Selling a bass on ebay...

los_sentidos · Post by **los_sentidos** » Sat May 19, 2007 10:58 pm

I have done this once before and it went smooth as a baby's.......

Yet now I am selling my Midnight Blue Ric on there all I seem to have had is problems - has anyone else experienced problem selling rics (or other high priced basses?)

I set my auction up and clearly stated I'd ship only within the UK. Yet I had 2 phishing mails from Austria. The auction was then won by someone from Austria - they may have been genuine but I didn't have the inclination to find out. I mailed ebay and in the end I ended up relisting the bass. It's set to end today and now I've had a look and the bidder leading the way seems to be from Belgium! Now I'm happy with the price it's at at the minute but....argghhh...I don't want the hassle of arranging shipping and waiting to see if the purchase is above board!

I've heard of scams on paypal where it looks like you've been paid but then once you've sent the item you get a message saying that the payment couldn't be completed...has anyone experienced (or heard about this?) or and I being paranoid?

ben_brown · Post by **ben_brown** » Sat May 19, 2007 11:48 pm

Just wait till the payment clears and transfer the funds to your bank before you ship the bass.

stts64 · Post by **stts64** » Sat May 19, 2007 11:52 pm

Whenever I receive a payment by PayPal I complete it immediately by withdrawing my PayPal account total to my private bank account. When this transaction is done the money is mine and no problems. Do this before you ship and you are safe. Shipping outside your country only increases your sales possibilities. Of course you have to charge an appropriate shipping fees

marc61 · Post by **marc61** » Sun May 20, 2007 1:33 am

Ronan, In the future, you can block bidding from countries you don't ship to.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun May 20, 2007 4:44 am

use the cancel bid option next time ...

los_sentidos · Post by **los_sentidos** » Sun May 20, 2007 7:39 am

Cheers for the advice guys!

Now does anyone know roughly how heavy a 4003 with the case is :p

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Sun May 20, 2007 7:43 am

Packed well 26-28 lbs. is average.

rickfan63 · Post by **rickfan63** » Sun May 20, 2007 9:43 am

I've thought of selling my Jazz Bass on on e-bay. But I won't take PayPal though if I do, I've heard too much **** about it.

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun May 20, 2007 5:27 pm

Another option is "pick up only".

phlemmy · Post by **phlemmy** » Sun May 20, 2007 5:42 pm

I've sold about a dozen guitars on ebay with the only problem ever being someone who is slow to pay and that wasn't even slow...2 weeks.

Overall I've done over 1200 transactions on there and never had anything happen that I couldn't get resolved. Had one "run-in" with PayPal a few years ago that was settled quickly and everything else has been smooth sailing.

I do like having Craigslist out there now, though.

the_legoheads · Post by **the_legoheads** » Mon May 21, 2007 8:57 am

That's one of the reasons why a lot of US sellers don't ship Rics internationally. I've spoken to a few and suggested that they would see a much bigger profit selling to the UK where the going rate is much higher and even with the added shipping UK buyers would fall over themselves for low US prices.

As for buyers from mainland Europe... They are even more desperate that us in the UK. A new 4003 in the UK costs £1100 to £1500 ($2200 to $3000) and even then there's a 12+ month waiting list. Finding one on the continent must be an absolute nightmare.

As for your bass... I was keeping an eye on it but went for a JetGlo instead...

spamegg · Post by **spamegg** » Mon May 21, 2007 10:57 am

Per a comment above:

"Whenever I receive a payment by PayPal I complete it immediately by withdrawing my PayPal account total to my private bank account. When this transaction is done the money is mine and no problems."

I actually sold something on Ebay (not a bass) with payment via PayPal and had a different experience. It turned out that the buyer used a stolen credit card to make the purchase. About 30 days after the auction ended Paypal sent me a notice that the were confiscating the sale proceeds out of my personal checking account (which they did.)

So, if the money's in an account that's linked to Paypal, it's not really safe if they want it back.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Mon May 21, 2007 12:02 pm

Go to a credit union and open a savings account just for PayPal linking. Keep only what you need in it. You can't get blood out of a turnip.

stts64 · Post by **stts64** » Mon May 21, 2007 12:36 pm

Yes, this is exactly what I meant and what I do. As soon as the money is in your account, pull it out.

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Tue May 22, 2007 6:52 am

I've never worked out how to keep the Buy It Now price without it being blown out on the first bid. Any ideas...?