Experience selling on Craigslist?
Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn
Experience selling on Craigslist?
Any of you folks have experience selling on Craigslist? I know enough to beware the scammers who say they'll pay you with a huge check and you send them the change in cash. D'uh.
But I'm not so keen on having total strangers come into my home to try out instruments. Since I'm selling some electric guitars (6-string), I can't really just meet them in the parking lot of a neutral place, as they would want and need to plug into an amp to try the guitars adequately.
So, what's been your experience, and what do you recommend? (FYI, I would offer these here on the Forum - and might still do so if they don't sell locally - but I'd prefer to sell locally so I don't have to deal with packing and shipping, worry about damage in transit, etc.)
Thanks.
But I'm not so keen on having total strangers come into my home to try out instruments. Since I'm selling some electric guitars (6-string), I can't really just meet them in the parking lot of a neutral place, as they would want and need to plug into an amp to try the guitars adequately.
So, what's been your experience, and what do you recommend? (FYI, I would offer these here on the Forum - and might still do so if they don't sell locally - but I'd prefer to sell locally so I don't have to deal with packing and shipping, worry about damage in transit, etc.)
Thanks.
Jim
My suggestion to you is to meet at a music store somewhere for them to try out the guitar. Cash only of course.
Are there Guitar Center's in your area? Since they buy and sell all the time, bringing in a guitar would not be a big deal to them.
Happy Holidays.
My suggestion to you is to meet at a music store somewhere for them to try out the guitar. Cash only of course.
Are there Guitar Center's in your area? Since they buy and sell all the time, bringing in a guitar would not be a big deal to them.
Happy Holidays.
Mark T
Rittenberry Laquer D10, Rittenberry Prestige SD10, Revelation Preamp,Revelation Octal Preamp,Lexicon PCM 92 Reverb, Furlong Cabinet
Rittenberry Laquer D10, Rittenberry Prestige SD10, Revelation Preamp,Revelation Octal Preamp,Lexicon PCM 92 Reverb, Furlong Cabinet
- Howard Steinberg
- Posts: 604
- Joined: 2 Mar 2012 8:46 am
- Location: St. Petersburg, Florida , USA
Over the years I've sold a lot of stuff on craigs list. I've let buyers come to my house on numerous occasions. I believe that I can get a sense of who I'm dealing with and for potential problems from questions being asked and back and forth conversation. Maybe I've just been lucky.
Justice Pro Lite (4-5), Justice D-10 (8-5)x2 , Quilter Steelaire, Hilton Pedal, BJ's bar.
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- Tony Glassman
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- Location: Van Lear, Kentucky, USA
Just my two bits....When selling on Craigslist, my experience has been much like Howard's, and on occasion I have welcomed someone into my home to try out gear I was selling, but only if I got a "good vibe" from them (and in truth, the small town atmosphere where I live fosters a sense of safety/security that bigger areas probably wouldn't be advisable trusting in). Here's another thought, and something I've done numerous times....do you have a fairly small amplifier? I used to bring a power inverter (just a cheap little Coleman I bought at the local Big Lots store) and my Mustang III, and would let a potential buyer try out an electric that way....Never had a problem powering it (not even a big ol' Peavey KB5 portable P.A. system, though it did seem like it was a little much for something that big to draw current from an inverter that was so small)....Just start your vehicle up, power up the inverter, and voila! Now my RAV4 has a built in inverter and I don't have to carry my little Coleman around any longer
- Niels Andrews
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- Location: Salinas, California, USA
I have sold some guitars and amps on CL and a few vehicles. My rules are simple. First we meet at a public location, and second I take another person with me and never at night. I had one questionable situation helping a friend early on. So that is how I play the game. Legitimate buyers have no problem. Flakes won't go for it. I would say the good people are over a thousand to one, just play it cool.
Die with Memories. Not Dreams.
Good Stuff like Zum S-12, Wolfe Resoport
MSA SS-12, Telonics Combo.
Good Stuff like Zum S-12, Wolfe Resoport
MSA SS-12, Telonics Combo.
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- Darrell Owens
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- Location: California, USA
- Contact:
Cl
I have bought and sold numerous things on CL. Never had a problem, but I do a good phone conversation. I can always tell whether someone is a musician, and musicians are usually pretty good folks. I am in So Cal and you would think that would be full of scammers, but I have found local buyers and sellers to be good. Beware of out of town deals and if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. I think if you use good judgement, you will be fine.
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- Damir Besic
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- Joined: 30 Oct 2000 1:01 am
- Location: Nashville,TN.
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Jim, I had few weirdos coming to my house, so I have a friend with a big pawn shop down town, I just pawn a guitar for few bucks, and then when someone wants to see it I just meet them at the shop, with bunch a people around, and armed security guard ... they even have amps if anyone wants to plug guitar in, and try it... it worked great for me...
