I'm selling two instruments at the moment (a Fylde Octavius Bouzouki and a Fylde Octave Mandolin/Mandola), and was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on the best way to flog them, as I've never sold on an instrument before. I'm based in Dublin.
Your best bet would be to just ship them to me and I'll examine them and fax you back some cash. Or have you considered eBay? Or consignment at a reputable instrument dealer?
You'll get the best return if you can sell it privately - ad in the local paper or whatever.
Next best is to put it on consignment to a shop, but it might hang on their wall for months, and you won't get paid until it sells.
If you can persuade a dealer to buy it in you'll get your money straight away, but it will be a lot less.
The worst way is Ebay. You're pretty much guaranteed a sale, but because they are buying sight unseen buyers will work on the assumption that it is going to need some sort of work before they can sell it on, and will bid accordingly. (unless it's something very rare and collectable and a bidding war starts)
Don't do ebay. You get ebay fees plus paypal fees to pay. Plus, you might not get your money's worth there. Try specialty sites, like an Irish sting forum or something.
If you decide to sell on ebay, even though there are fees to pay, you are getting the largest possible audience.
Basically, set a low start price, to tempt in the punters, but set a realistic ( hidden ) reserve of the minimum you are prepared to let the instrument go at. With a bit of luck a feeding frenzy will set in.
Having a start price of the minimum you are prepared to let the instrument go for is a bit of a no-no ( although I'm always prepared to be wrong on this ). No-one, IMNSHO, is going to bid for something at its near maximum price as a first bid.
You don't need to use Paypal and have their fees, you can always say cheque, or cash on collection,but remember not to post anything until the cheque has cleared. Also, always pack instruments comprehensively, and slacken off the strings before packing, as any stresses during transit may be exacerbated by tight strings.
Local advertising, bearing in mind ours is a specialist interest with a small prospective audience, might be disappointing in its response.
Good advice, Pete, thanks. I'm looking to put a few duplicate instruments up for sale soon, so I will ponder your words of wisdom. Have you sold on e-bay yourself? (PM me if you like)
Pete is right about start prices on Ebay, but unfortunately the same applies to reserves: all the real bidding takes place in the last 10 seconds of the auction, but you'll always see a number of rediculously low bids going on at the very beginning. That's people testing for a reserve (once you place a bid Ebay will tell you if ther is a reserve you haven't met). If there is a reserve, the bargain hunters won't bid.
Bidding wars or feeding frenzies never happen for run of the mill instruments. Just like any other auction house, 90% of the punters on Ebay are dealers, who will never bid above the wholesale price, and even if there happens to be a private buyer or two involved, the hammer will still go down one bid after the dealers drop out.
But there is another way. Providing it's an honest instrument, you're an honest seller, and you are not necessarily wanting an instant sale, put it on Ebay as a 'Buy It Now' (preferably with a 'make an offer tag). The laws are slightly different because you are now selling it instead of auctioning it, so the buyer gets a lot more legal protection and you will have to agree to accept returns. But as far as price goes, that works in your favour: Private buyers will pay close to music shop prices if they know that they'll get their money back if your Fylde turns out to be an Ozark, or if the neck is bent.
I mostly agree with the Ebay "worst apart from the others" comment!
I think Ebay fees are lower if you give a low start. If there's a reserve the bid jumps to that as soon as someone bids above the reserve.
It is important to start low enough so that bidders have the security and confidence of seeing other people bidding. If you start at what you'd hope to get, the first bidder has to make a leap of faith.
I've generally been happy with both buying and selling experiences.
If accepting Paypal make sure you only ship to the registered address and you may need to accept returns to avoid a chargeback from a scamming buyer.
Would you not just put put them on the Buy and Sell? I've always had great luck selling instruments that way, plus I always find this time of year better for selling stuff what with all the festivals and summer schools happening they seem to generate more interest.
Gumtree. You advertise it primarily on the local site, so you may get a relatively local buyer who can inspect before cash purchase easily. But, as the whole site is searchable nationally by keyword (and people do search for Fylde as I know, having just sold an Oberon) you do reach potentially a lot of people. No cost for the ad, no fees. They keep pestering you to pay money to keep your as at the top of the page, but don't do it, it still will be as there are bever too many Fyldes on sale at any one time. If you do want to place a more recent ad, just copy and paste the old one into a new one. Simples. Good luck. Keith
If I were buying I'd prefer something local, at least one of the Irish-based sites mentioned above. I found my present guitar via an ad on http://www.peoplesrepublicofcork.com/
Selling instruments: What's the best option?
Selling instruments: What's the best option?
A chairde,
I'm selling two instruments at the moment (a Fylde Octavius Bouzouki and a Fylde Octave Mandolin/Mandola), and was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on the best way to flog them, as I've never sold on an instrument before. I'm based in Dublin.
Any help/advice is much appreciated.
Slán beo.
Johnny Madra.
# Posted on June 23rd 2011 by Johnny Madra
Re: Selling instruments: What's the best option?
Your best bet would be to just ship them to me and I'll examine them and fax you back some cash. Or have you considered eBay? Or consignment at a reputable instrument dealer?
# Posted on June 23rd 2011 by Bob himself
Re: Selling instruments: What's the best option?
"Your best bet would be to just ship them to me and I'll examine them and fax you back some cash."
I'll get straight on it.... :D
# Posted on June 23rd 2011 by Johnny Madra
Re: Selling instruments: What's the best option?
You'll get the best return if you can sell it privately - ad in the local paper or whatever.
