Poll: Your position regarding used gear

[Tassieviking]

It was metaphorical. I don't actually eat bear.
You got any bear?

I thought Americans eat bear, bear claws.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

I thought Americans eat bear, bear claws.

Johnny Appleseed and Paul Bunyon (my great great grandfather) ate bear. They got worms.

 

[wintremute]

I just bought a used base off of Ebay. Shipped from Japan, here in 10 days, everything works. No issues. I think some people just have bad luck when they buy used online. Luckily, I have not been such a person.

 

[GIBrat51]

I've had it with buying used instruments. Overpaid (pretty much new price, scarce instrument) earlier this year from a 5 star, 100% trust rated seller on the 'verb, only to receive an unbelievably scungy slab of wood with a lot more dings than the photos could indicate, and really filthy frets. But at least it was salvageable.

But this one really has me saying, I'm done:
Friend finds a bass I'm looking for in a chain store specializing in used musical instruments, a couple states away. He says plays good, looks good, sounds good. I order it on line and have it shipped. No haggle, it was priced just right for what it is.
I receive it, am pleased with the look, general appearance and okay playability, but I see the action has a bit too much relief. You can guess where this is going...
Grab included truss wrench, and sure enough, spins freely. No resistance. Called my local tech, and yep - probably at least what I paid for the instrument to pull the fretboard, etc, as it's a dual - action truss rod, and no Stu-mac repair kit is going to get it working again. Major surgery.

Call retailer. They forcefully declare "shipping damage!". I say well, the box is remarkably clean and intact. They pass me to shipping manager, who says they checked the truss rod before it went out - what do you mean, it's broken? I describe just as I did above. I stated that, IMHO, truss rods don't pop in shipping, they get broken by ill-informed players that crank willy-nilly until it pops. I disclose my findings regarding the astronomical estimate to repair. But if you want to submit a claim to the shipper, that's your call...
Silence.
Hold please.
Okay - we're sending a return authorization.
Now, I can't say enough about how decent these people were through the whole process, other than their indignation over the truss rod. They were being extremely careful about making sure I saw every little blemish, even emailing more pics to verify prior to shipping. Packaging / padding was waaaay over and above any new instrument I've purchased. I am completely sympathetic to their situation, and truly believe their intentions were good, but they have an instrument that was likely a total loss when it came in their door. Completely sucks to be them.

My conclusion is, used instruments, especially those found at the local pawn/used gear outlet have an unacceptable regularity of latent issues, especially in the neck department. When someone wrecks their instrument in this way, only hope is a quick buck at the local used dealer, 'case they damn sure are not going to take the loss for their mistake. It's not like the guy at the counter can test the trust rod of every instrument that walks in the door. It would be like taking your car in for a trade and having them drop the oil pan to inspect the engine's crank shaft before assessing a trade in value.

So, since I cannot trust my fellow musicians to be forthright in their gear dealings, I will now stay firmly committed to buying only new gear. It just cost me several hours of distraction and a sizeable loss for the retailer because someone felt it best to grab some quick cash and shove a total loss into someone else's life than to eat their own sh@@.

End rant.

What's your experience?

Well...
First; sorry, but as a Carrot Party fanatic; no "carrot" option = no vote...
Next; very sorry to hear about your used gear troubles. You'll get no grief from me; you do what you have to do...
So... my experiences with used gear? Pretty much the exact opposite of yours. Out of 32 basses, 7 guitars, a mandolin and a banjo (31 0f which I still own), 16 of the basses, 3 of the guitars, and that old banjo were bought used. And, I bought all but 4 of them on-line. And, with the exception of the banjo - an extremely rare, '63 "Boulder" ODE - a Style 3 long scale - I've never had a problem with any of them. And, the banjo's problems were caused by simple neglect and lack of playing; they were all easily remedied - by me.
Much as I would love to be able to buy new stuff? I'm very left handed - so that's not always an option. And, when it is? I have to buy on-line, anyway. Very few music stores - especially outside of major metropolitan areas - have any left-handed stuff at all. And, when they do? It's always something like the one Squier "P-Bass Starter Package" that my local GC has. I'm... kinda past that now; but, my Alembic bass refuses to have it in the same house, anyway... A "Mom & Pop" music store here has a lefty Jay Turser JT-LT4 Telecaster for sale, but; it's on consignment - and it's mine. Very nice little guitar, but the strings are way too close together for my thick fingers...
Another reason I have so many used instruments, is that a lot of the spots in my "Bass Herd" list are for basses that simply aren't made any more. Rick hasn't made 4001's for a long time; same goes for aluminum-necked Kramers. And, AfAIK, Gretsch hasn't made a lefty Bass since they made my '94 Broadkaster ( it's still the only lefty Gretsch bass I've ever seen). And, Fender stopped offering optional necks on their P-Basses not too long after they made my "A-spec" necked '78. So, to get what I want, quite often it's gonna be used - and almost always on-line. Even the larger of my 2 guitar amps (a '70's Rickenbacker TR-7) was bought used & on-line. Very nice combo amp, by the way...
So, yeah; my experience has been very different from yours. And, Yes; I know that I've been very lucky, too. But, since my "Bass Herd" is now full, and I don't play guitar - or banjo - enough to want more of them? I won't be tempting fate again in this lifetime...

