RE: [Harp-L] re: amps on Ebay

["Steve Shaw" <moorcot@xxxxxxx>]

> Do people buy amps on Ebay? How do you know if the amp works? How do you 
> know
> what it sounds like? Same with mics. Any instrument really. It would scare 
> the
> heck out of me to spend any money on something like that.
>
> Rainbow Jimmy

I've bought about 20 items on ebay but nothing very expensive.  This 
includes a couple of harps, listed as "new," but which had certainly been 
handled a bit but which were OK.  I'm never going to pay anything like the 
"new" price on ebay, even for new stuff.  I wouldn't want to buy a 
wood-bodied or valved harp this way myself.  A cheap ebay used harp could be 
a useful supply of bits, e.g. reeds or body, even if you doubt whether the 
harp's in good playing shape.  I've bought a few used CDs, all of which have 
been good.  Before you buy anything, make sure the seller has no negative 
feedback.  I would also be wary of buying from anyone who's so new that they 
have hardly any feedback.  Check out their shipping charges.  There's a 
cheap second-hand Honeytone amp on here at the moment - with a shipping 
charge, even within the UK, of £7.50 - approx. $14!  If you buy from 
overseas check out any customs/import duties payable.  Don't pay by direct 
money transfer - use Paypal if possible.  There are certain protections for 
buyers in place but I don't know how useful they are.  Any dispute could 
turn into a real hassle.  Your best weapon is often to threaten negative 
feedback before you post it - I got a refund this way on an item that got 
broken in the post due to inadequate packaging by the seller.  And don't get 
carried away.  A few months ago, a used C SP20 went for over £26 including 
postage.  I can buy a brand-new one here for five or six quid less than 
that!

Steve

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/trad_irish_harmonica
HEAR my CD clips: http://www.gjk2.com/steveshaw/cd.htm
READ review of my CD: http://www.irishmusicreview.com/sshaw.htm