Next best is to put it on consignment to a shop, but it might hang on their wall for months, and you won't get paid until it sells.
If you can persuade a dealer to buy it in you'll get your money straight away, but it will be a lot less.
The worst way is Ebay. You're pretty much guaranteed a sale, but because they are buying sight unseen buyers will work on the assumption that it is going to need some sort of work before they can sell it on, and will bid accordingly. (unless it's something very rare and collectable and a bidding war starts)
# Posted on June 23rd 2011 by skreech
Re: Selling instruments: What's the best option?
Don't do ebay. You get ebay fees plus paypal fees to pay. Plus, you might not get your money's worth there. Try specialty sites, like an Irish sting forum or something.
# Posted on June 23rd 2011 by pipersgrip
Re: Selling instruments: What's the best option?
If you decide to sell on ebay, even though there are fees to pay, you are getting the largest possible audience.
Basically, set a low start price, to tempt in the punters, but set a realistic ( hidden ) reserve of the minimum you are prepared to let the instrument go at. With a bit of luck a feeding frenzy will set in.
Having a start price of the minimum you are prepared to let the instrument go for is a bit of a no-no ( although I'm always prepared to be wrong on this ). No-one, IMNSHO, is going to bid for something at its near maximum price as a first bid.
You don't need to use Paypal and have their fees, you can always say cheque, or cash on collection,but remember not to post anything until the cheque has cleared. Also, always pack instruments comprehensively, and slacken off the strings before packing, as any stresses during transit may be exacerbated by tight strings.
Local advertising, bearing in mind ours is a specialist interest with a small prospective audience, might be disappointing in its response.
# Posted on June 24th 2011 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Selling instruments: What's the best option?
I think skreech and Pete are both right, even though they disagree.
Sometimes eBay is the worst possible option, except for all the others.
# Posted on June 24th 2011 by Bob himself
Re: Selling instruments: What's the best option?
Good advice, Pete, thanks. I'm looking to put a few duplicate instruments up for sale soon, so I will ponder your words of wisdom. Have you sold on e-bay yourself? (PM me if you like)
# Posted on June 24th 2011 by Jim Younger
Re: Selling instruments: What's the best option?
Pete is right about start prices on Ebay, but unfortunately the same applies to reserves: all the real bidding takes place in the last 10 seconds of the auction, but you'll always see a number of rediculously low bids going on at the very beginning. That's people testing for a reserve (once you place a bid Ebay will tell you if ther is a reserve you haven't met). If there is a reserve, the bargain hunters won't bid.
Bidding wars or feeding frenzies never happen for run of the mill instruments. Just like any other auction house, 90% of the punters on Ebay are dealers, who will never bid above the wholesale price, and even if there happens to be a private buyer or two involved, the hammer will still go down one bid after the dealers drop out.
But there is another way. Providing it's an honest instrument, you're an honest seller, and you are not necessarily wanting an instant sale, put it on Ebay as a 'Buy It Now' (preferably with a 'make an offer tag). The laws are slightly different because you are now selling it instead of auctioning it, so the buyer gets a lot more legal protection and you will have to agree to accept returns. But as far as price goes, that works in your favour: Private buyers will pay close to music shop prices if they know that they'll get their money back if your Fylde turns out to be an Ozark, or if the neck is bent.
# Posted on June 24th 2011 by skreech
Re: Selling instruments: What's the best option?
I mostly agree with the Ebay "worst apart from the others" comment!
I think Ebay fees are lower if you give a low start. If there's a reserve the bid jumps to that as soon as someone bids above the reserve.
It is important to start low enough so that bidders have the security and confidence of seeing other people bidding. If you start at what you'd hope to get, the first bidder has to make a leap of faith.
I've generally been happy with both buying and selling experiences.
If accepting Paypal make sure you only ship to the registered address and you may need to accept returns to avoid a chargeback from a scamming buyer.
# Posted on June 24th 2011 by TomB-R
Re: Selling instruments: What's the best option?
You could advertise it on the Chiff and Fipple buying and selling board.
http://forums.chiffandfipple.com/viewforum.php?f=35
# Posted on June 24th 2011 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Selling instruments: What's the best option?
Would you not just put put them on the Buy and Sell? I've always had great luck selling instruments that way, plus I always find this time of year better for selling stuff what with all the festivals and summer schools happening they seem to generate more interest.
# Posted on June 24th 2011 by triplet upstairs
Re: Selling instruments: What's the best option?
Try donedeal.ie You see the odd Bouzouki there.
But ebay is by far the best and safe too using paypal.
# Posted on June 24th 2011 by seaniemcg
Re: Selling instruments: What's the best option?
Gumtree. You advertise it primarily on the local site, so you may get a relatively local buyer who can inspect before cash purchase easily. But, as the whole site is searchable nationally by keyword (and people do search for Fylde as I know, having just sold an Oberon) you do reach potentially a lot of people. No cost for the ad, no fees. They keep pestering you to pay money to keep your as at the top of the page, but don't do it, it still will be as there are bever too many Fyldes on sale at any one time. If you do want to place a more recent ad, just copy and paste the old one into a new one. Simples. Good luck. Keith
# Posted on June 26th 2011 by ocarolan
Re: Selling instruments: What's the best option?
If I were buying I'd prefer something local, at least one of the Irish-based sites mentioned above. I found my present guitar via an ad on
http://www.peoplesrepublicofcork.com/
# Posted on June 27th 2011 by harmonic miner