Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jamie MacBlues on January 12, 2013 at 1:43pm

John, could the advert  be legit, and the seller on Gumtree and E Bay are one and the same? Some sellers on Gumtree also put the  advert on E Bay? No deceit  involved, just doublin chances to sell  But obvioulsy, people need watch on Gumtree , always check etc..

Cheers

Jamie

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on January 12, 2013 at 8:54pm

No way it is legit. This is a guitar that retails at $4750, and if you've ever played a Santa Cruz you'll know why they typically cost £3000 and upwards new. Even 2nd hand it's worth £2000, probably more in the UK, and I wouldn't be surprised if they keep their value nearer to their "as new" price..it's repro of the model that Ry Cooder plays.

The original guitar was for sale on eBay in the USA and was sold on 11th Jan, and the West Midlands Gumtree advert appeared on 12th Jan. I'm not even sure if the original eBay sale is legit, as it went for a bargain price of $2295.

See,  this is they way they get you - buyers really need to know what they are looking at, and what the item is really worth. Santa Cruz is an absolutely top USA make, and the Roy Smeck model is very unusual and niche..it's not just a nice guitar, it's ultra-desirable. I'm this case the scammer has been too obvious and doesn't really understand the unusual nature of the item in the he's ripped off - it's like someone offering you a Patek Phillipe watch for £100. Dodgy all the way through. Anyway, I've reported it, just hope they pull the advert or investigate it.

Permalink Reply by Jamie MacBlues on January 13, 2013 at 1:03am

John, ma man. I DO take yer point, and the price obviously dictates that there is something wrong here somewhere!

Feel compelled to point out, tho,  that I have seen(only once or twice, I admit)  legit people selling on Glasgow Gumtree, offering £500 guitars for ridiculously low prices. In one case , I e mailed and told the lady. Turns out, they were nice people, who had death of guitar owner in family, no clue of value.

And when told, were still happy to pass a bargain on to others!.  OK, notas large as the amounts in case you so rightly highlight, but just sayin that there ARE exceptions on Gumtree.

Works TWO ways. WE, as buyers, should NEVER take advantage of someone selling legit, but too cheap, because of lack of knowledge! (perhaps owner died etc).

Also , for those NOT  knowledgable about Gumtree, they might have assumed from your post that posting on E Bay AND Gumtree at same time implied a scam! ( ME PERSONALLY, I knew ya never meant this, but others might take this way, and be denied a guitar that they wanted to buy, just because they saw it o E BAY as well). Some folks even point out on Gumtree that ther advert is up on E bay as well, (effectively sayin "get in quick if you wnat it").

So ALTHO THE SCENARIO BELOW IS MOST UNLIKELY,and I would agree JOHN, this WAS a scam you highlight!!, the reason for a VERY LOW PRICE could be thus :

1. guitar player (.grandfather , husband etc),DIES .

2,family member (with no clue about guitars), sells for ridiculously LOW price on both E bay and Gumtree (perhaps a freind of family, with knowledge of Gumtree car adverts etc, has helped family member ,placed advert for them in Guitar Section on Gumtree , and also an ad on   E Bay)

3.Guitar sells on E Bay

4. Gumtree advert is left up on Gumtree, , due to laziness, forgetfulness ( we have ALL left ads on Gumtree days after items are sold!)

......................................

ANYHOOO, Chances of any item on Gumtree at a  very low price being a scam, John: 99 %

                                      Chances of being legit, 1%

But mircales DO happen, John, ma man. Myabe just me with a good imagination ? lol

You are RIGHT to point out scams etc. Been using Gumtree good while now, seen them, But also seen bargains.

So my rather long post, John, ma man, in what I hope is a "kindly" reply to yours, is keep on keepin on, like a bird that flew (thanks Bob). DO continue making folks aware that there are many scams on Gumtree. Do point out that if a guitar is TOO MUCH of a bargain,best be VERY wary, probably don't even inquire about it!

But do also be aware that one or two people may be newbees,  selling for family members (dead or not) etc, and selling cheap.

Be aware also that it is wrong to buy cheap from a "newbee", tho  unlikely buyer willcome across scenario I outline!

Think your in reply to me , John, you were a bit "passionate". But I know that these scammers annoy/efffect  us all. B***ARDS, one and all!!

Just like to point out I've bought about 10 guitars,  5 amps on Gumtree, most a VERY good price.

Should also point out I bought a Yamaha electric piano on Glasgow Gumtree,at such a BARGAIN price, felt compeleed to tell guy it was worth more, and I offefed him more!. Turned out he KNEW was worth more.Just wanted to give someone a bargain. He DECLINED my offer of extra money.

 

One of my OWN Gumtree stories:

Guy came to me to buy guitar for nephew. Guy was working class guy, (like me!) handed over money, and about to leave. I asked him, as he was leaving my house, if his nephew was a beginner.

Turned out the  wee boy had just been diagnosed ith cancer, was in Yorkhillhospital, and had mentioned to family while back, that he would like a guitar. Think he was taking guitar up to show wee boy.

Guy left my house with not only a FREE guitar (MADE HIM TAKE BACK MONEY), but when I asked him if he HAD  an amp (I had assumed that he would have, as I was only selling guitar), he said he had still to buy one.Well John, he left my house with not only the guitar, but a wee practice amp, and his MONEY BACK!! And I almost had to FIGHT him to take gifts.

OK, maybe  my own experiences of cancer made me EXTRA sypathetic; but no, on reflection, not reall! Maybe I am just a good guy, who uses Gumtree. Two sides every story, ma man (Cost me NOTHING to be kind, I had about 30 guitars and 8 or 9  amps at time).

SOOOO,

Chances of meeting a SCAMMER on Gumtree: VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY  HIGH. They WILL find YOU, tho you think other way about!!

Chances of meting a "good guy": Well , I have faith in people, so "HIGH".

Chances of being ripped off if you DON'Tcheck out every advert in minute detail : VERY, VERY HIGH.

I'm on your side, John, am "just sayin"  :)

Jamie

 

 

Permalink Reply by smojo on January 20, 2013 at 12:17am

Done a bit of selling on Gumtree lately and had no probs. Most have come to collect but have sold a few things by post. I used Paypal to get payment from them first. All seems to have worked OK but I'll certainly be more watchful. I get a lot of timewasters offering silly amounts or people who ask if it's still available and then never follow up any further. that's about the only probs I've had. What about Preloved - very similar site to Gumtree. Just started putting a few ads on there and had a few results.

Permalink Reply by Jamie MacBlues on January 20, 2013 at 12:26am

Smojo, ma man, I have use preloved now and then, mostly looking for a cheap acoustic Gibson (no luck so far! lol).

I renewed my £5 full membership, as for £5, thought was worth paying (tho you can use it free, as you will know).

Think Gumtree probabaly best for FAST selling, but maybe Preloved is  bit more organised/safe? Don't really know, as rarely use preloved, as opposed to ah'm "never off" Gumtree! lol

 

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