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Post subject: Craigslist
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 7:50 am
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Aspiring Musician
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I enjoy scrolling through this great site every morning. I also enjoy Craigslist, looking for interesting guitars at a good price. Late last night I saw one and was tempted to buy it. This morning it was gone. All that was left on Craigslist was old, old postings by people wanting new prices on common guitars because they installed a different pickup, or asking $50 less than new saying you're saving $100 because of no tax. If they really want to sell, they will eventually accept a fair price down the road. Can't understand why they think all the weeks of hassle is worth it.


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Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Craigslist
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 8:21 am
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tvr1979 wrote:
I enjoy scrolling through this great site every morning. I also enjoy Craigslist, looking for interesting guitars at a good price. Late last night I saw one and was tempted to buy it. This morning it was gone. All that was left on Craigslist was old, old postings by people wanting new prices on common guitars because they installed a different pickup, or asking $50 less than new saying you're saving $100 because of no tax. If they really want to sell, they will eventually accept a fair price down the road. Can't understand why they think all the weeks of hassle is worth it.


I hear ya - try searching Tempest - slightly better results:
http://www.searchtempest.com/

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Post subject: Re: Craigslist
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 3:36 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 2:11 pm
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Location: Iowa, USA
I just tried that stupid Tempest site...every result that came up in a 50 mile radius of my area, was a Craigslist ad. Why wouldn't I just go directly to Craigslist.

Maybe it works better in other areas, but for me it is just an unnecessary "middle man".

Thanks anyway.


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Post subject: Re: Craigslist
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 3:54 pm
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Professional Musician
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I've had better luck selling on CL than buying. My secret has been to not need to sell it, place an upper price on it and then just wait. Every time I got queries weeks after the add was to expire and they have always paid my asking price (nowhere near the lowest prices for similar gear).

Though I did get a great deal on my '99 Nashville Deluxe Telecaster on CL.

cheers!

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'11 FSR Am. Vtg. Ltd. Ed. CAR '57 Stratocaster (SN# LE02639)
'14 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster
'12 Telebration Empress Telecaster
'99 Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
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'10 Heritage H-535
'99 Martin DC-1E
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Post subject: Re: Craigslist
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 5:55 am
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White Dog wrote:
I just tried that stupid Tempest site...every result that came up in a 50 mile radius of my area, was a Craigslist ad. Why wouldn't I just go directly to Craigslist.

Maybe it works better in other areas, but for me it is just an unnecessary "middle man".

Thanks anyway.


Try Reverb.com

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!


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Post subject: Re: Craigslist
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 7:48 am
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Miami Mike wrote:
Try Reverb.com

Reverb started out fine, but now I find that it's mostly overpriced crap, and most of the listings are from stores, not individuals.

To start with, they looked over the ads, and pulled down those that were untruthful. Now they don't appear to do so - guitars with the frets worn down to the wood get listed as "mint", and Squiers get listed as Fenders - you have to examine the pic and read the small text to not get scammed. It has become as much Caveat Emptor as Craigslist.


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Post subject: Re: Craigslist
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 8:56 am
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Professional Musician
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Joined: Sat Aug 23, 2008 2:01 pm
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Lightnin MN wrote:
I've had better luck selling on CL than buying. My secret has been to not need to sell it, place an upper price on it and then just wait. Every time I got queries weeks after the add was to expire and they have always paid my asking price (nowhere near the lowest prices for similar gear).

Though I did get a great deal on my '99 Nashville Deluxe Telecaster on CL.

cheers!




Interesting...I've actually had the exact opposite experience with Craigslist. I've gotten some GREAT deals over the years, but don't have too much luck with selling...unless I drop my prices well below market value or accept unrealistic low-ball offers ("I'll give you $40 for that Mexican Standard..."....riiiiiiight). I even have trouble getting equitable trades for stuff like music gear...seems like everyone's tryin' to snake you out of something.

With that, personally my biggest gripe about Craigslist is simply all of the crap/spam emails I get whenever I post something. I'll put something like a Strat up for sale and I'll get offers trying to sell me everything from time share condos to Ginsu knives to emergency food assistance! OYE!!!!! In fact that last one has been a real problem lately on the Cleveland Craigslist...you look at everything from the musician's section to help wanted and someone's been doing repeated posts for "Are you having problems buying food?"...I just can't figure out why a legit food bank would spam Craigslist like that.....


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Post subject: Re: Craigslist
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 11:12 am
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Lightnin MN wrote:
I've had better luck selling on CL than buying. My secret has been to not need to sell it, place an upper price on it and then just wait. Every time I got queries weeks after the add was to expire and they have always paid my asking price (nowhere near the lowest prices for similar gear).

Though I did get a great deal on my '99 Nashville Deluxe Telecaster on CL.

cheers!


+1...Minnisota that is the secret! I sold the second Bantam Bass Amp I refurbed, a 72 Super Reverb, a '62 Tele Custom, a Les Paul Special, a Les Paul Studio, a Duo Sonic, Epi Les Paul, an ADA Pre Amp, some speakers and pedals...not to mention both of my Corvettes! You just got to be patient!

