A Guitar And Gear Support Forum

Anyone want to pay over $1,100 for a used Harley Benton that's $299 new? I actually was considering one of these Brian May replicas and decided to message and ask if the price was a typo (because I was pretty positive it was), and they told me in no uncertain terms that it was not

https://reverb.com/item/39413722-harley ... high-gloss

What do these people think is going to happen with posting this at this price...?

slowhand84 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 13, 2021 9:15 pm What do these people think is going to happen with posting this at this price...?

That they can mark it down 50% and make some fool feel like he's getting a good deal, yet still turn a profit. And guess what, it works.

uwmcscott wrote: ↑Sat Mar 13, 2021 9:37 pm

slowhand84 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 13, 2021 9:15 pm What do these people think is going to happen with posting this at this price...?

That they can mark it down 50% and make some fool feel like he's getting a good deal, yet still turn a profit. And guess what, it works.

I mean you'd have to be a full-on moron to think $500 on this is a deal when it's $299 new, nowadays most people are more than capable of typing three words into Google to see what an item sells for...but I guess there's always a chance someone will be extra stupid.

slowhand84 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 13, 2021 10:50 pm I mean you'd have to be a full-on moron to think $500 on this is a deal when it's $299 new, nowadays most people are more than capable of typing three words into Google to see what an item sells for...but I guess there's always a chance someone will be extra stupid.

Supply vs. demand, pretty simple. You can't get them new right now and there are a lot of people treating the supply chain issue like it's the end of the world. Used Agiles are selling on reverb very quickly at pretty stupid prices as well.

The perception of scarcity is a powerful motivator.

uwmcscott wrote: ↑Sat Mar 13, 2021 11:58 pm

slowhand84 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 13, 2021 10:50 pm I mean you'd have to be a full-on moron to think $500 on this is a deal when it's $299 new, nowadays most people are more than capable of typing three words into Google to see what an item sells for...but I guess there's always a chance someone will be extra stupid.

Supply vs. demand, pretty simple. You can't get them new right now and there are a lot of people treating the supply chain issue like it's the end of the world. Used Agiles are selling on reverb very quickly at pretty stupid prices as well.

The perception of scarcity is a powerful motivator.

I highly doubt Harley Bentons are so in demand by anyone that they'd be willing to pay hundreds of dollars more than a new one costs for a used one, given that HB's audience is generally buying because of the bang for the buck...and when you're talking double the price there are way more options. In terms of Agiles I really don't see any that've sold recently at stupid prices. Important to note that Reverb sold listings don't actually show the price the guitar SOLD for, just the asking price. If someone had an Agile at $650 that didn't sell for months and accepted $400, it'll still show up in sold listings as $650. The Agiles I see priced above used market value are pretty much all still sittin' there.

I just mostly found it funny that this shop really seems to think anyone in the universe will pay over a grand for a HB.

I've had the HB Fusion II in my feed for a bit. People ask crazy prices for those as well. Most used ones are listed for more than new prices.

Listings like that seller make me wish we could post emojis everyone could see on the listing in response, like

I know it doesn't do any good, but I messaged him: "Why would your used HB be worth $999 when Thomann is selling that guitar new for $293.71?".

He didn't answer that (shocker). So I made him an offer of $1.00, adding a comment: "Because it is much closer to the value than you are asking.", and a link to Thomann's listing.

Edit: Scammer declined my $1 offer, but gave this line of BS in his message back: "If you think the price is too high you don’t need to buy from me. This is the deluxe version that has been professionally set up that includes a new case. You’re more than welcome to wait 2 to 4 weeks to get one from thomann and purchase a case and take it to your local shop for them to set up. I would appreciate if you refrain from harassing me. "

There’s a local guy that’s been trying to do that with Firefly LP’s. He’s now below what they are new. He just listed a Kramer Baretta Special for $350. They’re $179 new. I think he’s going off of Reverb and eBay for sale prices and not sold prices.

