From Leo: It is only a rip off if fraud is committed. If they offer you a price, you don't have to accept it. If you willingly accept the offer, they have done no wrong. If you are upset later, that is on you. Been doing this for 50 years, fast and easy is never cheap.
I’ve been fine selling stuff to guitar Center if it’s not worth very much so you know the guitar is used and it’s worth 400 bucks and they give you 250 for it or it’s worth maybe five or six but they give you like 300. You got rid of the guitar in 30 minutes and you didn’t have to pack and ship and deal with a customer so I value that packing and shipping and dealing with a customer about 200 bucks. I never do it for expensive guitars, but this is how I think it.
You will get 60% of the sellable value of the instrument and 10% off a new purchase. It is not always a total rip off, I found sometimes it beats the hassle factor of trying to sell it yourself and then pay commisions and shipping charges if you can even sell it withing a couple of months on reverb or gear exchange. They have to pay someone to process your trade, then market it on their website or have it hang around the store indefinately. It does cost them a little to re-sell your used gear. Just saying they are in business to sell new gear and make some profit and they don't force anyone to trade in.. it's up to you to decide if the price is right. But if your into selling your used gear for high dollar don't even take it in the store and waste yours and their time.
Tried to trade in a 2x12 cab at guitar center in Albany NY yesterday and was told trade ins were by appointment only due to short staff and my name and number was added to a list and I was told they would call me when they have availability. There was 3 employees working and only 1 other customer in the store. What a joke
Walking the store and even having already patronized the store really helps your bottom line in trade. You are still not going to get full private sale value, but if the amount offered is acceptable to you, then it is a good deal. Do they sell guitars similar to what you are bringing in? If they are a lower-end brand-heavy store then you are not likely to get a tempting offer, but if they carry gear similar to what you are selling, it might be worthwhile to them, they are more likely to offer you a reasonable amount for your guitar. Keep in mind they still have to make profit that makes it worthwhile to add to their display inventory
may be worth saving the headache of selling it yourself, but probably only if you have to ship it as opposed to having it collected by an interested buyer. id hate to sell something and ship it only for it to be damaged during transit. then having to sort that out with the buyer. always prefer collection. also helps cut out middlemen like ebay
You can trade something low end and get 60% of what they will sell it for, then get 10% off a high end guitar. 10% off a custom shop can be more than what your squire trade is worth.
I was in GC a couple of weeks ago and a guy came in with a Dean Flying V and wanted 6 grand for it. He paid 3500 ten years ago and had the receipt. The manager tried to contact corporate but it was a Saturday and they were probably on the golf course. After about 30 minutes he walked out with his guitar saying to me they were only 2/3 of the way to his price and would try to sell it himself. I've looked online and couldn't find any Dean Flying Vs for more than like 1800 bucks. Maybe his was some sort of a signature model, don't know. Update: I found a Dean USA Michael Schenker Black and White Flying V 2010 for 7233 and another 2013 for 7999 on Reverb. Think that's what it was.
That’s also pretty much a specialty instrument. I don’t think most people are looking for a $7000 flying V from Dean. It’s worth some money, but it’s not the kind of thing that you can just flip any place.
@@edwinwise6751 People definitely pad the price to cover shipping. I've seen amp heads go for more than it's worth, but only $50 shipping. You're looking at around $100 to ship a head, maybe more if you pack it well.
Bought a Cumulus Reverb from Guitar Center for 49.95, traded it in three months later for $35 dollars, bought something and took my 10% off. If the 10% off is enough it can be a pretty good deal to trade in something small.
Harrisburg PA approx 4 weeks ago. I brought them a mint condition highway one strat and a mint yngwie malmsteen signature. They confirmed the reverb value is approx $2800. I wanted to pre-order the 70th anniversary strat. $2599 retail. The offered the 10% off trade in (even though Chicago music exchange will do 15-20% to me all day long) They did the math and said I'd owe them $780. I was close to physically assaulting someone because they told me "dude, we'll make this work bring em in and we'll make it happen"
I never had any problems with GC in Chattanooga.. I traded a Sire L7 for a LP Tribute once . If i would have sold it on Reverb, I would have had the hassle of packaging, shipping, the money Reverb charges , plus the fact that I got 10% off the Tribute at GC, I pretty much came out even and maybe even a little better.
