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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 78
Location: Scottsdale, AZ | I am going to sell all my stuff.. :( ..except the Legend probably....and I don't have a clue where to start the bidding at or what to expect as a decent outcome. Anyone have any suggestions or comments? (I suppose that is a stupid question....)
The Elite is a 9.5 (at least)out of 10. It is cream colored. Awesome. Has orig case, hang tags,booklet. I got it from someone who didn't use it. I don't use it. It is virtually unplayed.
The Balladeer is natural wood. Received it as a birthday gift.I have strummed it maybe 5 times. It is too big for my hands. Perfect, flawless condition. With orig. H/S case.
The UK II is like a nutmeg colored sunburst. Plays really nice. Thought I'd learn to play electric....but haven't had the time. Has maybe 4 little chunks out of the urelite on the top edge front...and I think 2 on the top edge rear. Otherwise good shape. Has a hard case but it's not an "O" case....it is a gnarly thrashed up thing found just to protect it.
Ultra Bass is white. Plays great....I think....I don't play bass either but thought I would teach myself how...... again-no time. Very good condition....except fingernail size chip on back right by where the strap hooks on. Can't see it from the front. Has gig bag.
I can e-mail some pics of anything you might need to see. :eek: :eek:
Well, almost anything. |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | If you're going to sell on eBay, do a search on eBay for completed items similar to yours to get an idea of what to expect your auctions to close for.
I've always had good luck with a low starting bid ($0.99) and a reserve at what I would like to get for the guitar.
Sometimes I put a BIN on the auctions, some times not. My recollection is that about half the time the auction surpasses what I set as the BIN, the other half of the time it ends up in the general area of the BIN (it pays to do your research).
Don't try and make a profit on shipping. I have found that it generally runs about $30-40 to ship a guitar, in it's hard shell case and then boxed, from anywhere in the lower 48 states to anywhere else in the lower 48 states. But, UPS has a shipping cost calculator on their website you can use to verify that. Just be aware that if you take your package to a UPS Store, they are independently run and the insurance charge will be higher than the insurance charge shown on the website. Sometimes, it will be significantly higher.
When you put your auction up on eBay, use clear, descriptive text without slang. Clear, detailed pictures are a plus, especially as so few other auctions will have them. This will differentiate your item from the others who only put up smeary, indistinct cell-phone-camera pictures.
Good luck with your auctions. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I can write a dissertation about this subject.
If there is a scam out there it has been tired on me.
generally don't let auctions end on friday or saturday and usually let them end in the evenings when most people are home.
cooler months are better, there is less sunlight and people are indoors on the computer more.
any other questions let me know |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | also...time it with the astronomical calendar...right now with a Harvest Moon in affect, a bright orange guitar, or a Neil Young addition would sell best...on cloudier days, you will attract more of a moodyblues type of ebayer. I suggest checking with NASA, gauge your current Barometer and wind conditions, and set a reserve that closely resembles the expected low temperature for the week... and if all that fails... just set a fair priced reserve at let her ride.
Norse (JMHO but never sold a thing on Ebay)man1
edit: I realized after reading this I sounded like a real smart @$$. I was just joking around, didn't mean it like that..I apologize Al. |
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Joined:
March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | The scary part is you're probably right...to a certain extent... |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | My basic ebay rules of thumb:
1. Take good photos and lots of them. Include photos of the case. Take the photos in a "nice" location. ie show that the guitar has been in a good home (put it on a couch, on a nice rug, outside, etc.). Photos of the guitar proped up in the corner of some dingy basement tells you something about how it's been cared for.
2. Point out at least one flaw, with photo, no matter how small it is. Even a fingerprint. This portrays an aura of honesty.
3. Don't write a novel about how you fell in love with the guitar, how it helped you through your third divorce, etc. Just state the facts. People looking at these auctions already know what the guitar is without you having to tell them. I don't have time to read wordy descriptions.
4. Offer free shipping. Just bury the extra $40. in your asking price. Buyers love a deal and anything with the word free attached to it grabs attention.
5. Accept PayPal (sorry Al). It's almost the defacto currency of eBay. I do not even look at auctions that don't accept PayPal. It's the fastest, easiest way to make a sale. Yes it'll cost you 3%.
Good luck with your sales.
Dave |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 78
Location: Scottsdale, AZ | Everyone has wonderful advice. Thanks so much!
I am feeling just a little guilty for all of your thinking, and typing, and time.......but I have sold a bunch of stuff on eBay, and am comfortable there.....I really am just lost as far as price ranges on everything!
I agree with pretty much every single piece of selling advice by the way.....and I don't take Norseman's advice lightly! |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | Originally posted by Kerry:
...and I don't take Norseman's advice lightly! WOW!!!! Now there's a first!!!! Thanks Bro! I have to show this post to my wife and kids!
Norse( :cool: the wise :cool: )man1 |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | It has been my experience on eBay that there is no "best" way to sell, because there is no demographic model of any substance to market towards. Best advise I have is to find what works best for you, and stick with it.
As for buying, research, research, research and don't limit that reserach to eBay. Start with a Google search.
Finally, weather buying or selling. The "market" participants change ALL THE TIME. As example, you can list a rare item two or three times and get ZERO activity. That doesn't mean anything other than no one that was interested in that item saw it. List it again, and poof, 3 people are fighting over it. My point, as mentioned in my first para... there is no one "best" way. |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI |
1. Take good photos and lots of them. Include photos of the case. Take the photos in a "nice" location. ie show that the guitar has been in a good home (put it on a couch, on a nice rug, outside, etc.). Photos of the guitar proped up in the corner of some dingy basement tells you something about how it's been cared for. Word. When I sold the Steinberger, I used some 'art' shots I had taken of it on some visually interesting concrete. It was sitting on a folded up white towel the whole time; it never touched the concrete! Yet, I got reamed by a guy for putting it on the ground. I explained, in detail, that it never touched the ground, but he didn't seem to accept it. You can still see the Steinberger pics in my gallery .
I can understand his concern, but for Pete's sake... |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | I have a standard ebay response for people like that - If you don't LIKE IT, then DON'T BID on it.
Dave |
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Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 1234
Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | Kerry,
The 1868 arrived today & you have made my daughter Tanis a very happy young lady!
Thought you might enjoy seeing her joy...
Thank you again,
Aloha_Tim |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 78
Location: Scottsdale, AZ | AWESOME!! She looks v. happy....I am glad for her.
I am also glad my little gee-tar has found a good home. Thanks Tim. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Looks like she got her guitar interest from her father and her good looks from her mother. Good job of genetic engineering, Tim. I bet she didn't need a guitar to be popular with the opposite sex, like several of us tried to be. |
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any suggestions--where to start out on the Bay
