Asking Too Much

[arbiter]

This is probably just me venting, but what do people think about the etiquette of commenting on For Sale ads where the guitar is listed significantly over the consensus value ($300+ over)?

Is this not cool? Is it rude to post similar guitars that sold via craigslist/ebay/reverb...etc. for something more reasonable? Especially if I'm not personally interested in purchasing said item?

I feel like there have been a rash of postings like this recently and i'm always so tempted to post. Maybe I'm just looking out for the fellow forumite or maybe i'm trying to blow up someone else's spot.

I mean in general these threads just languish on the for sale section for awhile and are bumped a few times....only to eventually disappear. Is this the desired fate of these threads? IS IT!?!?

I apologize if this is posted in the wrong section.



I know the saying goes something is worth as much as someone else is willing to pay...

[jps]

[aceonbass]

While there are definitely some BLOATED asking prices for some Ricks here, it's definitely NOT cool to comment on them. The market will take care of them.

[Ric5150]

Definitely makes me wonder what some people are thinking when I see postings asking almost double the going rate on eBay, but if that's their "I'll part with it for this." price, so be it. I'd think people would want to know what price is reasonable, but that's what the Appraisal forum is for. I just picture a guy telling his wife "I listed it for sale, but the market is down. I can't help it if nobody wants to buy it in this economy."

I think in some cases there's also some mis-calibration whereby everyone's Rick is more special/valuable than all the others. It may also be hard to accept that their Rick could have depreciated - that's something kinda new.

Whatever it is, it's for them to realize on their own that they're insane.

[rkbsound]

Well, forum rules here dictate no negative comments (I think). I have posted a refin here at a high price. I received no negative comments and a few offers that I passed on. I posted it on another forum I frequent and a reply post was quickly made pointing out that my asking price was not realistic. Personally, I would never try to hurt someone else's sale - it's not my business and bad form. My price is high because I don't really have to sell and I love the guitar. But for the right price, I'd let it go. But the only way for anyone to know that it's available is to post it.

[jdogric12]

It's not that bad of a problem here. On another forum I frequent, where such negative pricing opinion comments are similarly banned, it's far worse, and a big point of discussion there.

[iiipopes]

Remember the prayer of the elderly musician, "Oh, Lord, when I die, please let my spouse/girlfriend/family/significant other sell my instruments for what they are worth, not what I told them I paid for them."

[Ashgray]

Remember the prayer of the elderly musician, "Oh, Lord, when I die, please let my spouse/girlfriend/family/significant other sell my instruments for what they are worth, not what I told them I paid for them."

Too right there, buddy!

Ash

[berklee6]

" It may also be hard to accept that their Rick could have depreciated - that's something kinda new."

I totally agree with that comment. I've been noticing that the prices for some models, especially the "lower end in price" models, have plateaued. It's not uncommon now to see 620 and 650 series instruments selling around the $1000 mark. I've even been seeing some pre-owned 330s being offered for sale for not much higher than that. These prices seem a bit lower than they were a year or two ago. Also, perhaps the selling prices of new 4003S basses will depress the prices of used 4003 models? Sound be interesting to watch...

[arbiter]

" It may also be hard to accept that their Rick could have depreciated - that's something kinda new."

I totally agree with that comment. I've been noticing that the prices for some models, especially the "lower end in price" models, have plateaued. It's not uncommon now to see 620 and 650 series instruments selling around the $1000 mark. I've even been seeing some pre-owned 330s being offered for sale for not much higher than that. These prices seem a bit lower than they were a year or two ago. Also, perhaps the selling prices of new 4003S basses will depress the prices of used 4003 models? Sound be interesting to watch...

To me, rick prices definitely seem lower lately than they have a year or two ago. I always wonder what causes these swings. I don't know how much forumites may think about it, but i've wondered lately how much sales on this forum affect the rickenbacker market at large. Especially when some members seem desperate to sell their gear and off-load a number of their guitars at great prices. Something to think ponder.

[jps]

...when some members seem desperate to sell their gear and off-load a number of their guitars at great prices.

They are just being realistic, perhaps?

[jdogric12]

I can think of only two RRFers who've sold off large numbers in the last year or so and neither did so at below-market prices that would have an effect on the market as a whole.

[ajish4]

"PLEASE KEEP ANY NEGATIVE or PERSONAL OPINIONS TO YOURSELF by refraining from direct comments regarding your assessment of the instrument in question. Remember that your post may interfere with the sale/trade. Please extend the same courtesy to the poster that you would like to receive yourself in the same situation."

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=392523


Just my 2 cents.

[jdogric12]

"PLEASE KEEP ANY NEGATIVE or PERSONAL OPINIONS TO YOURSELF by refraining from direct comments regarding your assessment of the instrument in question. Remember that your post may interfere with the sale/trade. Please extend the same courtesy to the poster that you would like to receive yourself in the same situation."

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=392523


Just my 2 cents.

+1

[Ric5150]

"PLEASE KEEP ANY NEGATIVE or PERSONAL OPINIONS TO YOURSELF by refraining from direct comments regarding your assessment of the instrument in question. Remember that your post may interfere with the sale/trade. Please extend the same courtesy to the poster that you would like to receive yourself in the same situation."

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=392523


Just my 2 cents.

+1

There's an exception to that that I, for one, definitely appreciate. When a guitar is in some way misrepresented (e.g. listed as all original but forumites spot evidence of refinishing), that often draws commentary. That often seems to be done discretely 'offline' with PMs, which would seem to be the right way to handle that, but corrections often get made. I'm certainly willing to assume that there was no intent to deceive on the part of the seller when that happens - you'd have to be pretty stupid, or at least incredibly arrogant to think you could fool this community.

Speaking as someone just learning many of the subtleties of Rickenbackers, I consider that 'policing' a valuable service which gives the "For Sale" forum here far more credibility than any other listing/auction site or store. When a guitar passes muster here, I'm confident it is what the seller claims it is. That's one of the many great things about this community.