The closest to that happened to me. I found an ad for "Guitar, $30" in a local shopper paper. When I called, the seller told me, "If 'Martin' doesn't mean anything to you, I can't tell you more." It was a 1932 Martin 0-18, with a sunburst finish, even.

When I bought it, I asked her why she'd priced it like she did. She said, "I went to [a since-closed music store], and asked them, 'Is $30 too much?' and they said, 'No.'"

That store screwed her over, to my way of thinking. I couldn't afford a whole lot more, so, to make it up to her, I bought two other guitars from her, also around $30 each, even though I didn't need 'em. But the store should have, I think, told her to set a higher price.

This was in 1967, by the way, so the 'going' price was around $150-200, but nonetheless....

Bob

By the way, I have a question -- what is a very basic 1950s Tatay student guitar, mahogany sides & back, in average condition, except a large crack the full length of the back -- what is such a guitar worth? I have one to sell for a friend, and have a crisis of conscience. I want to buy it, so it's hard to set a proper sale price. We've negotiated a price, but I am worried that I low-balled him. Give me some idea, please.