How do you buy guitars online?????

[brett8388]

Alright, I'm curious if my thinking on this subject is correct.

Say for instance you see something for sale on line (be it ebay, an online classified ad, etc.) and inquire about the item. When you ask the seller personally, the seller says he has a deal already on the item.

Here is my question - what should your reaction be???

1) "OK, thanks. If the buyer doesn't come through, please contact me at..."

OR

2) "What are they paying for it? (seller gives a figure) Oh, I'll give you $50 more than that." Then proceed to work out a new deal with the seller.

Granted, at this point, no money has changed hands because the seller has requested a Fed Ex'd payment the next day. If money has changed hands, you're definately in the wrong to offer more. But because cash has not changed hands, are you wrong to offer more?

My question is really on buyer ethics and karma. I've always been of the belief that when a seller says an item is sold, you shouldn't ask the selling price and try to offer above it and mess up another person's pending deal. I back off at that point...but maybe I'm wrong?

I know a huge amount of the blame goes to the seller who breaks his word regardless of the new buyer / higher offer issue.

I'm curious to hear the responses.

 

[NorM]

I would say that you offering more is asking the seller to go back on his word with the other person. (<Darth Vader breathing noise> Come to the Dark Side.) I would respect thier statement and say "Thank You for your time." and keep looking.

 

[koogie2k]

What NorM said and here is a little something to go with it.

Yeah...that kinda happened to me when I sold my 7 string Pet. I had the deal all worked out with one dude, no money changed hands yet. However, I gave the dude my word that the axe was his and would hold it for him while he worked out his money. He was very upfront with me which was very cool of him to do.

Then I got several inquiries about the axe. I told them all that I had a deal in the works and one dude offered my quite a bit more to sell it to him. He had the cash right there. I just could not do that to the first guy as I gave him my word. My integrity is something I really have a high value on. I told this guy no and he persisted with even more money. Finally, I told him if he had a Million $$...it was his because I cannot screw this guy over. He finally got the hint and let it go.

I did sell the guitar to the orginal guy and because he was so cool, I Fed-ex'd him the axe at my cost. I hate seeing people screwed over when they are told something and it doesn't happen. Funny thing, dude sent me his band's CD and some shirts and hats as a Thank-you after he did some recording with the JP I sold him.....come as a surprise. He told me it was my word to him that he will remember more so than the axe.....+1 karma for me....

 

[phatduckk]

honestly some of this is why i almost always buy stuff new. i dont wanna deal with losing an auction or having to offer more etc.

only time i get stuff used is from friends cuz in that case i know if they offer it up, its mine if im willing to buy it.

 

[GWDavis28]

Brent, I tend to go with number 1, but I usually keep my eye on what's happening.

I've gone the other root and started talking to the buyer and worked that angle. That's how I got the Silo Special. It took 3 months, but I got the guitar in the end.

I'm kind of with NorM here, dare I say it, if you are working the seller and he's gonna break a deal that he has going for $50, then you might not want to be dealing them.

Glenn |B)

 

[beej]

Koogs, that's a brilliant post. At the end of the day, all you have is your integrity. Lead by example.

 

[SteveB]

integrity is what you do when nobody is watching...

I wouldn't have any respect for someone who'd sell me a "sold" item just 'cause I threw 'em a few more bucks. Under agreement is under agreement.

 

[SteveB]

+1 beej, I just posted and yours turned up too.. funny we both mentioned integrity.

 

[brentrocks]

WOW!

You are really that upset that i got that red EVH!?

That is called the "Free Enterprise System" , my friend! We live in America, that's called the business world!

If you want to blame someone Brett, blame the seller for secrewing you out of the deal!

There is no shame in offering to pay more $$$ for something you want. And i am not gonna lose a minutes sleep over it!

If you realy wanted it that bad you should have bid on it...who's name was on the auction as high bidder at auction's close (wether it went full term or not)....MINE.

Dude, i would say i'm sorry, but i'm not. You can't win them all dude.

 

[Norrin Radd]

Hey!

