On 2/20/09 I purchased a 2008 American Standard HSS in Sienna sunburst with a rosewood fretboard from Guitar Center. I recently decided to move up to an artist's model. When I asked GC about trading in the HSS (which I only bought a little more than 6+ weeks ago, before the price increases, but beyond the 30 day return period) they said that they would offer me about 60% of the median asking price on Ebay. They explained that 'they take on the risk of reselling the guiitar" which I thought was alot of bologna, especially since this is the fourth guitar that I have purchased from them. Anyway, the guitar is mint, played about 5 times in my house, and babied. I wanted to try to sell it privately for $900; is that a fair price? Where is/are the best place(s) to list it? Any insight that anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated, since I will NOT be going back to GC!

That's one of the reasons buying from a local independent shop can be better. You may pay a few bucks more, however, the employees would remember you buying that and be more inclined to offer you a better deal(s). Perhaps you could try to trade it in to a local shop. I don't know about getting $900 though.

_________________
-Classic 50's Strat.
-Std. Telecaster.
-Mike Dirnt P-bass.
-Custody of SE Strat.
-Peavey Predator/Dean Evo/Epiphone DR150/Gibson Slide (much older than me).

Rellik Productions Inc.

$900 is a fair price but definitely at the high end of the envelope. Here is my suggestion. Put it on eBay starting at $829. Make it very clear that this is a no-reserve auction (also put "NR" in the auction title). People can be very put off by "reserve" auctions. Then put a BUNCH of nice pictures showing every nuance of the guitar, along with a bunch of text describing the exact history of it. The more details, the better -- for everything that is perfect, mention it. For the pictures, use a good camera (no phone pics) and make sure the background is attractive or non-descript (no messy garages or bedrooms -- but next to a Ferrari if you have one is good). Ebay buyers are very wary of what you are not telling/ showing them. So, the more info you provide, they will feel more comfortable with you and the guitar. An HSS Sienna Sunburst is a little bit off the beaten path, which is good for you (especially if the wood grain looks particular good). There will be people who will see it, and go "hmmm - that is a pretty cool guitar". My guess it will sell for around $900 with a couple of bidders if you do all that assuming the guitar is mint and wholly unmodified. If you have made the slightest change to the guitar, you will scare some people off. It makes a big difference if you have all the case candy, too (give this its own picture).

EDIT: Also, people be very wary of WHY you are selling it so soon. You need to have a real good explanation.

_________________
Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

His idea is better.

_________________
-Classic 50's Strat.
-Std. Telecaster.
-Mike Dirnt P-bass.
-Custody of SE Strat.
-Peavey Predator/Dean Evo/Epiphone DR150/Gibson Slide (much older than me).

Rellik Productions Inc.

You could also try selling it on www.craigslist.org

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

LATEST UPDATE: I just got a quote from Usedinstrumentbuyer.com for $392. I know that this is my first time selling a guitar in the private market, but I told them for that price I will just hold onto the Strat.

Thanks for all of the great suggestions everyone.

Chet Feathers: I have set up a page on Craigslist asking $900 for guitar; I'll let you know how it goes.

01GT eibach: thanks very much for the detailed instructions for selling on ebay. I was considering ebay, but had no experience with it, so your advice is very timely. Should I set up a paypal account for payment? Sell only within the contiguous 48 states? Sorry for the newbie questions, but ebay intimidates me a little!

750.00 to 800.00 even though its only 6 weeks old it is still a used guitar and there is nothing special about it to make it stand out over the others in the way of being rare. The times are a buyers market there are a lot of product out there for sale and Fender are the most common of them. Most times there are 2500 plus fenders for sale on EBAY no other brand comes close. Deals are abound in numbers so finding them is not to hard.

_________________
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

Hello Connic01,

Well the guitar is used and around these parts
you can pick up a used one for $750 easy or less.

Cheers.

Yes, Paypal and only within the lower 48. Set a flat shipping rate that is reasonable (but allow people to pick it up in person if they are local). The great thing about eBay is it gets across to thousands of buyers without them having to come to your house. The key is to make them feel perfectly comfortable with you, and the guitar. Also, since you new at this, your ultra-low feedback may worry some. One thing to consider is a low starting bid. The lower your initial bid, the more bidders you will have involved in your auction which is good. Good luck!

_________________
Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

Thanks much for the help 01GT eibach. I'm going to take your advice and set up an account and list the guitar. One last newbie ebay question for you: am I obligated to sell the guitar to the highest bidder once the auction is over? I am just afraid that, without a reserve, I won't get what I feel is an acceptable price.

Hello Connic01,

Yes, without a reserve you are obligated to sell
to the winning bidder. Take a look at the completed
listings and you'll get an idea what they have been
going for. Any auction is a crap shoot and with no
feedback odds are increasing against a high bid.
Best of luck and keep us posted.

Cheers.

+1 -- Just set the initial bid as low as you are willing to take to prevent any regrets. Also, take a good look in the 'completed auctions' in the advanced search, to really research how much people are paying. Your guitar is special (HSS and Sienna Sunburst), so a well done auction for you should be able to get the high end of the envelope, for sure.

_________________
Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...