I had a couple bad experiences with eBay maybe 10 or 11 years ago and never went back again. Fortunately I didn't lose any money but I sure lost interest in a hurry.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

Trust NO ONE!

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Advice lesson one- Don't buy from the back of a Van

Plus I would be willing to bet if you bought a stolen guitar there is a 99.9 percent chance no one would ever know. These things aren't Picasso's and are probably treated like some one getting a bike stolen. I am sure the average stolen guitar is valued at 200. to 1200. and most on the lower end. I guess they would be what you are talking about not the 20,000.00 ones

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

I think that stolen guitar registry is an excellent idea and our forum is now the third I have seen it on. I think mcimk8d since you mentioned it post it on the board on the forum lounge. Well I buy a lot on ebay and have never had a problem and most time end up with the buy sheet believe it or not. Het everything is a chance and I would not lose out on catching a great bargain just to buy new when I can save $500 or more on line.

Pawn shops I would believe have a high supply off hot guitars. I also am not into Craigs List bouncing all over the place to look at a guitar. I also think it would be very risky selling something fake or hot from your home as the return in my situation would not be very pleasant for someone, and someone who does things different would return with the law so it would be a lose lose situation.

Anyone that buys on the street would have to feel they are buying a hot guitar more than likely.Hey I do not buy hot guitars I dont care if it is a 59 burst, for the reasons already mentioned karma is a funny thing. I know how I would feel if one of my guitars were swiped and as a player I feel that is the lowest thing anyone who plays can do. In Vintage Guitar they have a column that list stolen gear also.

About 15 years ago or more I was approached and offered high quality axes that supposedly were swiped from Metalica and I believe them as they were superior axes and also the first time I saw Floyd on a Les Paul that was a beautiful Silver Burst and the price was right but after just checking them all out I passed. I remember one of the guys saying Kirk Hammet and Hetfeld probably have them replaced already but I could of cared less as to me it is taboo.

I am shocked that GC actually finger printed which to be honest I think is going to far. A license is good enough and I would never let them print me as that is going to far, what is next you give them DNA. I have to say that truthfully it is good to see that mostly all players are against buying hot guitars as it is a topic that is brought up all over and one that everyone is pretty firm on. But still dont let it stop you from buying a good deal on the web or be afraid to do so. I would realistically say the odds are very low of buying a hot guitar from someone with a high feedback rating.