Question Is the economy really that bad?

[Oldtoe]

I, too, have used USPS for shipping things to the UK with no problem whatsoever. My local USPS employees are intelligent and efficient.

 

[oli@bass]

I've been on the receiving end of several USPS shipments and the packages arrived all in very well condition. It seems that the national post offices all have upped their quality due to the competition.

 

[jasper383]

I've been on the receiving end of several USPS shipments and the packages arrived all in very well condition. It seems that the national post offices all have upped their quality due to the competition.

+1

I guess after 25 years of FedEx, DHL, and UPS eating their lunch, it was time.

 

[Caca de Kick]

Oli,
Just curious because I know you've received a few instruments...
Are you having them shipped in cases? Or with the necks removed to ship a smaller (cheaper) package?

-Mike

 

[oli@bass]

Oli,
Just curious because I know you've received a few instruments...
Are you having them shipped in cases? Or with the necks removed to ship a smaller (cheaper) package?

-Mike

Mike, they were all shipped in their original cases, in cardboard shipping boxes. IMO, I'd have second thoughts on taking apart a fine (and probably rare) bass just for shipping, plus I wanted the cases (especially the LE's).


Back on topic regarding economy: I wonder how the market will be now, because I've got some rather expensive instruments which I try to sell since last fall. It seems that within the last 12 months, the market was better for the cheaper stuff.

 

[jlepre]

Back on topic regarding economy: I wonder how the market will be now, because I've got some rather expensive instruments which I try to sell since last fall. It seems that within the last 12 months, the market was better for the cheaper stuff.

I can see how that could be true. I've been trying to sell 2 basses (both $1000+) and have had no luck as of yet.

I really want to get that SR5 Unlined fretless...

 

[kissmyaxe]

I geuss I have been lucky being left handed. The demand for a quality instrument is always there. I have made $700 profit between my US Strat and US Heritage I sold this past month to fund some new balls. one went in state and one went to the UK..on the other hand I have a few intermediate guitars that are not selling and I am going to have to take my first $100+ loss on a guitar ever, also sold my Dad's Warwick and we had to drop the price 100+ of what was already below what we wanted. However we got a good deal on the Sterling and it was an even swap, so we are both happy and I have officially converted him

With shipping. USPS has started to sway me. I had to send my ASS in overnight shipping to a guy leaving overseas the next day. The deal breaker was the fact I got it from Seattle to New York for under $100, every one else had me at around $250.

 

[AtomicPunk]

Yes, it is that bad. Especially in places like Detroit, where I live. Every day seems to bring more bad news and people here are gripping.

 

[silverbass]

I guess maybe I've been lucky then. I've sold about 20 used effects pedals this year and about 4-5 basses. The last two basses I sold went in less than two weeks, one for asking price, and the other a little less. They were both above $1200.

As far as shipping overseas, I do it all the time but I am very clear that the buyer needs to examine a lot of pictures, ask a lot of questions and pay for shipping back to me if it's not what they wanted.
I think one of the reasons people may hesitate is because you never know when you're going to get "that guy". You know who I'm talking about. The guy that comes up with some really lame gripe about something that's nothing. Then the seller could be out over $100 for shipping a great bass to some jerk that has an unrealistic expectation.

 

[Lonnystingray]

I believe that in our line of 'business' the amount of 'unreliable' persons is small, due to the nice-market we're in.

I believe that probally everyone who is a regular poster on either Ernie Ball or Talkbass cannot be in it to sell something worthless for the price of an EBMM.

Oh talking about that, is it common on EB to introduce yourself, I am pretty new here..

 

[RaginRog]

I completely agree. The media does a great job of making matters worse.
I've noticed that everything is going down. As an Ex- American Autoworker, I'm always amazed at how quickly the middle class is diminshing. Hopefully the weaker dollar will perhaps get some American companies to bring manufacturing back to the States.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Hopefully the weaker dollar will perhaps get some American companies to bring manufacturing back to the States.

If would have to become weaker by a factor of 10 for that to even be remotely considered, when the equivalent of US$1500 per annum is a decent salary in many developing countries that have a strong manufacturing base. And that $1500 goes a long way in those countries, which have a very low cost of living.

 

[RaginRog]

No, I agree, you do have a point(a strong point at that!). This weeks Businessweek magazine touches on the subject, and basically said that because of fuel, shipping cost, and an increase in China's wages, that it may lead to some manufacturers to reconsider outsourcing.

 

[tkarter]

I am making more money than I ever have. Of course it is worthless. My answer is don't sell my EBMM basses.

tk

 

[Lonnystingray]

No, I agree, you do have a point(a strong point at that!). This weeks Businessweek magazine touches on the subject, and basically said that because of fuel, shipping cost, and an increase in China's wages, that it may lead to some manufacturers to reconsider outsourcing.

And not to forget the difficulties of getting your (cheaper) products from China to the USA or Europe. Sure, they can produce cheap and fast, but nowadays it can take up to three weeks before your shipment finally makes it onto a ship.. There are already shipments transported by train from China to Europe, instead of by ship.. So in all it would be better/cheaper/faster to produce in either the USA or Europe, instead of outsourcing to the Far East..

 

[roburado]

I completely agree. The media does a great job of making matters worse.
I've noticed that everything is going down. As an Ex- American Autoworker, I'm always amazed at how quickly the middle class is diminshing. Hopefully the weaker dollar will perhaps get some American companies to bring manufacturing back to the States.

Interesting how "foreign" companies like BMW, Daimler-Benz, Honda, and Toyota are bringing manufacturing jobs to the U.S. VW is going to build a plant somewhere too.

 

[WillPlay4Food]

Interesting how "foreign" companies like BMW, Daimler-Benz, Honda, and Toyota are bringing manufacturing jobs to the U.S. VW is going to build a plant somewhere too.

I agree. My wife's Honda minivan was made in Alabama while my Chrysler PT Cruiser was made in Mexico.

 

[Old_Guy]

..shipment finally makes it onto a ship.. There are already shipments transported by train...

So why does CARgo go by SHIP...and SHIPments go by train?

 

[TheStiffness]

It's hot today.

 

[Lonnystingray]

Here we even sent Air freight by truck, but with airfreight conditions. It's faster and cheaper to drive a truck from here to Paris, then by plane..

But then again, this one time I had to explain to one of my customers that his airfreight shipment drove into a canal.. True story.. Now that's hard to explain..