People obscure the serial numbers on guitars because counterfeiters can use the serial numbers to create accurate phoney guitars. This is especially relevant for rare, unique, or particularly valuable guitars. I wouldn’t worry about obscuring the serial number on a Squier, but would consider doing so on a Custom Shop Gibson or something of that nature.
Great tips. I've been buying and selling all kinds of stuff online and via classifieds for well over twenty years. Not only guitar related, but books, collectables, furniture, tools, fishing gear etc. As you said, pictures and description are extremely important. Responding to offers is huge. My main problem as a seller is how many people don't understand haggling. I list "OBO" and get hit with, "What's the lowest amount you will take for this?" They never make an offer, just keep asking how far I am willing to talk myself down.
Oh man I know! I always just respond, "feel free to make an offer." You might as well say "the most you're willing to pay." I agree, I always thought that was amongst the worst questions. Thanks for watching 🍻
The easiest and most secure way I’ve found to ship a guitar is using the StewMac guitar shipping system from Aeris. It costs marginally more than “winging it” but it is fast and works great. I’ve also used Trogly’s shipping tips with generic bubble wrap to ship less expensive guitars and his tips work great, too.
Very insightful video. Learned a lot. That being said I do block the serial numbers. Having them showing creates a number of headaches. A scammer can claim the you’re selling is stolen, they’ll do this with the site you from and the police. Then having to prove that a guitar you bought over 20 years ago was stolen. Not worth it to share the numbers.
Go swing by your local guitar store and ask them for a shipping box, they will usually have quite a few that they are just going to break down and throw away in the recycle bin. One man's garbage is another's treasure! Including guitars!!!
Great video!!! I'm a returning customer with play & trade guitars.. i bought / traded a gretsch for a 91 gibson les paul classic bullion.. I also cover the serial # . The reason why is people can report that guitar stolen , it was there's another scam.. I put a guitar pic over a portion on local sales .. on reverb I do reveal the whole serial number.. Rob
I purchased a 2018 Gibson R9 Les Paul on Reverb about 8 months ago. I paid a fair price (roughly the average of sales for similar guitars over the previous 3 months). It was advertised as "Never Played", and with the exception of a very minor ding on the back, I think that description was accurate. There weren't any scratches on the pick guard, or any sign of fret wear at all. But I thought the seller was really sketchy. When I saw the packaging, I nearly just refused the shipment. Basically, they sandwiched the case between two pieces of cardboard and wrapped packaging tape around the entire thing like it was a mummy. But when I (finally) got the thing opened, there was no shipping damage at all. But this alone made me suspicious the seller might be selling stolen guitars. I searched the serial number as much as I could but couldn't find any information about it being missing or stolen. So I kept it. I have been considering selling it now (reasons...). But I am a little fearful about posting the serial number. My imagination may be overly active, but I'm afraid the people who sold it to me might be watching for it and then claim it was stolen. I'm not sure what would happen under those circumstances. Sorry for the long response. Just wondered if anyone may have advice. -Thanks for the great selling tips!
When I was in my 20s a lot of my musical peers thought everything should be free or close to free and didn't understand basic economics, and I doubt much has changed since then. So I always picture potential buyers who want to lowball and ask lots of questions as being those kids. It's a hard prejudice to unlearn. I will often just take the 25% hit to sell guitars on consignment at the local Music Go Round so I don't have to deal with all the effort it takes to sell stuff myself. I tend to have mid priced Gibsons and Fenders...right at the price point where a kid can afford it if they save.
I use to love buying used and selling my used guitars but the last 2 years have been obnoxious. People think a $900 new guitar should be sold for $900 2 years down the road. One guy went off on me because he thought a Strat I was selling was a fake. His pro “luthier” said it was fake. Not sure what got into people but it was once a very fun and inviting community.
