eBay (for guitar purchase)

Subject: RE: Ebay (for guitar purchase)
From: PennyBlack
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 01:50 PM

Too many!

Read the feedback, don't get carried away with auction Fever, ask questions of the seller (If he'she lives nearby ask to have a look at the Instrument and get yourself a bargain! I have bought many instruments on eBay and only had one I regretted buying (but it was cheap!) and made a lot of friends.

Pete

PB

Subject: RE: Ebay (for guitar purchase)
From: ThreeSheds
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 04:44 AM

Caveat emptor Its latin you know ( or pretty close)
Of course its a risk buying on Ebay but you can buy at a discount
My first attempt at buying on Ebay was to find a bass guitar for my lad. I went to pick up the guitar in person and was appalled at the condition the description had suggested normal wear belt rash et al (more latin)but the instrument had been deliberately distressed in a most child like manner (great lumps chopped out)It bore no relation to the photo I said the guitar was not as per description and walked away. Not discouraged I bid on another bass far end of the country and trusted the description this was a far happier transaction the guitar arrived in near mint condition very promptly. I have also bought a Mandola on ebay though I probably paid a trifle too much for it this instrument was as described and well packed.
These purchases have been in the sub GBP100 area if I was to bid on a top end instrument I'd certainly go see it not just to satisfy myself that it was as described but to make sure I liked it
I find that Ebay is excelant if you are realistic about your expectations

Subject: RE: Ebay (for guitar purchase)
From: fogie
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 05:32 AM

I just lost £1250 on a total scam, too complicated to explain -the police are involved - never again!

Subject: RE: Ebay (for guitar purchase)
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 09:40 AM

My son bought one on Ebay. I forgot the brand and the amount of money, but it was a really good brand for a good price -- not a steal, but nice.

He played it and loved it for several months, then noticed that the neck had been patched. He suddenly became very dissatisfied with it. Hubby told him he was satisfied earlier then asked what had changed. Hubby then offered to buy it from him for what he paid for it, and he shut up.

I think it was from a guitar store and not an individual. The repair job was very difficult to detect.

Subject: RE: Ebay (for guitar purchase)
From: GUEST,Doc
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 09:01 PM

I have been doing business on Ebay for several years selling medical surplus and live corals. I recently purchased a new Stellar copy of a 67 Gibson V. Nice Humbuckers and a solid guitar! Plays and sounds like the original! Just remember: Always get insurance and a tracking number on your package. Shit happens but most sellers that are regular users on ebay are on the level. With individuals and buying used parts or guitars - read the ad completely and if you have questions contact the seller to clear things up. If you get burned because the item was misrepresented use the ebay complaint system and demand a refund! I have done this once on a bad item and got my cash back! No picture - Don't Buy It!

Subject: RE: Ebay (for guitar purchase)
From: HiHo_Silver
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 02:00 PM

I purchased a guitar on Ebay recently. It came exactly as seller
described it and the transaction went completely smooth. Instrument is far superior to an instrument of the same dollar value in my area and I am totally satisified with the purchase. I also know a friend who purchased a Martin D35 on Ebay at far below market price and upon inspection I cannot find any problems with it. A Few dings and scratches but was exactly as pictured. It is like dealing in any mode. There are good and bad sellers. Do your homework before bidding. There are Always some risks in every purchase.

Subject: RE: Ebay (for guitar purchase)
From: Gypsy
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 09:10 PM

We have been very fortunate with our instrument purchases on Ebay........but something that really helps. find out if the seller will accept Iescrow......if not, be suspect. The item listed should be identical to what you recieve, and if they are leery of using an escrow account for all but the most inexpensive of instruments, i probably wouldn't bid on it.

Subject: RE: Ebay (for guitar purchase)
From: GUEST,Bluesmike
Date: 17 Dec 04 - 02:57 AM

Recently bought a new Strat with a totalled neck for $105 Aus. It was exactly as described. Because I want a killer totally unique guitar I have bought a loaded pick guard- from Australia and a hand made neck- from a recognised Fender replacement manufacturer in the US. So far, my Strat has cost, including shipping $380 Australian which is about 10 per cent of its real value.
I play in a good working band and my lead guitarist and I have bought several guitars on Ebay- including a reso, some mind blowing pickups and a couple of necks. Caveat emptor- above all but we have no complaints. some screws were missing from one shipment and the vendor apologised profusely and sent them immediately. We happily continue to use Ebay- check the vendors history- it is visible and read the description of each . Be realistic about how much you are prepared to pay for an item and let it go if it goes above the figure- there are always more of the same thing out there.
I'm a very happy camper

Subject: RE: Ebay (for guitar purchase)
From: GUEST,instruments bought on ebay
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 02:08 PM

I bought two deering banjos

a gibson gospel guitar

and no problems whatsoever
with the instruments.
If anyone offers money back guarantee
which is the best way to buy anything ,
I do alot of ebay ,
with only one bad experience ,
and that was with saltwater coral.

