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I am currently trying to sell a horn and after having sold several horns, I have finally encountered the request to ship my horn for a trial. My gut instinct is to say no, since it is quite possible to send the horn to a non serious buyer and be stuck with 200-300 dollars of shipping costs. Also, the idea of sending an eight thousand dollar horn to a stranger seems like a bad idea.

Anyway, I just wanted to see if anyone else had some insight into this or if you had any other ideas. Thanks!

I would almost never do this, unless I knew the person pretty well and trusted them. In previous sales, I have passed on selling to a person because they required a trial period. Frankly, I'm not sure what a "trial period" even is. You can tell in a few minutes if you want to buy it, but you need a few weeks (at least) to decide if you want to keep it.

I would not ship to a stranger on a deposit, there has to be collateral. That said, when you buy or ship a tuba in a private deal, there is always some gap that can only be filled by trust (would you send the tuba when the check is merely "in the mail" or when you receive it?).

I suppose you could have him pay in full, and you send the tuba to him. And if he wants to return it, then you return his money when you receive the tuba back. Cashier's checks used to be good for this, but I hear they can be faked these days, and drawn on funds that don't exist.

After doing several local deals (and several shipping deals), I am unmotivated to ever sell one of my tubas by shipping again. In fact, if I couldn't sell it locally, I'd probably put it on consignment at a store and let them deal with the hassle. I used to consider consignment as taking a loss... but I now see it as paying someone else to do the work for me. Might be worth it?

The best bet is to deal locally or to have an as-is final sale transaction when you ship.

I've sold and purchased way more horns in my life than I ever thought I would... That vice being stated, the only two times I ever did this, I made sure they understood that the horn would be sent out when the check CLEARED... Once the money was IN my account, the horn would go out. If they didn't trust sending the $$ before they try it, why should I trust sending the horn before I know they really have the money to pay for it???

What Bloke said.....

Curmudgeon wrote:

bloke wrote:SELL it to them (paid in full), and offer a FULL refund (MINUS shipping costs) IF returned within ten days in absolutely the same condition as shipped.

Yeah. How do you enforce the "absolutely the same condition as shipped" with the general lack of honesty and integrity rampant today?

"It was that way when I got it..."

Stores or companies may be able to write off losses. Individuals would have to eat it. I don't work for free, neither do lawyers.

Any individual that would ship for trials/tire kicking is naïve.

Buyers are welcome to try it with an appointment in advance.

The instrument will not be shipped for trials.

I also do not ship instruments for 'trial'. I do offer refunds if the horn is returned in a 'reasonable pre-agreed on period' and less any transportation costs. The idea of the horn being returned in 'as originally shipped' is completely at my discretion. After all... the horn and shipping costs are paid up front and if the horn is returned I now have BOTH the money AND the horn. I'm the boss here. No 'tire-kickers' allowed. This ain't Walmart.

I would not do it at all. If they are that interested in a horn they can drive down and try it out in person. Most people on here know something about tubas and have a good idea of what the want to begin with. Just too many potential problems with shipping for a trial to mess with it.

bloke wrote:SELL it to them (paid in full), and offer a FULL refund (MINUS shipping costs) IF returned within ten days in absolutely the same condition as shipped.

This makes the most sense and will prevent you from being ripped off.

bloke wrote:SELL it to them (paid in full), and offer a FULL refund (MINUS shipping costs) IF returned within ten days in absolutely the same condition as shipped.

This makes the most sense and will prevent you from being ripped off.

What Bloke and EMC said. I've been buying and selling horns on the tubenet for 15 years now. I've never had a problem with a 7-10 day trial period (as a buyer AND as a seller).

Obviously, the instrument is paid in full plus the cost of shipping. Funds are guaranteed (cash or cleared check), then the horn ships. The horn is sold before you ship it, this just gives the buyer a chance to back out. Most people know in a day or two but if it's a student, it may take a day or two before they can put it in someone's hands that is capable of deciding whether or not it's a keeper.

I have returned horns before, I paid shipping both ways, it was fine. I've also driven 12 hours to play and purchase an instrument in person when the seller was not willing to give me a trial. That particular instrument I still have and use every day...it was a one of a kind tuba that one was worth the drive...not every horn is, nor do people always have the time (and energy) to drive that far for a tuba.

Take lots of pictures, write a contract and make them mail you a signed copy with their payment. If the buyer seems like a young idiot or they're giving off a bad vibe...don't sell it to them!

Jeff