 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kristen D.
Date: 2002-04-08 04:57
At least the seller IS being honest. Half the time you never know what
your are really going to get!
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Author: William
Date: 2002-04-08 14:09
"Half the time you never know what you are going to get!"--????? FYI--I've made four purchases via eBay this past year and every product arrived in the condition described by he seller during the auction. In one case, however, I refused to accept winning a bid after a suspicious bidder, who always seemed to just outbid me, recalled his bid after the auction ended. I am certain that there was some colusion between the seller and the other bidder just to drive the sale higher and then be allowed to retract at the end. Bottom line when dealing with eBay: Buyer--and bidder--beware. Ask questions and watch the bidding paterns as they unfold. Good Clarineting!!!!
BTW--This would be a good instrument for someone to purchase, fix up and donate to your local school.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-04-08 14:14
I must second William's comments. I have purchased 7 clarinets on eBay and each was exactly as described..if not better. Of course the standard and obvious tipoff is "I don't know anything..." following which the best course is to go no further.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-04-08 15:24
My two-bits worth. IF - none of the tenons or sockets or bell are [seriously] broken, it is prob recoverable and with 9 hrs and $17.50 to go [it'll go up!] its a bargain. Maybe I'll bid !! Don
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-04-08 16:13
I think William and Bob are on target. I have bought a few clarinets (and much other stuff) through eBay, and every one that was said to be in playing condition was in playing condition. I even got one said to be "unknown, very doubtful" that required no repair at all. However, if a seller says "I don't know anything about Clarinets," believe it totally.
I'm sorry to hear that others have had such bad surprises when the merchandise arrives, but by reading the item description and asking questions, you can bid with knowledge. If you sre not sure what you're going to get, don't bid. And if what you get is not what was described, take proper action.
Regards,
John
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-04-08 18:31
If you are REALLY interested, engage the seller in an exchange of reasonable questions--assume honesty--and then make a more informed decision. I have gotten 2Bb, 1 EbAlto, and 1 Bb Bass off e-bay and have not been disappointed, in that they arrived as described. Two others were sent back--one arrived broken (bad packaging)--money cheerfully refunded, and one was not as described--money refunded. So be cautious but get paranoid (It not unsual that people should be following you!) If you have done your homework you should have little, or no, problems. If you haven't--then whose fault is it? There have been several "educational" threads on dealing with e-bay. Well worth a "search" for them. Bob A
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Author: Dee
Date: 2002-04-08 20:52
It looks very repairable. Pads and corks are maintenance items anyway and could be expected to need replacing on any used horn no matter what the description. One can toss the case and buy a used plastic cheapie in decent condition too.
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Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2002-04-08 21:25
I've had good success on ebay, in general, but I have acquired some bad instruments. What one thinks is "good condition" sometimes has been very dry wood and moth-attacked pads. Sometimes I've been lucky, and I've even made some great friends. I purchase clarinets, pay to have them repaired (no, I don't repair, which WOULD be cost-effective), and sell them to my students AT MY COST. I cannot think of a better way of acquiring a good second-hand clarinet, making sure that it plays well, and giving a student a good step-up or better instrument. It is much better than using-Aunt-Susie's-clarinet-that-I-already-have-my-dad-played-it-etc.etc.etc. When a student has an instrument that I know plays well, the student, parents, and I am much happier! I was given a "trashed" Bundy, and I provided a case and had it totally repadded and "tweaked". I have a very happy, beginning student who now owns it. Sometimes the older instruments are better than the new student instruments offered. (Shall we buy a used, repaired Bundy, or a Bestler, LOL!) But...again, ebay IS a learning experience. I have purchased instruments from people claiming to be professional and knowledgeable, even posters here, and after I did further research found their answers incomplete and had instruments that were less than professionally repaired. (Not pro-orchestra player "tweaked", but a key cup hitting the edge of a tone hole because of misalignment, and horrible pad seating and a few other things on one instrument, not shipping damage.) Overall, it works for me, and I don't have to scour the country shopping at flea markets and yard sales! Good clarinetting! Sandra
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-04-08 22:43
Well, I've run it up to $52, just playing around, so if anyone really wants it, go for it, I'll PROB. stay out of much more bidding, 2 hrs to go, the posted info is SLOW, go to the bid history for currents. Don
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Author: Kristen D.
Date: 2002-04-09 00:37
Wow, my sarcasm sparked so much discussion! I
was just making a funny remark in response to
the original post. I've purchased 5 clarinets
through ebay as well and have had pretty good
luck. One instrument had a crack though, and the
other's color had been masked in the photo (it
ended up being an almost greenish color... yuck).
Both sellers worked with me on it... either through
refund or discount.
Like you all have said, researching the seller
and asking questions is a sure-fire way to catch
something fishy (if there is anything fishy to
catch).
Good clarineting and ebaying!
Kristen D.
GTA: UNL
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-04-09 01:14
Gee Whiz, I thot there would be a contest, nope, won by a dollar, $4 below my bid! Well, in another week I'll know the nature of this beast, will post if its really bad or good. Have needed a loaner, had to let my Selmer CT out while repairing an old Pruefer plastic, not bad! Dee. Much fun, Don
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-04-09 06:29
Good catch, Don
I have a couple of loaners similar to it that are actually pretty good players. I think you did real good on this one.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-04-09 13:54
TKS, fellas, we shall see. Will start now to deal with this "cool" seller [Icecube], he quotes $6.45 S&H, a bit high for MN to OK? [for a ?junker?, perhaps not!] Will post. Don
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-04-09 18:59
Uhh, Don, I think UPS charges the same to transport a basket-case or a new one.
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Author: Mary
Date: 2002-04-10 02:49
I've also had good success. Asking intelligent questions, and doing informed shopping helps.
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