What's the common practice here.....

[violetmind]

I was interested in a particular bass that was posted for sale here on soft. So i contacted the seller and asked for pics to be provided and also what type of pricing he's looking at.

I was rather put off and surprised by the reply. I was told of the price and seller will send pics if I agree to that price. ???? I'm baffled because how am I supposed to agree on a price without even seeing the item via pics, let alone in person?

I think (memory failing) it's my first query to a seller here on soft so I just wanted to find out if this is a common practice and something I should get used to.

Thanks in advance

[K2desoog]

I dont think that should be the common practice ANYWHERE!!

As a seller meself, I'd provide all info on the gear and insist that the buyer test out the equipment before making any counter-offer.

That way he knows whats he's buying and for me to 'market' the gear and to show of all its good points.

If we can't come to an agreement on the price, too bad for me but at least it was done in a good manner. I'd be happy with that.

[violetmind]

My sentiments exactly. I was so puzzled that I couldn't help but put up a post here.....just to make sure.

[Marubeng]

i would think that the common practice here and in fact everywhere, pictures or whatever stuff one is selling should be posting with pricing and condition with brief details of its usage..

[shinobi]

i dunno if there really is a thing such as 'common practice', given that it is far TOO common to hear of deals gone bad

i for one, would give anyone pics if they wanted. but normally they don't because i would have already put up the pics. that's because i'm a first-class seller. deal with me with confidence

[bass_fishing]

if u feel that the seller is being rude or unreasonable, walk away: there are thousands of basses in sg. it also helps to find out the prices of the instruments u r eyeing on at retail (pre-owned) - u can then extrapolate the reasonable price to pay via depreciation of the axe for every yr or something like that. however, if the axe is rare then it may appreciate .

i had a supposedly 'old bird' here who tried to sell me a bass that is 3 yrs old at ard current retail price. he got pissed when i pointed it out to him and was really really uncivil and even used the f**k word....so welcome to the club.

last, when u quote a price, some jokers here will accuse u of 'lowballing' when in fact he/she is also 'high balling', go figure. i was accuse of this even tho i hadn't even made an offer . in short, it can be an adversarial process but i'm sure there are nice sellers out there. i had a pleasant experience with a seller of an srx500. even tho the deal didn't go thru, it was amicable.

[theliverevolution]

well, I always will provide pictures of the product and esp of any defects (aesthetic usually) that a buyer may be picky on request. but you should always supply your buyers with all the info about the product so that they can trust you. so far i've no problems selling my stuff online, and hardly one asked me to put pictures cause i always tell them of the defects of the product willingly (it's usually aesthetic, scratches, blah blah...)

[MadWereWolfBoy]

I don't see how this system works...

A: "hey hey, I got a guitar for sale! It's going for $1000"

B: "can I see some pictures of it?"

A: "yeah no problem, but only after you agree on the price!"

B: "okay, I'll pay $1000 for it!"

****shows picture***

B: "omg its a lovelovelovelovelovelovelove kapok!!! can i get it for $50 instead?"

A: "lovelovelovelove off you lowballer!!!"

B: "you !@#$ off too you constar!"

[bass_fishing]

Originally Posted by MadWereWolfBoy

I don't see how this system works...

A: "hey hey, I got a guitar for sale! It's going for $1000"

B: "can I see some pictures of it?"

A: "yeah no problem, but only after you agree on the price!"

B: "okay, I'll pay $1000 for it!"

****shows picture***

B: "omg its a lovelovelovelovelovelovelove kapok!!! can i get it for $50 instead?"

A: "lovelovelovelove off you lowballer!!!"

B: "you !@#$ off too you constar!"

hey dude u r really funny!

[rottenramone]

just be cordial in all your correspondence and if u feel that the deal or dealer smells fishy, you can stop.