 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jerry
Date: 2001-06-27 00:03
Does anyone know of this person kelsmatt@aol.com (stated location on Ebay as Garland, TX) who is auctioning an R13? Although I live in Garland, it is not me. If I knew who it is, I would go see him/her and check it out.
~ jerry
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Author: Sara
Date: 2001-06-27 00:09
why don't you email her and ask her about it?
Sara
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-06-27 01:16
EXACTLY. Communicate. If there is a problem it will show up in email or on phone.
If you don't feel comfortable, don't go. Bring someone along, its always nice to have company. : ) Don't bring any cash with you when (and if) you go to view & playtest the horn. Bring a flashlight, so you can check the bore.
LOOK FOR OBVIOUS DEFECTS (sometimes problems may not be so obvious, though). Since this person is in Garland, if you are interested in buying, you could take it to Brook Mayes in Denton and Tom Ridenour could look at the horn (the other Dallas-area Brook Mayes stores should have competent woodwind techs).
Best,
mw
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-06-27 13:30
You might email them and ask for a phone no. and then give them a call. I find it helps ease my mind a bit to talk to someone as well as email on something like that.
You could also ask them to take it to the Irving Brook Mays. They have a repair tech right in the shop and they could give it a quick look over. Then, if you need something more there's always Tom. But, he's really snowed under right now with all the before school stuff. He's trying to get his new Ridenour student clarinet off to a flying good start. I tried to get one of his customized R-13s and will have to wait for that until he's not so busy. But, I bought my Buffet Festival at the Irving store and had the tech look it over while I watched.
A rule of thumb for me about buying clarinets on eBay is, if they return my email within a reasonable amount of time (say a day or two at the most), then I go from there on deciding whether or not to work with them. If they don't bother to return the email or they have any negative feedback that isn't easily explainable---that's that for me.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-06-27 13:35
I just looked it up. It says you can email for photos. I'd do that if I were you. It's always good to see photos--even bad photos can give you some idea of what you're bidding on.
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Author: jerry
Date: 2001-06-27 17:22
Thanks all.
I was just wondering if anyone might know the person or their credibility.
I tried email (using the Ebay link to their address, which is probably an alias) and it won't let me because I am not a subscriber -- guess I'll have to sign up. I am very skeptible about buying on Ebay since I know nothing about clarinets. Actually, unless I knew the person, I probably would not buy there anyway -- even if it was something that I am familiar with, like amateur radio gear.
I just thought that if the person was here in Garland, that I could go check it (and him/her) out personally and go from their.
If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is
Thanks.
~ jerry
BTW -- I usually deal with the BM store in Allen (where I take my CL lessons) and the store in Plano. I think Tom R. hangs at the Lewisville store.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-06-27 18:21
Jerry -
This item is at http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1441240838 .
One way to find out about the seller is to look at the feedback and then click on the auction numbers. This seller has not been selling musical instruments - mostly inexpensive clothing. I'm also worried about the lack of photos. If they're available, why not put them on the ad. The gushing prose doesn't make me happy, either. "Used for orchestra only" sounds like the used car "used only by a litle old lady to go to church."
E-mail the seller and ask to see and play the clarinet. Any hesitation in agreeing to this should put you on your guard. The seller should also be willing to meet you at a repair shop you trust to have the instrument looked over. On the other hand, you may get a bargain, since the lack of photos will keep the price down. A 4-year-old R-13 will have a serial number over 423,000.
Good luck.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-06-27 18:30
His user id is his email address. Just copy it and do it manually on your email program. But, he's probably willing for you to look at it. I mean, why not? If he wants to sell it.
Have you checked the Sneezy board for R-13s? You might find a good one there.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-06-27 18:31
I have to ditto the "no buy from no photo" motto. If there's no photo, and no way to get a photo (although this seller says they're available), I don't buy.
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-06-27 21:05
Ken Shaw said:
" .. you may get a bargain, since the lack of photos will keep the price down."
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Yes, its a fact. If you don't post photos and you won't get (serious) attention paid to your auction. The concern, as the concensus sees it, is that if you don't post a picture you are preventing the bidder from viewing potential problems with the auction item. Of course, it could simply be that the auction seller lacks the tecnical know-how or resources to provide photos/jpegs. [ AND, as to this latter possibility there is some (negative) prejudice associated with those who fall into this category.]
Those who offer photos fall into another category. The problem here is that some folks request pics & others don't . Those in the know, rule the roost ... so to speak.
Best,
mw
PS - a phone call, as Brenda & others have opined, can set one to "rest" on resolution of the "possibilities".
PPS - also study those who BID on auctions. They are dealers in various cities throughout the world & are value buyers. You can check any bidders or sellers in eBay history for the last 30 days. (closed auctions are visible to buyer & seller for 90 days if they know the auction #, or through URL's provided through (personal) eBay Feedback files)
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Author: jerry
Date: 2001-06-27 22:29
I sent the seller an email last night (useing the "posted" address and sending it "standard" via Netscape) and so far this PM, no response. Not even a response from Demon (or whatever) but he usually takes a day or two to find out the address is bad.
Thanks again for all the helpful feedback.
~ jerry
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Author: Donn
Date: 2001-06-28 21:19
Ever try to attach a photo to an Ebay ad? What a hassle!
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Author: jerry
Date: 2001-06-28 23:13
I see the clarinet in question is up to $910.
Still no response to my email to the seller two nights ago............guess they don't want anyone checking it out. No photos, no response, no deal. eeh?
Like I said if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.
~ jerry
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-06-29 00:34
Attaching a photo to an eBay ad is very doable. You need to have a method capturing the photo, a software program to clean the image up & cut it to dimension & byte size, a place to park the photo (if not using eBay free photo parking), & a basic understanding of how to use a lttle bit of HTML to get the job done. eBay has a free tutorial which will walk anybody through it. I use a Sony Mavica Digital Camera so creating is easy.
Best,
mw
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Author: ~jerry
Date: 2001-06-29 22:42
Now up to $960.
Third day & still no response to my email to the seller........hmmm. Moving up pretty good, so guess he/she doesn't need my money -- even if it is local.
~ jerry
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-06-30 15:36
I agree about the photo. It's hard at first to learn to do, but I also have a Sony Mavica. It makes all the difference in the world in buyers making a choice between your item and someone else's. I purchased the camera with my first sale.
If the seller hasn't sent you an email after you've inquired about his item, beware. He'll be slow to respond to get the item to you as well. Then, since there's no picture, you can't know if his idea of "excellent" and yours is the same.
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Author: ~jerry
Date: 2001-06-30 20:13
Well, day four and two emails and not a word from the seller. Those who are bidding have more confidence (or money -- but that's not hard) than I do and I live in the same townas the seller.
~ jerry
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Author: jerry
Date: 2001-07-03 17:26
I received an eleventh hour (less than two hours to bid closing) email and subsequent telephone call from the owner of this Ebay item. The young lady who owns it had her boyfriend post it for her. She reportedly has had the R13 for four years (while in high school). She plans to attend college soon and does not intend to continue her music education.
As the item did not bid up to the reserve (unlisted), she has offered me the opportunity to visit with her and test the R13. The reserve was set at $1400. I'm not sure but this sounds a bit high -- even if it is in top condition (no waranty, etc.).
What do you think?
~ jerry
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