Selling amp on Craigslist question

[Molder]

I am selling some of my gear on Craigslist.

I get where you can meet someone in a public place to test an acoustic guitar, since there is no power involved, but where would you meet someone to sell an amp or electric guitar.

Not only do they need to plug it in, but I think they would want to crank it to give it a good test.

Where do you guys meet when selling your electric gear? How does the whole process go?

Dave

[Paleolith54]

Originally Posted by Molder

I am selling some of my gear on Craigslist.

I get where you can meet someone in a public place to test an acoustic guitar, since there is no power involved, but where would you meet someone to sell an amp or electric guitar.

Not only do they need to plug it in, but I think they would want to crank it to give it a good test.

Where do you guys meet when selling your electric gear? How does the whole process go?

Dave

I tell folks I'm meeting the to sell the amp, not for them to try it out. They need to do their research in whatever way works for them to decide if this is the amp they want. I'm happy to play a few bars over the phone, or in a quick iphone video to show them that it works, but there's no way I'm going to become part of someone's journey to decide which amp they want.

[Puerto Player]

I let people come to my house, in the case of an amp, I'll put it in the garage and they're welcome to try it there, but "usually" not inside. But that isn't always the case. I can judge people pretty quickly. I don't any to my studio, but I do let a few into the living room.

Now, "when" you get emails from somebody who wants to send you a cashiers check for more than you're asking, have them send you the check, it's not good, but sending it to you costs them money. When you get the check, just throw it in the trash. Forward the email to Craigslist as a Scam and move on.

People coming to you with money are usually more "concerned" about being robbed than you should be.

[ChrisN]

For an amp, I'd want to hear it in person to listen for excess hum, make sure the controls and reverb tank performed their functions, test foot switches, let it heat up for a while (if tube) to allow spotty electrical connections to expand and, if bad, to fail. I think all of that can be accomplished fairly quietly at a Starbucks or equivalent. I would not need to hear it cranked up. I've not sold any amps. I somehow manage to end up at Starbucks for CL buying/selling - as long as I buy some coffee and don't disturb others, they're fine with it.

I have sold electric guitars in public places. I've brought along my own Blackstar Fly 3 that can run on batteries and actually sounds pretty accurate for a 3" speaker.

[OnTheLedge]

I've sold stuff on CL from my house. Never had a problem. Like someone posted earlier, I dont bring them into my studio to see everything I have. I've only been scammed on CL once by a seller in a neutral location. I think a neutral location protects scammers more than anyone else. It covers their tracks.

[6L6]

I invite potential buyers to play the amp in my garage. Never had a problem.

[YamahaGuy]

A/C power inverter. Even the cheap $20 ones at Harbor Freight will get it done.

Or, shoot a video (time/date stamped) and send it to them.

[Molder]

I like the inverter idea. If it’s a 100 watt amp, will a 400 Watt inverter do the trick?

Dave

[MIGAS79]

I am far less concerned about my safety when the other person has the cash. If they are going to rob someone they could choose a random house. Typically this is all after a lot of back and forth.

I have sold something with a video sample though. I just said their name at the start of the video so they knew it was current and ran through to show everything was functional.

[Tahitijack]

Check with your local police. In SoCal some police stations have set up buy/sell parking areas which are well lighted, have security cameras and power. Irvine, CA pioneered this. Its in the parking area of the police station.

As a buyer I would not buy any electronics without testing.

[YamahaGuy]

Originally Posted by Molder

I like the inverter idea. If it’s a 100 watt amp, will a 400 Watt inverter do the trick?

Dave

I cannot directly answer that but I know that my buddy's 15" bass amp worked fine off a small cigarette lighter unit, so I'd say the 400 watt would be plenty.

[PTony]

Originally Posted by Tahitijack

Check with your local police. In SoCal some police stations have set up buy/sell parking areas which are well lighted, have security cameras and power. Irvine, CA pioneered this. Its in the parking area of the police station.

As a buyer I would not buy any electronics without testing.

+1

Our local police station has an area within the department that is made available to the public for just this type of thing. If your local station doesn’t offer this, some of my local shops allow these types of interactions as well.

I’ve also used my garage and have never had an issue. As stated, allowing people to know where I live is after much discussion with the party, and listening to my gut, or “instinct” if you will.

I’ve been buying, selling, and trading for over 38 years and have never had a issue.

[M Sarad]

I have power outlets on my front porch.

[jdmulli]

I've bought and sold several amps on the the strength of a video recording.

That being said, there is also a difference between a $50 practice amp and a higher end boutique amp and allowances should be made in either direction.

[harpspitfire]

1st place, id never trust a meet in parking lot seller, anyway- if i cant try the equipment out where its at, i dont want it, i sold alot of guitar and amps, they came to my place to try before you buy