I must admit I have only bought one amp from CL, but that is due more to finding what I was looking for, than prices. I will say, it helps to live by a major metro area just for the shear volume of what is listed out there.

I have to say all my dealings on CL have been positive.

T2

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Post subject: Re: Craigslist
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 2:40 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:15 pm
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So much depends on where you live and what your selling. In a large city just about every popular guitar floods Craigslist, so it's a buyers market. If you can't find a deal today, you'll most likely find several by the end of the month. More collectable, or lower volume, high end guitars command better prices of course but I've still passed on decent buys and got what I wanted later at a better price. Key is, never feel sorry because you didn't buy something. Whatever, another will always come down the road at a better price. Once looked and waited a year before "a smoking deal" on a Richenbacker. Bought it and another one came up the very next week, and the guy would sell for $200 less than what I just paid. Damn if I didn't buy it too.


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Post subject: Re: Craigslist
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 3:01 pm
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Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2015 9:47 am
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I check Craigslist quite often too, I've sold a couple things on there but have gotten great deals as well. Most noticeably bought a mint American Standard Strat for $300 and a Deluxe American Strat for $525.

I think the problem with selling is that people EXPECT to buy things on Craigslist for ridiculously low prices and assume the seller is desperate (sometimes they are, but not all the time). I agree with the post above just to hold your ground. I've learned over the years that if you're not 110% sure you want that instrument for life, then you better get a really good deal on it or plan to take a huge loss if you ever sell within the next 20 years. Store's will typically pay about 30% of new price for a piece of gear in cash. Truthfully I don't blame them, but I think in general the guitar market should be higher for used instruments - especially since they're items that are hard to "break" and only typically appreciate in value. I've never even heard of anyone actually using the factory warranty on a guitar, I mean if the wiring/pickup is bad then you're not going to pay to ship it and will just have a local guy fix it or do it yourself, and if you snap the neck in half then it's not covered in the warranty! So why the used market is so bad is beyond me. Where I'm going with all this is (yes I had a point) that selling an instrument is going to lead to one of two general types of buyers:

1. Someone who is looking specifically for your instrument and happens to love it and will pay what you ask within reason
2. Someone who just wants that brand and model and wants to find the cheapest one in the world

Expect to find a hundred "2's" and only one "1."


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Post subject: Re: Craigslist
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 3:13 pm
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Like any pre-owned or used items (cars, guitars, etc) it takes some
work to find a great deal but if you're persistent and know what you're
looking to buy or sell and in no rush, you can find some deals on several
web sites. Negotiate!

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!


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Post subject: Re: Craigslist
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 7:44 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2013 6:30 am
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Your post prompted me to log on to my local CL page, and have a look.

Now maybe I just live in a "music" kinda town, but there were a vast number of items for sale in the musical instruments category. Quite a few nice finds, too! I guess there are a lot of people thinning the herd after Christmas!

I've had the best luck when I haven't been overly specific in what I'm looking for. There's nearly always Something that interests me. I have less luck when I'm after a specific item, unless it's something very common.

I'm probably an offshoot of Antisinglecoil's TYPE 1. I may not start out looking for the exact item you're selling, but if I do decide I want it, I'll pay the asking price if it's within reason. No b.s., run- arounds, aggressive haggling, excessive tire kicking, etc. So far this approach has worked for me. Only had one seller flake out on me, and I've been perfectly happy with what I got for what I paid.


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Post subject: Re: Craigslist
Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2015 7:41 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Location: Iowa, USA
I have gotten really, really, really great deals off Craigslist---usually from people that have no clue what they got, and/or what it's worth. And yes; I will straight up take advantage of the oblivious (easy to do when you know you will never see that person again).

I agree with those that say, I don't HAVE to sell my equipment or gear, so when I post an ad to sell; I ALWAYS make the price $25 to $50 more than I actually am willing to haggle on...and if nobody answers the ad in 1 month I RAISE the price. It get's attention---if nothing else it will make people contact me just to see if I'm out of my mind. Then I got them on the phone; LET'S TALK!

I expect a good deal from people that actually KNOW what they are selling....and I will give a fellow musician a good deal as well. I have absolutely taken a loss on something to get something else that I actually want.

That is Craigslist.


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Post subject: Re: Craigslist
Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2015 10:50 am
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I refuse to haggle, whether I sell or buy.

- If I buy, if you're not honest and upfront enough to list the real price you expect to get, I don't want to buy from you.

- If I sell, I set a very low price. I want to know what you're going to do with what you buy, and pick the buyer based on that. If you even attempt to haggle[*], you only get two words from me.

In any case, individuals who have money as their prime concern get no business from me.

[*] I've had people try to haggle or show monetary concerns even when I've given away stuff for free. Several have asked how much I paid for something, and one guy even argued that the cables needed to come with the speakers I wanted to give away.


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Post subject: Re: Craigslist
Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2015 10:59 am
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White Dog wrote:
I have gotten really, really, really great deals off Craigslist---usually from people that have no clue what they got, and/or what it's worth. And yes; I will straight up take advantage of the oblivious (easy to do when you know you will never see that person again).


Honesty and integrity implies not only not saying an outright lie, but not withholding important information. Taking advantage of others is not a virtue to brag about.
What goes around, comes around.


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