Best way to sell high end guitars?

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bradley

Diamond Member
Jan 9, 2000
3,671
2
81
I had several Kramer Stagemaster carved top neck-in-body guitars and sold them on eBay without a problem. Ebay's also a good way of determining fair market price. For instance, I purchased these guitars for $300 each and resold each one for over 1K.

I have also always found.... the more knowledgeable the buyer, the less future problems there will be.
 

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
Because one example is a great way to judge an entire website.

I've sold over $40,000 worth of high end stuff on eBay in the last 12 months with zero problems.
You're lucky.
eBay/Paypal always side with the buyer.
They give refunds too easily, usually based solely on a tracking number.

Buyer can return "an item" that is really a box of rocks and the seller is screwed.
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,916
2,156
126
Because one example is a great way to judge an entire website.

I've sold over $40,000 worth of high end stuff on eBay in the last 12 months with zero problems.

I'm in the same boat. Been selling on eBay for 10 years and had two problems- both of which were fixed quickly.
 

Rinaun

Golden Member
Dec 30, 2005
1,196
1
81
I'm in the same boat. Been selling on eBay for 10 years and had two problems- both of which were fixed quickly.

Ditto. As a seller, just be clear on what you are selling. As a buyer, just make sure you read the description. Ebay is great at solving issues, too.
 

JMapleton

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 2008
4,179
2
81
You're lucky.
eBay/Paypal always side with the buyer.
They give refunds too easily, usually based solely on a tracking number.

Buyer can return "an item" that is really a box of rocks and the seller is screwed.

It depends on what you sell. Some types of items more likely to attract sketchy buyers, others not.
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,916
2,156
126
It depends on what you sell. Some types of items more likely to attract sketchy buyers, others not.

PC parts and auto parts are two things that always cause problems and give selling on eBay a bad name. Both of these require some skill from the buyer to install, and some risk as the parts are often fragile. Problems come in when a buyer buys the wrong part or installs it incorrectly and claims it's defective.

Collectible and antique items (like instruments, books, records, jewelry, etc) are a lot easier to sell without problems, provided the seller is very honest, upfront, and thorough about the item. Take lots of pictures and point out any possible areas of concern and you will never have a problem.
 
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ReggieDunlap

Senior member
Aug 25, 2009
384
32
91
You should also check out acousticguitarforum dot com. While it's mainly an acoustic forum, they do have electrics listed and have a "Marketplace" section as well. I've never bought from a member there, but most of the feedback I see from other posters is pretty positive.

Most sales work off a basic 3-5 day trial period included as a provision of sale, but buyer pays the return shipping. Check it out.
 

B-Mo

Junior Member
Oct 16, 2017
1
0
1
PM me if you have any interesting acoustics (vintage Martin, Taylor, or Gibson for example).
I have a 38' Martin 000-21 restored to perfection. How the hell do I go about selling this thing ? I'm in Phoenix.
 

Thebobo

Lifer
Jun 19, 2006
18,574
7,671
136
They look nice. If they are difficult to sell that might mean the price is too high?

Always wanted a Telecaster.
 

NesuD

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,999
106
106
BTW- Reverb.com is the new eBay for instruments (that doesn't actually suck). Highly recommended.
Was just going to post this. my son has bought and sold there a few times and loves the site.
 

stormkroe

Golden Member
May 28, 2011
1,550
97
91
I literally just pulled the trigger on a high end acoustic (Yairi) from Reverb.
Great site.
 

Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
38,548
350
126
The best way to sell a high end guitar I know is to become a rock star, play it in a famous concert, and then auction it at Sotheby's.

Bonus: you can even sell it damaged if you put the damage in the act like Hendrix or Townsend.

More seriously, I suspect it might not be easy - go to a pawn shop and it's filled with guitars.

I wouldn't rule out ebay. It's easy for you to see the going prices.
 

dr150

Diamond Member
Sep 18, 2003
6,570
24
81
Reverb.com has become the default site to sell guitar/guitar equipment these days. Fees are lower than eBay and the customers and sellers are much higher quality. There's also a better protection mechanism in place.

Aside of Reverb, I'd list on Craigslist (i.e. face to face cash transaction in public space) and the Seller's Forums on Gear Page, Acoustic Forum and the various Gibson/Fender forums you can find with a simple Google search. The forum member are more stand-up guys so I wouldn't fear. The more places you post, the greater your sales rate will be.

And as you said, stay away from stores like Guitar Center as they'll lowball you HARD! Always sell thru other channels for better results. Keep in mind that it is a buyer's market and you will get MANY lowball offers as well. Stay patient and keep faithful and you WILL eventually get a fair offer price. If you're short on time, you'll have to take hits. It is what it is!
 

Big Easy E

Junior Member
Dec 15, 2017
1
0
1
Hey I was wondering if anyone could help me i just signed on hear and I`m not sure how to start a post question? so i apologize if I`m stepping on any ones toes,I having a hard time finding out the value of a guitar I`m thinking of selling,And before you say google it or check ebay or online I have tried them all so hear is what I have,A 1977 Ibanez Challenger 6 string electric guitar law suit silver series i want to know how much there worth today or how much people are paying for this guitar.I know theres not many out there and there very collectable,
 

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
59,747
14,475
136
Hey I was wondering if anyone could help me i just signed on hear and I`m not sure how to start a post question? so i apologize if I`m stepping on any ones toes,I having a hard time finding out the value of a guitar I`m thinking of selling,And before you say google it or check ebay or online I have tried them all so hear is what I have,A 1977 Ibanez Challenger 6 string electric guitar law suit silver series i want to know how much there worth today or how much people are paying for this guitar.I know theres not many out there and there very collectable,
Well, that's the answer. It's worth what people are willing to pay, which you can check on ebay/reverb.com.
But you could also follow Craig's advice, and create an account on ultimate-guitar.com and ask there.
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,916
2,156
126
Hey I was wondering if anyone could help me i just signed on hear and I`m not sure how to start a post question? so i apologize if I`m stepping on any ones toes,I having a hard time finding out the value of a guitar I`m thinking of selling,And before you say google it or check ebay or online I have tried them all so hear is what I have,A 1977 Ibanez Challenger 6 string electric guitar law suit silver series i want to know how much there worth today or how much people are paying for this guitar.I know theres not many out there and there very collectable,
Reverb.com is pretty much the go-to place for this kind of thing. You can reference other models to see what they're realistically selling for to get a value. Law-suit Ibanez guitars are funny, because they only attract very specific buyers.

For instance, here's one that was going for $500 and looked to be in decent condition, but didn't sell:

https://reverb.com/item/1110905-vin...ibanez-challenger-lawsuit-era-electric-guitar