Leslie77s Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 I understand that there are many variables when it comes to valuation but I wondered what all you experienced sellers really judge a bass on before you set a for sale price? I was thinking of taking one of my basses to a couple of local stores that offer the service but wonder if it's a waste of time/money as just another opinion when all the members on here have probably bought and sold more than many retailers over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Go to the Basses for Sale forum, search for your model and you should see the kind of prices that bass goes for. Bear in mind that they may have accepted a lower offer behind the scenes. And best only to look at the ones marked sold. You will also come across extreme frustration when you see it has been sold, and the seller has deleted any pricing info Grrrrrr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Many stores use a reference book for valuations such as the Blue Book, which means you'll generally get the goijng rate wherever you go - although they will vary. The thing is, something is only worth as much as somebody is prepared to pay for it. IF you trade in, the shop are essentially taking an educated guess as to what they think someone will be prepared to pay for it. Too much and it won't sell, so they generally offer less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie77s Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share Posted October 28, 2014 I'm considering a part ex so may take it in to the shops as don't want to pay the online Bluebook subscription. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 The thing is selling is a bit of a mixed bag... BC is good for selling as it has a large, ready made market of buyers but... the BC folk are a lot more knowledgable about a basses worth than you average music shop buyer. You will not sell a bass on BC for more than it is worth but in a shop you could do, there is a chance you could sell it for much more however it will likely take longer. Assuming you want to make as much money as possible from a sale I would use a shop... if your looking for a quick turnaround then use BC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Another great way is to stick details and pics up on this thread. As long as it's not too obscure, you should have a really good idea of the value before the day is through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1414487748' post='2589657'] The thing is selling is a bit of a mixed bag... BC is good for selling as it has a large, ready made market of buyers but... the BC folk are a lot more knowledgable about a basses worth than you average music shop buyer. You will not sell a bass on BC for more than it is worth but in a shop you could do, there is a chance you could sell it for much more however it will likely take longer. Assuming you want to make as much money as possible from a sale I would use a shop... if your looking for a quick turnaround then use BC. [/quote] I always assumed that you'd get less from a shop as they need to factor in their markup on top of the 'saleable rate'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 [quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1414487935' post='2589665'] I always assumed that you'd get less from a shop as they need to factor in their markup on top of the 'saleable rate'? [/quote] I guess it depends on the bass... Before I decided to keep my jazz, I was offered a good 20% more by a couple of shops than the price I'd had it for sale on BC for over two months with absolutely zero interest... and they would have put a mark up on the price they gave me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Having said that, I have sold other basses / amps on BC in less than a week but they have always been priced to sell... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie77s Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share Posted October 28, 2014 (edited) I need to take pics and check it's date on the links for dating Fenders but it's the middle Jazz on my profile pic. 1998(?) USA 75 RI. All original, the odd dink and sign of age but all in all in pretty good condition. Edited October 28, 2014 by Leslie77s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 You'll always get less for a trade-in - same as with cars - you have to allow for the markup the shop will put on (15 - 30%) as well as the fact that they may already have a wall of brand new Fenders - plus it may take a while to sell. Fenders will sell more quickly than a lot of other makes though so they should be happy to take it. Best to ask for a valuation from them before you reveal that you want to trade it in, then see if its worth trying to sell on eBay or wherever first. The other option many stores offer is that they sell it for you. They will take a commission, but you get to call the price point. the downside is you have to wait for it to sell... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie77s Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share Posted October 28, 2014 Good advice from BC again, I'll get it valued. I'm hoping to part ex for a Limelight P bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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