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Re: HELP! no clue what to buy

Author: m1964
Date: 2020-07-05 19:24

jdbassplayer wrote:

> I don’t understand the hate for eBay these days. I’ve had
> much better luck with eBay than with local techs. If there’s
> anything wrong with it whatsoever eBay will usually side with
> you and you can get your money back without even paying for
> return shipping. Heck I went to one of the “top” stores in
> NYC to try out a Yamaha Custom and it had a ton of leaks
> despite being “restored”, so buying in person is not
> inherently less risky. There’s just no good reason not to get
> a clarinet on eBay or Reverb these days IMHO unless you’re
> buying new.
>
> -JDbassplayer

Hi jdbassplayer,
I have no hate for eBay, and have bought many things without a problem. Usually new.
However, my used clarinet buying experience was not that great.
Maybe I was unlucky. However, if you just search for a "Buffet clarinet", there will be probably over a hundred clarinets advertised as Buffet but in reality they would be Evettes or E&S.
Adds with blurry pictures hiding wear and tear, or worse damage.
I bought one advertised as E12 and the seller sent me a B12. Pictures were low quality and yes I should have known better. The seller refunded me in full but demanded that I send it back on my expense which I refused. Ebay sided with me and told me not to send it back until I get a return label from the seller, which he never sent.
So now I have this B12 in my garage waiting for the return label since 2 months ago.
Just a BIG headache I didn't need to.
A couple of years ago bought a used RC A clarinet, from Italy, advertised as having new corks, pads and silver plated keyworks. Every pad was origina, 30 y. old and keys were nickel plated. Got a small partial refund from the seller and repadded it myself. Not everyone can repad a clarinet.
That was another big headache. I actually regretted more than once buying a used clarinet from abroad because shiping it back could become a problem…
Where I live (a large metropolitan area) I see many Yamahas on craigslist which can be checked out for leaks and other problems. A few evettes and buffets too.
I like Steven's recommendation to reach out locally. At least, the OP would not have potential headaches.

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