Klarinet Archive - Posting 000059.txt from 2003/09
From: Gil Guerrero <gilster@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Pricing/Ebay was Buffet R-13 A
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 10:55:04 -0400
I have to respectfully disagree with a few qualifications:
>Bryan Crumpler wrote:
>
SNIP
>But frankly, whoever used the word "scam" in connection with this
>offering also
>spoke out of turn. Calling people assholes and accusing other people of
>perpetrating scams both live in the same morally leaky boat.
Very true, no quibble.
>I'm sorry to namedrop (I'm lying, I'm really not) but the only way
>I'd pay that
>much for any used instrument is if it belonged to Stanley Drucker or
>someone of
>that calibre AND I knew the repairman who had gone over it and was
>now reselling
>it.
SNIP
> If you go into eBay expecting to recoup your money
>you're going to wind up still having the thing you were trying to sell.
This is sometimes true, but also sometimes not. I don't necessarily
believe that you can go into a big retail box music store, pay
sticker price, and then get all of your money back out of the
instrument later, but reselling your used instrument does not always
have to be a money losing proposition.
SNIP
>Off-the-shelf stuff, however, I think HAS to be priced lower because there are
>indeed places like WW&BW, Weiner Music, Muncy, and Intl Music Suppliers that
>will discount the hell out of the MSRP. I wonder if any major maker expects
>anyone to sell an instrument for the suggested retail.
I personally agree that anyone would be crazy paying the MSRP for an
instrument, but have watched customer upon customer cave in on
purchases at our local large music store. The difference with the
Klarinetters, and perhaps more seasoned players/shoppers, is that
they have more knowledge of the retail environment for instruments.
I've seen plenty of affluent suburban Mom's and Dad's wander in with
junior in tow, and say "What's the best horn for Junior?" And watch
the salesman's eyes light up with glee. I don't begrudge them the
sale or the profit, but they aren't going to get it from ME.
I have sold several instruments on Ebay and all of them have recouped
their investment or made a few bucks. Admittedly, other instruments
sit out there to deafening silence, and no inquiries or bids. The
thing that makes it "hit or miss" is that you don't know what the
market is at any given moment. I auctioned a French Horn at one
point, with a reserve of less than half the discount retail, and
watched a crazy woman bid the thing up to the discounters price. Did
I tell her, "Hey you paid too much?" No, of course not, she wanted
THAT HORN at that time and place, and dammit, she was going to win
THAT auction.
I think that this person is perhaps naive in his pricing, and naive
in thinking that the seasoned buyers (and cynics) on this list would
think that he was offering a good price. Luckily for him, this list
never has a problem "educating" someone (read "piling on") but that's
part of life's rich pageant, isn't it?
Best to all on the list.
--
Gil Guerrero
gilster@-----.com
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