Selling a guitar
July 13, 2006 2:41 PM Subscribe
I have a fairly steel-string guitar (an 1987 Alvarez Yari DY77). I'd rather have an inexpensive guitar and some cash. Would I do better to sell the guitar on eBay, or to trade it at a guitar store? Any recommendations for guitar stores in the Seattle area?
Is picking a price and sticking it on craigslist not an option?
(BTW only do this for cash on pickup/drop off)
posted by bitdamaged at 2:59 PM on July 13, 2006
(BTW only do this for cash on pickup/drop off)
posted by bitdamaged at 2:59 PM on July 13, 2006
We have bought and sold guitars on eBay and shipping is not really a problem, particularly if you're selling it with a case. Even if not, you can have it professionally packed and insured. We've had great luck selling guitars this way.
I've never traded a guitar in at a shop but I've sold other things and generally when you unload something that way, you're offered somewhere near half of what they're going to turn around and sell it for--usually you'll get a little more for store credit than if you prefer cash. You're almost guaranteed to do better if you sell it outright on your own.
posted by padraigin at 3:08 PM on July 13, 2006
I've never traded a guitar in at a shop but I've sold other things and generally when you unload something that way, you're offered somewhere near half of what they're going to turn around and sell it for--usually you'll get a little more for store credit than if you prefer cash. You're almost guaranteed to do better if you sell it outright on your own.
posted by padraigin at 3:08 PM on July 13, 2006
Response by poster: Is picking a price and sticking it on craigslist not an option?
Oooh, good idea -- but I have no idea how much to ask. Maybe I'll try CrayDrygu's advice of getting some quotes.
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:12 PM on July 13, 2006
Oooh, good idea -- but I have no idea how much to ask. Maybe I'll try CrayDrygu's advice of getting some quotes.
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:12 PM on July 13, 2006
You'll make more money selling it yourself on eBay (or CraigsList). No question.
posted by cribcage at 3:14 PM on July 13, 2006
posted by cribcage at 3:14 PM on July 13, 2006
You may have better luck on eBay if you spell it right: Alvarez-Yairi.
posted by timeistight at 3:19 PM on July 13, 2006
posted by timeistight at 3:19 PM on July 13, 2006
Response by poster: You may have better luck on eBay if you spell it right: Alvarez-Yairi.
Why, yes, in fact, I do feel like an idiot. Thanks for asking!
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:32 PM on July 13, 2006
Why, yes, in fact, I do feel like an idiot. Thanks for asking!
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:32 PM on July 13, 2006
According to the Orion Bluebook, an '87 Yairi DY77 is worth about $570 used retail (that is, sold to the person who will actually play it) and anywhere from $201 to $339 used wholesale (what a dealer will pay for it so they can turn around and sell it).
Being a guitar dealer I find this quite optimistic. Expect to do about 20% less.
posted by sourwookie at 3:55 PM on July 13, 2006
Being a guitar dealer I find this quite optimistic. Expect to do about 20% less.
posted by sourwookie at 3:55 PM on July 13, 2006
given sourwookie's answer I'd say that the hassle of selling and buying a cheap guitar just so you may clear a little bit of cash may outweigh just holding onto it and playing a nice guitar.
posted by edgeways at 4:31 PM on July 13, 2006
posted by edgeways at 4:31 PM on July 13, 2006
You may have better luck on eBay if you spell it right: Alvarez-Yairi.
Actually, you'll have better luck if you spell it several ways--the correct way with several obvious misspellings. Ignorance and money are not mutually exclusive.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 5:32 PM on July 13, 2006
Actually, you'll have better luck if you spell it several ways--the correct way with several obvious misspellings. Ignorance and money are not mutually exclusive.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 5:32 PM on July 13, 2006
eBay! I sold a 1932 National Dulian Steel Guitar for $3k. I know yours is not of the same value, but I have sold a bass for a friend and a roommate sold his electric. All deals netted near retail price for what was paid new.
posted by criticman at 9:02 AM on July 14, 2006
posted by criticman at 9:02 AM on July 14, 2006
definitely not a store. does seattle have a free weekly 'alternative' paper, like the sf bay guardian or phoenix new times? i recommend running a classified ad. it won't cost much (if anything) and you really don't want to deal with packing & shipping it - trust me on that.
posted by aquanaut at 1:17 PM on July 14, 2006
posted by aquanaut at 1:17 PM on July 14, 2006
Response by poster: Update: I ended up selling the guitar on eBay, where it went for over $600. Thanks for all the advice.
posted by The corpse in the library at 4:18 PM on July 22, 2006
posted by The corpse in the library at 4:18 PM on July 22, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by The corpse in the library at 2:56 PM on July 13, 2006