 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: John
Date: 2002-05-01 02:23
how many of you have actually bought instruments from people on ebay? i'm just wondering, with all these ebay links floating around this board and all
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2002-05-01 03:01
I have over a hundred transactions on eBay. Two percent of them really sucked. Lost $300. The best Buy: Pre R-13 for $17.00
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-05-01 03:22
Bought 4. Would like to buy more. But I'd have to sell the Wife first. (Old tired joke--What do you want for her?) Honest Honey, I'm just kidding.
Bob A
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-05-01 03:39
I personally wouldn't buy an instrument off eBay (or whatever) unless it had a money back guarantee - or I could at least see it first.
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Author: msroboto
Date: 2002-05-01 03:52
I bought a Bundy to get back to playing. It was a good deal. The pads were ok. It did need cork. The grand total under $125.00 for a playable instrument including $30.00 for the cork job.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-05-01 04:00
Some of the sellers of more expensive instruments that I have personally contacted--ex. some Selmer model 33 and Prestige bass clarinets--have offered trial periods with money back gaurantees. I've only completed six transactions via eBay to date, but have not been disapointed or "burned" yet. Basically, however, I am in agreement with Diz. Clarify, verify and try before you buy. Good luck, everyone!!
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Author: BeckyC
Date: 2002-05-01 04:04
I bought a student model Flute for my daughter.
I got what I paid for. 
Hoping to eventually get that amazing deal on an Oboe.
Becky
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Author: Willie
Date: 2002-05-01 04:16
I've bought about 6 clarinets on eBay in varying condition for a good price. I also got a mint LeBlanc EEb contra that I couldn't better unless buying new. You just have to study the pictures VERY carefully (for bent, missing parts or cracks) and ask the seller some questions. The only thing I really ever got burned on was some used cases, but that seller is no longer on eBay. Too many complaints I guess.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-05-01 04:41
BeckyC...Contact me off line concerning your quest for an oboe...GBK
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Author: William Hughes
Date: 2002-05-01 05:17
My first purchase was my largest, literally: a Bundy Contra Alto. Two more clarinets, a guitar for my son and a few odds and ends. No bad experiences yet, but there's probably one with my name on it waiting somewhere,
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Author: kenabbott
Date: 2002-05-01 11:47
I have purchased about a dozen and sold a few too. I have generally had good experiences. I had one dealer in ND send me an empty box (even though I paid by credit card). He told me my voicemail to him was the single foulest message he ever received ;-).
The key thing is to check the seller's feedback. You can get references on NG's too.
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2002-05-01 11:47
I've bought two clarinets, half a dozen mouthpieces, an electronic tuner, a ligature, and some reeds. In each case I received what was advertised. You have to do your homework and ask the right questions.
I've seen some items that were mis-represented, and some that were way overpriced. If you know what you want, and know what you are willing to pay, and deal with sellers that have good ratings, you can pick up some good deals. I haven't been burned yet in about 30 transactions.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-05-01 15:27
Have bought 6 so far and not a bummer in the lot.....
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-05-01 16:48
Without eBay I would not have been able to afford my vast armada of nearly all sizes of clarinets and saxophones. However, without my repair skills (such as they are) I wouldn't have been able to play most of those eBay instruments either........So it's a mixed bag, for sure. But I will say that the vast majority of eBay sellers (and buyers) that I've dealt with have been pleasant and honorable. Good communications and good will are the keys to success. Although the bargains and rare/unusual instruments are becoming more scarce as eBay has gotten more popular, there are still many opportunities to purchase something a bit different than the norm, and one can still get a good value by doing some research up front and 'buying smart'.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-05-01 17:20
I echo D S and others, having bought a number of horns, am waiting now on a 2nd glass bass cl mp [Dave], ligature, case and reeds, all with friendly EM relations, only infrequently disappointed. My "Battered" Bundy [thread of several weeks ago] turned out to be a bargain with a bit of TLC! Yes, close attention to pics and description with questions to seller and perhaps posts on our BB for skilled help, reduces risk, IMHO. Much Luck, Don
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Author: Lindsey Ondrey
Date: 2002-05-01 17:46
I bought a brand new Buffet E-11 on ebay from Dominic for under $600 last year ($589 I think). It is an incredible clarinet and it came with the warentee and everything. I doubt I could have ever found a better deal in a music store.
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-05-01 19:17
Lindsey,
The point Don and I were trying to make (I think) is that you should still do your research 'up front'. I'm glad you're happy with your purchase, but if you had checked various music stores and instrument sources on the Internet before buying from Dominic, you might not have made a statement such as "I DOUBT I could have ever found a better deal.." --- you would KNOW that your deal was the best, because you would have investigated the alternatives first. I'm not saying that in this case you could have done better necessarily, just that, with the capabilities of the Internet at your disposal (and of course the good 'ol telephone), you can find the best deal with little room for doubt. And still get a warranty if it's important to you.
