Instrument sale: Music store or eBay?

Our purpose is to share our experience and provide some things to think about when deciding to sell used musical instruments on consignment with a music store or sell your instrument on eBay.

It is November, 2004. We had employment changes, the holidays are coming, money is tight. How to bring in some extra cash? The holidays are coming for others, too. We have many guitars. We can probably make some quick cash by selling a guitar or two. And why not bring in an extra amp and that DJ light we don't use anymore? So the decision was made and the items are hauled to the music store in early November for sale during the Christmas rush.

Prices were set that were very low for our area at the time. We would pop in the store occasionally to see the presentation - there basically was no presentation. There did not seem to be any interest in selling our items. Our items were set on the floor over in the back behind some other poor consignment amp. It has been 3 weeks now and nothing. We called and lowered the price on the guitar in the first week of December. Next time we popped in - guess what? The price had not been changed on the store tag.

A few days after Christmas we went and picked up our items. Disappointing. Even more disappointing was visible wear and missing parts. Think about the guitars in the music store. Folks come in and play them to try them out. If you spend any time in music stores you know there are many who just come in and play them - with no intention of buying.

So now we REALLY need money. I get busy and spend hours doing my first listing on eBay. How exciting! We listed the guitar with a starting price equal to the price we set in the music store. Lots of people were interested in this guitar!!

We ended up selling for $100 more than our competitive price set earlier for the store - IN THREE DAYS. And there was no additional wear inflicted on the instrument. Many guitar buying guides advise that guitars must be played to make a buying decision.  We believe this is true also, but it is also true that those folks that already know their "brand", i.e. Gibson-also know enough to ask the right questions and know what to expect from a description written in players' terms.

The first sale was fun! We met some nice people on line in the process. The experience was the beginning of great things - we are now eBay Trading Assistants with Power Seller status specializing in the sale of Pro Audio gear.

Our vote is - Sell it on eBay!! Your market of interested buyers is geometrically increased. There will be no damage or wear inflicted on your item. The sale result - sold or not - will be instant - and YOU set the time interval. After all, who knows more about your item and is more interested in its sale than you?

If you can't or don't want to hassle with the listing process, pictures, shipping, etc. - use a trading assistant! It won't cost you anymore than chain music store consignment costs to have a trading assistant do it for you!!  What is a Trading Assistant ? Your eBay Trading Assistant can help you set a realistic price. You can always haul it to the consignment store if eBay doesn't work, but we don't think that will happen.