Hi Guys, I've started buying & selling guitars as a part time job and thought it a good idea to make that open now, rather than have a lynch mob chasing me later on.
After messaging the admins asking where I stand as an amateur trader, they've kindly let me use the classifieds providing I follow the rules, contribute eniough and don't take the piss.
I shift 1 or 2 guitars a week and it's a hobby as much as a money earner. Most of the stuff is low end and will never see the forum as I do well enough on Facebook, Gumtree, Reverb and Ebay. If I post a guitar here it'll likely be higher end, American Vintage and Reissue Fenders (mostly because I only buy what I like). If/when I do post somthing it will always be fairly priced with a lower price on the fourm than other places.
This is an amazing community and I will do my best to contribute where I can. There will be absolutely NONE of the lying, lowballing or reselling of members gear on here that often comes from 'dodgy' traders. I'm an honest person and working musician, making some extra money selling gear (and even declaring it to the taxman)
There are a few fretboarders that can vouch for me not being a total knob end if needed.
Anyway, enough of my waffling, but I think this post is the right thing to do!
Lewis
Guitar dealer and G.A.S merchant by day: www.vibrocaster.com
Blues/rock singer & guitarist by night: www.alexhamiltonguitar.com
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Most of us have brought a guitar at the right price and moved it on - at no loss - and my guess is that there are a few more on here doing the same as you.
Fair play to you, honesty best policy and all that. Good luck with it
(formerly miserneil)
Formerly TheGuitarWeasel ... Oil City Pickups ... Oil City Blog 7 String.org profile and message
But seriously great guy and monster player, good luck on your new endeavour!
Lewis is an honest and genuine guy. Great player if you haven't heard him do his stuff too.
He was concerned as he didn't want to be pitch forked off tFB as he does genuinely give a toss about not fucking over the community.
Rest assured anything you buy from him, it's exactly as described and from my experience, he doesn't just buy any old rubbish.
My recent purchase was from him (https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/162052/ngd-fender-american-original-60s-tele-pic-heavy#latest)
Its actually going quite well and while it's not raking in thousand, it's a decent part time job. Up until recently I just gave people offers for gear and hoped they said yes. I've now found that saying what I'm doing works BETTER and I now start any conversation with,
"Hi, I buy/sell gear as a part time job and I'm always looking for stuff to sell. If you're willing to listen to lower offers, I can offer hassle free cash in hand and probably collect it. If not, no offence intended and good luck with the sale, it looks great! Lewis"
Its astonishing how receptive people are to that and actually give me an lower amount before I even ask! If not they normally say, No sorry, I'm holding out for the full amount. No harm done!
If I get a good deal I normally take a day or so to have some fun with it (thats the important bit), take the best photos I can, write a nice description and spam the internet with the listing. Most of the time, I make £50-150. Once or twice I've broken even.
It's definitely better to be completely open about it. Lesson learned with the disgruntled strat owner a few months ago. I didnt lie or cheat him out of money, but he didn't know I was buying it to sell on. If I'd disclosed that from the beginning, it probably wouldn't have gotten so out of hand. We learn from our mistakes
Blues/rock singer & guitarist by night: www.alexhamiltonguitar.com
Waiting on the UPS guy collecting, Lewis.
If you decide to sell it on and have ways and means of making a small profit then fair play. I was happy to receive payment within 24hrs of listing here and to avoid eBay.
I actually didn't buy the bird to flip, I sold a cherry red one years ago and regretted it ever since!
Blues/rock singer & guitarist by night: www.alexhamiltonguitar.com