Reverb or Ebay?

I pretty much quit selling on eBay in favor of Reverb, ebays selling fees are 10%. Reverb jacked up their fees too, but still lower than eBay.

Reverb for me. I just like the whole experience better.

If you're selling via Reverb take a bit of time to make videos of running audio through the gear and document the packing (always overpack). Or use the FedEx option where they pack it and insure for damage for even more peace of mind. Reverb's policies lean towards the purchaser and from my experience and other stories I've read it seems that with more people getting into home recording some are getting in over their heads/overspending, having second thoughts, then trying to use any excuse to return, including breaking the gear (sadly I'm not joking). Having audio files, video proving those audio files, and photos extensively documenting the condition and the packing job saved me a good deal of grief. I lucked out really in that I had just happened to make some demos for a buddy that was interested in hearing a piece of gear before I listed it so later when the Reverb sell went strangely sideways I remembered I had the files, I always took photos of the packing anyway. I don't sell a lot on Reverb and luckily this was the only horror story but as I take pride in caring for gear and solid, honest dealing with others I made it a personal policy to document everything.

I prefer Reverb over ebay on music items, and have had a number of good experiences... but I did learn that Reverb tends to side with the buyer in any possible disputes real or made up issues for the first 7 days after the buyer received the item, unless you as the seller have substantial proof, so I agree with comments above to take lots of photos, pack super well etc to document condition etc and possibly performance before it leaves and wait until the buyer either gives positive feedback before you also do, or do it after 7 days.

I share this story for what it's worth and only had this happen to me once on Reverb, but I had a buyer receive an item I sold him and then a day or two later after he had it , he messaged me saying the rack ears were bent (on a perfect mint item I had double boxed and sent to him) and he asked for a partial refund. . Seeing this for what it was, a guy hoping I would take a little money scam hit to keep the overall sale using his made up issue,..I first contacted Reverb and learned in general they are basically on the buyers side for the first 7 days without proof on any potential disputes. So I contacted the buyer of the item that was trying to scam a little money on this angle of his and I asked him to send me photos of what he was describing and I sent him my photo's from all angles including double boxed of mine showing perfect mint condition was sent to him,.... and he then dropped his made up issue hoping to get more money out of me and kept the item.

But it is one of the things I think about selling high dollar items combined with Reverb's policy to side with the buyer for first 7 days unless Seller can prove it, because what's to stop someone from essentially renting for free by technically buying a high dollar item, using it for 6 days and then contact reverb and claim the item sometimes makes an occasional noise that comes and goes, requesting a return/refund costing the Seller shipping dollars, time and headaches while the scammer rented it for basically free for 6-7 days. It hasn't happened to me, but it probably has to someone.

I spent the last two days dealing with a reverb guy who didn’t pack some expensive gear well at all. Some of it was destroyed on arrival. When re-examining the pics, they are cropped at the point of damage. I think he dropped it and went for a quick sale scam. After taking responsibility and offering to pay for the damaged gear he changed his mind and offered less for my inconvenience. The parts that do still work took a little cosmetic damage despite being brand new otherwise. I didn’t want to take the risk of shipping them back and having this guy claim I had broken them. Got sketchy vibes and bailed.

So yeah: something something about a bird and a bush and a hand and I may not buy used for a little while. That said: the last two things I bought new from reputable online stores required some pretty annoying return rigamarole. Maybe I’ll just Amazon Prime a soldering iron and diy from now on... but they’ll probably send me a toothbrush and a shake weight. smdh

Pretty much nails it. Bought on Reverb for the past 5 years or so, but would say in the last two or three transactions spread over several months, it's evolved into an eBay thing. Higher fees and the shady factor, plus fake ratings (like a great buyer buying ten XLR ends from ten different sellers or the same in reverse).

I will add that once you become a power-user with Reverb (250+ with no zero feedback), they do give you preferential treatment, but takes a while. I cant complain too much there.
Ebay also.

I've had ads on Craigslist, Real Gear, Reverb, but by far the best results have been on facebook. Their Marketplace works. I think people feel safer buying because they can search your profile and get a pretty good idea of who you are.

And of course inviting strangers into your studio also comes with its own set of risks.

Have sold on eBay, reverb and Gearspace.

Reverb’s fees are nuts especially if selling internationally, so sellers have just cranked asking prices. EBay too is relatively expensive .

Gearspace has no fees but then you have to figure out transaction vehicle. PayPal has been changing its policies too, not certain there is as much protection.

Bottom line, every service wants your money, as much as possible , so confirm your selling costs and price accordingly.

I also find selling internationally, many buyers basically want you to pay their shipping by discounting your price. That’s how it works retail right, you aren’t actually paying embedded shipping costs ?

Thanks for that, Martin.  I know nothing about FB marketplace; are there fees, etc.?

I suppose I could also list here in the classifieds. 


Thanks, everyone.  This thread is super helpful.  I've been selling on eBay for probably 15 years with no issues, but the fees are getting steeper.  I'll avoid selling on Reverb.


Again, many thanks.
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