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Post subject: EBay guitar buying
Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 1:24 pm
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First off, I work for a company that does the majority of it's sales through eBay so I spend 8 hours a day working with eBay and out buyers.

Now that it is winter and our sales numbers are dropping off I have a lot of free time to browse eBay, mainly for music gear and guitars.

What is everyone opinion on buying a guitar on eBay. My sceptical side always feels like there are too many variables that can't be seen and I don't want to risk getting ripped off. Where as my bargain side says why buy new when you can get a sweet deal.

Has anyone had consistent good experiences buying guitars off eBay, or consistent bad experiences. Let me know.


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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 2:22 pm
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I bought one guitar off ebay, my Squier Jagmaster, but I wasn't too worried because it was from a reputable internet retailer who was also putting gear up on eBay. I don't know about buying used instruments from people as I am paranoid about something they may have "forgotten" to tell me, but I wouldn't worry about buying new from a store on eBay, as long as they have good feedback. Another main thing is just to make sure they have a return policy and you find out all the details regarding that policy before you purchase, as opposed to doing the opposite.

Use PayPal, because while there is no guarantee you will not get ripped off, at least paypal keeps your personal info away from others, and (usually) they can assist in getting matters resolved if any problems do arise.

I do buy pedals, new or used off eBay, and haven't had any problems with either the pedals or the sellers. Just be aware, ask questions, go with your gut instinct, and if it seems too good to be true, get clarification and confirmation about what the item is.

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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 2:59 pm
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Just check the item out - go with your gut - I have bought 3 guitars off there recently and havent had a problem at all - I have also sold several guitars on there as well as tons of amps and other gear - I normally offer my cell phone number and talk with the people if they have questions, as I have sold some expensive gear on there - I just bought a strat on there that was questionable from the pic and description, so the guy and I had a conversation on the phone and I ended up purchasing the guitar and love it!

Honestly, if they have good feedback I wouldnt worry about getting ripped off - if you bought a questionable guitar from someone with 3 feedbacks, then maybe worry - lol

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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 3:36 pm
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I buy and sell guitars on Ebay all the time and have never been ripped off. I will play a certain model in a store that I like, then hunt it down and end up saving myself a lot of money. I am not worried if it is used or new, I have been lucky. A lot of people won't buy acoustics and I can understand that, but honestly, I have done well with the Martins I have purchased. Always check out the feedback of the seller and see how many guitars he has sold and the comments. Worst case senerio, if your not happy, you just sell it on Ebay!


Last edited by vcartier on Fri Nov 16, 2007 4:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 4:12 pm
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I've bought 2 guitars off Ebay.

Both had some rather minor issues.

In one case , the issue was only cosmetic. I let that slide. In the second case, a tone pot was totally unconnected. I got a $20 rebate on that 'un.


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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:19 am
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Thanks for all the input guys. It puts my mind a little more at ease. Now I just have to make sure not to spend too much money.

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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 1:28 pm
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thats the how key to use Ebay to save money. What I do is track a certain model and see what the going rate it. To see if there are any real bargains out there. Give yourself bid range and don't go over the top number. The key is to get the guitar you want as cheaply as possible. I do this every day with guitars I think I might want to own. If I see one at a good price, I' away. I was bidding on a CIJ Rosewood Tele and had it at a great price, but the thought of my wife saying not another guitar got the best of me. I really didn't need it other than wanting to own it. So I let it pass through my fingers. Good luck!


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Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 2:10 pm
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I posted my Ebay story on another thread, but even though I've been buying and selling all kinds of things on Ebay and really after over 250 transactions, I've been burned only once - I would normally caution someone not "Ebay savvy" to avoid a large ticket item until they can read through alot of the information. That being said, one of the best deals I made and which was my ebay story on the other thred was winning the bid for my '03 MIM 70's reissue with the plastic still on the pickguard and backplate AND with a hardshell case for $416. :P

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Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 3:15 pm
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I've bought and sold guitars/amps on ebay without a problem. You've just got to be careful.


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Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:20 pm
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I bought some of my favorite guitars on eBay and had great luck -- Hwy1 Strat, LPB Jazzmaster just like the avatar, and a Fender Cyclone. Never had a problem. I think there is a feeling today that you could get better deals in the past, but today all of the bargains are gone.

Today I'm looking to sell gear I'm not using like an m-audio Fast Track USB interface. I'm not a big eBayer, I have 11 transactions but from just 9 unique sellers so I never earned my star. :cry:


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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 8:52 am
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hi, my name is Steve and i am a guitariholic.

i've purchased four guitars off of Ebay in the past three years, none of which do i currently own. all of them were used and were described fairly well by the sellers. make sure you ask all your questions in advance.

i wouldnt hesitate to buy from someone who has low but good recent feedback. beware of overseas sellers!!!

good luck


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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 3:49 pm
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I've bought several guitars thru Ebay and never had a problem. They were all just as described. I do agree with srbairjr....don't buy from overseas sellers. The overseas market is loaded with cheap fakes and intentionally mislabeled instruments.

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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 3:49 pm
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I've bought several guitars thru Ebay and never had a problem. They were all just as described. I do agree with srbairjr....don't buy from overseas sellers. The overseas market is loaded with cheap fakes and intentionally mislabeled instruments.

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"is that a real poncho...i mean
Is that a mexican poncho
Or is that a sears poncho?
Hmmm...no foolin ...." FZ


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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 4:21 pm
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I bought a early to mid 90's charvel from a pawnshop that sold on ebay. The store had good feeback but I think they were not educated enough about guitars to describe it accurately. Frets were worn badly and the stud that goes in the body for the floyd moved around and caused tuning problems. I just went ahead and got rid of it and took a loss.


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