I always post the serial number in the text of the ad, as well as a photo. One reason for obscuring the serial number is someone falsely claiming the guitar was stolen from them. But that is easily disproved if you kept the sales receipts and records. The only other reason is the seller got too good deal when they bought it and are afraid it may be stolen or counterfeit. Obscuring the serial number helps hide the crime.
Great tips. I use OfferUp for local sales and have one up right now. I get a lot of people kicking the tires, asking lots of questions and then backing out right before we seal the deal. Definitely frustrating to invest that time while doing everything you can on your end to sell it honest. Seems there’s just no easy way to do it while trying to get what it’s worth.
If you live near a big city see if Facebook has a private group of "guitar gear" and join in and see. Mine is a good community of musicians, it's charlotte and lots of great gear but you will get more trad offers than cash most of the time.
I do most of my buying on Facebook market place, and selling on Reverb. I like selling to musicians, I don't have to negotiate price as much because they've usually done their research. Haven't tried Ebay, and most likely won't. I've only sold a few Stratocasters because I can't seem to make one my friend. Always come back to my Les Paul. I'd like to see the PRS lineup the way you've done Les Paul, and Fender. Even the other solid body Gibson/Epiphone like the V's, SG's, and Explorers.
Put new strings? No! I will only do that if the strings are brown rusty. If they need changing bad but are not brown from rust those old strings stay on there. First, most guys want to put their preferred string gauge so will change out the new strings anyway and, second, I have NEVER had someone complain about old strings or say that they won’t buy the guitar because of corroded strings. All I will get from putting new strings on is wasting my time and money for something that will not get me a single dollar more. Again, if the strings look rusty or there are missing strings, then of course I will put on a new set. I ordered a first-string-only pack with about 20 strings and it has lasted me forever. I only sell a couple of guitars a year. Usually it’s only the first string missing and the other strings look good enough.
Tip: Don’t sell online. Between fees, shipping prices and the 50/50 shot that it’ll end up getting there in the same shape as you sent it that it’s not worth it. I’ve had people intentionally break stuff cuz I used to say no returns on my ads. It’s happened to me multiple times with the buyer admitting it after reverb forcing me to return it. It’s a huge hassle to sell online. I’ve had way more bad experiences with buying and selling on eBay and reverb than anywhere else. I’m strictly on fb marketplace and Craigslist only.
Yeah, it's a tough. The only guitar I sold was an ibanez electroacoustic, that had a little defect... So i sold it for HALF the price it (it was explicitly written and photo'd that was the reason of the low price) still by the time i finally sold it, the buyer wanted ME to send them money for the repair..... I sent them a video of how to change the battery and the links of that guitar brand new at stores (prices had gone up cause inflation, being thrice of what he paid for it... They stopped complaining 😅) but yeah, it's hard... Somehow a lot of people have no "etiquette" online. 🤔 I wanna sell another guitar, but i wont til i buy another one, to reuse the box... It's been a long time since stores have spare boxes 😳 at lest my local stores have mostly the very same units they did a year ago
Craigslist in my area is 90% flakes for musical instruments. You put the super clean instrument up for sale $800 and they offer you $400. Pain in the ass. Not worth it.
Hiding serial numbers was to make it more difficult for counterfeiters to use a valid # to put on their Chibson. Also...important....if you can, CALL the buyer on the phone and have a chat to validate, feel them out, and perhaps establish trust/rapport which will make the deal go smoother and less stressful.
People are unhappy that reverb got bought by Etsy and has no telephone customer service. One cellar was saying he's switching to ebay. What do you think?
Nice, how about if you would like to keep the case, I’m selling a Stratocaster that came with a fender modded case. Maybe they are a dime a dozen and should I just let it go with guitar. If they offer me lower, I was thinking to agree without the case. Nice video thanks
Hi John, I live in NY and I am selling a few valuable guitars from a relative who died. Where do I go to appraise them before I post them for sale on marketplace? Also, what product cleans guitars the best? Lastly, I cannot restring a guitar. Should I leave them or remove them? Thanks for any advise you can provide.