If this is a personal issue, let's keep it out of the forum. As no buyers or sellers were named in the first post, I read the thread as a real ethical question. Let's keep it "hypothetical".

As to the issue, my belief is that anybody who ends an auction early on ebay without a "Buy-it-now" option is a schmuck, buyer or seller instigated. Remember that selling on ebay constitutes a contract, so an auction completed and then reneged uopn is actionable in court.

HOWEVER, I can understand why a seller would end an auction early - certainty of the sale. IF that happens and then the seller renegs and sells to another - well - that person gets lots of minus karma in my book. Doing so may constitute "business" as usual, but that kind of act continues to further the erosion of the integrity of and trust in fellow human beings. It's an act that should be frowned upon. EBMM does not run their business that way and neither do I. I think that kind of activity is despicable and frankly, sad and pathetic.

 

[brett8388]

WOW!

You are really that upset that i got that red EVH!?

That is called the "Free Enterprise System" , my friend! We live in America, that's called the business world!

If you want to blame someone Brett, blame the seller for secrewing you out of the deal!

There is no shame in offering to pay more $$$ for something you want. And i am not gonna lose a minutes sleep over it!

If you realy wanted it that bad you should have bid on it...who's name was on the auction as high bidder at auction's close (wether it went full term or not)....MINE.

Dude, i would say i'm sorry, but i'm not. You can't win them all dude.

Brent, I asked a hypothetical question about what people would do in a similar situation. I did not name you, nor anyone on this forum. I merely asked what someone would do if faced with a similar situation and was going to adjust my buying practices accordingly in case I was wrong.

I find this funny that while I didn't name you, you named yourself. Dude, why??? I was just asking a hypothetical question because I was unsure of how others would react in a similar situation. I think the posts are pretty much one sided as to what the majority would do, with a lone voice to the contrary.

Read a few of these posts on "integrity" btw.

Enjoy your guitar and the karma that goes with it. $1350 was a great deal on that EVH.

Admins, feel free to delete this thread since it was not intended as a personal attack on any person or their business practices in the "business world"...

 

[Beth]

I don't really know a whole lot about using Ebay. I'd really like to get on there and start trading, but my pocketbook won't allow me and neither will my neat freak "non-clutterbug" instincts...

What I do know is this: if you have a beef with someone, please take it up with them privately. Please e-mail them or call or anything, but let's leave the drama off the EB forum.

I also know enough from watching Ebay for the past few years that there may be one gem missed, but there's always something more (and better!) around the corner.

 

[brett8388]

I don't really know a whole lot about using Ebay. I'd really like to get on there and start trading, but my pocketbook won't allow me and neither will my neat freak "non-clutterbug" instincts...

What I do know is this: if you have a beef with someone, please take it up with them privately. Please e-mail them or call or anything, but let's leave the drama off the EB forum.

I also know enough from watching Ebay for the past few years that there may be one gem missed, but there's always something more (and better!) around the corner.

Understood Beth, but again, I did not post this with the intention of airing a beef with another forum member, and me of all people knows there is always another deal around the corner - lol.

I was merely asking a buying and selling honor/integrity question to guage what others would do in a similar situation. I think the question has merit on this forum for educational purposes.

Thanks.

 

[Beth]

I agree with you wholeheartedly, Brett. I do think that the hypothetical question that you asked on the forum was valid and well-contributed. None of us knew it was a real situation until a beef was taken...

 

[jpdoom]

Damn, a red quilt EVH went for $1350! Where the hell was I

 

[bovinehost]

I am a big believer in ethics.

I firmly believe that a deal is a deal. I have given up 'extra' dollars to complete a deal I agreed to.

If you have done it differently, then good for you.

Not so good for your karma, but that's your business.

Speaking of karma, let's end this now and if anyone here has further business, take it to email.

And let your conscience be your guide, eh?

Jack

 

[phatduckk]

let's end this now and if anyone here has further business, take it to email.

Jack

jack beat me to it... lets not argue about stuff in public. PMs, IMs and emails are the right place for that.