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Author: Robert Gifford
Date: 2002-05-01 20:25
I've gotten all good deals off ebay. I've purchased a sax, a clarinet, a violin, an oboe, and a bass guitar. The bass guitar I paid basically almost full price for, the violin I got at a steal of $50.
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Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 2002-05-01 20:29
I purchased a Buffet Festival A earlier this year. Probably not the world's greatest bargin but the instrument was as described and as I expected. The seller (who had made many eBay sales) was selling it for a friend. I quized her before bidding to get answers to all my questions.
The story was that it was purchased by mail order by someone who wanted to get their high school age son "a clarinet." I would have been happy to have had an A clarinet when I was in high school (and would have used it too) but apparently that wasn't the case here.
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Author: Jill
Date: 2002-05-01 20:38
I've bought many things on Ebay, but I don't spend a lot of money on something I have to buy "sight unseen." I've bought mouthpieces, music, reeds, and 3 clarinets. My husband has sold a few saxophones and bought one or two. All good experiences.
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-05-01 21:00
Reeds are an especially nice item to buy on eBay, because you can wait until the brands and strengths you like come up for auction (if you have a bit of patience, they invariably will), then buy a number of boxes for much cheaper than you'd pay from even a discount mail-order house. Plan ahead, even if you don't need reeds now, you'll need 'em in the future --- besides, they play better if they age for a few years. I have two shoeboxes full of reeds at home, most of which I got on eBay, and the sum total cost of these two full shoeboxes is probably about the same as for a dozen boxes of retail Vandorens. Except that now I'm probably set for life --- I'll always have good, aged reeds available for all my clarinets and saxophones. And when you buy reeds in sealed boxes, there's no concern about whether they'll work or not --- they're as good (or better, if aged) as retail reeds. Can't lose!
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Author: Donn
Date: 2002-05-01 21:01
Have bought many instruments (mostly brass) from ebay for repair and resale. Only got stung a couple of times. I quit because I could no longer make much of a profit.
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Author: Lindsey Ondrey
Date: 2002-05-01 21:36
I *did* do research before I bought my clarinet and do feel confident I got the best deal I could at the time for a poor college student desperately seeking a better instrument (from a plastic vito from 5th grade).
I agree wholeheartedly that asking questions (if you had read other threads I have posted in, you would know I spoke with Dominic on the phone before and during the purchasing transaction), examining pictures, knowing about the instrument you are looking for, etc. are all important. I did all of those things.
I'm still not sure where acting as if I don't know what I was doing came out my answering the original question. ?? :-/
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Author: jenna
Date: 2002-05-01 22:51
2 purchases.. a Selmer alto clarinet, and a King flugelhorn. Both arrived as described/expected and relatively painlessly, at that. =)
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Author: Pam
Date: 2002-05-01 23:38
I bought a flute off ebay and was/am pleased with it. It came as described and was perfectly playable when it arrived. I agree with the others that you should always ask questions, examine pictures closely, look at a seller's feedback and if you're buying something very expensive make sure you do have the option of returning it if not satisfied.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2002-05-02 01:05
I'm an ebay junkie. purchased 5 or 6 clarinets and loved them all. This is how I met Brenda.
I had one bad deal on a sax. that I purchased from a pawn shop. It was a piece of junk. so i stay away from pawn shops.
heck i even purchased my range rover off of ebay.
peace
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2002-05-02 01:30
I got my beloved old R-13 Bb off E-bay and most people laugh at me for it. But their new R-13s don't have half the tone mine does and cost several hundred dollars more. It was a little risky, but worth it. It did need a repadding and one cork replaced but it came as described.
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Author: Jim A
Date: 2002-05-02 01:41
I purchased one recorder and two clarinets off e-bay. Maybe not the greatest deals but all in excellent shape. Spent time swapping emails with the seller too, which really helps.
When shopping, I spend a lot of time going through the sometimes many items I am interested in. I think you can kind of get a feel for the kind of seller you want to deal with. At least I got to the point I could pretty well recognize who I didn't want to purchase from! A lot of looking helps I think.
Funny, on both clarinets I was the only bidder. But the amounts I paid were well within the price range for what I received.
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Author: Cindy
Date: 2002-05-02 04:11
I have gotten one and only one thing off ebay...an old plastic bundy for $25. I needed it for marching band. I got the instruemnt, and would use it for nothing else. But, that's what you get for $25 dollars. At least it makes sound!