Yes in fact Reverb Payments is great - they deal with taking payment a variety of ways from buyer and then pay you directly with a linked bank account. Thanks for watching!
Used guitars are priced stupidly - not much lower than the same item new. Then shipping is added! I never buy used and i donate my old guitars to vets.
There's a big difference between what *some* people ask and what they actually sell for. The best research as a buyer is to look at recent Sold on Reverb or eBay. I consider Reverb Sold, sorted by Recent, to be the guide
Have you tried Sweetwaters Gear Exchange? So far, I've had super good luck on Reverb and have met some really nice people. Don't really use Ebay but had recently...and all the way from Japan...they turned out to be super legit...they were Ohana_Nagoya_Japan if anyone is interested....I picked up the Eppie "Veil of Bees" from them.
@@FRANKSNAKE71 So, are you saying that you have good luck in buying from Sweetwater? I was referring to the new service they have, I think its called Sweetwater Gear Exchange, which is basically a competitor to Reverb. Thx.....Todd
People obscure the serial numbers on guitars because counterfeiters can use the serial numbers to create accurate phoney guitars. This is especially relevant for rare, unique, or particularly valuable guitars. I wouldn’t worry about obscuring the serial number on a Squier, but would consider doing so on a Custom Shop Gibson or something of that nature.
Or stolen 😂
Great tips. I've been buying and selling all kinds of stuff online and via classifieds for well over twenty years. Not only guitar related, but books, collectables, furniture, tools, fishing gear etc. As you said, pictures and description are extremely important.
Responding to offers is huge.
My main problem as a seller is how many people don't understand haggling. I list "OBO" and get hit with, "What's the lowest amount you will take for this?" They never make an offer, just keep asking how far I am willing to talk myself down.
Oh man I know! I always just respond, "feel free to make an offer." You might as well say "the most you're willing to pay." I agree, I always thought that was amongst the worst questions. Thanks for watching 🍻
The easiest and most secure way I’ve found to ship a guitar is using the StewMac guitar shipping system from Aeris. It costs marginally more than “winging it” but it is fast and works great. I’ve also used Trogly’s shipping tips with generic bubble wrap to ship less expensive guitars and his tips work great, too.
Very insightful video. Learned a lot. That being said I do block the serial numbers. Having them showing creates a number of headaches. A scammer can claim the you’re selling is stolen, they’ll do this with the site you from and the police. Then having to prove that a guitar you bought over 20 years ago was stolen. Not worth it to share the numbers.
Go swing by your local guitar store and ask them for a shipping box, they will usually have quite a few that they are just going to break down and throw away in the recycle bin.
One man's garbage is another's treasure!
Including guitars!!!
Great video!!! I'm a returning customer with play & trade guitars.. i bought / traded a gretsch for a 91 gibson les paul classic bullion.. I also cover the serial # . The reason why is people can report that guitar stolen , it was there's another scam.. I put a guitar pic over a portion on local sales .. on reverb I do reveal the whole serial number..
Rob
I purchased a 2018 Gibson R9 Les Paul on Reverb about 8 months ago. I paid a fair price (roughly the average of sales for similar guitars over the previous 3 months). It was advertised as "Never Played", and with the exception of a very minor ding on the back, I think that description was accurate. There weren't any scratches on the pick guard, or any sign of fret wear at all. But I thought the seller was really sketchy. When I saw the packaging, I nearly just refused the shipment. Basically, they sandwiched the case between two pieces of cardboard and wrapped packaging tape around the entire thing like it was a mummy. But when I (finally) got the thing opened, there was no shipping damage at all. But this alone made me suspicious the seller might be selling stolen guitars. I searched the serial number as much as I could but couldn't find any information about it being missing or stolen. So I kept it. I have been considering selling it now (reasons...). But I am a little fearful about posting the serial number. My imagination may be overly active, but I'm afraid the people who sold it to me might be watching for it and then claim it was stolen. I'm not sure what would happen under those circumstances. Sorry for the long response. Just wondered if anyone may have advice. -Thanks for the great selling tips!