Bravo Phil...... Good idea taking your line items at the minute from your podcasts (segregated by theme and questions, excellent format) and making shorter videos......
Second that, totally. Time is money too and the stress of dealing with tyre kickers isn't always worth it. Taking an occasional hit on the wallet but saves the sanity, I'm ready to take that luxury every now and then.
I learned a lesson many years ago (circa ‘05) about the perils of trading gear at GC. I took an Epiphone Korina V and a Carvin MTS head and tried to trade both for a damaged 5150 head. My gear worked perfectly and was in great shape. The 5150 had been dropped and still worked but something was loose inside the head and the faceplate was barely still connected to the chassis. The price of the 5150 was 500. I wanted to trade straight up but was told I would need to throw in an extra 100 bucks to make the deal happen. Goes without saying that I left with the V and the Carvin. What a joke.
I actually had good luck doing a trade on an amp, I got more for it than I thought plus the new amp I traded for was on sale and I got the additional 10% so it worked out well for me.
Just like buying a car - know what the trade is worth and what the traded for is worth. Also get a substantial discount (15%) and only pay tax on the difference. Also, ask for a cost or tax break on the traded for item (especially if used and shipped from another store). Also never pay for shipping. It sounds like a lot to ask but, not asking is the biggest mistake. I usually "stall" and let them offer what I was considering asking for. The only way to meet a seller half way is to require more than that and then politely "settle" without another comment on the trade. Sellers always have a "reserve" in mind which they will happily forego to "move" the merchandise. Know your max layout for that particular trade before you walk in. I've backed off a deal and then called back before they closed shop and made with a counter offer (usually accepted). Make sure you can get back there before closing.
Guitar stores are an outlier, besides maybe bicycles, what other hobby store can you bring used stuff in to sell back?Do people bring old skis to sell, or backpacks, tennis rackets, skateboards?
Compared to selling gear myself locally or online and everything that comes with those options, I've done well with my local GC; especially when selling heavy combo amps - In the last year, UPS has damaged a 4x12 and two combo amps I purchased, including a mint '76 Fender Super Twin - like a time capsule, it still has the original Fender branded 6L6 power tubes. Selling to GC avoids this, the fees, and potential damage from UPS or other shippers. Oh, and F*ck UPS.
I'm not sure SW does trade ins. You'll have to check, the last time I talked to them they directed me to their Gear Exchange website, which is like Reverb.
Read the exclusions list on the trade in. Virtually every brand is "excluded." It's goofy. Fender, Gibson, PRS, ibanez, Jackson, Epiphone, Schecter, Mesa/Boogie, Boss, Taylor, so on and so on. Literally makes no sense.
“You don’t know why you bought them and, hey, we all do stuff.” You ARE the Buddha! Now I understand myself…”we all do stuff”. This isn’t a guitar channel, it’s a self-awareness seminar. Thanks…now about the PSR Hollowbody II 594 10 Top I’m about to buy…(sigh)
From Leo: It is only a rip off if fraud is committed. If they offer you a price, you don't have to accept it. If you willingly accept the offer, they have done no wrong. If you are upset later, that is on you. Been doing this for 50 years, fast and easy is never cheap.
Absolutely right, no guitar store is in the "doing you a favor" business.
I’ve been fine selling stuff to guitar Center if it’s not worth very much so you know the guitar is used and it’s worth 400 bucks and they give you 250 for it or it’s worth maybe five or six but they give you like 300. You got rid of the guitar in 30 minutes and you didn’t have to pack and ship and deal with a customer so I value that packing and shipping and dealing with a customer about 200 bucks. I never do it for expensive guitars, but this is how I think it.
