Sold my first guitar on Reverb, and other assorted and semi-related stories.....

davismanLV

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So my Breedlove Concerto E sold yesterday on Reverb. This is the first time selling a guitar EVER and first time on Reverb. They certainly make it easy for you and it's actually painless, although I had an extra trip because I'm not familiar with how things work. So everyone always said print your shipping label on Reverb. THIS IS SO TRUE!!! I knew I'd save some money so I printed the label, but forgot to use their "insurance" which is called something else, I can't remember what it's called right now. So I decided since I had to go to the UPS Store and get some bubble wrap for around the case, to keep it still in the box, I could just buy insurance there. So $20 in bubble wrap and tape (I left my packing tape thingie at home, DOH!!) and then asked if I could buy insurance. No, you have to have us print the shipping label to get insurance from us. Well, I'm already there and I figure if it's dollars and cents I could cancel the Reverb label when I got home. But, NO!! I took the time and effort to come home, cancel the previous label, and print a new one with their insurance or whatever they call it. Went back and dropped the thing off and it's GONE!!

Here's how it all breaks down:

Reverb printed and insured: UPS 2nd Day Delivery $126. Customer Protection $26. Total shipped and insured $152.00
UPS Store printed and insured: UPS 2nd Day Delivery $349. Insurance: $32. Total shipped and insured $381.00

That's a difference of $229!!!

I'm just shocked and appalled that they can get away with this at a franchise store!! So use Reverb to get your shipping prices using box measurements and weight, and print the label from their website. I'm sure it would be cheaper at an actual UPS routing center or something. But golly gee....... :eek::eek::eek:
 

walrus

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Tom, you are more adventurous than me. I've only sold in person or on consignment.
 

MLBob

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I TOLD you the velour throw would make it sell !!! :LOL: :LOL:
Seriously, Tom, great news.
 

GAD

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Life lesson: UPS Store are all franchised and they can charge whatever they want.
Fedex stores are all corporate owned and follow the same rules everywhere.

Reverb shipping assurance or whatever it's called has saved me as a buyer believe it or not.
 

davismanLV

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Bob, no lie.... if I'd only used that damn THROW!! It woulda sold faster and for MORE MONEY!!! LMFAO!!! :LOL::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::LOL:

Gary, I didn't know that! Now I do. Holy Crap!! And good to know that my $25 was well spent. I was just so shocked that they had the NERVE to ask for $348 for the same shipping that I'd already paid $126 for!!! SHOCKED!! :eek::eek:
 

Cougar

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Jeez, I'm surprised the reverb cost was that much. 2nd day delivery? I've always just used the cheapest, which I guess is just ground delivery. Usually takes less than a week. I used to get insurance shipping through USPS, but I don't recall getting it when I use reverb....
 

richardp69

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Pretty sure it's automatic when you use Reverb shipping process (typically UPS is by far the cheapest because they let us use their account) but they do also offer Fed Ex, USPS etc.

It's the only way I ship now and every time I do I don't have to ask for the insurance or check a box it's just automatically there for me.

I also just had the opportunity to use that process, not on something I shipped but on something I received (damaged DV 52) and Reverb was quick and painless to resolve it to my satisfaction.

Let the hate mail begin but in fairness to Ebay (which I seldom use anymore) they protect the hell out of the buyer as well. Maybe too much so, IMHO, at the expense of the seller.
 

dreadnut

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I just sold a buttload of stuff from my buddy's estate on Reverb, and no problems. Shipped everything USPS, again, no problems. USPS was considerably less expensive than the other guys.
 

wileypickett

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In the beginning (late '90s), when they were still getting their act together, I had a few bad experiences on eBay. But in the last 15 years or so, I've had nothing but good experiences resolving issues, my JV72 purchase being a case in point.
 

jp

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I'm prepping to unload a bunch of gear on Reverb, and I've never sold anything on it before. I have to bone up on the rules, T&C, and the nitty gritty details. This was extremely helpful to know, so thanks for posting, Tom. And congrats on selling your Breedlove!
 

F312

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Was this the first Breedlove you bought? Inquiring minds want to know.

Ralph
 

dreadnut

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You know, I never printed the Reverb shipper, I just went directly to the local PO and hand-addressed my own packages. They figured out the most economical way to ship them, including some of the packaging for the smaller items.

And if I'm not mistaken, the Reverb commission is still only 5%.
 

richardp69

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You know, I never printed the Reverb shipper, I just went directly to the local PO and hand-addressed my own packages. They figured out the most economical way to ship them, including some of the packaging for the smaller items.

And if I'm not mistaken, the Reverb commission is still only 5%.

You should check out the Reverb rates next time Dread. I used to ship USPS only but at least for me using the Reverb shipping process and UPS saved boatloads of money vs. USPS. Plus, you get the Reverb shipping protection so if there ever is any damage they step in and take the lead on that and that's huge. Don't know if you ever had to deal with USPS, UPS or Fed Ex directly on a claim but in my experience anyway, it was painful
 

davismanLV

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No, Ralph, the BLUE one was the first Breedlove I bought. That one is not going ANYWHERE!! It's also Myrtlewood but with a spruce top. That one's staying. :love:
 

davismanLV

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You should check out the Reverb rates next time Dread. I used to ship USPS only but at least for me using the Reverb shipping process and UPS saved boatloads of money vs. USPS. Plus, you get the Reverb shipping protection so if there ever is any damage they step in and take the lead on that and that's huge. Don't know if you ever had to deal with USPS, UPS or Fed Ex directly on a claim but in my experience anyway, it was painful
^^^ What he said. Reverb's customer protection is a box you tick and it's cheaper than insurance through USPS, UPS, FedEx, or anyone else I know. And the shipping rates are super low. And then, as Richard says, if something goes wrong Reverb actually takes it on and settles the case without any effort from you. That's worth a lot right there. I'm very impressed with Reverb and they also charged the customer taxes without any effort or worry on my part. When you print your label through Reverb they automatically sent the tracking number to the buyer and keep them informed.
 

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...I used to ship USPS only but at least for me using the Reverb shipping process and UPS saved boatloads of money vs. USPS.

Same here. I used to go to USPS, which was the cheapest shipper. But then they (seemingly) suddenly started charging more than $100. I finally wised up and starting using reverb shipping labels. Big difference and serious savings! Plus, it's cool to just tape the label on the box and drop it off at the local UPS Store.
 

F312

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I wasn't sure, and I don't think the color was in any way the factor in your decision, was it?

Ralph
 

davismanLV

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The only reason I chose UPS is that I needed some packing materials to finish the packing job and UPS store is right around the corner, so I could finish packing the box and drop it off for shipping. The price for 2nd Day was so close to USPS Priority Mail and during this pandemic it allowed me to just engage one person in the small UPS Store and not drive further and then stand in another line and exposure to MORE people, so that was an easy decision for me. (y)
 
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