I just realized there is a way we can thwart some of these deals, by posting something like this on social media:

FYI: If you have been thinking about starting guitar, know that today there are a lot of scammers out there trying to sell guitars for WAY more than they are worth. The pandemic and its related shortages have put the guitar market in turmoil, and crooked people are trying to take advantage of that. You could easily overspend and never get most of that money back if you sell that guitar.

To not be taken advantage of, just ask any good guitarist you already know to help you vet the market. Most are happy to help.

BatUtilityBelt wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 11:44 am I just realized there is a way we can thwart some of these deals, by posting something like this on social media:

FYI: If you have been thinking about starting guitar, know that today there are a lot of scammers out there trying to sell guitars for WAY more than they are worth. The pandemic and its related shortages have put the guitar market in turmoil, and crooked people are trying to take advantage of that. You could easily overspend and never get most of that money back if you sell that guitar.

To not be taken advantage of, just ask any good guitarist you already know to help you vet the market. Most are happy to help.

Honestly I don't think there's any risk of anyone buying this thing at $1100 shipped anyway. Most people who know of Harley Benton and similar brands heard of them online so they already have an idea of the price ranges.

slowhand84 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 1:19 pm Honestly I don't think there's any risk of anyone buying this thing at $1100 shipped anyway. Most people who know of Harley Benton and similar brands heard of them online so they already have an idea of the price ranges.

I think there are people who don't do their homework and fall prey to garbage like this. The only question is at what actual price point. I have friends who are that innocent and trusting, which I find refreshing and alarming at the same time.

BatUtilityBelt wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 1:27 pm

slowhand84 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 1:19 pm Honestly I don't think there's any risk of anyone buying this thing at $1100 shipped anyway. Most people who know of Harley Benton and similar brands heard of them online so they already have an idea of the price ranges.

I think there are people who don't do their homework and fall prey to garbage like this. The only question is at what actual price point. I have friends who are that innocent and trusting, which I find refreshing and alarming at the same time.

Ever since we evolved from hunter gatherers to groups/communities needing to exchange goods, this game has been played. I always find these kinds of threads - the "OMG...look how much this guy is trying to sell X for" rather amusing because it's not like we shouldn't see it coming.

The reality is, unless you are a professional musician a guitar is a luxury item. AKA- No one is going to die if they can't fill the elusive/missing rosewood HSH strat hole in their quiver of Maple/Rosewood SSS/HSS strat.

Is it unethical for someone to us the High/low or scarcity trick when trying to make a buck selling a luxury item? Maybe, but big companies do it too every day/all day long, even when there is no "supply chain issue". Do we somehow need to "protect" all these poor souls who are being mercilessly coerced out of their money by evil high pricers? I'd like to think that if you get burned once you'd learn your lesson to be honest.

He lowered his price to $999... What a prince.

uwmcscott wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 1:46 pm Ever since we evolved from hunter gatherers to groups/communities needing to exchange goods, this game has been played. I always find these kinds of threads - the "OMG...look how much this guy is trying to sell X for" rather amusing because it's not like we shouldn't see it coming.

The reality is, unless you are a professional musician a guitar is a luxury item. AKA- No one is going to die if they can't fill the elusive/missing rosewood HSH strat hole in their quiver of Maple/Rosewood SSS/HSS strat.

Is it unethical for someone to us the High/low or scarcity trick when trying to make a buck selling a luxury item? Maybe, but big companies do it too every day/all day long, even when there is no "supply chain issue". Do we somehow need to "protect" all these poor souls who are being mercilessly coerced out of their money by evil high pricers? I'd like to think that if you get burned once you'd learn your lesson to be honest.

Suggesting everyone has to get burned at least once to learn that lesson instead of us spreading warnings about the scammers is just a vote in favor of the scammers. It also sets that bar to provide a regular supply of fresh meat for bottom feeders. I'd rather see a better community.

BatUtilityBelt wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 2:51 pm Suggesting everyone has to get burned at least once to learn that lesson instead of us spreading warnings about the scammers is just a vote in favor of the scammers. It also sets that bar to provide a regular supply of fresh meat for bottom feeders. I'd rather see a better community.

