THE DRUM EXCHANGE SELLER'S GUIDE
Thanks for the interest. We occassionally buy equipment. It's little difficult to buy long distance, without seeing or hearing the equipment. Are you in the NW-Seattle? Otherwise, give us an idea of what $$ you would like for your equipment. Please send photos (email jpgs if possible-or send). Let us know what you are looking for if a trade is possible, as well.
Drumsets can vary from being worth $100-1000.00 and up. I'm happy to help. Give us as much info as possible
COPY, PASTE AND EMAIL THIS INFORMATION BACK TO US:
Manufacturer: (company "Ludwig, Tama, etc.)
Age:
Condition:
How many drums: (snare, toms, bass drum)
Cymbals: (Zildjian, Sabian, sizes, models)
Type of Hardware: (stands, pedals, double braced, etc.)
Color of Shells:
Cases:
Extras (accessories, etc.)
email back to: edrums@aol.com
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OPTIONS FOR SELLING DRUMS AND PERCUSSION
VIA THE DRUM EXCHANGE:
1) FIND A BUYER PROGRAM. COST: 10% OF Sale Price.
We can help you find a buyer for your set. We keep track of ALL buy and sell email coming in. If there is someone looking for a set YOU wish to sell, we will let you know. We would need pics, etc-see form below. If the buyer becomes serious, we connect you directly to the buyer. You, the seller would pay a 10% finders fee (no charge to the buyer-you, the seller should make sure the finder's fee is included in the price quoted to the seller-see example below).
Example:
5pc set with cymbals:
Actual sales price quoted to buyer: $550.00
less 10% Finder's Fee (to Drum Exchange) $ 50.00
You, the seller gets: $500.00
All transactions between the seller and buyer would be private, and between the parties. The Drum Exchange only helps put the buyer and seller together, and takes no responsibility in the actual sale. The seller is solely responsible to deliver the merchandise and get payment from the buyer.
2) BUY EQUIPMENT OUTRIGHT. You can SELL drums to us direct.
This is a bit more challenging, long distance. We need to see pics from a number of angles, and a very explicit break-down of ALL the equipment-see form below. We can email you a breakdown of what $$$ you can expect to get for your gear. Shipping is paid by the seller.
• 4) CONSIGN EQUIPMENT. NO COST. (25-50% ADDED TO SALE PRICE.)
You can CONSIGN drums to us direct, if you live in the Pacific NW. Consignment means you get paid when the equipment sells. We do not take consigments from outside the area, because of shipping cost, and additional risk.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SELLING EQUIPMENT:
• BEFORE DECIDING how to get rid of your stuff, make sure you really need to.
Take this short TEST to FIND OUT.
You really SHOULD sell your musical equipment IF:
A) If you are in a HURRY, and really need the money.
B) You’re leaving for VEGAS to win a million.
C) You have to EAT or pay RENT or the MOB is after you!
D) You absolutely don’t want the musical equipment anymore. You’re either getting out of music entirely, or have absolutely no need for the musical equipment at all-it simply TAKES UP SPACE. You believe it is KARMICALLY bad to hold on to musical equipment that you no longer play, and you would rather have someone else use it!
*IF YOU ANSWERED YES to ANY OF THE ABOVE PROCEED TO #1 below!
You SHOULD THINK about selling your musical equipment IF:
A) You are in NO HURRY to get rid of it.
B) You are interested in BETTER musical equipment.
C) You are still interested in PLAYING MUSIC, in general.
D) There is someone in your family that might want to play.
*IF YOU ANSWERED YES to ANY OF THE ABOVE READ THE REST, GO HOME AND THINK ABOUT IT SOME MORE.
• Call and email as many stores, asking how much they would sell the same thing. REMEMBER THAT EVERYTHING YOU MENTION CAN CHANGE THE VALUE. The newer the equipment, the easier to figure out, but also the harder to compete with new stuff. Older vintage gear can appreciate in value (go up) as collectors become interested. There are really no blue books available to price equipment, but there is always market value. Think like the buyer-what would a buyer pay that is competitive against the cost new.
• Setting the price. How much less depends on who you sell it to:
A) Selling to a store. If you sell it to a store, they have to make money, and will only pay 1/2 what they will sell it for (1/4 to the dollar). (Example: a $1000 set would sell to a store for $250, and they would sell it for $500-doubling their money) The store is taking ALL of the risk. Remember, a store is in business to make money.
B) Selling it on your own. If you sell it on your own, you can price whatever you can get, up to the full price. The cheaper, the faster it will sell.
C) Store consignment. (Best for local based equipment, and equipment under $500.00). If a store SHARES the risk, they can make a smaller commission. (Example. a $1000 set might sell to a store for $500, and they would sell it for $750-making a reasonable commission, while the seller still makes a decent profit AND the set is competitive)
D) Trades. (Best for local based equipment, and equipment under $500.00) Trades work like A. above (selling to a store). The store is still taking the risk on your equipment, so it is only work 1/4 to the dollar). Trades are good if a store has EXACTLY what you are looking for.
• Advantages of selling though a store: Your equipment will be available all day long. The store advertises and has many customers. You do not have strange people walking around your house or apartment-seeing what else is there, when your away! By the time the customer talks you down, you will probably make the same amount of money as if you had sold it through a store. What store should I use? A drum-shop for drum equipment will be best, because of repair, education, etc. The DRUM EXCHANGE is not a pawn-shop. We do not make loans. We do know drums and percussion, though.
• About high priced gear: There is a market for high quality equipment, but it is a very limited market. There are a lot more people looking for cheap stuff! Only a small percentage are looking for expensive gear. Because of all of the import instruments (Taiwan) the price of musical equipment has gone down. Like computers, it is getting harder to sell high end gear. The customers that are looking for high end gear are using credit cards, and will probably go to a store. Unless as a seller, you accept credit cards, it may be difficult to sell. Let's put it this way, if you buy a set for $5000, you may still only be able to get $500 for it, because that's where the market is.
• Summary:
-IF you want the most for your musical equipment, CONSIGN.
-IF you want the fastest money, SELL.
-IF you want the best in future musical equipment, TRADE.
It's a lot easier to explain how to buy equipment, than sell. We recommend that you buy equipment to play-for a long time. The more you spend, the longer the equipment should last. Take lessons, and get the most out of your instrument. If you buy equipment thinking about it's resale, you may be missing the point. If an instrument has given you happiness, then it has done it's job. If you buy smart, and education yourself, you will get some value for it. Trading it in on something better might work, too. If your goal is to make money on your equipment, go into the business (and good luck!), otherwise, get what you can.
We hope this helps, and feel free to email with questions...
Ed Hartman
The
Drum Exchange
4501 Interlake Ave N #7,
Seattle, WA 98103. (CLICK: Map)
Tel. (206) 545-3564
TOLL FREE: (866) 545-3564
CLICK: Drummers Map of Seattle!
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