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Author: Jim
Date: 2002-05-03 13:39
I have not bought off ebay but am considering selling an instrument there. Its a perfect Selmer Series 10 clarinet. I plan to make available a professional clarinet recondition to verify the integrity of the instrument. If you see something you like, have the seller provide something similiar, sort of a reliable second opinion with no interest in the sale.
Good Luck!
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2002-05-03 20:18
I've bought and sold lots and lots of clarinets on eBay. I've been happy with most and haven't been "stuck" with any of them so far. I know I can't pick them up and play them, so have to go by description and reputation of the seller. A phone call sometimes settles things for me. Or, at least an email to the seller. If they respond quickly they're probably going to get the instrument to you quickly. There are always exceptions.
Yes, Bob bought a mouthpiece from me that he didn't like and I traded him a FAR more expensive Charles Bay for it. He likes the Bay and has bought a few more things since then.
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Author: jim lande
Date: 2002-05-04 05:48
I have this massive pile of metal clarinets from eBay and various other junk.
Definitely some winners and losers. Buy in haste, repent at your leisure. Most
sellers know more about the cases than about the instruments in them. Note that if
you go to the Buffet Factory and try 10 R13s right off the production line, there is
likely to be one you flat out don't like (and that someone else might adore.) If you
are going to buy your one and only top horn for life, you really want to play it first. If
you are planning to buy 10 different types of metal clarinets, chances are most of
them will be repairable, but quality will vary.
Unless the seller is a musician or the person who just repaired it swears that the horn
plays great, assume that it will need work. Beware someone who knows nothing
and pays an anonymous tech for a quick overhaul. I got a Silva Bet in A with the
wrong barrel -- way too long. Nobody could play a good scale on that horn. Seller
had no idea.* Needless to say, the repair job was sloppy, too. It don't matter what
the pads look like if they are old. They go bad in the case. The oil evaporates
from the screws, the cork gets brittle.
* I pointed out that the barrel was too long. Seller added this to the listing -- really, most want to be honest -- and the price was reasonable. I ultimately found a substitute barrel and life is good.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2003-11-15 01:15
Hi,
This is an old thread that I want to revive. The eBay seller/buyers that have responded to the early post offer much good advice.
I have bought and sold many clarinets as well as accessories (reeds, ligatures. ect.) on eBay and have had only one bad deal - the seller refunded the money promptly. I always give a 3 day trial on the clarinets I have sold. Never had one returned.
Just thought there were several excellent comments above that needed to be reprised.
HRL
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-11-15 02:11
I recently sold my 25+ year old Selmer Basset Horn on eBay. It was purchased for a very high "buy now" bid by an amateur clarinetist in California.
He emailed me many questions before placing his bid, and was pleased with the pictures and accurate description of the instrument I placed in the ad on eBay.
He mailed the full amount I requested in a bank check. I cashed the check, and then mailed him, via UPS, the Basset Horn. He emailed me when the Horn was delivered, and asked for my fingering chart to help him with the new instrument. In addition, I sent him a fairly complete list of Basset Horn literature for him to check out.
He was thrilled to finally get a "professional" instrument of his own, and not have to continue to borrow inferior ones. I was thrilled to buy a new car, thanks to an easy eBay sale.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2003-11-15 04:28
John,
Your message reminded me of Dan Leeson's warnings to Roger Garrett a few years back when he announced he was selling one of his pair of basset horns to finance the purchase of a (classic) car. Dan wrote:
"And some day, in about 15years when your 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe 2-Door 6-passenger all original mint condition classic automobile is rusty and has two broken axles, you will be called by the conductor of the Chicago Symphony begging you to rent them your two magnificent instruments, and you will say, "Sorry. I
made a bad mistake when I sold one of them."
And the conductor of the Chicago Symphony will say, "You are indeed a rotten person!"
And you'll be sorry because your wife will have left you for a short, snub nosed man who himself has two basset horns and with whom she will lead a magnificent life enriched by her new husband. And you will be alone in a dark room, shades drawn, coughing, a bottle of cheap whiskey by your side, feverish, unable to count in 3/4 time, getting only an occasional Polka job for $8 and all the sauerkraut you can eat. A big dog will steal your shoes. And you will remember as you dream in a terrible drunken state what you might have had if you had kept your second basset horn instead of trading in this treasure for a bauble.
Oh, you wicked, wicked man."
So John, are you sure it was worth it? (Of course, AFAIK, none of Dan's predictions has come to pass ... yet.)
Best regards,
jnk
Post Edited (2003-11-15 04:32)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-11-15 13:48
I've purchased over 30 clarinets on eBay and only one was not exactly as described....but even that one was restorable. I've also purchased an alto and soprano sax that I'm working on. I too bought a new E11 from Dom....the Danny Davito of eBay and have been 100% satisfied. Most of the time, however, when you purchase used horns you should expect you will have to do some work on them. If you do your own work....no problem. If you have to have someone else do it you may "break even". Personally I favor Buy It Now offerings as the auction thing can be a hassle....but I still bid on some. eBay is essentially the realization of the Free Market.....get with it. Welcome back Brenda S. !