You will get 60% of the sellable value of the instrument and 10% off a new purchase. It is not always a total rip off, I found sometimes it beats the hassle factor of trying to sell it yourself and then pay commisions and shipping charges if you can even sell it withing a couple of months on reverb or gear exchange. They have to pay someone to process your trade, then market it on their website or have it hang around the store indefinately. It does cost them a little to re-sell your used gear. Just saying they are in business to sell new gear and make some profit and they don't force anyone to trade in.. it's up to you to decide if the price is right. But if your into selling your used gear for high dollar don't even take it in the store and waste yours and their time.
Tried to trade in a 2x12 cab at guitar center in Albany NY yesterday and was told trade ins were by appointment only due to short staff and my name and number was added to a list and I was told they would call me when they have availability. There was 3 employees working and only 1 other customer in the store. What a joke
Walking the store and even having already patronized the store really helps your bottom line in trade. You are still not going to get full private sale value, but if the amount offered is acceptable to you, then it is a good deal. Do they sell guitars similar to what you are bringing in? If they are a lower-end brand-heavy store then you are not likely to get a tempting offer, but if they carry gear similar to what you are selling, it might be worthwhile to them, they are more likely to offer you a reasonable amount for your guitar. Keep in mind they still have to make profit that makes it worthwhile to add to their display inventory
may be worth saving the headache of selling it yourself, but probably only if you have to ship it as opposed to having it collected by an interested buyer. id hate to sell something and ship it only for it to be damaged during transit. then having to sort that out with the buyer. always prefer collection. also helps cut out middlemen like ebay
You can trade something low end and get 60% of what they will sell it for, then get 10% off a high end guitar. 10% off a custom shop can be more than what your squire trade is worth.
So could I trade in a pedal I don’t even use and get 10% off an acoustic guitar I’m gonna buy anyways?
@@Beristain25 it’s up to the store manager.
I was in GC a couple of weeks ago and a guy came in with a Dean Flying V and wanted 6 grand for it. He paid 3500 ten years ago and had the receipt. The manager tried to contact corporate but it was a Saturday and they were probably on the golf course. After about 30 minutes he walked out with his guitar saying to me they were only 2/3 of the way to his price and would try to sell it himself. I've looked online and couldn't find any Dean Flying Vs for more than like 1800 bucks. Maybe his was some sort of a signature model, don't know. Update: I found a Dean USA Michael Schenker Black and White Flying V 2010 for 7233 and another 2013 for 7999 on Reverb. Think that's what it was.
Reverb lives in value fantasy land .
That’s also pretty much a specialty instrument. I don’t think most people are looking for a $7000 flying V from Dean. It’s worth some money, but it’s not the kind of thing that you can just flip any place.
@@edwinwise6751 People definitely pad the price to cover shipping. I've seen amp heads go for more than it's worth, but only $50 shipping. You're looking at around $100 to ship a head, maybe more if you pack it well.
I have traded in and regretted later. If you are not good at negotiating take someone with you who is!!
Bought a Cumulus Reverb from Guitar Center for 49.95, traded it in three months later for $35 dollars, bought something and took my 10% off. If the 10% off is enough it can be a pretty good deal to trade in something small.
Big brain moves right there
Harrisburg PA approx 4 weeks ago. I brought them a mint condition highway one strat and a mint yngwie malmsteen signature. They confirmed the reverb value is approx $2800. I wanted to pre-order the 70th anniversary strat. $2599 retail. The offered the 10% off trade in (even though Chicago music exchange will do 15-20% to me all day long)
They did the math and said I'd owe them $780. I was close to physically assaulting someone because they told me "dude, we'll make this work bring em in and we'll make it happen"
I never had any problems with GC in Chattanooga.. I traded a Sire L7 for a LP Tribute once . If i would have sold it on Reverb, I would have had the hassle of packaging, shipping, the money Reverb charges , plus the fact that I got 10% off the Tribute at GC, I pretty much came out even and maybe even a little better.
