Finding a buyer.

[icollect]

Don't worry, I'm not trying to sell anything to anyone here, in this community. So, this is not a sales post. I just have some sales-oriented questions, because I'm trying to find a buyer for some common--and, some not-so-common--musical instruments. (I'm trying to help my Mom by creating a food stockpile. My mom buys all of the regular, month-to-

Comments

[munchkin1616]

craigslist is absolutely an option, as is any website with a forum/message board devoted to that instrument.

if you don't want people coming to your home, choose to meet them at a local grocery or mall or whatever's convenient for you. chances are, they'll feel safer than going to a stranger's house and it's easier for them to find!

[yesididit]

for craigslist, just suggest meeting in a public space. i've met people in store parking lots before and they're very willing to meet there instead of my house. public spaces are usually much easier to find than someones house. just meet in the end of the parking lot away from the doors and tell them what color your car/truck/van is (thats all they need to know). then you can find each other, but still be in a safe public area.

[flamingophoenix]

This! Excellent suggestion -- meet at a neutral third location. Then go do errands or something, if you're super paranoid, so you don't lead them back to your house.

[perthro]

That's what I do. I always meet the person at a location about halfway between our places, in public, like a McDonalds or something. I wouldn't want people coming to my place either. It really helps if you have errands to do in that area anyways, in case they don't show up.

[athinker]

Most cl transactions I've done have been in a neutral, safe location. You don't have to meet them at your house.

[thellamaqueen]

What instruments are they? Are they things that students at a middle school or high school might need/use?
At the schools where I work there are always postings up in the band rooms from people who are selling used instruments. I sold an instrument this way a few years ago.

[icollect]

I've got two soprano recorders (Those are just the regular recorders that many children learn to play in grade school.) I also have two tin whistles, another type of recorder, a harmonica (key of F) and an ocarina.

Maybe your idea would work for the recorders.

[msretro]

I actually just bought a tin whistle off eBay last week. There is definitely a market there. I saw a fair amount of them listed.

[in_excelsis_dea]

eBay can also be hit and miss, because it depends on your ability to describe the instruments, and the buyer's ability to pick up on what it actually is. I once spent several hours researching D-flat piccolo lengths and pitches because of an eBay auction.

You continue to use the word uncommon. What do you mean by that? Are they instruments you'd find in an orchestra? Ones that school students would use? Are they in odd keys or pitches? Are they old? Could they be considered collectibles?

I'd say your best bet is to first identify all the instruments and what makes them special (if you don't know), and then go from there. Try to do some research on your own, to find out when they were made and where. Once you're armed with that information, you can decide what the best course of action is: try to find a collector, or sell to a school or whatever.

[thisisnota_pipe]

I'm a big fan of ebay. the fees stink but you're getting a much, much wider audience. the buyer pays for shipping. I have made hundreds of dollars selling my old toys on ebay, I wouldn't totally dismiss it just yet. if you don't have luck selling locally, it is honestly your best shot.