I"m not suggesting that we shouldn't help the community, far from it. But are you honestly telling me that we need to have a public information campaign if someone can't figure out that a $300 guitar being advertised for $1000 is not a bad deal? If you have access to reverb to see the auction in the first place you also have access to Google - and last time I checked you can search the internet and compare pricing. Reverb, ebay, craigslist ant the likes are literally filled with these kinds of auctions/listings - always have been, always will be.

But yeah, to be honest - if someone is stupid enough to just randomly land on an auction site and click on "buy now" without doing a single price check then yes - I think they deserve what they get.

I typed in Harley Benton then clicked "price high to low"


https://reverb.com/item/36276876-harley ... s-2019-red

I typed in Harley Benton then clicked "price high to low" saw this

https://reverb.com/item/36276876-harley ... s-2019-red

Then checked the price from Thomann.

https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_ben ... _ebass.htm

uwmcscott wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 3:45 pm I"m not suggesting that we shouldn't help the community, far from it. But are you honestly telling me that we need to have a public information campaign if someone can't figure out that a $300 guitar being advertised for $1000 is not a bad deal? If you have access to reverb to see the auction in the first place you also have access to Google - and last time I checked you can search the internet and compare pricing. Reverb, ebay, craigslist ant the likes are literally filled with these kinds of auctions/listings - always have been, always will be.

But yeah, to be honest - if someone is stupid enough to just randomly land on an auction site and click on "buy now" without doing a single price check then yes - I think they deserve what they get.

Campaign, no. Offer up a warning, absolutely. This garbage is getting out of hand. There used to be a lot less of these predators. I know my buying is on hold because price gougers are setting the stage currently. It's just not worth it most of the time to haggle down to a reasonable price when the askings are all too high.

And yeah, I am not buying because i don't have to. But a lot of people are not in that boat. So for them, it wouldn't hurt to offer advice to new buyers. What is so wrong with that?

Predatory habits don't stop at just business. A predator is typically a predator in all aspects of life. I've known them and distanced myself from them for my entire adult life.

redman wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 4:07 pm I typed in Harley Benton then clicked "price high to low" saw this

https://reverb.com/item/36276876-harley ... s-2019-red

Then checked the price from Thomann.

https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_ben ... _ebass.htm

I hope folks do this better given that the 2nd link is an entirely different instrument , but yes it is very very simple to determine how insane someone's asking price is in 2021.

HA HA I linked the wrong page @slowhand84 I've been looking for a cheap bass for a Ukrainian Church their pastor is the maintenance guy in my apartment complex I gave them a guitar already. I must have sent Paul the Strat link. Anyway this is what I meant to post.

https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_ben ... series.htm

redman wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 8:38 pm HA HA I linked the wrong page @slowhand84 I've been looking for a cheap bass for a Ukrainian Church their pastor is the maintenance guy in my apartment complex I gave them a guitar already. I must have sent Paul the Strat link. Anyway this is what I meant to post.

https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_ben ... series.htm

Yeah I figured you just pasted the wrong one haha, I was just joking around.

BatUtilityBelt wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 11:44 am I just realized there is a way we can thwart some of these deals, by posting something like this on social media:

FYI: If you have been thinking about starting guitar, know that today there are a lot of scammers out there trying to sell guitars for WAY more than they are worth. The pandemic and its related shortages have put the guitar market in turmoil, and crooked people are trying to take advantage of that. You could easily overspend and never get most of that money back if you sell that guitar.

To not be taken advantage of, just ask any good guitarist you already know to help you vet the market. Most are happy to help.

I wouldn't worry about it. You don't need to be an experienced player to find the scam. This is exclusively for the senile grandma buying for kids.
My father in law bought boxes of 1st issue 1$ washington coins in special gold brick looking boxes. No idea what premium he paid. Thank got they are at least worth the $1. I asked the bank if they would take them. They said they legally had to.
I told him there wasn't anything investment quality and he got screwed. Before I could block qvc he then ordered 1 oz mint silver coins for about $150 a coin. My silver guy says they are worth about $10 over spot. $35 ea.
Mostly its dont let grandpa have a credit card.