TGP Emporium - Waste of time these days?

[mtmartin71]

It's almost like a sausage-fest at a night club or something...lots of dudes and very few chicks. Just exchange dudes for sellers and chicks for buyers and that's the vibe I get these days. I've posted a lot of good stuff recently...Marshall 2061, Tyler pickups, etc...stuff that you would think would sell here and I received little or no play and at prices that were half or less than retail. Stuff was in great condition. I go over to Ebay and it's sold within 3-4 days. Granted, I have to pay my pound of flesh to Ebay but I'm moving the gear. I know the economy still sucks but methinks there are too many sellers for TGP and it's become saturated with ads and not many buyers. Could just be my personal experience but I'm curious about yours.

[derekd]

Ebay is a significantly larger market, so I think this has always been the case. Yes, you do pay for exposure to that market, but after quite a number of sales and purchases, it has always been worth it to me.

I just bought a very recent used guitar by a small builder. The original owner got about 65% of the retail price from me. That brand might get lost on ebay due to lack of name recognition, but is well known and liked here. Not sure if that helps or not.

[Les Paul Guy]

It goes in cycles. Always has, always will. I'm super impatient when I want to sell something so I understand where you're coming from...just remember, when it rains it pours

[Phil M]

It moves slower these days but I've been forced to sell a lot of nice gear over the last 6 months. Almost all of it has moved eventually and I didn't take a bath on the sales.

[Blue4Now]

TGP is a very specific markek, smaller name builders will sell better here than on e-bay, but your average american strat will probably sell better on e-bay.

[Wesman61]

I've gotten really disillusioned with selling and buying gear lately. Not because of the economy. It's just not fun anymore. So many people have gotten greedy. UPS et al raised their rates when gas was $4.00/gal and even when it was $1.50 they didn't lower their rates. Ebay and all their bullshit makes me want to gag. Even when you get a screamin' deal you lose money trying to sell it because of all the fees. List it here and wait for the lowball offers to pour in. When I started trading gear it was a lot of fun. Now I just try to get by with what I have. I recently sold something to someone here and they insisted I pay the shipping and paypal. A few days later they listed some gear and said the buyer would have to pay shipping and PP. What a turd. I have some pedals on ebay right now. If they don't sell My Buddy whose Son plays the guitar will be getting a very good deal.

[mtmartin71]

Originally Posted by Les Paul Guy

It goes in cycles. Always has, always will. I'm super impatient when I want to sell something so I understand where you're coming from...just remember, when it rains it pours

I guess we're in a down cycle...or I am. I like to (and prefer to) sell here when I can but I too am impatient and when I'm not getting any interest or offers after 3 days or so, I get antsy to move on.

[sfarnell]

The emporium is great if you're a buyer. As a seller I give the emporium four or five days and if my reasonably priced item doesn't sell, it goes right up on eBay. I have a few items up for sale there right now and the current bids with almost a week to go total more than I was offered in the emporium. I dislike paying so much in fees, but at least stuff sells and I'm getting something approximating fair market value without having to deal with lowballers and tire kickers.

[mtmartin71]

Originally Posted by guittguy1

I've gotten really disillusioned with selling and buying gear lately. Not because of the economy. It's just not fun anymore. So many people have gotten greedy. UPS et al raised their rates when gas was $4.00/gal and even when it was $1.50 they didn't lower their rates. Ebay and all their bullshit makes me want to gag. Even when you get a screamin' deal you lose money trying to sell it because of all the fees. List it here and wait for the lowball offers to pour in. When I started trading gear it was a lot of fun. Now I just try to get by with what I have. I recently sold something to someone here and they insisted I pay the shipping and paypal. A few days later they listed some gear and said the buyer would have to pay shipping and PP. What a turd. I have some pedals on ebay right now. If they don't sell My Buddy whose Son plays the guitar will be getting a very good deal.

I feel this way too. Ebay is no better on gear but I at least get offers. Like you said, folks will lowball you. Great to be a buyer of gear these days. Sellers...not so much.

[Tuberattler]

I don't think its a "waste of time" but it is frustrating. The economy is pinching us hard when it comes to pre-owned goods.. notice that the big companies are softening their pricing stance little by little.. we have money but it has to go to the more priority things like housing, transportation, food & clothing.. the basics..

Musical instruments are for the most part luxury items or recreational-entertainment items, not necessary to survival..so to speak.

I think we're going to see a major pricing adjustment on about everything we buy in the next 2 yrs.

[traviswalk]

I always prefer to sell here vs. eBay, but sometimes patience is required as well as recognizing your desired price may not be the market price.

[lowerbroad]

although i have never had any dealings with tgper's, i have been watching for over 2 years consistently to see if this was worth my time. i kinda agree that it goes in cycles and i've had some almost deals many times. trying to sell my sunn solarus head that would have easily brought 7 bills last fall, and no luck at 500?

i don't mind paying the shipping (as a buyer), that said, i would expect too. the paypal (while i'm asking for it in my ad) i'm on the fence about...part of me feels like that is the price of doing business.

just my .02

[Blue Fin]

I think there's just too much stuff out there for sale and not enough buyers for all of it.

[jiml]

Tons of Komets up there now, wish I had some $$$$$.

[lowerbroad]

there is that whole supply and demand thing