eBay, Reverb, TGP, FaceBook Marketplace...

]-[@n$0Ma☩!©

]-[@n$0Ma☩!©

Zombie Zero, DFZ
Joined
Aug 1, 1985
Messages
7,325
I am going to part with a few guitars. I used to be a pro but it has been a loooong time since I sold anything on eBay or Reverb and I know there are recent changes (like Reverb fees). I'll be listing them on TGP (that's a no-brainer) but am looking additional input from those of you selling on the big auction sites in the last few months.

Besides sharing many detailed photos, typing a clear description, and insisting that Pay Pal accounts match the buyer's eBay account (with have a verified address), are there any other gotchas I need to watch out for? Anything you care to share is appreciated.

Thank you.
 
As Tahlee points out, shipping has gone up. I haven't sold on Reverb for a year, or so, but their fees did go up. It went from 3.5% to 5%, plus the fees for whatever type of payment you use/accept. I was pretty much exclusive to Reverb. I have never used Ebay, TGP or VR. I will say, I've made a few deals here. Not overtly selling, but catching a post where someone says they'd really like to have X. I may have X, and be will to sell, so I drop them a PM. The last "big" sell offs I did, I sold to CME. They were upfront, and more than fair (especially compared to GC) with what they are willing to pay. I got the quotes site unseen, and they didn't move after I got the guitars to them.

Good luck on moving stuff.
 
Um, with due respect, some of us on this forum are refugees who were banished fr. the TGP realm for whatever reason. That prevents us from viewing your sales.

To insure equal and a wider viewing audience, eBay has been my choice of auction or sales site because of Reverb's recent fees increase. If perhaps you've got some good feedback built up there, your items will more easily sell. You can choose either an auction or fixed price format (the listing window options have been updated and sometimes are hidden to discourage certain choices; be aware that unless you select "change" to fixed price sale, your item will sell in auction format). The usual constraints exist towards where you wish to ship and what countries you exclude, if perhaps you choose international shipping.

Be advised that your eBay account offers discounted shipping because of the carrier's connection to eBay. You'd need to research what Reverb's policy is towards shipping or wait for someone to chime in on this.

Reverb, likewise, offers a fixed price or Best Offer option. I've discovered that the Reverb site is glutted with PRS, so your chances of selling within a short time are decreased, unless you price accordingly for quicker sales. (Hoping you won't view me as a naysayer, and not saying you won't receive your asking price, just stating the Reverb market is glutted with PRS.)

Regards TGP, you don't have the same seller's/buyer's protections that either eBay or Reverb provides, so there is more risk involved selling on TGP. If something arrives damaged, TGP will not step in and handle sales disputes. This is one reason to direct folks on TGP to either eBay or Reverb to conduct your sale within either of these 2 sites, not directly on TGP.

Regards FB Marketplace, I'm not sure of their seller's/buyer's protection. That being said, on occasion, a couple of transactions have gone through for both buying and selling, and the caveat is local pickup only caters to a regional audience. My experience with FB Marketplace is that folks who do not have an eBay or Reverb account, or have been banished fr. either place are more likely to incur suspect deals or scammers; same with Craigslist.

FB Marketplace is trying hard to correct this and maintain its reputation, but it's almost a given that buyers and sellers need to be upfront, posting numerous images and describing the time for sale implicitly. On several occasions, I've needed to ask the seller specific questions that have resulted in a dealbreaker, and a non-sale for the seller.

Just so your item has plenty of images and a good description, I'd otherwise refrain using FB Marketplace...
 
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I have used Reverb extensively for buying and selling. eBay is so hit and miss these days. I have found a few bargains but I've experienced little success in selling higher priced guitars on eBay.

On Reverb, I have set up my own personal Reverb site. The advantage is you do not have to collect sales tax so it helps buyers living in a sales tax state. The buyer and seller still have the same Reverb protections and payment options. You can put a message in your Reverb listing mentioning your site, but you cannot post a direct link. Any Reverb listing you create is automatically added to your site. It takes a few minutes to set up the Reverb site and it is easy. I do not know if there are requirements to set up your own Reverb site such as a minimum number of sales or purchases through Reverb. Your items sometimes sell at a slightly higher price or faster since the buyer is paying 5-10% less. Whether you have a Reverb site or not, Reverb also has discounted shipping rates which have been significantly lower than the rates through my UPS, FedEx and USPS accounts (especially UPS).
 
