KVR Audio

Forgotten · Post by **Forgotten** » Mon Sep 02, 2019 5:45 pm

Aloysius wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2019 4:48 pm
Forgotten wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2019 3:53 pm Another way I bought a guitar was on Craigslist. Sometimes people want to meet somewhere public rather than give their home address, but it’s a great way of looking for a deal. blah...
sounds well dodgy. are you sure it wasn't stolen?

I think it’s mostly because people here are paranoid about strangers coming to their house. I see a lot of Craigslist listings that only provide the approximate area.

The last guitar I bought I met the guy in a Lowe’s parking lot where he probably got picked up by at least a couple of security cameras, and he seemed genuine about his paranoia.

reggie1979 · Post by **reggie1979** » Mon Sep 02, 2019 5:51 pm

It's actually one of the things they recommend. I've done about a dozen deals. Software, hardware. You have their text number if it's stolen (one of the first things you'd check)

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Mon Sep 02, 2019 6:06 pm

I met a guy in a neutral location once (a busy pub). he was trying to sell me a laptop. I decided not to buy because some of the software on the computer was illegal. I could only assume that the laptop was too. When I tried 'phoning his mobile number after the meeting, the number he gave me kept showing up as different numbers on my device each time I tried to call. I can only assume he was digitally hiding his real number too.

Forgotten · Post by **Forgotten** » Mon Sep 02, 2019 6:23 pm

I bought two guitars through Craigslist, and both of them either went to lengths to concoct a detailed back story or they were genuinely selling a guitar they were just not playing.

One of them was a teen who turned up with his dad to oversee the deal, and the other one was a guy who told me about his dream to learn and then realizing it needed much more of his time than he had, left the guitar sit unplayed for a year before he decided he should probably just get rid of it.

Had anyone even hinted it was stolen I wouldn't have got involved.

reggie1979 · Post by **reggie1979** » Mon Sep 02, 2019 6:58 pm

I provide receipts if needed, though it's a copy and I black out any juicy stuff (man, the deals I give

)

Bombadil · Post by **Bombadil** » Mon Sep 02, 2019 7:10 pm

I don't let anyone come to my flat either, although I see many people on eBay Classifieds here in Germany won't ship and will only sell if you go to their place to try it out. Must be a cultural thing, because I've known a number of people back in Montreal who've been robbed in these situations. Still, better safe than sorry. I don't want strangers coming into our home with all my guitars hanging around all over the place.

reggie1979 · Post by **reggie1979** » Mon Sep 02, 2019 7:34 pm

I live with my parents, so it's just not doable.

deastman · Post by **deastman** » Mon Sep 02, 2019 8:05 pm

Aloysius wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2019 4:48 pm
Forgotten wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2019 3:53 pm Another way I bought a guitar was on Craigslist. Sometimes people want to meet somewhere public rather than give their home address, but it’s a great way of looking for a deal. blah...

sounds well dodgy. are you sure it wasn't stolen?

One of my closest friends makes his living buying and selling synths. He always meets people in a highly visible public place. It’s safer for everyone that way, aside from not being able to test gear before buying.

reggie1979 · Post by **reggie1979** » Mon Sep 02, 2019 8:24 pm

I've had people bring their laptops to test stuff.

tapper mike · Post by **tapper mike** » Mon Sep 02, 2019 8:50 pm

Almost everything I see on craigslist is junk. Same with Facebook Marketplace with the rare exception of items well beyond 50 miles. What's more if it's a current guitar it's usually $20 lower than new.

jochicago · Post by **jochicago** » Tue Sep 03, 2019 12:11 am

I bought a few things on craigslist (chicago), mostly inexpensive guitars and video/photo gear. Never had a real problem but I've met a lot of people on the paranoid side. Can't say I blame them because I've also met a couple of the type of people that give cause for paranoia. I don't really sell much because I honestly don't want to deal with it. But buying has been ok.

Forgotten · Post by **Forgotten** » Tue Sep 03, 2019 1:05 am

tapper mike wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2019 8:50 pm Almost everything I see on craigslist is junk.

I'd say I agree with that, but there are some bargains once in a while.

I picked up an older Squier Strat (not sure which year, but older headstock shape and full thickness body) for $80, and a $250 Schecter for $100. Both were sold by people who had them for a few years and just didn't ever learn to play and decided they just wanted rid of them.

What I have more of a problem with on Craigslist is that 99% of the instruments I see are over-priced for used instruments, and sometimes people will just not negotiate down to a reasonable used price. I find places like reverb.com are much better for prices and the gear is in much better shape.

The two guitars I got on Craigslist were exceptions to the rule though, as both were in good shape and reasonably priced for used instruments.

reggie1979 · Post by **reggie1979** » Tue Sep 03, 2019 4:11 am

So is da everyone is supposed to be the same'es???????????????????????????????????

tapper mike · Post by **tapper mike** » Wed Oct 02, 2019 8:40 pm

Here's a thing.... 90% of my online guitar purchases were right as rain. That's a good track record.

Here's another thing though. I just went into a small brick and mortar. Put $100 down on a mint condition 2018 Joe Pass Epiphone Emperor Pro II with case. They are doing a full setup for me and the out the door price is less than I could buy it new.

Aloysius · Post by **Aloysius** » Wed Oct 02, 2019 9:58 pm

... out the back door?

The Great Guitar Debate: Purchasing Online vs IRL