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Hi Jim
Good thought Jim.. All I can say here is the country is changing . As for me I say when they come to your home they have you isolated and can do whatever they want to do. And you will be helpless . And you must remember that they know what you want to hear , Will bad things happen to you. Maybe or Maybe not . As for me . I have decided I am no longer going to bring strangers into my house so they can look at everything I own and MAYBE come back latter . Or maybe shoot me on the spot and take what they like . I always have but things have changed in the last few years . I do lot's of deals with folks . But not at my home any more . I actually picked up a travel trailer and that is now my office . Out of site out of mind. Pretty depressing
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- Joined: 8 Jun 2001 12:01 am
- Location: Houston, Texas, USA
I have the same problem. I have three Peavey bass rigs that I used in a church praise team. Local Craigs List here in Houston is not an ideal/safe way to sell them. Can't just load them up and meet someone in a parking lot either. Might have to donate them to some youth group just to get them out of the house!
- Larry Dering
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- Scott Malchow
- Posts: 75
- Joined: 11 Jul 2008 1:28 pm
- Location: Minnesota, USA
Jim, I have done some Craigslist selling, but I actually prefer online selling and shipping. The time spent communicating and weeding out serious buyers from tire kickers hasn't always been worth it to me. Figuring out a place to meet can also be cumbersome. Needing an amp does complicate your situation. I wouldn't want people coming to my house, either.
That being said, here are some ideas that may or may not work for you. I've used some of them. How about meeting at a House of Worship (where you have done some relationship building) to use a space for a brief time on short notice? Or maybe a Community Center, VFW, Knights of Columbus, etc? Maybe a Recording studio where you have a connection where there are offices or 'public spaces' where you could meet? Maybe a public Library conference room? An educational institution- a college commons (or practice rooms)? One time I met someone at a friend's Real Estate office in a part of town that was convenient to a motivated buyer. I realize these may be impractical for you, but I'm just throwing out a few ideas.....
Scott
That being said, here are some ideas that may or may not work for you. I've used some of them. How about meeting at a House of Worship (where you have done some relationship building) to use a space for a brief time on short notice? Or maybe a Community Center, VFW, Knights of Columbus, etc? Maybe a Recording studio where you have a connection where there are offices or 'public spaces' where you could meet? Maybe a public Library conference room? An educational institution- a college commons (or practice rooms)? One time I met someone at a friend's Real Estate office in a part of town that was convenient to a motivated buyer. I realize these may be impractical for you, but I'm just throwing out a few ideas.....
Scott
In a time of drastic change it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.
~ Eric Hoffer, philosopher and author 1902-1983
~ Eric Hoffer, philosopher and author 1902-1983
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- Location: Portland, OR USA
fwiw, I'm an avid Craigslister.
I bought this pair of skiboots last night!
Tried them on in the sellers living room, and made a new friend.
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/spo/5333406331.html
I never have folks come to my house.
I have met guys at local music stores.
I have gone to other folks houses tons of times without issue, even if I am the seller.
fwiw, Craigslist buyers already know what they want.
They know what it sounds like or feels like or what size they need.
They are just looking for a better price rather than buy brand new.
fwiw, I rarely use Ebay.
My 2cent.
I bought this pair of skiboots last night!
Tried them on in the sellers living room, and made a new friend.
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/spo/5333406331.html
I never have folks come to my house.
I have met guys at local music stores.
I have gone to other folks houses tons of times without issue, even if I am the seller.
fwiw, Craigslist buyers already know what they want.
They know what it sounds like or feels like or what size they need.
They are just looking for a better price rather than buy brand new.
fwiw, I rarely use Ebay.
My 2cent.
- Dustin Rhodes
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- Joined: 2 Oct 1998 12:01 am
- Location: Portland, OR USA
Jim, As someone else mentioned, I have also met guys at Guitar Center.
They check-in your guitar when you enter.
Then you can "try out an amp".
One time I was selling a Squire 5-string Bass, and I used a radio shack adapter to plug it into to my car stereo, for the buyer to try out. We met in a nearby Mall parking lot that day.
A battery powered amp is another way to demo a guitar.
My thought is most folks know what they want to buy, but CL meetings allow the buyer to make sure it's in "acceptable" condition, and can make a cash-in-hand offer if it is a "obo" item.
I always try to negotiate a win-win deal.
Let us know how it goes!
Pete B.
They check-in your guitar when you enter.
Then you can "try out an amp".
One time I was selling a Squire 5-string Bass, and I used a radio shack adapter to plug it into to my car stereo, for the buyer to try out. We met in a nearby Mall parking lot that day.
A battery powered amp is another way to demo a guitar.
My thought is most folks know what they want to buy, but CL meetings allow the buyer to make sure it's in "acceptable" condition, and can make a cash-in-hand offer if it is a "obo" item.
I always try to negotiate a win-win deal.
Let us know how it goes!
Pete B.