Inquiries about buying a tuba

[pierso20]

Read the post entirely before you ask questions.

Don't ask if I can send you pictures when I have a GIGANTIC link that will send you to the picture source.

If you do not read the entire for-sale post, it will only be a waste of my time and make me angry...like the Hulk.

Serious inquiries mean that you are seriously considering buying my tuba - asking questions about the horn itself, how we could arrange a meeting and other important, logistical issues.

Do NOT ask me to restate something that was on the post.

I have officially joined the ranks of the old-bitter-angry tubenetters. Now.....get off my lawn!

[bort]

Read the post entirely before you ask questions.

Don't ask if I can send you pictures when I have a GIGANTIC link that will send you to the picture source.

If you do not read the entire for-sale post, it will only be a waste of my time and make me angry...like the Hulk.

Serious inquiries mean that you are seriously considering buying my tuba - asking questions about the horn itself, how we could arrange a meeting and other important, logistical issues.

Do NOT ask me to restate something that was on the post.

I have officially joined the ranks of the old-bitter-angry tubenetters. Now.....get off my lawn!

I hear you Brooke, and I agree that these things are annoying (been there done that).

But in the end I have to remind myself:
-- This site is free to us, and there is NO cost and 0% commission for selling stuff here.
-- The only other free site I know of with a large reach is Craigslist, and there are some real weirdos on there, not just us tuba weirdos.
-- eBay is okay and less weird, but I'd expect to pay about $100 each to eBay and PayPal for a horn in your price range.
-- Consignment is the easiest option, but the fees are much higher and no guarantee it'll sell any faster.

So... not that I'm inviting boneheaded questions, annoying emails, or repeated questions, but for the price we pay to try and sell our stuff here ($0.00), I think it far outweighs the options. If I have to (cumulatively) spend an hour of my time in 1- or 2-minute increments to answer questions and work with prospective buyers in hopes of getting my asking price, I think that's part of the territory and worth it in the end. If I really had no interest in that, I'd just slash the price by at least $500 and try to unload it quickly.

[pierso20]

I hear you Brooke, and I agree that these things are annoying (been there done that).

But in the end I have to remind myself:
-- This site is free to us, and there is NO cost and 0% commission for selling stuff here.
-- The only other free site I know of with a large reach is Craigslist, and there are some real weirdos on there, not just us tuba weirdos.
-- eBay is okay and less weird, but I'd expect to pay about $100 each to eBay and PayPal for a horn in your price range.
-- Consignment is the easiest option, but the fees are much higher and no guarantee it'll sell any faster.

So... not that I'm inviting boneheaded questions, annoying emails, or repeated questions, but for the price we pay to try and sell our stuff here ($0.00), I think it far outweighs the options. If I have to (cumulatively) spend an hour of my time in 1- or 2-minute increments to answer questions and work with prospective buyers in hopes of getting my asking price, I think that's part of the territory and worth it in the end. If I really had no interest in that, I'd just slash the price by at least $500 and try to unload it quickly.

I've sold/bought a lot of items through TubeNet. price doesn't make any difference. There are still people who don't read the posts. My annoyance isn't necessarily related to my desire to sell; rather it is an annoyance with some people. To me, why the heck would you ask a question that was already answered? It reminds me of my college days (and I STILL definitely experience this as a teacher) - teacher explains, student raises hand and asks a simple question that was just answered.

Example: Teacher - Our homework is due tomorrow. Please have it typed and turned in.
Student - Does it need to be typed?

I have no problem answering questions of prospective buyers. However, I doubt the serious interest of a buyer when she/he asks a question that was in the post. ESPECIALLY when the link I gave was this size

LINK TO MY PICTURES WAS THIS SIZE

I'm just being a bitter old man. I am quite accommodating in answering questions when it concerns business. But I still don't like stupid questions. And yes...contrary to what some teachers/parents tell others - there are stupid questions.

[bort]

I agree, I don't like stupid questions either...

...my only point (which it seems you agree) is that I'm more willing to tolerate them when it means there could be a check for $x,xxx awaiting the answer.

[bort]

And I'm also more willing to "deal with it" because selling a horn is a once-every-few-years thing for me. If I did this as a business every day, I'd probably feel differently!