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Author: Mike Blinn
Date: 2003-11-15 15:14
John:
I've bought three clarinets on eBay so far. One of them was brand new, in the box: a Leblanc LX I purchased (won the bid) for $800. It's turned out to be a great horn that should suffice me for the rest of my playing days.
There are good deals to be had out there on eBay. Learn everything you can about a horn (and the seller) before you bid on it. Use your best judgement, don't get carried away with the exitement of the auction (don't overbid, unless you really want the clarinet).
Mike Blinn
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Author: Henry
Date: 2003-11-15 15:34
Since I started on clarinet a bit more than a year ago, I have bought two things on e-bay: an excellent 1964 Leblanc LL (my first clarinet) for $316 and a new VD B45 mouthpiece. Although it may not have needed it, I had the clarinet overhauled for another $180. I truly love the horn (although I don't really have anything to compare it with!). It proved to me that, with care, there are indeed great deals to be had on e-bay.
Henry
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2003-11-15 15:36
I have purchased and alto and tenor sax and two clarinets on ebay. All were as represented and satisfactory. I agree with the comments about dealing with sellers who have positive feedback. I also prefer to deal with individuals rather than pawn shops. All my purchases were for starter or intermediate instruments. For a professional instrument, I probably wouldn't buy on ebay or any other mail order method without a trial period or at least having played the comparable instrument in a store.
Leonard
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-11-15 18:28
"Sorry. I made a bad mistake when I sold one of them."
Afraid not, Jack!
I've played enough Basset Horn in my life to satisfy two careers. Played all the really good Basset Horn stuff with all the greatest conductors (including two from the Chicago Sym.), and got real tired of "loaning out" the instrument, only to find it unplayable when I got it back.
The new car, on the other hand, will serve my family well on our many trips across the country, and hopefully it will give me some pleasurable family time.
The Basset Horn wasn't fun to drive, it got me into trouble a few times, and broke down occasionally (at all the wrong times). The family never enjoyed it much, but did enjoy watching me try to play it well on a few important concerts. I do miss the old Basset, just a bit, but I really love the new van!
Thanks for your thoughts on my future.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: ken
Date: 2003-11-15 18:59
I purchased a new horn from Brenda Siewert that began with a bid on Ebay and concluded in the Woodwind.org classifieds. I myself, would never buy any kind of musical instrument off Ebay unless I personally knew the seller and/or retail-repair shop, or from a clarinetist with an irrefutable reputation and industry fame. v/r Ken
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-11-15 23:05
I think some people who have never bought from a pawn shop are bad rapping them unnecessarily. I've purchased two horns on eBay from pawn shops and didn't have any kind of problem. On eBay as elsewhere intelligent shopping is the rule.....plus buyer beware.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-11-15 23:43
BobD says it well. Over many years, I have prob. bought more horns etc from pawns directly than [later] via EBAY'S pawn's/individual's auctions, a goodly number with both. "Successes" much depend on your-own ability to distinguish good insts from poor/junk?, and negotiate price. That's how I view my buying/later selling-providing 3 Mark 6 saxes, a number of fine wood cls, [incl. 3 Full Boehms], several oboes, and a bassoon, for my and other's benefit. It takes both work and luck! Don
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Author: glin
Date: 2003-11-16 03:13
All,
Good comments by all here. Would have to say my experience has been for the most part, positive. I have bought a nice stable of clarinets and mpcs and sold off a few via ebay. Communication is important and negotiated return policy strongly is encouraged. Would speculate a good student clarinet can be had for approx <=$150 and a good pro (Bb) model can be had for <=$1000. Factor in time or additional money to overhaul it.
Cheers,
George Lin
Fairfax, VA
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Author: Wayne Thompson
Date: 2003-11-16 07:54
Some years ago I bought a Buffet oboe at a swap meet in Honolulu, and about 3 years ago sold it on eBay for about $600. I represented it honestly, I think. I really hope it found a good home. I know more about used instruments now than then; I'm not sure it was really a good deal for the buyer, oboes being so cantankerous, But it seemed a good transaction. I think eBay is great! I recently bought a Silver King, Buy-it-Now, and am quite pleased.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2003-11-16 08:14
Yes, I've also bought several instruments on ebay at very low prices, all good transactions. I even bought a Selmer series 9 bassett horn at a very low price, but not the one discussed above. The owner seemed to think it was an alto clarinet and it was discussed on this forum in several messages. As of yet, I haven't used it.
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