Ebay run promotions that cut costs to seller, theres one in uk now, if you can wait, can save a bunch

Good photos, honest description. I advanced search sold listings and list around the lowest to move it. Most folk want to offer a little below ask, so leave a little

Ups - make sure delivery defaults to a ups hub/shop if buyer not in. I had a non guitar item stolen, driver signed on behalf of purchaser due to covid (laziness)

All my stuff would have been lower value than yours though, premium may be different strategy
 
pac90 said:
Ebay run promotions that cut costs to seller, theres one in uk now, if you can wait, can save a bunch

Good photos, honest description. I advanced search sold listings and list around the lowest to move it. Most folk want to offer a little below ask, so leave a little

Ups - make sure delivery defaults to a ups hub/shop if buyer not in. I had a non guitar item stolen, driver signed on behalf of purchaser due to covid (laziness)

All my stuff would have been lower value than yours though, premium may be different strategy
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This /\

Towards the ned of the month, eBay offers no-fee listings. The only costs you pay are the final value fee, shipping final value fee, and shipping (if free shipping is offered).

On high ticket items I usually limit my sales to the CONUS so as to not incur international tariffs and import taxes, and might offer free shipping.

On lower priced items, I usually charge either a flat shipping fee to the CONUS, or a by-location variable shipping fee. I usually try to limit my lower priced sales to the limits set by shipping carriers before international import taxes are required (not sure what the lower limit is anymore)

Like @pac90, I've experienced only one sale go badly...sold a small computer adapter part to someone in Florida, turns out the guy lived in Barbados and had the part shipped offshore against terms of sale, and the part was confiscated by international customs for failure to file the correct paperwork and pay taxes. Lost about $35 on the sale, but protected my feedback rating. Didn't bother providing the buyer any feedback, but am more careful to be sure that CONUS means CONUS and that violation of terms of sale constitutes fraud. The good side is the guy didn't receive the part he wanted, only a refund, though like anybody else, I was not pleased about the loss of sales income and the violation of clearly listed sales terms...
 
11top said:
As seller, you are somewhat at the mercy of the “buyer’s protection,” but Reverb did side with me recently. It’s still an anxiety hassle.
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Yeah, there are the usual butterflies while conducting high ticket sales. One can control things only within their own reach or sphere of influence, and anything beyond that is beyond one's own control, hence the butterflies. Thankfully, I'm not inclined to agree with the buyer unless we've communicated clearly either prior to or following the sale. Non-communication is what contributes to the butterflies; always a good idea to keep the lines open...

To be clear, sometimes what you get is like a bowl of fruit. If you're selling fruit, letting it sit too long doesn't preserve the fruit. My mantra is, if no one wants a piece of fruit at my asking price, the price is reduced (perhaps more than once) until the bowl of fruit is sold.
 
Oh jeez... I saw the first one that’s going up on the block, and I’m bummed I can’t make it mine.
 
MoggyMel said:
On Reverb, I have set up my own personal Reverb site. The advantage is you do not have to collect sales tax so it helps buyers living in a sales tax state.
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I think I am misunderstanding the statement about not collecting state tax. Reverb collects state tax for any state that requires it after the Supreme Court decision last year. For example, Arizona requires payment from any interstate entity that sells more than $50k a year, which Reverb as an entity does. As of last autumn any Reverb purchase I made had sales tax collected also. Originally their software was "shotgunning" the local tax rate, so I was paying an extra 2% to Tucson even though I don't live in the city, but I think they've refined according to address and zip code since then.

Am I wrong in this?
 
Heard guitar center is out of guitars... They’re desperate for gears.. just saying..
 
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I feel your pain - I have three guitars to sell, but I really hate selling! I even delayed this for a whole year, but my move may have had something to do with the delay (16 different house bids in 12 months to finally get a home!). It was so much easier just trading in on new gear!
 
Tucson Thump said:
I think I am misunderstanding the statement about not collecting state tax. Reverb collects state tax for any state that requires it after the Supreme Court decision last year. For example, Arizona requires payment from any interstate entity that sells more than $50k a year, which Reverb as an entity does. As of last autumn any Reverb purchase I made had sales tax collected also. Originally their software was "shotgunning" the local tax rate, so I was paying an extra 2% to Tucson even though I don't live in the city, but I think they've refined according to address and zip code since then.

Am I wrong in this?
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Yes. You are absolutely correct. A seller does not personally have to do the collecting of the tax, because Reverb collects it from the buyer. It does get collected if your state requires it. Sure added to cost on the buyer end.
 
Tucson Thump said:
I think I am misunderstanding the statement about not collecting state tax. Reverb collects state tax for any state that requires it after the Supreme Court decision last year. For example, Arizona requires payment from any interstate entity that sells more than $50k a year, which Reverb as an entity does. As of last autumn any Reverb purchase I made had sales tax collected also. Originally their software was "shotgunning" the local tax rate, so I was paying an extra 2% to Tucson even though I don't live in the city, but I think they've refined according to address and zip code since then.

Am I wrong in this?
Click to expand...

When you set up your own Reverb site, you are now a private seller and the name of the site is whatever you want to call it (mine is the same as my Reverb name). It is no different than selling through your own website, Facebook Marketplace or CraigsList. If someone buys through your site, sales tax is not automatically charged and processed by Reverb. This only applies to private sellers and not businesses. It is a nifty loophole.

EDIT: You still pay the 5% Reverb sellers fee and payment fees.
 
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