Reverb Buyers...

[FourT6and2]

Here's what I don't understand. Someone messages you on Reverb, trying to haggle. But the item is also listed for sale on guitar gear forums. Reverb charges buyers sales tax and charges sellers listing/sales fees + PP/payment fees. So what incentive is there for a seller to cut you, the buyer, a deal on Reverb? Why wouldn't buyer contact seller on a forum instead, where the seller is more inclined to negotiate?

 

[creep66]

Cause people aren't smart enough to do that. I've done it a bunch of times myself.

 

[frontline205]

Some people prefer the protection that reverb provides and still want a deal. Not saying its right or wrong I just notice thats a thing. And then not everyone visits forum or are active contributors to send DM's.
I personally send my number and say lets chat.

 

[FourT6and2]

Some people prefer the protection that reverb provides and still want a deal. Not saying its right or wrong I just notice thats a thing. And then not everyone visits forum or are active contributors to send DM's.
I personally send my number and say lets chat.

That's a good idea

 

[Beandust]

Some people think Reverb will actually protect them? I've encountered buyers who wouldn't even consider a direct purchase. Odd considering I'd trust forum comments more than Scumverb

 

[FourT6and2]

Some people think Reverb will actually protect them? I've encountered buyers who wouldn't even consider a direct purchase. Odd considering I'd trust forum comments more than Scumverb

Yeah, I'm cool with someone preferring Reverb. But they're gonna have to pay for that service. i.e. I'm not dropping my price so I can lose even more money. And they're gonna have to pay sales tax on top of it.

 

[Beandust]

Yeah, I'm cool with someone preferring Reverb. But they're gonna have to pay for that service. i.e. I'm not dropping my price so I can lose even more money. And they're gonna have to pay sales tax on top of it.

I definitely agree!

 

[psychodave]

Anything I’ve ever listed on reverb is also listed on RT. I just tell someone who want to negotiate to see the sale ad on RT. Then I go from there.

 

[Beyond Black]

Anything I’ve ever listed on reverb is also listed on RT.

I do the same thing, and my shit always sells on Reverb or Ebay.

 

[scottosan]

I think some buyers feel more protected on Reverb

 

[hellzington]

Rig Talk and TGP and other forums are actually super tiny niches of the guitar player community. Reverb has way more users than all the forums put together. So a lot of people just don't know these forums exist or if they do, they'd prefer to buy from a "company" than from individual people on a "shady" forum.

 

[RaceU4her]

yeah i feel safer going through reverb, if im spending a bunch of money im ok spending a tad more to make sure im covered if some bullshit goes down

 

[RaceU4her]

Rig Talk and TGP and other forums are actually super tiny niches of the guitar player community. Reverb has way more users than all the forums put together. So a lot of people just don't know these forums exist or if they do, they'd prefer to buy from a "company" than from individual people on a "shady" forum.

yeah id guess we are a tiny fraction, i know many guitar players and i cant say any of them are forum lurkers.

 

[lol]

"friends and family payment only"

 

[FourT6and2]

yeah i feel safer going through reverb, if im spending a bunch of money im ok spending a tad more to make sure im covered if some bullshit goes down

I don't think there's any more or less protection for either party on Reverb vs private party w/PayPal.

 

[FourT6and2]

"friends and family payment only"

Can't do that on Reverb.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

Reverb offers safe shipping insurance for when the gorillas at UPS/FedEx mangle your amp. Seller doesn't have to worry about refunds and buyer is reimbursed for damages. I've had to use it a couple of times and there was no hassle. Got reimbursed the next day. Without that protection I'd have been out several thousand dollars with a busted amp and no recourse from a "friends and family" payment.

I've also dealt with a few shit sellers trying to pull a fast one on a buyer by not disclosing details even when asked. Reverb protection saved me on that too otherwise I'd have been SoL.

Edit: I almost forgot to mention the dumbass sellers who put zero effort into packing up the items so it's 100% guaranteed to get destroyed in shipping. Reynolds wrap and 3 packing peanuts as the whole of protection isn't going to cut it. I get some protection from that fucktardery from Reverb.

That said I'd still do a purchase from a fellow active forum member that has a good reputation. Or if I felt okay enough eating the price if something did go wrong. But a large dollar purchase from a random dude on a forum, I want a safety net that's more than "trust me".

 

[FourT6and2]

Reverb offers safe shipping insurance for when the gorillas at UPS/FedEx mangle your amp. Seller doesn't have to worry about refunds and buyer is reimbursed for damages. I've had to use it a couple of times and there was no hassle. Got reimbursed the next day. Without that protection I'd have been out several thousand dollars with a busted amp and no recourse from a "friends and family" payment.

I've also dealt with a few shit sellers trying to pull a fast one on a buyer by not disclosing details even when asked. Reverb protection saved me on that too otherwise I'd have been SoL.

Edit: I almost forgot to mention the dumbass sellers who put zero effort into packing up the items so it's 100% guaranteed to get destroyed in shipping. Reynolds wrap and 3 packing peanuts as the whole of protection isn't going to cut it. I get some protection from that fucktardery from Reverb.

That said I'd still do a purchase from a fellow active forum member that has a good reputation. Or if I felt okay enough eating the price if something did go wrong. But a large dollar purchase from a random dude on a forum, I want a safety net that's more than "trust me".

Yeah. And all of that "protection" comes with a premium. My point is, if a buyer wants that fancy protection and service, they aren't going to get me to drop my price by hundreds of dollars.

 

[blackba]

I usually list on the forums first, then list on reverb for more than I have it priced on the forums. I figure people will haggle more on reverb, so want to have some room.

The exception for me is going to be some tubes I am listing soon, they are going straight to reverb.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

Yeah. And all of that "protection" comes with a premium. My point is, if a buyer wants that fancy protection and service, they aren't going to get me to drop my price by hundreds of dollars.

I get what you're saying. You have a bottom line you need to meet, factor in the extra fees and price accordingly which doesn't leave any room for haggling. Perfectly reasonable and legitimate.

I'm assuming you list on reverb without the make an offer option and the potential buyers are messaging you wanting to negotiate. I'm sure that gets frustrating rather quickly. Those are probably the same people that see a forum listing with big bold print NO TRADES and offer you a set of hubcaps from a '87 Mercury. I don't blame you if you have little patience for people like that who are dumber than a sack of shit hammers.

Though I guess some people (too many probably) assume that ever seller inflates the price to leave room for negotiation whether stated or not. I guess they're too dense to realize not everyone wants to deal with that shit and want to do a straight sale; take it or leave it.

Personally, if a seller doesn't specifically say OBO or state price firm I'm not going to try to haggle. I don't want my time wasted so I'm not going to waste anyone else's time either. I'll factor in how much taxes and fees add to the price and look at it as piece of mind. If it's too much I'll wait and see if the seller drops the price. And if goes before then, well it wasn't meant to be. The most I'd do is if they're selling a set like a half stack ask if they'd consider selling just the amp or cab.