Flanna Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 Hello! I'm new to this forum but not new to concertina playing. I play English concertina. Like many musicians, I have more instruments than I really need, so I'm going to sell a few of them. Trouble is that quality conertinas are valuable and there is a big problem with scammers. Can anyone advise me the best way to sell an expensive instrument here. What is a safe way to get paid without getting ripped off? I don't want to sell expensive instruments on Ebay, and I will not accept payment via Paypal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RP3 Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 Flanna, I can understand your wanting to avoid the risks associated with eBay, but you might want to re-think your refusal to use PayPal. Your potential purchasers have your same worries about scammers, and PayPal provides them with some of the same protections you want yourself. Now, if your purchasers can all make their purchases in person and therefore pay in cash and take possession as they pay, then my suggestions have no value. But if you must deal with them by e-mail, letters, etc. then my comments should be taken into account. One other way that you can protect yourself and offer some protection to long-distance buyers is to work through a recognized business that can act as an agent for both you and your customer. Another way is to use this forum. This forum tries to be very open and supportive to sellers who themselves are open and cooperative, so you might find some benefit to trying to sell your concertinas through this forum board. Members can frequently suggest ways to arrange for ways to have instruments checked out/verified, point out issues or special features of instruments posted or even means of making delivery. So good luck and hope we can help. Ross Schlabach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan Ham Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 I agree that you might want to re-think using PayPal. The only real disadvantage that I see is that you have to give a cut of the proceeds to PP--but increasing the pool of potential purchasers certainly seems worth it. Also, I'm not sure why you'd want to avoid Ebay. There are escrow services you can use (http://pages.ebay.com/help/pay/escrow.html), which makes your risk as a seller pretty much nil (whereas the purchaser is still taking a risk that the concertina might not be what you advertised). Finally, it looks like ButtonBox does consignments. They'd want a decent slice of the proceeds I'd assume, but the convenience might be worth it (also potential purchasers might feel more comfortable if it's done through a respected merchant). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theo Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 . Finally, it looks like ButtonBox does consignments. They'd want a decent slice of the proceeds I'd assume, but the convenience might be worth it (also potential purchasers might feel more comfortable if it's done through a respected merchant). I also do consignments and am only the other side of the North Sea, rather than the other side of the Atlantic. If you want to work with someone in the business you could also talk to Harry Geuns in Belgium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conzertino Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 Hi, the first option should be to offer the instruments here on c.net to get an idea of the response. There is quite a market in Germany and Holland, so someone could cash and carry ( i.e. myself ;-)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnrobinson Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 If it is any help at all, I will be in the area in August and driving. If there is interest in UK I could bring any 'tinas back for posting on. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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