Klarinet Archive - Posting 000731.txt from 2004/03

From: "Bruce E. McGarvey" <infodev@------.net>
Subj: [kl] Buying expensive stuff on E-bay
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 14:12:46 -0500


I've bought several mouthpieces, two "professional" Bb clarinets, an eefer,
an alto sax, and an alto clarinet on e-bay, and many non-musical items, and
have not been disappointed and I haven't been stung. Maybe I will be
someday, but for what it's worth, here's how I've gone about deciding if I'm
going to bid on a high-priced instrument or accessory.

- I check the description very very carefully. I don't assume anything
unless it's stated, and if I have a question, I e-mail the seller. (If the
seller is helpful, then you can bet s/he is on the up-and-up.)

- I NEVER consider expensive stuff up for sale that are described in such a
way that it's apparent that the seller doesn't know anything about
clarinets, mouthpieces, and so forth, UNLESS it looks like I may get a
helluva bargain. If that's the case, I e-mail my questions.

- If the photos are lousy, I ask for more. If I don't get them, I don't bid.

- I never expect an instrument to come to me properly adjusted--I always
expect to put a hundred bucks at least into the price--and bid accordingly.
"Completely overhauled" doesn't mean a thing to me when I'm bidding because
some ham-fisted technician may have worked on the instrument.

- If the instrument is particularly expensive, I e-mail the buyer and ask
for assurance that, if the instrument is cracked or otherwise truly messed
up, that I can return it. Nobody so far has said "no."

- "As is" means "as is."

- I don't let negative feedback throw me off completely. First, there's a
big difference between a 96% positive feedback for someone who sells
thousands of items and 96% feedback from someone who's sold 21 items. You
can't sell hundreds of items without having some customer or other be
dissastified. If I'm concerned, I check to see what exactly the feedback
was. Most of the time it's about slow shipping or the result of poor
communication. Rarely is there negative feedback due to an intentional
ripoff.

Most of what people consider "ripoffs" result from a lack of knowledge,
care, and communication a on the part of either or both buyer and seller.
Sellers don't know that their descriptions are lacking, and buyers take too
much for granted or expect more than is promised.

Finally, every so often, you really get a gem that's worth a great deal more
than you paid for it. I bought a Bb RC on E-bay (after investigating it as
I've described) for $700 that was in mint condition, well adjusted, and
turned out to be (so far) the very best Buffet instrument I've ever played.

The Master Model Bb that I paid $400 for is as good as my R13, and I got an
eefer for $75 bucks on a whim that, with the expertise of Messer. Grabner,
plays as well as instruments that sell for ten times that much.

Don't be afraid of E-bay. Just be careful, don't assume anything, and ask
questions if you need to.

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