How do I sell on Da Bay?

[roburado]

I've never sold so much as lint from my pocket on Da Bay. Let's say I decide to sell a non-EBMM guitar--of course, to finance an EBMM purchase. Just trying to be a good EBay seller to my prospective EBay buyer, but, of course, I still want to get my money (and maximize it) so that I can buy more of BP's great guitars. I really don't know how things work in the world of Da Bay.

1. How do you EBay sellers decide how much to ask for? Let's say I have a F3nd3r or Ib@n3z, maybe even a T@ylor, or T@k@min3 that I'd like to sell. Do you look at what similar guitars are going for on Da Bay? Locally? Are there pricing guides that I should consult? Like a Kelly Blue Book or an NADA guide for guitars instead of cars?

2. How does one decide on a categorization of the quality/used-ness of the instrument? My F3nd3r has a little bit of discoloration on the side of the neck, because I didn't know then as much as I know now in terms of taking care of guitars. It's got a bit of yellowing of the pup covers. Some of the lettering on the Pup covers is worn to illegibility. It's got some discoloration of the letters/numbers on the knobs. It's got some swirls. The pickguard has scratches. Is there jargon that I should use when describing the condition of the guitar that is concise and actually meaningful? It's been played a darn good amount, but never gigged. Should I just go ahead and describe the guitar's condition as above?

3. How much will restoration of the guitar affect its value? Should I even bother? Will it decrease the value? Increase the value? Things that would need to be restored, I think, are the trem block, because the trem arm snapped off, and there's still a piece left in the block. Maybe, the knobs and pup covers. Don't know if it will need some fret work. The pup selector switch and the "output" jack might need some help. That might need some new parts. I'd have to have someone re-float the trem.

4. When I list the guitar, do I set a minimum price? How is it decided how long an auction lasts?

5. What's the best way to ship the thing so that there's no damage? I have the OHSC, which honestly feels flimsy, but I suppose it will be okay. How should I pad/package the thing without doing any overkill, but simultaneously reigning in my cost?

6. How much should I expect to charge to charge a fair amount for shipping?

7. How do you deal with insuring the instrument? Who pays for that? The buyer? Let's say I sell a guitar. I got the money. The buyer pays for the insurance to guard against damage, which would be his loss? After all, I have his money. Is that the way it works?

Thanks in advance for any advice/help you can share.

 

[fsmith]

Wow... lots of questions. I'll give you answers based on my experience selling guitars on Ebay.

1. If you are going to set a buy it now, do your research. Figure out the least you would want for it. Most people are going to know what the value is and won't go for a big BIN. Once they start bidding though, it could go higher, you never know.

2. Call it as you see it. Be honest, provide a lot of pictures. Be ready to answer questions honestly.

3. It depends on the guitar. Do your research.

4. Set a low opening bid, you'll get more action. I'd let it go at least 5 days probably 7.

5. I ship in OHSC inside a cardboard box. Go to a local store and they'll probably give you a box that fits.

6. Charge the cost of shipping, don't rip them off. Ebay has been watching this.

7. Their responsibility to insure if they want, I always give them the option.

Good luck!

fred

 

[TonyEVH5150]

When I set a price for something that I'm selling, I'll look at similar listings. That's your competition. See what everyone else is setting their prices at, and arrange yours accordingly.

Buy It Now is a tricky beast. Set it too high, and no one will buy it. Set it too low, and you'll rip yourself off. One great feature of eBay, is the BIN or Best Offer. You set your BIN price (ususally the highest you'll sell for), and you can accept offers from buyers. The ability to do this one usually depends on your feedback score.

With shipping, a hardshell case inside of another box is good. I'll pad it with newspaper at the top and bottom. I've heard it recommended that you take some of the tension off the strings and lossen the truss rod slightly when shipping. But I've never done it myself.

When you ship something, it's usually the shipping company that assumes responsibility for the condition that the item arrives in. Insurance isn't a bad thing to offer, and it's up to you if you want to include it in the shipping price or offer it as an option. The buyer pays for shipping, unless you specifiy otherwise. Sometimes free shipping is a nice incentive with BIN auctions.

The most important thing is to try and make things as clear as possible. Your description, what's included (case, strings, whatever), your shipping terms (US only, worldwide), and your return policy (refund or as is) should be spelled out clearly.

 

[francric]

I've heard it recommended that you take some of the tension off the strings and lossen the truss rod slightly when shipping. But I've never done it myself.

When you ship something, it's usually the shipping company that assumes responsibility for the condition that the item arrives in. Insurance isn't a bad thing to offer, and it's up to you if you want to include it in the shipping price or offer it as an option. The buyer pays for shipping, unless you specifiy otherwise. Sometimes free shipping is a nice incentive with BIN auctions.

No need to loosen the strings or truss rod. IMO include insurance in your shipping price. It's cheap and gives you added security for the buyer should something happen and you avoid hassels. Although your not responsible for an item after you ship it, I would feel bad if a item got lost or wrecked and now a buyer is out a lot of money. Take a look at the wording in other auctions so you can see what to say to cover your butt.

 

[Smellybum]

I've never sold so much as lint from my pocket on Da Bay. Let's say I decide to sell a non-EBMM guitar--of course, to finance an EBMM purchase. Just trying to be a good EBay seller to my prospective EBay buyer, but, of course, I still want to get my money (and maximize it) so that I can buy more of BP's great guitars. I really don't know how things work in the world of Da Bay.

1. How do you EBay sellers decide how much to ask for? Let's say I have a F3nd3r or Ib@n3z, maybe even a T@ylor, or T@k@min3 that I'd like to sell. Do you look at what similar guitars are going for on Da Bay? Locally? Are there pricing guides that I should consult? Like a Kelly Blue Book or an NADA guide for guitars instead of cars?

2. How does one decide on a categorization of the quality/used-ness of the instrument? My F3nd3r has a little bit of discoloration on the side of the neck, because I didn't know then as much as I know now in terms of taking care of guitars. It's got a bit of yellowing of the pup covers. Some of the lettering on the Pup covers is worn to illegibility. It's got some discoloration of the letters/numbers on the knobs. It's got some swirls. The pickguard has scratches. Is there jargon that I should use when describing the condition of the guitar that is concise and actually meaningful? It's been played a darn good amount, but never gigged. Should I just go ahead and describe the guitar's condition as above?

3. How much will restoration of the guitar affect its value? Should I even bother? Will it decrease the value? Increase the value? Things that would need to be restored, I think, are the trem block, because the trem arm snapped off, and there's still a piece left in the block. Maybe, the knobs and pup covers. Don't know if it will need some fret work. The pup selector switch and the "output" jack might need some help. That might need some new parts. I'd have to have someone re-float the trem.

4. When I list the guitar, do I set a minimum price? How is it decided how long an auction lasts?

5. What's the best way to ship the thing so that there's no damage? I have the OHSC, which honestly feels flimsy, but I suppose it will be okay. How should I pad/package the thing without doing any overkill, but simultaneously reigning in my cost?

6. How much should I expect to charge to charge a fair amount for shipping?

7. How do you deal with insuring the instrument? Who pays for that? The buyer? Let's say I sell a guitar. I got the money. The buyer pays for the insurance to guard against damage, which would be his loss? After all, I have his money. Is that the way it works?

Thanks in advance for any advice/help you can share.

don't do it kid, it'll rot your soul.