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The first one was a guy who I sold a guitar to for £750. It was listed at £900 (both on eBay and Gumtree) but the guy pleaded poverty and seemed genuine enough, so I figured a sale was a sale and let it go. 7 or 8 hours later it’s on ebay for twice what I’d sold it to him for! The kicker was that it somehow actually sold, even though I’d listed it myself recently with good pics, description, feedback, etc.
The second one was this past week, I was looking for a strat and found a nice looking Japanese one on Gumtree for £300. I e-mail the guy asking if it was still for sale and if so I’ll come and pick it up. He says that someone is going that night to have a look so he’ll let me know how it goes. The next day I see the exact same guitar relisted: £450! (Just noticed it’s on ebay too: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1996-Fender-MIJ-50th-Anniversary-Stratocaster-Candy-Apple-Red-FUJI-GEN-/271342856112?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3f2d4b67b0 )
So what is your take on it? Fair game? Scummy practices? Bit of both?
Personally it makes me glad that the quality of lower end guitars is increasing. I’d rather buy an Epiphone or a Squier and not get involved. I can’t help but feel bad for people (including myself! ) ) when I see it happen though.
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If I sell a guitar having described it honestly, and for a price that's reasonable, then I'm happy.
What ever the new owner decides to do with it is up to them sale/price wise really. As long as they're being honest and open.
That's the 'ideal' however......
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The legal issue may be that some people who do this are treating flipping gear as a source of income then not declaring it to the tax man. There are some people doing this and they are basically dealers who are not playing the game fairly. Not only are they skipping out on declaring income tax they're also not collecting the VAT on used equipment. Very tough to prove this though.
I understand what guitarfishbay has said about tax issues ... but I doubt many of these 'flippers' are more than 'pin money' makers. On the other hand I've owned a music shop ... and heard the streams of vitriol from the odd 'customers' who you have given a fair price for their instruments ... then haven't liked what they've appeared in the window for next day. Wanting to make a profit is a business instinct present in most of us to a degree - lets all get over it.
Formerly TheGuitarWeasel ... Oil City Pickups ... Oil City Blog 7 String.org profile and message
However if some twat comes to my house and beats me up on the price with a sob story then flips it within 8 hours I'd be pissed off. As much with myself for falling for it!
Although as a seller you should know the market value of what you are selling and set the price accordingly...
There is a chap on EBay who I've mentioned before who usually bids around £1050 for Les Pauls. Then flips them for £1300-£1500 with lots of pretty pictures and a load of waffle. I've missed a few and lost out to him.
Oh well!
David Cameron
Now lets see ... buccaneers were pirates right? Went about robbing people ... not paying their taxes ... that sort of thing?
Dave loves 'flippers'
Formerly TheGuitarWeasel ... Oil City Pickups ... Oil City Blog 7 String.org profile and message
How and where I earn my money is my affair quite frankly, the cunts still get their cut.
Formerly TheGuitarWeasel ... Oil City Pickups ... Oil City Blog 7 String.org profile and message
£110 pw in diesel and I don't work in sales, ffs. Then there's the gin.
I give you Adam Smith and the 'Wealth of Nations'....or simply : Free Trade vs Mercantilism...
If I sell an item, I set a price on my terms, if the buyer accepts those terms then he/she can do what they want with it. Car dealers and property developers have been flipping for years. I suppose you could call me an offset flipper. I sold all the guitars at a profit that I'd bought many years earlier.
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.