This has probably been covered before but I can’t find the thread so here goes:
A recent transaction where I purchased a whistle from another C&F member (who shall remain nameless) prompted me to ask this question:
“What is the correct protocol for buying/selling a whistle on the web?”
I am not talking about buying from a store such as ‘The Whistle Shop’ or ‘Shanna Quay’ or such. I am talking about buying privately. In the past, when I have sold whistles, I have sent the whistle to the buyer and on their approval they have sent the agreed-on funds. If they don’t like the whistle they can send it back. The same has applied when I bought whistles - i.e. I rec’d them first then sent the money.
In my most recent transaction, the seller insisted on me sending the money first before he sent the whistle. I’m sure one way or another this will work out fine, but it felt a little uncomfortable for me. I can also understand his point of view.
Standard practice for selling anything on the 'net seems to be money first, then goods. For expensive things or when you don’t trust the sender, you can use an escrow service: you send the escrow service the money, the seller sends you the goods, and the escrow service gives the money to the seller once you acknowledge having received the goods.
Even David Migoya, who sort of straddles the line between corporate seller and private seller, requires payment before sending the instrument off for approval; if you don’t want it, you send it back and he sends back the money.
When I bought my first flute, the seller sent me the flute for approval without any money changing hands, and I was stunned that someone would do that.
I don’t know who you’ve bought and sold from, but I can share my own personaly experiences which may or may not match anyone elses.
I’ve bought a couple used high-end whistles from C&F’ers…a copeland low D, and a thin weasel. In both cases, I sent the money first, and recieved the whistle afterwards. In both cases, I sent a personal check, and the whistle was sent after the check cleared. I wasn’t offended, because it seemed to me to be good common sense to keep from being burned. While the Copeland arrived a little slower than I’d have liked (WhOA anticipation and all that), in both cases, I was very happy with the transaction.
I’ve sold a few whistles to C&F’ers. Both the Copeland and the Thin Weasel mentioned above, a few less-expensive, like a Shaw. A few more expensive, like a Chieftain low G. In all cases, I took the money first, and sent the whistle after the funds were secured (which included a wait time on personal checks). The people I sold to didn’t say anything about this being an uncommon situation for them.
I generally ask that the buyer pay shipping and insurance, because these things can vary considerably depending on the insured amount and shipping method. Other people have reported to me that they never pay shipping on a used whistle.
While it’s very nice of you to send the whistle gratis, and give the potential buyer an extended tryout period, I don’t think this is something I’d personally be comfortable with.
I just wanted to second, Rich’s general comment. I have bought a number of things through the internet including a dozen or so whistles from various folks. Payment always comes first, then the whistle is shipped. In non-C&F/non-whistle transactions, if payment is by check the seller generally want to see that the check clears befor shipping. Its one of the reasons, I signed up for PayPal to make payment easier, quicker, and to confirm the seller’s address.
If you bought the product in a retail store, I doubt they’d let you take it home with out paying for it, first. Mail order generally requires payment first, then delivery.
On 2002-02-11 13:23, LeeMarsh wrote:
Its one of the reasons, I signed up for PayPal to make payment easier, quicker, and to confirm the seller’s address.
'Course this doesn’t guarantee you’ll get what you ordered. I used PayPal to pay for a whistle order I never received…and don’t expect to at this point. I know the seller’s address, phone number, email and it hasn’t helped.
Bottom line: just be careful, like you would with any purchase.
I bought a high-end whistle from some on the net. I sent a postal money-order (he’d been burned on personal checks), and then he sent the whistle. He had agreed that I could send it back if not satisfied and only cashed the money order after I told him I had the whistle and was satisfied.
John & Ann Sindt will just send the whistle and include an invoice with it. I was so charmed that I sent my check ASAP and a little note thanking them, too.
I have sold a numbered of whistles to other members of the board and the buyer would send me a check and I would send the whistle as soon as I got the check, not waiting for it to clear. They trusted me so I also showed trust in them and I have not been burned.
Like Anna, I’ve never been burned with a purchase from a fellow Chiff & Fipple member, but many people have been burned on ebay transactions and I think this makes them wary.
I think it comes down to how much money you’re talking about. Most people can stand to lose $20, but feel differently about larger amounts.
Depending on how I feel about the person’s honesty during the sale transation, I’ll offer to send a money order to speed things along.
