UkingViking
Well-known member
Double post.
If you want to get more for used ukes, start asking for more. Stop posting comments about how cheap they should be and start posting comments about how the prices should be higher. Market used ukes at 90% of MSRP, no matter what you paid. "The going price for used ukes is 90% of MSRP, don't try and low ball me". I doubt it will happen, the reason why used ukes are not getting a return is that most sellers will undercut each other instead of supporting each other. A rising tide floats all ships.
I cut out a little square of masking tape and put a date on it and stick it inside my ukes so I know when I bought them. No need for a Dremel.
I cut out a little square of masking tape and put a date on it and stick it inside my ukes so I know when I bought them. No need for a Dremel.
I have all the info about my ukes in a word processing file - six pages.
The first step to getting higher prices for your used uke is believing that you can get a higher price for your used uke. Its no use complaining about low prices and doing nothing, do something to change the existing paradigms which are barriers in the market. A lot of sales is about belief.
Just curious how many ukes that weren't "hot" that you've sold for 90% of the new price? Someone's personal beliefs of worth can't magically transform someone else's beliefs when there is an equal new uke for virtually the same amount, often with free shipping.
Interesting though, I look at new ukuleles on the internet and most everyone is selling a particular brand and model for the same rock bottom price, just dozens of them or more. But then there are some selling them for ten dollars more, then a few for twenty dollars more, and so it goes. It is easy to search for the best prices. I wonder how those people sell them at the inflated prices and who buys them at that price. I mean, those people are in business selling those ukes, so someone must be buying them.
That would be a great way to spend an afternoon. Fascinating for sure.
If he's interested in selling some of his collection, you might refer him to Dave Rogers of Dave's Guitar Shop in La Crosse, WI. https://davesguitar.com/ He owns one of the largest independent guitar stores in the Midwest. And has a huge collection of important and historical guitars and other instruments and amplifiers. He might be very interested in the Martin or other items. Who knows? At the very least, it's a contact and they could swap stories.
I have not sold many ukes. 2 I think, both sold for the price I paid for them. I have sold a few houses and shares at 150% of the purchase price as well. And had a few losses.
The used ukulele market is a market. If you keep pushing prices down and looking at past sales you will never improve the market for used ukuleles. If you want to improve the market you have to stop putting down our favourite instrument. Its not good enough to "bond" with your "treasure" and then almost give it away when you sell. If its a treasure, sell it like its a treasure. Stop using terms like "beater uke". Improve your playing so it sounds much better. Keep the image of having fun with music, but put a lot more value on the instruments we use. As a playing population change the perception of the instrument. Lute students will actually pay a lot to rent a nice lute, then they save up or take out a loan to buy their own nice lute. Maybe ukulele players shouldn't have to do that, but there is not a lot of difference between a nice lute and a nice ukulele, apart from the attitudes of the owners.
So maybe you wont get exactly 90.00000% of the MSRP every time, maybe you get 84% or 79% or 120%. The goal is to raise the market for used ukes, not to have a perfect statistic.
Interesting though, I look at new ukuleles on the internet and most everyone is selling a particular brand and model for the same rock bottom price, just dozens of them or more. But then there are some selling them for ten dollars more, then a few for twenty dollars more, and so it goes. It is easy to search for the best prices. I wonder how those people sell them at the inflated prices and who buys them at that price. I mean, those people are in business selling those ukes, so someone must be buying them.
The goal is to raise the market for used ukes, not to have a perfect statistic.
That depends on whether you're buying or selling. I prefer low prices when I'm buying. When I decide to sell a uke, I look at what others are charging. I'm not out to make a killing. I no longer want it, but someone else does, so I sell at a fair price. When I'm bargaining over a price - buying or selling - I have to ask myself if I'm willing to pay a little more or sell for a little less, or would I rather wait indefinitely for a better price. My impatience always wins.