guitars hard to sell?

[MIGAS79]

Sometimes it’s just an extremely local market situation. I recently had something listed on CL based on what I saw on Reverb. Someone asking about it said my price was probably high. Of course at first I thought he was crazy, and then I did a search on my local CL and saw a similar item for 200 less than mine was, and it had been there for a bit.

Things are “worth“ what someone is willing to give you.

To me I think the asking price is about 95% of the issue. Often people will buy something new, play it for a year and think they can just simply knock off $100.

In the electric world, an Asian made PRS Guitar could sell for 700 new but if you are patient you could score one for about $270.

This is all why my guitars were all used. If circumstances change, or my tastes change, the loss will be minimal if at all.

[Arthur Slowhand]

Seems like times are hard. Over here we're blaming everything on Brexit (the UK leaving the European Union), but I've definitely noticed it being harder to shift gear this year. On the plus side, it means I just picked up a mint Yamaha LS6 ARE for £180.00, which in the UK market is super-cheap. Still can't shift my Martin though.

[Shortfinger]

I've been jonesing for a Washburn R320SWRK parlor, and one went up on Reverb yesterday, used, for sale at less than half the price of a new one. It had a tiny bit of wear and tear, and one repaired crack in its top side, couple inches long.

It got bought in a couple hours.

[UncleJesse]

Originally Posted by AgentKooper

Fifteen bucks an hour comes to about $30K a year before taxes. Not a lot of guitar buying power in that economy, especially if you’ve got other mouths to feed.

Yeah, I didn't quite see how a $12-15/hr job was supposed to be proof of a good economy. There are plenty of jobs that pay squat, it's the good jobs that are lacking.

[Napman41]

Originally Posted by JBCROTTY

Guitars that are priced appropriately sell quickly. Guitars that are not priced correctly languish. The used guitar market is a commodity market and is very efficient - people won’t overpay unless its a collectors item or somewhat rare or unique.

If the guitar is a regular offering from a mass-producer there is nothing special about it. It is a commodity.

I have been watching two J45’s on Reverb for months - despite being limited editions (those are still commodities) they are overpriced and will not sell at the price they are listed. But sellers rarely listen.

I agree wholeheartedly. I have my core guitars that I’ll never sell and I also buy guitars somewhat regularly just to try them out and experience something new. I haven’t had a problem selling the ones that I want to move. If you buy pre-owned guitars and price them realistically when you want to move them they will sell. I learned years ago to let the first owner take the hit on the depreciation. My 3 core guitars were all purchased new- Martin OO-17A, P*W OOO-18 and a Collings OM2H- if I needed to sell any of them immediately I’d get clobbered though they are all here to stay.

I posted a 2005 Gibson J-100Xtra for sale locally. I checked current used prices in price guides, classifieds, retail websites, eBay and Reverb and priced it accordingly. I took lots of clear pictures. I wrote an attractive description. I was willing to haggle. It sold in 7 hours. I'm sure 34 years of experience buying, selling and trading guitars and gear helped but if you're not willing to do at least some of the above, well...

[MarkWW]

So many variables in this topic. I always price my guitar for sale on the low side and 95% of mine have been mint (I bought them new or mint). Certain brands and models just don't have the "pull" to attract buyers.

One thing for sure the summer months are slow. I was in sales for 40 plus years and even in the medical industry sales slowed down. Family time...vacations...bills to pay from previous purchases.

[tbeltrans]

Originally Posted by UncleJesse

Yeah, I didn't quite see how a $12-15/hr job was supposed to be proof of a good economy. There are plenty of jobs that pay squat, it's the good jobs that are lacking.

There are lots of tech jobs that pay well - IF you have the degree or tech school training. But, then, not everybody is interested in, or inclined toward, tech work. The company I am currently contracting part time for (I am otherwise retired), always seems to be looking for engineers, so it is a great market for us retired engineers who want something to do once in a while and earn a lot more than being a greeter at Walmart or pizza delivery would provide. In the media, I often hear the complaint that the schools are not turning out enough engineers and other tech workers to fill the demand. I a not convinced it is the schools' fault, but instead that not everybody wants to do that kind of work.

Tony

[Cypress Knee]

Part of the issue is that people selling online are asking the same prices as retail stores that post their inventory and sell online. If you peruse the AGF classifieds, you find a tremendous amount of guitars in the $2000 - $4000 range. That is a move-up guitar, not a beginner level purchase for most.

For 2K to 4K, you can find a lot of guitars from Maury, Jon Garon, Christie Carter, Darcy Cotten, and George Gruhn with an upfront retailer description and dealer backing.

Or you can buy from Cypress Knee, Pine Cone, or Acorn and hope for the best.

Regards,

CK

[merlin666]

Originally Posted by Cypress Knee

For 2K to 4K, you can find a lot of guitars from Maury, Jon Garon, Christie Carter, Darcy Cotten, and George Gruhn with an upfront retailer description and dealer backing.

Yes, or you can get a used one in that range that the dealers sell new for 7 to 10k, and that's where the real sweetness is.

[Shortfinger]

I'd pay 2 to get a Collings or SC that went for 7.

But I think that's a pipe dream.

[nedray]

Originally Posted by Fresh1985

Yes guitars are very hard to sell unless your prepared to make a huge loss.

If I list a guitar I dont tend to list the specs and usually refer to the makers website. The reason being if people are looking at used guitars they are normally looking for something specific and so will already be aware of the specs.

This is an excellent way to NOT sell a guitar or anything else because you're not investing any energy or interest into it. When I look at your ad, I see you're sending me to a website to look up someone else's description of something I might be interested in. If you're that disinterested in me as a shopper, how will you treat me as a buyer?

Marketing gets a bad rap, and for good reason at times, but you've got to do it to sell anything. At its core, marketing is story telling and the story you're telling is about how the product you're selling will make me feel good and make my life better. It's a physical description, but more importantly it's it's a feeling. The pictures you post should show the instrument in sweet light against a dramatic, or at least not distracting, background so I can virtually feel the thing in my arms. They don't call it guitar porn for nothing. The description should be informative, and if someone's website lists the information a buyer wants, you should include it in your ad. You're selling yourself as much as your guitar.

Most of the ads on Reverb/eBay feature incomplete or nonexistent descriptions with iPhone generated pix of the instrument sitting in the middle of a store or room with stuff all over the place and reflections of the photographer or a bright window in the back of the guitar. And don't even get me started on the pix of a guitar lying on an unmade bed or a dirty floor. Do I want to picture myself holding and caressing this instrument? Yucck!

If you think the market is soft and your listings don't get any attention, I bet it's largely a self-inflicted wound through lack of initiative. Think about it. Figure out what makes your guitar desirable and then show it off.

[ceciltguitar]

" When I look at your ad, I see you're sending me to a website to look up someone else's description of something I might be interested in. If you're that disinterested in me as a shopper, how will you treat me as a buyer?"

Interesting perspective. My perspective has always been the opposite: If referred to the web site for the specs, I regard that as a verification that the specs that I will find on the web site are legitimate and accurate, and that the seller took the time to make sure that potential buyers are being given accurate information.

Our difference in perspectives on the same marketing presentation highlights one of the aspects about marketing: Different people view the same presentation in different ways.

[mercy]

Yes, different people look at things different ways so I agree with nedray. Still I dont mind them listing a link, lazy, its the complete lack of information that gets me.