The way I see it, you are being a little paranoid. If you did not steal it, then you don't have to worry about that.
Solid advice, particularly not chasing away lowball offers.
on acoustics especially My thoughts are it needs to be tried out first
Another great episode will be one saying about overseas sales. A nice topic to discuss.
When I was in my 20s a lot of my musical peers thought everything should be free or close to free and didn't understand basic economics, and I doubt much has changed since then. So I always picture potential buyers who want to lowball and ask lots of questions as being those kids. It's a hard prejudice to unlearn.
I will often just take the 25% hit to sell guitars on consignment at the local Music Go Round so I don't have to deal with all the effort it takes to sell stuff myself. I tend to have mid priced Gibsons and Fenders...right at the price point where a kid can afford it if they save.
I use to love buying used and selling my used guitars but the last 2 years have been obnoxious. People think a $900 new guitar should be sold for $900 2 years down the road. One guy went off on me because he thought a Strat I was selling was a fake. His pro “luthier” said it was fake. Not sure what got into people but it was once a very fun and inviting community.
Thanks for the tips. I'm planning on selling a guitar this year. Will use your advice.
I agree with you about eBay, and they charge the seller way too much. Great tips, thank you!
Reverb does too
A great video with new tips for me, thanks very much.
Very Cool, Thankyou for the awesome info. Cheers
I always post the serial number in the text of the ad, as well as a photo. One reason for obscuring the serial number is someone falsely claiming the guitar was stolen from them. But that is easily disproved if you kept the sales receipts and records. The only other reason is the seller got too good deal when they bought it and are afraid it may be stolen or counterfeit. Obscuring the serial number helps hide the crime.
Great tips. I use OfferUp for local sales and have one up right now. I get a lot of people kicking the tires, asking lots of questions and then backing out right before we seal the deal. Definitely frustrating to invest that time while doing everything you can on your end to sell it honest. Seems there’s just no easy way to do it while trying to get what it’s worth.
If you live near a big city see if Facebook has a private group of "guitar gear" and join in and see. Mine is a good community of musicians, it's charlotte and lots of great gear but you will get more trad offers than cash most of the time.
Great tips. Glad I watched
I do most of my buying on Facebook market place, and selling on Reverb. I like selling to musicians, I don't have to negotiate price as much because they've usually done their research. Haven't tried Ebay, and most likely won't. I've only sold a few Stratocasters because I can't seem to make one my friend. Always come back to my Les Paul. I'd like to see the PRS lineup the way you've done Les Paul, and Fender. Even the other solid body Gibson/Epiphone like the V's, SG's, and Explorers.
5 minutes in and these tips are gold...
OBO, forgot about that, added it to my listings, thanks
Put new strings? No! I will only do that if the strings are brown rusty. If they need changing bad but are not brown from rust those old strings stay on there. First, most guys want to put their preferred string gauge so will change out the new strings anyway and, second, I have NEVER had someone complain about old strings or say that they won’t buy the guitar because of corroded strings. All I will get from putting new strings on is wasting my time and money for something that will not get me a single dollar more. Again, if the strings look rusty or there are missing strings, then of course I will put on a new set. I ordered a first-string-only pack with about 20 strings and it has lasted me forever. I only sell a couple of guitars a year. Usually it’s only the first string missing and the other strings look good enough.
Tip: Don’t sell online. Between fees, shipping prices and the 50/50 shot that it’ll end up getting there in the same shape as you sent it that it’s not worth it. I’ve had people intentionally break stuff cuz I used to say no returns on my ads. It’s happened to me multiple times with the buyer admitting it after reverb forcing me to return it. It’s a huge hassle to sell online. I’ve had way more bad experiences with buying and selling on eBay and reverb than anywhere else. I’m strictly on fb marketplace and Craigslist only.
