Worst Guitar Sale (or Purchase) of your life

[Daryl Jones]

When I got away from playing some 25 years ago, I felt as if I'd never pick up a guitar again. It just didn't resonate with me anymore so I gave my beloved Seagull S6 to my nephew since his mom said she couldn't afford to buy him a guitar of any kind (divorce things as well). Seemed like the family thing to do so I gave it up. Of course now things have developed that makes me sorry I was that generous, the kid was not even the slightest bit grateful, nor was his mother. Argh, like they say, you can choose your friends.... I did keep my old Yamaha electric just for giggles since it's not worth diddly anyway.
Then one day (COVID hit) I got the bug again and ordered an acoustic by phone from my old store in Edmonton. An Ibanez e-acoustic that looked great, and when I got it it sounded really good. And of course after not playing for two decades my fingers were shite. But the more I played it the more I hated the thing, for as nice a guitar as it was appearance and tone wise, the action sucked and the neck was too narrow for my larger hands and I longed for my old Seagull. So I sold it to a friend that wanted to give it to a family member (young girl) for a gift; with the promise that if she didn't like it I'd give the money back and take back the guitar. I mean, we're lifelong friends so. But the gal loved the thing so happy endings.
I decided then and there I'd never buy another acoustic guitar without trying it first, or an electric for that matter. Of course I've reneged on that promise to myself a couple times since, but haven't had a bad experience, and neither my Hollowbody PRS or my Seagull S12 have been anything less than stellar instruments. But when you know the build and specs of a certain guitar it pays off I reckon. And the sale of my old SE Custom 24 went without a hitch, so that was a positive experience, even if I had to deliver it 300kms (200miles) away. But the buyer compensated me for the fuel in the selling price and I was fine with that. And my new 24-08 is a fantastic upgrade.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I really only sell guitars to you guys so… never a problem.

 

[archtop]

Lots of deadbeat buyers on Reverb recently (I just had another back out today). I tried selling on Craigslist once around 15 years ago, the 1st caller said "I want you to be sure to have the guitar and also $1,500 cash at your house in case I want a refund". I hung up and pulled the listing, I'd rather ship than be robbed.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Lots of deadbeat buyers on Reverb recently (I just had another back out today). I tried selling on Craigslist once around 15 years ago, the 1st caller said "I want you to be sure to have the guitar and also $1,500 cash at your house in case I want a refund". I hung up and pulled the listing, I'd rather ship than be robbed.

I’d be more worried about the dude thinking he’s entitled to a refund than I would about getting robbed.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Paul, that sucks. Some people are utter sh!te.

I’ve been fortunate with buying/selling. Although I’ve not sold a guitar in years.

I’ve gifted a couple, because I’d rather my friends enjoyed them.

 

[ScottyDont]

Two worst sales were my 1968 Gibson ES-335, which was near mint, for way less than it was worth due to needing money at the time. I took a bunch of pictures before selling it and I still look at them with much sadness. Second was my Taylor W14, sold it not realizing just how nice a guitar it was. I've had a bunch of acoustics since then, but none compared to that one, and they're selling for more than I can afford now.

Thankful to not have any scary stories like some of you have, but definitely have my share of regrets.

 

[Rosewoodsteel]

I’ve told this story here before, but I’ve had more than one Craigs List sale that had scammy behavior but one in particular was legit trouble. I made a deal on Craigs LIst to purchase a speaker cab. It was going to be about $300 and “cash” pickup in person. At the advice of a cop friend, I’ve always asked for the cell phone number of the person and at least their first name, and I demanded that we meet in a public place. I also ask what color and make of car I’ll be looking for. I had to ask 3 times and finally got a first name and a cell, then “white Toyota.” Of course, I told them what my car was so they could look for me.

I chose a large gas station to meet at. The Seller OK’d this, but said “pull around to the side so we aren’t blocking parking spaces for people actually doing business there.” When I pulled in, a cop pulls in right next to me. When I get out he starts chatting with me (I’m a friendly sort in person, unlike my online persona ). After a minute, he’s says “aren’t you going in” and I told him why I was there. His words. “Be careful!” He goes in and a minute later I see some guys checking me out… 4 guys… in a white Toyota. They cruise by very slowly, CLEARLY checking me out and apparently looking for the cop who’s parked next to me. But they slowly drive on by.

A couple minutes later, the cop comes in with a cup of coffee. I told him what I saw and he said he’d stay there for a minute to see if they came by again. Well they did. This time they pulled in, and as soon as they saw the cop standing right by my car talking to me, they don’t even slow down (although we both saw them look) and drive right past, out of the parking lot and disappear. The cop said he was convinced that they planned to rob me. When I told him I had a cell number, he said to text it and see what happened. When I got the message that “this cellphone is no longer accepting texts” he went to his car and called it in for them to check. It was a burner and had been deactivated an hour before the pickup was scheduled.

You dodged a serious bullet!

 

[Abe]

That sounds like a PITA. I was never selling guitars, only buying them when I thought I'd get a keeper. For 17+ years I lived in northern Maine farm territory hours away from any real way to try before buying, so a few times it was like just buying from Musician's Friend and AMS. Selling and buying some non-guitar stuff on eBay though in the past there was some headache to deal with that wasn't worth the small amounts of $.

My least successful guitar purchase was in 2005 when I bought an Ibanez Artcore AWD82T. https://ibanez.fandom.com/wiki/AWD82T I wanted a smaller hollow or semihollwbody. Did not want a 335 type. Options were limited for what I could afford. This AWD82T was discontinued after just one year in production and replaced with the AWD83T. It was like $420 new. Just disappointing. Only when I recently started partaking in PRS SE hollow and semihollow options did I have success venturing away from my Gibson Les Paul for electric. Now it seems upwards from here. Maybe I can say the Ibanez AWD82T was decent for $400ish but what I have now from PRS, SE's, is just more than $x better. Ibanez high end and low end is not bad at all though and they're kinda similarly known for both higher and lower end offerings. If things financially blossom for me in life I will be looking at American made PRS guitars in the future.