 

[40Hz]

My experience with buying used gear has been uniformly good. But I’m a careful buyer, do my own research, know the going prices for what I’m looking for, and am always willing to walk away if I spot any red flags or sense something “just doesn’t feel right.”

It also pays to be patient. You’re most likely to end up regretting any deal you let yourself get rushed into even if you occasionally do miss out on a good deal. It’s never the end of the world if you do.

 

[ryco]

Sorry about you bad experience. I have only purchased one bass new from the factory via a local music store in the late '70s.
The rest have either been purchased through newspaper want ads (2), one from a pawnshop, and one here on TB.
All purchases were highly satisfactory at really fair prices and in good condition. The one from the pawnshop needed a serious set up, but that only took an hour and a half.
I would love to order something brand new, but used stuff is priced so well. The only online sale I have attempted was from a seller here on TB with a 100% favorable rating.

 

[burgerdj]

Just took inventory…every bass related item (except cables) I own I’ve bought used!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

 

[Neon Blues]

I buy used gear all the time. I have never had a dud.

Except a 215 I bought and arrived in pieces.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

Do this: buy used from Guitar Center. Don’t see what you want, wait a few days used basses are added every day. Different locations have different prices. Call the store. Get them to touch the bass, check the truss rod. If it arrives not as described, you can return it. I have taken 2 back to my local store.
some Reverb sellers are rip off with no return and expensive shipping.

 

[fhm555]

I've had it with buying used instruments. Overpaid (pretty much new price, scarce instrument) earlier this year from a 5 star, 100% trust rated seller on the 'verb, only to receive an unbelievably scungy slab of wood with a lot more dings than the photos could indicate, and really filthy frets. But at least it was salvageable.

But this one really has me saying, I'm done:
Friend finds a bass I'm looking for in a chain store specializing in used musical instruments, a couple states away. He says plays good, looks good, sounds good. I order it on line and have it shipped. No haggle, it was priced just right for what it is.
I receive it, am pleased with the look, general appearance and okay playability, but I see the action has a bit too much relief. You can guess where this is going...
Grab included truss wrench, and sure enough, spins freely. No resistance. Called my local tech, and yep - probably at least what I paid for the instrument to pull the fretboard, etc, as it's a dual - action truss rod, and no Stu-mac repair kit is going to get it working again. Major surgery.

Call retailer. They forcefully declare "shipping damage!". I say well, the box is remarkably clean and intact. They pass me to shipping manager, who says they checked the truss rod before it went out - what do you mean, it's broken? I describe just as I did above. I stated that, IMHO, truss rods don't pop in shipping, they get broken by ill-informed players that crank willy-nilly until it pops. I disclose my findings regarding the astronomical estimate to repair. But if you want to submit a claim to the shipper, that's your call...
Silence.
Hold please.
Okay - we're sending a return authorization.
Now, I can't say enough about how decent these people were through the whole process, other than their indignation over the truss rod. They were being extremely careful about making sure I saw every little blemish, even emailing more pics to verify prior to shipping. Packaging / padding was waaaay over and above any new instrument I've purchased. I am completely sympathetic to their situation, and truly believe their intentions were good, but they have an instrument that was likely a total loss when it came in their door. Completely sucks to be them.

My conclusion is, used instruments, especially those found at the local pawn/used gear outlet have an unacceptable regularity of latent issues, especially in the neck department. When someone wrecks their instrument in this way, only hope is a quick buck at the local used dealer, 'case they damn sure are not going to take the loss for their mistake. It's not like the guy at the counter can test the trust rod of every instrument that walks in the door. It would be like taking your car in for a trade and having them drop the oil pan to inspect the engine's crank shaft before assessing a trade in value.