Craigs List is the only place I got burned, so be very careful there.
@@Gtownblues555 you have to be careful everywhere
Yeah, it's a tough. The only guitar I sold was an ibanez electroacoustic, that had a little defect... So i sold it for HALF the price it (it was explicitly written and photo'd that was the reason of the low price) still by the time i finally sold it, the buyer wanted ME to send them money for the repair..... I sent them a video of how to change the battery and the links of that guitar brand new at stores (prices had gone up cause inflation, being thrice of what he paid for it... They stopped complaining 😅) but yeah, it's hard... Somehow a lot of people have no "etiquette" online. 🤔
I wanna sell another guitar, but i wont til i buy another one, to reuse the box... It's been a long time since stores have spare boxes 😳 at lest my local stores have mostly the very same units they did a year ago
Craigslist in my area is 90% flakes for musical instruments. You put the super clean instrument up for sale $800 and they offer you $400. Pain in the ass. Not worth it.
Great Tips!
Hiding serial numbers was to make it more difficult for counterfeiters to use a valid # to put on their Chibson. Also...important....if you can, CALL the buyer on the phone and have a chat to validate, feel them out, and perhaps establish trust/rapport which will make the deal go smoother and less stressful.
People are unhappy that reverb got bought by Etsy and has no telephone customer service. One cellar was saying he's switching to ebay. What do you think?
Cool.
Nice, how about if you would like to keep the case, I’m selling a Stratocaster that came with a fender modded case. Maybe they are a dime a dozen and should I just let it go with guitar. If they offer me lower, I was thinking to agree without the case. Nice video thanks
What are your thoughts on selling at Sweetwater ? have you tried it?
I sold an EVH Wolfgang on Sweetwater's gear exchange and took a gift card as payment. You pay no fees if you do that.
@@mikelaffey5159 Thanks man! Do they take the shipping cost also?
Some Reverb listed prices are way too high. A lot of them are people trying to recover their cost.
Hi John, I live in NY and I am selling a few valuable guitars from a relative who died. Where do I go to appraise them before I post them for sale on marketplace? Also, what product cleans guitars the best? Lastly, I cannot restring a guitar. Should I leave them or remove them? Thanks for any advise you can provide.
Hi Joan, Please send me an email at playandtradeguitars at gmail
I'm happy to advise
Leave a basket of dirty clothes in the background. Every FB and Craigslist ad need this.
Lol yes, or the all time classic...a bare foot in the picture, taken with the guitar on the ground
Can I still sell on reverb now that I dont have pay pal account???
Yes in fact Reverb Payments is great - they deal with taking payment a variety of ways from buyer and then pay you directly with a linked bank account. Thanks for watching!
“… to one of YOU!”
US only… 😢
Used guitars are priced stupidly - not much lower than the same item new.
Then shipping is added! I never buy used and i donate my old guitars to vets.
There's a big difference between what *some* people ask and what they actually sell for. The best research as a buyer is to look at recent Sold on Reverb or eBay. I consider Reverb Sold, sorted by Recent, to be the guide
Also, shame on sellers who clutter up the marketplace with ridiculous asking prices. I agree
Guitar Center definitely needs to follow step 1. How can they get away with post such awful pictures
People don't give a serial no.
Because it's hot 🔥😂.
That opening didn't age well and no I rarely buy and sell.
Have you tried Sweetwaters Gear Exchange? So far, I've had super good luck on Reverb and have met some really nice people. Don't really use Ebay but had recently...and all the way from Japan...they turned out to be super legit...they were Ohana_Nagoya_Japan if anyone is interested....I picked up the Eppie "Veil of Bees" from them.
I have had tremendous luck at Sweetwater I would never try to sell my gear online.
@@FRANKSNAKE71 So, are you saying that you have good luck in buying from Sweetwater? I was referring to the new service they have, I think its called Sweetwater Gear Exchange, which is basically a competitor to Reverb. Thx.....Todd