What's the best way to trade guitars?

[drummerdarko]

A fellow HCFX'r is interested in trading his Jag for my Tele. My question is this: What is the best way to make sure both parties are protected? I've never done a trade via postal service, and I don't want to send my guitar out only to find that I just gave some guy my guitar for free. What is SOP for deals like this?

Thanks!

Scott

[Jcm800_6550]

+1

[amp_surgeon]

A fellow HCFX'r is interested in trading his Jag for my Tele. My question is this: What is the best way to make sure both parties are protected? I've never done a trade via postal service, and I don't want to send my guitar out only to find that I just gave some guy my guitar for free. What is SOP for deals like this?

Thanks!

Scott

The only thing you really to have to go by is his reputation on HCFX. Has he sold a lot in the spam thread, and has anyone ever complained about a transaction with him? Unfortunately, HC doesn't really provide a way to find this info easily, so it would take some hunting. Even if you don't find any info on him - positive or negative - doesn't mean he isn't a square shooter or a complete rip-off.

I assume this deal can't be done in person, or you wouldn't be asking this question.

In the "real world", risky deals are often conducted through an escrow agent - a trusted third party who holds the cash until the buyer is satisfied that the purchase is legit. Even PayPal has gotten itself into the position of acting as an escrow agent when sellers don't have an established reputation on eBay, as they'll hold the funds for up to 21 days to ensure that the buyer is satisfied.

Maybe you could find an HCFX member who has a good reputation for straight deals in the spam thread, and ask him to act as an escrow agent in the swap. You and your trading partner can each send your respective guitars to the escrow agent. When he's received both he can inspect them and provide his report to each trader. When everyone is satisfied, he can forward the guitars to the intended recipient. If anyone decides to back out, he can just return the guitars to the original owner. You'll have to send enough funds to cover the forwarding costs (shipping plus insurance and delivery confirmation). You should probably also chip in a few bucks to compensate the escrow agent for his trouble. This is going to cost you more in shipping costs, but you should think of it as insurance since it will more or less guarantee that you won't be completely ripped off.

[drummerdarko]

what if we just sold each other our guitars? I dunno, maybe set up an ebay auction and pay through paypal. Then mail each other our guitars? That way I get the money for my guitar before I ship it, and then I use the money to buy his off of him?

Just an idea :idk:

[live-I-evil]

what if we just sold each other our guitars? I dunno, maybe set up an ebay auction and pay through paypal. Then mail each other our guitars? That way I get the money for my guitar before I ship it, and then I use the money to buy his off of him?

Just an idea :idk:

and not a bad one really. might suck to deal with ebay fees but it could be worth it. i've done a bit of deals over the internet(here, TGP, rig talk, and seymour duncan forums) and haven't had a problem with anyone in the least but i've heard the horror stories so that might be a good way to keep you both safe.

[amp_surgeon]

what if we just sold each other our guitars? I dunno, maybe set up an ebay auction and pay through paypal. Then mail each other our guitars? That way I get the money for my guitar before I ship it, and then I use the money to buy his off of him?

Just an idea :idk:

Why would you want to pay all those fees to eBay and PayPal, both of whom are going to take a percentage of the final value?

You could just arrange to buy each other's guitars using PayPal, but the first one who makes payment is still taking a risk that the other guy is going to follow through and make payment, as well as ship the guitar. At least you wouldn't be paying eBay for doing nothing more than providing a portal for the sale.

I still think a trusted 3rd party whom you ship the actual guitar to is a better way to go.

[KingTom]

I just recently completed my first deal here on harmony central. I find that making as much of a connection with the other party as possible helps. I always make sure I can talk to them on the phone and feel out how the deal is going to be. In this case it worked out nicely!

[q-4000]

get a phone # and verify it, get an address and verify it! get a name and make sure the phone # and address match the name other than that there isnt much! I have done many trades on here and have had NO problems if it seems too good to be true it prob. is so be wery of someone tradeing a LP Custom for your parts-o-caster but other than that just cross your fingers and hope for the best!

[New Trail]

May I offer an alternate idea? Why not keep your Tele and either buy his Jag or buy a Jag somewhere else? The point is, and it's a point best learned early on, you don't have to get rid of one guitar to get another one!