Guide to selling used musical gear

After the sale, do not immediately delete everything related to the transaction.

For a reasonable period, keep at least:

• a copy or reference to the listing;
• relevant photos;
• serial number;
• final agreement;
• payment confirmation;
• receipt or tracking information;
• records of disclosed modifications or defects.

There is no need to accumulate unnecessary data. Keep what is sufficient to clearly reconstruct what was sold and under which conditions.

The title should let a buyer understand immediately what you are selling.

Start with genuinely useful identifying information: brand, model, version and a decisive characteristic only when it helps distinguish the item.

Avoid titles made mainly of adjectives such as “ultra rare”, “amazing” or “impossible to find”, or long strings of keywords.

An accurate title also improves comparison with other listings and reduces basic preliminary questions.

If the item has been modified, do not turn the modification into a different identity. Identify the original item first, then explain the modification in the description.

When a buyer asks a technical question, answer with what you know and separate factual information from personal impressions.

If they ask about weight, measurements, serial number, defects or functionality, verify the information before replying whenever possible. If you do not know something, saying so is better than guessing.

Avoid contradictions between the listing and your messages. If the conversation reveals an important detail that was missing from the original listing, disclose it and consider updating the listing as well.

An effective sales conversation is not about convincing everyone. It is about giving a potential buyer enough reliable information to assess the item correctly.

Before payment is made, summarise the essential elements of the sale.

Make sure both parties are clear about:

• the exact item and version;
• final price;
• included accessories;
• previously disclosed defects and modifications;
• delivery method;
• any separate costs;
• agreed timing.

If anything changed during negotiations, this is the moment to make it explicit.

A short written summary can prevent many later misunderstandings.

When you receive an offer, compare it with the figures you defined before publishing.

Ask yourself:

• is it within a realistic market range?
• is it above my minimum acceptable price?
• does local collection or shipping change anything?
• does the buyer expect additional accessories?
• how important is a quick sale to me?

An offer below the asking price is not automatically unreasonable. At the same time, you are not required to accept a figure that makes the sale unattractive to you.

The assessment should be economic and practical, not a personal reaction to somebody offering less.

To set the price, look at several comparable examples of the same model or genuinely equivalent versions. One listing does not define the market.

Compare, where available:

• the same version and production period;
• similar condition;
• originality and modifications;
• included accessories;
• geographic market;
• active listings and information about completed sales.

Asking prices show sellers’ expectations, not necessarily the price at which a transaction will happen.

Use comparables to build a plausible market range, then position your specific item within that range according to its actual characteristics.

Before photographing used gear, remove dust, fingerprints and ordinary surface dirt. The goal is to present the item well, not to make it appear different from its actual condition.

Avoid aggressive or improvised work immediately before selling. Unsuitable products, excessive polishing or deep cleaning can damage finishes, plastics, metal parts or electronic components.

If there are scratches, dents, corrosion or permanent marks, do not try to hide them in the photos. Cleaning and transparency should work together: a clean instrument is easier to assess, while clearly documented defects reduce misunderstandings after the sale.

For equipment requiring specialist maintenance, limit preparation to tasks you can perform safely and disclose any work that may still be needed.

The listing price and the price you are genuinely willing to accept may be different.

Define three figures in advance:

1. the value you consider consistent with the market;
2. the published asking price;
3. the minimum below which you would rather not sell.

This prevents improvisation during negotiations.

Some negotiation room can be useful, but inflating the price too much may reduce enquiries and make the listing uncompetitive. On the other hand, listing immediately at your absolute minimum leaves little space for the negotiation many buyers expect.

The price should therefore reflect the market, your objective and your selling strategy, not only what you originally paid.

Do not rely only on your memory of how the item worked the last time you used it. Before publishing the listing, perform checks appropriate to the type of gear.

For a guitar or bass, check the electronics, pots, switches, output jack, tuners and main adjustments. For an amplifier, test inputs, controls, channels and unusual noises. For pedals, synths and digital equipment, test power, display, switches, connections and essential functions.

Write down what works, what you could not verify and any unusual behaviour.

“Untested” does not mean “fully working”. If a function has not been tested, state that clearly in the listing.

For a sales listing, photos should help verify what you say in the description.

Show at least:

• an overall view;
• front and back where relevant;
• model-identifying details;
• areas subject to the most wear;
• disclosed defects;
• included accessories;
• serial number or identification plate in an appropriate form.

Use sharp images that reflect the item’s current condition. Avoid filters that change colour, contrast or the perception of defects.

This guide covers only the minimum documentation required for selling; lighting, framing and photographic preparation can be covered in the dedicated instrument photography guide.