So, since I cannot trust my fellow musicians to be forthright in their gear dealings, I will now stay firmly committed to buying only new gear. It just cost me several hours of distraction and a sizeable loss for the retailer because someone felt it best to grab some quick cash and shove a total loss into someone else's life than to eat their own sh@@.

End rant.

What's your experience?

First, it is very possible to check every truss rod that comes in on a bass someone is looking to trade in or sell. A local music store with an outstanding rep in fact does check any incoming trade or potential buy for playability and function. They will take stuff that’s less than perfect, but their offer will reflect that reality.
As for used gear from individuals, the bulk of my bass gear over the years has been second hand and came from music stores, pawn shops, and private sales. I always insist on being able to give any gear I’m looking at a through once over and actual trial before making an offer. I’ve had a few instances where I got burned, but nothing ever rising to outright deception or fraud. The closest I ever came was driving a day out of my way on a trip to visit family up north, to look at an old tube amp. I was told it was in great shape so I figured it was worth the detour. When I got there I got a tale of woe about how a tube socket had broken when they were making sure all the tubes were properly seated earlier in the day. It cost me a day, but I’m far enough along to accept that not every opportunity is worth pursuing, but the only way to know for sure is to chase down any lead that sounds promising. I’ve also changed my mind after putting eyes (and ears) on used gear, but I won’t quit buying used because I got hosed a few times in the last 50 odd years of chasing gear.

 

[H K]

I've had it with buying used instruments. Overpaid (pretty much new price, scarce instrument) earlier this year from a 5 star, 100% trust rated seller on the 'verb, only to receive an unbelievably scungy slab of wood with a lot more dings than the photos could indicate, and really filthy frets. But at least it was salvageable.

But this one really has me saying, I'm done:
Friend finds a bass I'm looking for in a chain store specializing in used musical instruments, a couple states away. He says plays good, looks good, sounds good. I order it on line and have it shipped. No haggle, it was priced just right for what it is.
I receive it, am pleased with the look, general appearance and okay playability, but I see the action has a bit too much relief. You can guess where this is going...
Grab included truss wrench, and sure enough, spins freely. No resistance. Called my local tech, and yep - probably at least what I paid for the instrument to pull the fretboard, etc, as it's a dual - action truss rod, and no Stu-mac repair kit is going to get it working again. Major surgery.

Call retailer. They forcefully declare "shipping damage!". I say well, the box is remarkably clean and intact. They pass me to shipping manager, who says they checked the truss rod before it went out - what do you mean, it's broken? I describe just as I did above. I stated that, IMHO, truss rods don't pop in shipping, they get broken by ill-informed players that crank willy-nilly until it pops. I disclose my findings regarding the astronomical estimate to repair. But if you want to submit a claim to the shipper, that's your call...
Silence.
Hold please.
Okay - we're sending a return authorization.
Now, I can't say enough about how decent these people were through the whole process, other than their indignation over the truss rod. They were being extremely careful about making sure I saw every little blemish, even emailing more pics to verify prior to shipping. Packaging / padding was waaaay over and above any new instrument I've purchased. I am completely sympathetic to their situation, and truly believe their intentions were good, but they have an instrument that was likely a total loss when it came in their door. Completely sucks to be them.

My conclusion is, used instruments, especially those found at the local pawn/used gear outlet have an unacceptable regularity of latent issues, especially in the neck department. When someone wrecks their instrument in this way, only hope is a quick buck at the local used dealer, 'case they damn sure are not going to take the loss for their mistake. It's not like the guy at the counter can test the trust rod of every instrument that walks in the door. It would be like taking your car in for a trade and having them drop the oil pan to inspect the engine's crank shaft before assessing a trade in value.

So, since I cannot trust my fellow musicians to be forthright in their gear dealings, I will now stay firmly committed to buying only new gear. It just cost me several hours of distraction and a sizeable loss for the retailer because someone felt it best to grab some quick cash and shove a total loss into someone else's life than to eat their own sh@@.

End rant.

What's your experience?

I've had pretty much the exact same experience, but in reverse.

When I was still kinda new to hardware, setup etc. I learned about Fenders inch/MM measurements on the truss rod nuts. As I live in a country that uses MM, a lot of people will adjust the neck with a mm hex key, instead of the 3/16th key. This will work a few times, but will quickly make the key start to slip. It basically allows you to adjust it enough to make you think youve done something wrong and theres a problem with the truss rod.