[Lectron]

Do you have a picture?

[pierso20]

If you read the question closely, it's pretty easy to differentiate the tire kickers from the buyers.

Serious buyers usually ask serious questions.

Exactly my point.

Of course....a lesson for those who are looking to buy horns...

If you WANT to be taken as a serious buyer...don't ask a silly question!!

[pierso20]

Do you have a picture?

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH THAT WAS IT! I MUST HAVE FORGOT....Oh wait....

[sousaphone68]

Some of your prospective buyers and tyre kickers may not be viewing your post on a PC I have in the past made bonehead purchases and questions through my habit of using my IPod touch to browse eBay and this forum. So it's easy to miss links and skip answers on small screens.
But like another member's signature says every time you think you have a foolproof system the fools raise their game.

[sloan]

And whatever you do, don't post in the wrong forum.

[luke_hollis]

Lighten up Francis....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrllCZw8jiM

[Lew]

I can't buy it but would you be willing to trade?

[PMeuph]

Just to play devil's advocate...

Here is what I see using a 19" screen.

I will post pictures tomorrow.

Might want to edit that out....

Just a suggestion, you could put the specifics at the top and drop the double spacing...

I no longer play this horn enough and it needs a real home. Comes with a pt-65 mpc and an altieri gig bag.
—$3000 firm - buyer pays shipping (though I prefer to not ship the horn.) Horn located in Ann Arbor, Mi

It is in excellent condition; 2 small dents and a small amount of lacquer wear in the usual spots.
I cannot afford to have it cleaned prior to sale so the price is set lower to accommodate.

The reason I am selling is because I do not play the horn as much as I would like and currently I desperately need to upgrade my composition equipment (as I have been MUCH busier in that realm of my work).

Please, serious inquiries only. This is a GREAT F tuba. pierso20@msu.edu" target="_blank

Pictures - http://www.brookepierson.com/tubaforsale.htm" target="_blank

[pierso20]

I didn't notice the "post pictures tomorrow" item. I fixed that.

However, popup blocker or school content block or any other issues should not negate that there was a gigantic edit that gave a link for pictures.

And the double spacing vs. single space - opinion. I find double spacing makes things look less cluttered and more inviting.

But that...

Is...

Just....

An opinion.

Whether right or wrong in this instance, I do get annoyed receiving tons of messages that are obviously not serious - or are asking questions that are either not appropriate or obviously show little research/reading. I've even been asked "what do you think of Cerveny in general" and things of the like. Just do your research. I don't HAVE to sell this horn. I want to upgrade my equipment but it isn't a necessity at the current second. So I'd rather not spend time wading through and answering tons of questions that are irrelevant or show a disregard for my post. Perhaps if there is a broken link on the page someone could indicate that they DID read the post and the link was broken. Misinforming someone doesn't help. I will admit, this time I may have made an error however, it is more the exception in my experiences with selling online. BUT I am choosing to sell, so I do know "dealing with it" is always a viable option.

Either way, my main point is READ, RESEARCH, and ask detailed questions.

The End.

[PMeuph]

Perhaps if there is a broken link on the page someone could indicate that they DID read the post and the link was broken.

Your links are fine, my point was more that I didn't see the link right away and that your e-mail address was posted before the said link.

Also, because I'm pedantic, the

target="_blank"

arrives every time you preview or re-post, you might want to remove those. (There's a bug with the Forum but it's not too important, but it makes an ad look cleaner if they are not there)

Overall, I agree with you, it totally sucks having to answer questions that are generic from people who won't buy your horn anyways.

ps. When I was referring to single/double-spacing I meant use it like I did in the quote.

[tclements]

How many valves is it? Will you ship it to Zanzibar? What key is it? Will you take payments? Can I trade my '72 Pinto for it?

[Tom]

If you think you're getting a lot of b.s. selling a tuba, just wait until you're trying to sell a car or truck or (gasp!) a house or even (double gasp!) a gun. That will make selling a tuba and dealing with questions seem like nothing.

[MartyNeilan]

Make sure you tell them it is OK to trial the tuba, drop it and crunch in the botom bow, and then return it without consequence.

[The Big Ben]

Is it in BBb or CC? Which is better? I'm in the 10th grade.