Bravo Phil...... Good idea taking your line items at the minute from your podcasts (segregated by theme and questions, excellent format) and making shorter videos......
Second that, totally. Time is money too and the stress of dealing with tyre kickers isn't always worth it. Taking an occasional hit on the wallet but saves the sanity, I'm ready to take that luxury every now and then.
I learned a lesson many years ago (circa ‘05) about the perils of trading gear at GC. I took an Epiphone Korina V and a Carvin MTS head and tried to trade both for a damaged 5150 head. My gear worked perfectly and was in great shape. The 5150 had been dropped and still worked but something was loose inside the head and the faceplate was barely still connected to the chassis. The price of the 5150 was 500. I wanted to trade straight up but was told I would need to throw in an extra 100 bucks to make the deal happen. Goes without saying that I left with the V and the Carvin. What a joke.
I actually had good luck doing a trade on an amp, I got more for it than I thought plus the new amp I traded for was on sale and I got the additional 10% so it worked out well for me.
Just like buying a car - know what the trade is worth and what the traded for is worth. Also get a substantial discount (15%) and only pay tax on the difference. Also, ask for a cost or tax break on the traded for item (especially if used and shipped from another store). Also never pay for shipping. It sounds like a lot to ask but, not asking is the biggest mistake. I usually "stall" and let them offer what I was considering asking for. The only way to meet a seller half way is to require more than that and then politely "settle" without another comment on the trade. Sellers always have a "reserve" in mind which they will happily forego to "move" the merchandise. Know your max layout for that particular trade before you walk in. I've backed off a deal and then called back before they closed shop and made with a counter offer (usually accepted). Make sure you can get back there before closing.
They work on 50%. They’ll give you 1/2 of what it’s worth so they can make their markup when they sell it. It’s that simple. Sell it on your own.
Guitar stores are an outlier, besides maybe bicycles, what other hobby store can you bring used stuff in to sell back?Do people bring
old skis to sell, or backpacks, tennis rackets, skateboards?
Guns. 😌
Phil, why dont strats n others have all pickups on at once ? Max sound w perfect blend ? Rare option. Why ?
Compared to selling gear myself locally or online and everything that comes with those options, I've done well with my local GC; especially when selling heavy combo amps -
In the last year, UPS has damaged a 4x12 and two combo amps I purchased, including a mint '76 Fender Super Twin - like a time capsule, it still has the original Fender branded 6L6 power tubes. Selling to GC avoids this, the fees, and potential damage from UPS or other shippers.
Oh, and F*ck UPS.
I want to make a trip to Sweetwater to trade some stuff for an Engl Fireball 25
I'm not sure SW does trade ins. You'll have to check, the last time I talked to them they directed me to their Gear Exchange website, which is like Reverb.
If you can have a good relationship with a salesperson he can get you a good deal .
Read the exclusions list on the trade in. Virtually every brand is "excluded." It's goofy.
Fender, Gibson, PRS, ibanez, Jackson, Epiphone, Schecter, Mesa/Boogie, Boss, Taylor, so on and so on.
Literally makes no sense.
My guitar Center had a trade in event and they gave 15% on a new guitar with your trade in.
i went home with all my stuff. guitar center dont want your stuff, and if they do , they need to make money on it.
The local mom and pop music stores only want to do consignment, and take a bigger cut than selling to GC here.
“You don’t know why you bought them and, hey, we all do stuff.” You ARE the Buddha! Now I understand myself…”we all do stuff”. This isn’t a guitar channel, it’s a self-awareness seminar. Thanks…now about the PSR Hollowbody II 594 10 Top I’m about to buy…(sigh)
It's way worse in the UK, they give you 2/3 of the price
Me I would trade a fender for 10 unique Harley Bentons 😂
I would never do business with them.
Don't worry they won't miss you
@@kimlombardy3393 Not worried at all
Dont Do IT!Unless you want to Give it Away!Might not have to go to Sweet Whatever Guitar,to do This!Ha!
Man up and sell your gear yourself
As President Biden would say, "Don't".