So I find an ad online, close by, like a few weeks later. Says the neck seems to be busted, so he's selling it cheap. I meet him, inspect it, and as soon as he's out of sight I pull out the 3/16th wrench, and start trying to adjust the trussrod. RIght there in the train station. Anyway, turns out I was lucky! With the right tool I was able to get just enough grip that I could unscrew it and pull it out. 3$ replacement nut, and I got a minty fender player jazz for like 200$.


But about your case; since it's a chain store, could it be that the quality of the training of the employees might have played a role?
Like how at hardware stores theres noone who actually knows how to build anything..

I mean, I don't see how this could have been missed when they got it, unless it was a really underqualified person inspecting it.

 

[hooky_marr]

[…]guestimated the shipping at $40 but I hadn't shipped anything in years. Shipping was almost $100! Lost my shirt.[…]

This is why it’s a good idea to get a basic postal scale. I got an Accuteck from Amazon for about $30 that is rated up to 110lbs.

I never list anything without weighing the item, case (if included) and the shipping box. I might guesstimate any padding materials but it tends to be under 2lbs of bubble wrap or kraft paper.

Your local post office and UPS store have larger postal scales at the counter and can help you estimate costs for various services, too.

One other thing is that eBay and Reverb have deals with USPS, FedEx and UPS to get bulk discounted shipping labels through their platform; much cheaper than if you buy one-offs directly. PirateShip.com does the same thing.

Also: If you buy and sell online a lot, it can be worth it to invest in a label printer. I got a Brother QL-1100 thermal printer which can print on a variety of roll label sizes; they have a 4x6 Large Shipping Label that is perfect for any major shipping service - saves a lot of time and hassle vs printing / taping.

Lastly, one of the benefits of platforms like eBay and Reverb is that they offer some degree of trust verification, hold payment in escrow until something ships, and handle disputes.

 

[Killing Floor]

I don’t have problems buying used. Go to a shop or buy local for basses and the risks go away when you try it. Duh. I don’t need to buy a cool looking bass from a seller in another country.
Pedals, who cares? If I buy one and don’t like it I can sell it easily and I know the risk going in. If I can afford the pedal I can tolerate that risk.

Selling is no problem because I always get the insurance.
Never had a bad experience selling except for a serial Reverb tryer-outer named Michael C in New Britain, CT.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Many of my basses were bought used, damaged, neglected.
A select few over the last decade have been new.
Most are new, as I build my own

 

[S_Okon]

Well, I just buy used where I can test it myself. Just don’t get excited for stuff you can’t check out yourself and you’ll be fine.

 

[pepj]

No nightmares from me. I think I'll get back close to what I paid used..if not turn a profit.
Even basses bought blind have all made gigs.
Amps might not do well in context..not loud enough, but all came as described.
Its the reason, I have too much gear and shoukd sell some stuff.

 

[Malak the Mad]

I can only guess if the OP is unlucky or not. One thing for sure, the poll does not include a "Hit and/or miss" option. As in, I've bought used, kept some, sold others and even parted-out a few. Hell, my first-ever bass was bought by way of a leap of faith from an online pawn shop almost 900 miles away. Not only do I still have it, not only do I still love it, but it's ergonomics turned out to land perfectly in my "sweet spot"!

 

[Dillion Hanahan]

Yea if I’m gonna buy something from GC I’m gonna lowball the crap out of them whether it’s good or not. I have actually been asked to leave for trying to offer real low prices (like $1000 less than tag price) on a stingray. It was the baby blue one. Was absolutely whacked. And they insisted it was perfect. I feel like it’s every third thing I buy from them is busted. I bring a sharpie not and just right “don’t” on them real small when it’s an obvious rip off. Imagine being. 17yr old kid. Saved your $ for a rig and GC sticks it to you? Nah. Always low ball em.
But on the other hand a friend bought a Warwick corvette that a dog chewed on the headstock for $300 from them. He fixed it and there is 0 issue with it. $1k bass for $300. There’s good and bad with them but always lowball

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

I only by used gear from Guitar Center. Comes with 100% money back guarantee. If it's coming from different store, I have it shipped to my local store. Gear is conditionally rated ( this is a little hit or miss) but they will stand behind it. And if it was over rated , you can work out a pretty good discount or give it back and get a full refund.If there is a problem with shipping damage, you just refuse delivery.

I walked away with some significant values buys there, and never had much of a problem when things are as advertised.

This!

 

[Ellery]

Sorry that happened to you. I always ask if the trust rod is good. But you still have to trust the seller to some extent if you can’t look at it in person.