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Post by trakworxmastering on Aug 8, 2019 19:24:15 GMT -6
A client of mine probably wants to buy my U67 but he wants to borrow it for a few days to demo it first. Needless to say it's worth a lot. I'm a little nervous letting him just walk out with it, even though he seems totally cool and trustworthy. It could get damaged or stolen or something. I'd feel better with some kind of security but I don't want to offend him. How would you handle this transaction? Thanks!
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Post by drbill on Aug 8, 2019 19:38:50 GMT -6
A client of mine probably wants to buy my U67 but he wants to borrow it for a few days to demo it first. Needless to say it's worth a lot. I'm a little nervous letting him just walk out with it, even though he seems totally cool and trustworthy. It could get damaged or stolen or something. I'd feel better with some kind of security but I don't want to offend him. How would you handle this transaction? Thanks! Tell him that it's so precious, and such a special 67 offering, that he can use it in your studio, but that it doesn't leave your side until it's no longer yours. Problem solved. If he's serious, he'll come over to test it. If he balks at that, tell him that he can purchase the mic for the agreed price, and if he decides it's not for him after using it for less than a week, if it comes back as 100% perfect as when it left - you'll take it back and refund his money. If it comes back at 99% or less, or if it takes more than 7 days - it's his mic. |
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Post by trakworxmastering on Aug 8, 2019 20:10:25 GMT -6
Thanks. Good advice drbill. I get why he wants to sit with it at his studio before making such a big purchase. I think your second option would work well. I was thinking along those lines too. I oughta be able to negotiate that without ruffling any feathers...
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Post by kcatthedog on Aug 8, 2019 20:31:10 GMT -6
He needs to be reasonable too.
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Post by drbill on Aug 8, 2019 20:36:53 GMT -6
Thanks. Good advice drbill. I get why he wants to sit with it at his studio before making such a big purchase. I think your second option would work well. I was thinking along those lines too. I oughta be able to negotiate that without ruffling any feathers... Cool! Good luck!! Those are only going up in price, so make sure you get a good price for it!! |
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Post by svart on Aug 8, 2019 20:58:02 GMT -6
I'd tell him he can purchase it, but return it if he decides. That way you have the money in your pocket and no chance of him skipping out or damaging it and sticking you with the bill.
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Post by gouge on Aug 8, 2019 21:46:17 GMT -6
in this situation it can be best to get a third party involved. someone who is not financially connected to the sale. a third party unbiased adjudication. just send it to me....
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Post by adamjbrass on Aug 9, 2019 5:06:14 GMT -6
I would bring the mic to his place for a session, let him use it in front of you all day. Then take the mic and go home and let him listen to the tracks he cut for the next couple of weeks so he can make sure it’s the right choice..
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Post by EmRR on Aug 9, 2019 7:22:29 GMT -6
Charge a day rate for attended usage and then discount that if purchased.
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Post by Martin John Butler on Aug 9, 2019 8:26:55 GMT -6
Offer to bring it to his studio for a day. That's what a friend would do. Leaving it with him is a mistake. Even with the best of intentions, things can happen. Recently I did everything properly, counter-balanced a heavy and very expensive mic, and it tipped over. I caught it because I have very quick reflexes, but if it had been damaged, I'd have owed someone a lot of money.
You called him a "client". Will not lending it cause you some other kind of problem? If not, there's no reason to feel uncomfortable about bringing it to him and taking it home when your done. If he doesn't understand, well that's on him. It would be ungrateful to complain about someone offering a free demo of a rare and valuable thing.
I think you should figure out your asking price and mention it before going. That might cool his jets a little.
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Post by trakworxmastering on Aug 9, 2019 9:29:11 GMT -6
Thanks for all the ideas!
Unfortunately (or fortunately, actually) there's no way I have a day free to sit with him and the mic - I'm always in wall to wall client sessions and I don't think he wants to pay my day rate - heh.
We've already agreed on the price, so I think the best course is to simply sell it to him with a written agreement that he can return it undamaged within 7 days for money back no questions asked.
I'll spend a half hour with him at my studio to show him how to use it properly and carefully.
I think he'll be cool with that, and I'll be glad for my baby, after 2 decades in my care, to go to a good home where it will get used and appreciated. It's been collecting dust over here...
Cheers all!
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Post by sean on Aug 9, 2019 9:42:31 GMT -6
7 day return policy is more than generous. If with just normal, regular use a vintage tube microphone might just start making the dreaded frying bacon sound and need some maintenance at the fault of no one. I sell a lot of stuff, locally and through Reverb/eBay, and I think it’s pretty well understood that that’s the risk you take with vintage and used audio gear. You aren’t Guitar Center or a major retailer. In fact I think Guitar Centers return policy on used microphones is only 48 hours
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Post by spindrift on Aug 9, 2019 10:00:52 GMT -6
I'm with Sean....you're not a gear reseller who has margins to absorb tire kickers. He should know within 48 hours whether he wants to keep it or not.
In fact, depending on how busy you are, an argument could be made that he simply comes to your studio and buys it or he doesn't. No return policy.
I've had some bad runs on Reverb with my generous return policy being abused and I now only sell "As-Is" for my items. They're exactly as described and still sell w/o issues...but it's a lot less problems.
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Post by trakworxmastering on Aug 9, 2019 10:18:13 GMT -6
Hmm, good point, maybe I'll go with 72 hours. I'll demonstrate to him in my studio that the mic is working perfectly and I'll take some photos of it before he leaves. He'll have to agree to take responsibility for any change to the mic's condition while in his care, no matter the cause. If he returns it then it will get tested before he gets his refund. If he keeps it then the sale will definitely be "as is". Thanks again!
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Post by spindrift on Aug 9, 2019 10:46:03 GMT -6
Cool. I think there can be more trust in a face-to-face transaction....having rapport and someone who is a known quantity in a community....but protect yourself and trust your gut, always. It is your intuition and subconscious telling you something about a person and it's a most valuable sense. Most of my advice stems from online sales where it is easier to rip people off....kind of like it's harder harm someone face to face vs. harming them with a push of a button (i.e. bayonets vs. drones).
Good luck on the sale.
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Post by Johnkenn on Aug 11, 2019 13:38:28 GMT -6
Yeah - depends on how bad you want to sell it - but if you don’t have to, I’d just tell him you can see that it works and sorry, there’s no return policy.
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Post by chessparov on Aug 11, 2019 17:43:53 GMT -6
Doesn't directly apply to this transaction-of course! But... GC has a 45 day return policy now on used microphones.
That's how I bought my Oktava 219 and 319, for example.
Good luck on your 67!
Chris
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Post by lpedrum on Aug 11, 2019 18:11:03 GMT -6
I'm with Sean....you're not a gear reseller who has margins to absorb tire kickers. He should know within 48 hours whether he wants to keep it or not. In fact, depending on how busy you are, an argument could be made that he simply comes to your studio and buys it or he doesn't. No return policy. I've had some bad runs on Reverb with my generous return policy being abused and I now only sell "As-Is" for my items. They're exactly as described and still sell w/o issues...but it's a lot less problems. Agreed. I don't know if you need a return policy on a U67 beyond a day or two--it's a piece of gear that's in the top tier of used items. If it's operational and sounds like a 67 should you should collect your cash with no returns. Like an old K Zildjian or a Neve mic pre, the U67 has very good resale value. If the buyer decides after a while that it's not right for his voice he can easily turn around and sell it. There's really very little risk on his part with an item like this. |
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