11 Tips to Help you Sell Your Guitar Gear

Whether you're an advancing guitarist who buys and sells gear in search of the perfect tone, or you've recently acquired a guitar, amp or effect pedal that you simply don't use, these tips will help you get the piece of equipment into someone else's hands...and money in your pocket.

Feeling a little OCD about your guitar habit? It's okay. We all have GAS. Here's some tips to help you sell your guitar gear. Photo credit: @roadside

1. Where to Sell Guitar Gear  - Sometimes it makes sense to sell a guitar only on eBay (e.g. - you want a wide internet audience). Sometimes, you might only want to sell locally, so Craigslist would be the best option. Sometimes, however, you may need to cast your net was wide as possible in order to find the right buyer. Here's a list of the top online classifieds and other websites for selling guitar gear:
   • eBay - Guaranteed to sell it quickly since eBay attracts the widest audience. However, be prepared for fees in the neighborhood of 5-10% of your final price. You get what you pay for in this case. Lean this direction for specialty items where you may need a wide audience.
   • Craigslist - This is usually your best bet to sell locally, and at no cost. The only disadvantage is potentially welcoming a stranger into your home. Avoid this by meeting in a safe public place during business hours.
   • Forums & Classifieds - Sites like The Gear Page, Harmony Central & Ultimate Guitar offer their own classifieds, which are very effective. Be prepared to purchase a nominal annual membership, however...although it feels good to help those who make websites like these possible.
   • Insider Tip: Many sellers will start with Craigslist, then move onto the forums, and then use eBay as a last resort. Or, use all three at once if you need to sell your guitar gear quickly.
2. Informative Listing - Don't be the guy that only copies and pastes the product description from the manufacturers website into his listing. People can find this on their own. You need to tell them the specific condition, modifications, and other unique qualities about your particular piece of gear. While you're at it, do your research in the forums and find threads about your particular piece of guitar gear. Link to the threadas that discuss the popularity of your piece of guitar gear. You also very well may learn new things about your piece of equipment, which should be translated into your listing. Last but not least, use big, high-definition images for your gear. If it looks desirable, it will be desirable in the minds of buyers. This is a key secret to selling your guitar gear!
3. Free Shipping - All of the big retailers are offering free shipping these days, so you might need to as well. Seriously consider this when pricing your item on eBay. Your listing gain more visibility on eBay as a result. Why not set your reserve price to the minimum amount you'd be willing to sell for (which includes shipping cost and eBay fees), and use free shipping as a marketing tool?
4. Research Pricing - The most common way to set your price is to search for your item in the eBay "Completed Listings." These will tell you what other similar items sold for, and is a good gauge of what to expect. Also research the item's "new" price with various online guitar stores. If you're selling used, people will expect it to be at least 30% lower than what they would have to spend to buy it new (the only exception here is if there is a long wait time on a new piece of gear).
5. Use Keyword Variations - When writing your listing, be sure to think like your user. What "keywords" might they use to find your gear? If it's a Fender Telecaster, use words such as "Telecaster," "Tele," "single coils," "Fender guitar," "Ash," "Alder," etc. You never know how people are searching, so it's best to be as descriptive as possible. Insider Tip: Write your own unique description, and it might just rank better in Google (who hates copied/pasted content).
6. Be Honest - Read back through your listing. Were you honest about all of the guitar, amp or pedal's perfections and imperfections? Do your images point out everything the buyer should know? If not, remember that karma is a bitch. Live by the Golden Rule.
7. Seek out Buyers - As you conduct searches for your piece of equipment in popular guitar forums (recommended above), you very well might find someone who is actively looking for your piece of gear. Send private messages and emails letting them know that you are selling the specific guitar, amp or pedal that they are looking for. Quite often, you'll both be glad that you connected. After all, these are online communities!
8. Why are You Selling? - In all reality, you owe no explanation to potential buyers about why you are selling your guitar, amp or effects pedal. All they need to know is the condition, what it does, and why they might want it. So, don't feel that you have to justify yourself. You don't.
9. Accepting Payment - The most common method of payment for consumer-to-consumer sales is Paypal. If you don't use Paypal, it's time to get with the program. Keep in mind, however, that Paypal will charge fees of around 3-4% when you receive payments. The way around this is to have the buyer send a personal payment. Beware, the buyer tends to lose some rights...so be sure that your buyer knows that you are trustworthy, and be trustworthy...because otherwise, karma is yet again a bitch. It's worth repeating: Live by the Golden Rule.
10. Packaging & Shipping - Give extra attention to detail here. The last thing you want is for the guitar, amp or pedal that you sold to be destroyed during shipping, be delivered without proof, etc. Package amps upside down. De-tune strings on guitars. Use extra bubble wrap and double box guitars and amps. Pedals are easy, just wrap them in bubble wrap, toss in a box and be done with it. Purchasing insurance is highly recommended if you can't personally afford a refund in the very rare event of an issue with damaged goods, missing items, etc.
11. Be Patient - Depending on the economy, and the guitar gear market, you might need to wait a month before the right buyer comes along. Don't be quick to drop your price if it's already fair and warranted. This is the most difficult thing to remember when selling your guitar gear, but it's best to hold your ground. Eventually, the right buyer will come along. It happens every time!