitimate questions quickly and friendly if you really expect to sell your item!

Buyers:

• Don’t hassle a seller unless you seriously plan to buy the item.  Don’t be a jerk, nuff said!

• Play by the rules.  If a Craigslist add says “cash only” or “no trades” … please, don’t bother the seller with “can I pay you over time” or “I’ve got a great 4-wheeler I’ll trade you”. 

• PAY, damn it.  On eBay or Reverb, there is no reason to not pay immediately, so just do it!

• Have realistic expectations.  This is especially true with vintage gear, or really, any used gear.  See my blog “What You Need To Know About Buying aa Guitar on-line”.  Same goes for amps and other gear.  If it’s 30-60 years old, expect all those years to have affected it in all kinds of ways!

• DO NOT use feedback as a weapon.  The idea that “my guitar arrived with strings that need to be changed and so I’m gonna burn this dude with my negative feedback” is the doings of a real douchebag!  Even worse is using feedback to extort money.  “Hey, I’m going to give you bad feedback if you don’t refund some money” is the work of a CRIMINAL douchebag!

• Be patient on shipping.  I know it’s hard in this current on-line climate, but you must take into account the fact that your seller may well be a regular Joe with a full time job, three kids, a wife and a dog.

• Communicate well.  Yep, as in selling, this is of paramount importance.  If there is a legitimate issue with an item, communicate in a clear, friendly, and non-emotional manner with the seller.

I’m sure there’s more I could add, but I’m going to resist the urge to beat this drum any further.  Now, Ya’ll go out and do some good friendly buying & selling!

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