Subject: RE: Ebay (for guitar purchase)
From: GUEST,Warwick Slade
Date: 20 Aug 07 - 02:47 PM

I have bought two guitars on e-bay. Recently a used Ozark Dobro type and, a couple of years age, a brand new Martin 00018. Both very satisfactory. You have to hope some b*****d is not selling duff or bent gear. (I can live with bent)

Subject: RE: Ebay (for guitar purchase)
From: Padre
Date: 20 Aug 07 - 10:05 PM

well, I did it again - bought a 000-15S (12-fret, slot head) from eBay - if anything, it sounds better than the D-15S I had bought earlier.

Subject: RE: eBay (for guitar purchase)
From: GUEST,Stan
Date: 21 Mar 11 - 07:05 AM

I bought 2 guitars off ebay in the last 6 months. A Gibson LG0 and a G series Takamine. The Gibson was exactly as described, it had a plastic bridge which has now been replaced with a rosewood one. It had been refinished at one time and the tuning machines are not original but I knew all this before bidding. The Takamine had an appallingly high action and, as it turned out, an over tightened truss rod. (luckily it was not stripped.) After some internet research and an attempt to replace the saddle I found out that this model has shims under the pickup. After removing the thickest two shims the action was OK. Taking tension off the truss rod put a bit of relief back into the fretboard. Ive now got two good buys from ebay. Maybe I'm lucky.

Subject: RE: eBay (for guitar purchase)
From: alex s
Date: 21 Mar 11 - 10:18 AM

I bought a new octave mandola - really pleased with it.

I also took a chance on "unknown 12 string" for £38 which turned out to be a Harmony Sovereign (see previous thread and pics). I've kept the receipt to show Doubting Thomases.....

My mate bought a Yamaha Compass guitar which is excellent.

I suppose you've got to work out whether it's worth taking a chance or not.

Subject: RE: eBay (for guitar purchase)
From: Silas
Date: 21 Mar 11 - 10:31 AM

I have bought three guitars off ebay, a Martin Felix, a Martin DX1R and a Sigma DR28H. All have been first class with no issues at all.

Subject: RE: eBay (for guitar purchase)
From: GUEST,Doug Saum
Date: 21 Mar 11 - 12:22 PM

I have purchased two guitars via Ebay from two sellers: Gibson 335 (new) and Gibson Chet Atkins CEC (used nylon stringed solid body). I'm happy with both purchases - no porblems. Doug

Subject: RE: eBay (for guitar purchase)
From: Gurney
Date: 21 Mar 11 - 05:36 PM

Not Ebay, our version is called TradeMe.
I bought three guitars, cheap ones bought very cheaply, in one week. One I liked a lot, a new-condition Jack and Danny Brothers, and two were working OK but not so good. All three Chinese-made. I fettled the two just a little bit and chopped them back out at the local folk festival, where they have a bring-and-buy. The guys who bought them were experienced players who wanted hacks. You'ld have to pay me more than the original price to get the J&D from me.

I would think carefully before buying an older guitar sight-unseen. I've learned buying other things online that it pays to carefully read the vendor's history. Between the lines as well.

Subject: RE: eBay (for guitar purchase)
From: Fossil
Date: 21 Mar 11 - 06:21 PM

Like Gurney, I use the TradeMe website, a local New Zealand auction site, very professional and well sorted.

Have bought three guitars - a Tanglewood TW900, a Sigma D28-12R and a ColeClark FL2AC. No problems with any trade and the goods were exactly as advertised.

The ColeClark was in effect a new guitar in perfect condition which I got for about $600NZ under the local list price in the shops, and when I opened the case, I was blown away by the delicious smell of new wood.

The Sigma was a Japanese made 1982 model, advertised as having some small dings on the headstock (it did, but they were very small). The neck and body were flawless and it sounds great. Apparently it's an exact copy of a Martin D28-12, the R standing for rosewood sides and back. The top is one-piece spruce. It is the loudest guitar I have ever played and certainly the nicest 12-string.

I have also used TradeMe to sell two guitars, an Ovation Celebrity 12 and a Walden. Both trades went just fine.

I think the trick to using auction sites is to be very clear about what you want and how much you're prepared to pay for it. Don't tip off others by making your interest known at an early stage, leave bidding to the last minute. However, don't neglect the "Buy Now" option if the asking price is within your zone - I sneaked a very good brand-new surfboard because the bidding had got within $25 of the buy-now price with a few days left to go.

TradeMe has another useful feature, the "watchlist". This will give you a notification that the auction on your item is due to close in a predetermined time. Also, usefully, sometimes people who have put the item on their watchlist will be contacted if the item fails to sell in the regular auction and you will have an opportunity to put in a lower bid: which is how I got the Sigma.

And certainly, read the seller's reviews carefully, but don't put your faith in them. And yes, pay for insurance if you're having anything shipped to you.