 

[dogrocketp]

Where in Maine, Abe? My family is from Farmington.

 

[Abe]

Where in Maine, Abe? My family is from Farmington.

I was in Oakfield, which is in Aroostook County. Also had family land in Grand Isle ME, way up there. Since I have moved back down to hometown in MA.

 

[dogrocketp]

My best friend is still in Penobscot.

 

[archtop]

Thought I'd give an update to my previous post - 3 more non-paying deadbeats on Reverb over the past 1.5 weeks. One even blamed me for them buying 2 other guitars while waiting for me to respond to their offer for my guitar so they couldn't afford mine anymore (but wanted me to hold the guitar in case they didn't like the other 2 they bought). That must have been a tough hour waiting for a response.

I think I'm done selling for now.

 

[archtop]

And after another day of low ballers and a barrage of messages that have become typical since the pandemic like “I want close-up pics of all solder joints and back of pickups” and/or “I never pay full price so send me an offer with your best price at least $500 below your 15% off sale price” I’m done selling for a long, long time.

I think all the people who took up guitar during the pandemic must be watching those YouTubers who “document” guitars by disassembling and measuring them but can’t play them (neither the “pandemic players” nor the “documenter” seem to care about playing guitars).

I shut down the Reverb shop and spent the evening enjoying playing instead of dealing with the bizarre guitar market we’re in.

</rant>

Thanks for listening. Y’all are much cheaper than ranting at a shrink or a spouse (which could end in a costly divorce).

 

[TheCraftsman]

Bought a couple things off of reverb but only been screwed once by someone I paid who ghosted, thankfully got full refund. Never sold on reverb the whole shipping thing seems a hassle. I did get my Core CU24 10Top from there however which I am damned pleased about even if I paid a bit more than I wanted.

 

[11top]

The day I met Markie, and the GAS race was on.

 

[show_a_little_faith]

And after another day of low ballers and a barrage of messages that have become typical since the pandemic like “I want close-up pics of all solder joints and back of pickups” and/or “I never pay full price so send me an offer with your best price at least $500 below your 15% off sale price” I’m done selling for a long, long time.

I think all the people who took up guitar during the pandemic must be watching those YouTubers who “document” guitars by disassembling and measuring them but can’t play them (neither the “pandemic players” nor the “documented” seem to care about playing guitars).

I shut down the Reverb shop and spent the evening enjoying playing instead of dealing with the bizarre guitar market we’re in.

</rant>

Thanks for listening. Y’all are much cheaper than ranting at a shrink or a spouse (which could end in a costly divorce).

Anyone ever try Sweetwater's used site? Haven't bought/sold anything there myself, but browse it occasionally. Probably not much different user's on there, but might be worth a shot...

 

[DreamTheaterRules]

I shut down the Reverb shop and spent the evening enjoying playing instead of dealing with the bizarre guitar market we’re in.

</rant>

On true high end guitars, I can understand a degree of caution to make sure the guitar hasn’t been messed with OR that disclosed changes were made professionally and do not affect the integrity of the instrument.

But this crap is ridiculous. Hard to take a buyer seriously once they start that stuff. I don’t blame you for bailing.

 

[jkornel]

I put up an old US made Peavey Predator on the marketplace recently. Not an expensive ask, but a decent guitar for someone. Low balls, trade offers, and no shows a plenty. I think I'm just going to keep it and maybe mod it into something I will use.

 

[Shreddy]

And after another day of low ballers and a barrage of messages that have become typical since the pandemic like “I want close-up pics of all solder joints and back of pickups” and/or “I never pay full price so send me an offer with your best price at least $500 below your 15% off sale price” I’m done selling for a long, long time.

I think all the people who took up guitar during the pandemic must be watching those YouTubers who “document” guitars by disassembling and measuring them but can’t play them (neither the “pandemic players” nor the “documenter” seem to care about playing guitars).

I shut down the Reverb shop and spent the evening enjoying playing instead of dealing with the bizarre guitar market we’re in.

</rant>

Thanks for listening. Y’all are much cheaper than ranting at a shrink or a spouse (which could end in a costly divorce).

THIS kinda BS is why I'm struggling to list a few guitars I've decided to let go, I just posted a super clean Strat on CL for the hell of it. I've sold a cpl things there lately, i'll consider some of the other online sale sites next, maybe reverb eventually.. anyone had any good results with Offer-Up or Let-Go or others...(I don't use facebook, apparently their marketplace has nearly killed CL for many).. ?

Sellign stuff is generally a bit of a PITA, so I've donated a few clean ones to Guitars for Vets, and I'm looking at some local music foundations for kids next...


Thanks for sharing, & stay safe out there gang,

 

[Rod/]

Sadly, this is a true story. I had a 1954 very good condition Stratocaster. All original…..First year. The tone of this guitar was pretty incredible. You could play solos on the bridge pick up only and it was just a beautiful sound with no ice pic in the ear or any of that. It was very different sounding than any other Stratocaster that I have ever played and I’ve played and owned many but nothing sounded like this guitar., all original wiring…
This guy came recommended to me and out of nowhere had an alleged 62 Strat with the painted headstock, and we traded…. This was in the 80’s…
Claimed it was all original…took it home, plugged it in….. It didn’t sound right. Unscrewed the pickguard, Body chiseled out, 3 mismatched pickups. It was refinished…. Guy was gone in the wind… I’ve done some dumb impulsive decisions in my life, but this one was the worst….
I did learn a good lesson