edstraker123 Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 Hi, I'm just discussing a potential trade with a BC newbie with no feedback outside the UK. Both basses involved in the deal would cost over £1000 new . Just wondering if anybody has any advice on what would be a fair and practical arrangement to make this work for both of us if we decide to go ahead ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I understand your reservations about this - I've done several deals with BCers living on the continent and had the same concerns. I even sold a Warwick Dolphin to somebody in Oz - scary. Essentially it boils down to trust - do you trust the buyer/ seller/ trader enough to send the goods across the continent? - if not, don't do the deal. You also need to remember that most Couriers exclude musical instruments from the insurance provision so you may not be able to insure the goods to a level to avert your concerns. It's going to be hard to do a £1k+ deal with a stranger - not sure if anybody can say something can can put your mind at ease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 Insurance on 2 1K instruments would be enough to pay for one of you to fly over and back on a budget airline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstraker123 Posted September 10, 2017 Author Share Posted September 10, 2017 In my last foreign deal on here I agreed to meet a seller from France at St Pancras - he was getting the Eurostar. I booked my train ticket from Liverpool and then he backed out leaving me out of pocket for the cost of the ticket. Previously I'd sent a £2k guitar to Estonia which got stuck in an airport because of snow - the buyer had paid up front so it must have been quite a scary wait for him. I'm extremely wary having had a bad experience with a local BC'er this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I've been buying and selling here for 15 years and 99% of the time folks are 100% reliable, but I would not do a trade deal overseas, far easier for one of you to sell their respective instrument and buy the other's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 +1 Given the sheer volume of trading I've indulged in over the last 10 years, it's actually quite gratifying how good the overall experience has been. But that doesn't alter the high risk factor in dealing with a complete stranger in another country. Sending £1000 to that complete stranger at least leaves a clear audit trail that may come in handy if you need to involve the local police. Doing a swop deal is potentially far trickier, even if you both agree to use high-end couriers with proper recording systems in place. And that's before we get into each of your relative estimates of the worth of each bass. Not many of us can afford to lose a high-end bass and simply 'write it off to experience'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 [quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1505062110' post='3369236'] I've been buying and selling here for 15 years and 99% of the time folks are 100% reliable, but I would not do a trade deal overseas, far easier for one of you to sell their respective instrument and buy the other's [/quote] Agree 100%. In fact, the last deals I've done have all been in person. It's brilliant meeting Basschatters in person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 What about an escrow service? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstraker123 Posted September 12, 2017 Author Share Posted September 12, 2017 We've decided to go for it and my Elwood Absolution fretless is winging its way over from the Netherlands as we speak ! Reinier suggested sending his bass first as I had feedback on here with me then sending mine back when I've confirmed everything is o.k. This was a great leap of faith on his part and I completely applaud him for it. Hopefully our respective couriers don't let us down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 Good to hear that the bass family are getting deals done. Ive sold instruments on Basschat to folk in various European counties, and have sent quite a few to the USA too. I've made many great contacts in the process too. Only time ive had problems, have been with the odd UK based buyer/seller. Let us see pics of your new bass when it arrives matey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstraker123 Posted September 12, 2017 Author Share Posted September 12, 2017 [quote name='Burns-bass' timestamp='1505077438' post='3369365'] Agree 100%. In fact, the last deals I've done have all been in person. It's brilliant meeting Basschatters in person. [/quote] Not so brilliant when they don't show up like last week when I had an hour and a half's drive for nothing ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 Glad that you were able to put your concerns aside. In the past 12 months I've traded with BCers in Belgium, France, Italy and Croatia. Great bunch of fellas... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilco Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 [quote name='edstraker123' timestamp='1505242713' post='3370503'] Reinier suggested sending his bass first as I had feedback on here with me then sending mine back when I've confirmed everything is o.k. This was a great leap of faith on his part and I completely applaud him for it. [/quote] Agreed - definitely fair play on his part. However you've earned that trust through the quality of your BC dealing over a number of years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstraker123 Posted September 15, 2017 Author Share Posted September 15, 2017 My Maruszczyk arrived today and it truly is magnificent. Hope our couriers are as efficient and careful as the Dutch ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Excellent! Get some pics loaded up of your new bass matey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstraker123 Posted September 24, 2017 Author Share Posted September 24, 2017 All worked out really well - both couriers delivered in a timely fashion with no damage (The dutch courier was a third of the cost ). Both of us really pleased with our new basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 Would never post a bass or a heavy amp or cab let alone sending abroad. No disrespect to the newbie but no history ?? I'd be very wary of that kind of transaction anwhere. If you can't get details on them its risky. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 [quote name='edstraker123' timestamp='1506263360' post='3377404'] All worked out really well - both couriers delivered in a timely fashion with no damage (The dutch courier was a third of the cost ). Both of us really pleased with our new basses. [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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