Advice for first classified ad

[DaveGinNJ]

Now that my Northfield is here I am planning to sell my J Bovier. What are the things I need to include in my ad? How do I estimate shipping not knowing where it's going yet? What advice for packing and shipping?

[Charles E.]

I think you and this guy need to talk.....

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...nstall-new-top

[Jill McAuley]

Things to include in ad:

- age of instrument, whether or not you're the original owner, condition, any recent work done to it
- Whether it comes with a case or not
- Whether the price includes shipping or not
- Whether you'll ship CONUS only or will consider Hawaii, Canada, overseas
- What form of payment you'll accept
- What the window for returns is and in the event of that who pays return shipping

Re: price for shipping - my preference is to just list a price and state that it includes shipping - I used to pay $45-65 to ship via USPS ground and $75-100 for next day air but those rates have probably gone up. I also usually state in the ad that if the buyer is local and can meet up that I'll knock some $$ off the price since I don't have to pack and ship the instrument.

Re: packing and shipping - first off I always take photos of the packing process, to document that it was well packed before being sealed and shipped, just in the event of damage occurring during shipping. Luckily have never had any incidents, touch wood. I've always used crumpled up newspaper to pack the box and always write the address on the box itself just in case the label the post office puts on gets damaged or smudged. Probably the most difficult thing I always experience is trying to find a decent sized box to begin with! Whenever I've gotten a mandolin shipped to me I try to hang onto the box in the event I'll need it again in the future. I've also bought the guitar boxes that FedEx sells and just cut them down, though you also need to cover up all the FedEx logos if you're not using them to ship with!

Finally when I've shipped the instrument I'll take a photo of the receipt that has the tracking number on it to send to the buyer, as well as typing out the tracking number in the email, just for peace of mind for them so that they can see that the instrument is indeed on it's way to them.

[tree]

Your ad should include a clear photograph of the instrument for sale.

[Jill McAuley]

Your ad should include a clear photograph of the instrument for sale.

Yes! Meant to include that first and foremost in my reply!

[DaveGinNJ]

Things to include in ad:

- age of instrument, whether or not you're the original owner, condition, any recent work done to it
- Whether it comes with a case or not
- Whether the price includes shipping or not
- Whether you'll ship CONUS only or will consider Hawaii, Canada, overseas
- What form of payment you'll accept
- What the window for returns is and in the event of that who pays return shipping

Re: price for shipping - my preference is to just list a price and state that it includes shipping - I used to pay $45-65 to ship via USPS ground and $75-100 for next day air but those rates have probably gone up. I also usually state in the ad that if the buyer is local and can meet up that I'll knock some $$ off the price since I don't have to pack and ship the instrument.

Re: packing and shipping - first off I always take photos of the packing process, to document that it was well packed before being sealed and shipped, just in the event of damage occurring during shipping. Luckily have never had any incidents, touch wood. I've always used crumpled up newspaper to pack the box and always write the address on the box itself just in case the label the post office puts on gets damaged or smudged. Probably the most difficult thing I always experience is trying to find a decent sized box to begin with! Whenever I've gotten a mandolin shipped to me I try to hang onto the box in the event I'll need it again in the future. I've also bought the guitar boxes that FedEx sells and just cut them down, though you also need to cover up all the FedEx logos if you're not using them to ship with!

Finally when I've shipped the instrument I'll take a photo of the receipt that has the tracking number on it to send to the buyer, as well as typing out the tracking number in the email, just for peace of mind for them so that they can see that the instrument is indeed on it's way to them.

Thanks Jill! Good advice

[SteveKnight]

Maybe list the nut width and say if the fretboard is radiused or flat, too.

[J Mangio]

Prior to shipping tune the Mandolin down a1/2 step.

[gtani7]

Excellent advice in this thread..

Helps to have a phone/skype /zoom conversation so you can see who's buying and selling and demonstrate tone, how tight the case lid is etc. When you ship make sure the case doesn't pressure the bridge or headstock and take lots of pix that show how it's packed and the date (you can use the newspaper headline trick) and I like this shock absorbing foam for shipping any fragiles

https://www.thermarest.com/seating/s...at/z-seat.html

[Dave Sheets]

Nice suggestion there gtani7 about a skype/zoom conversation. Thanks!

[Charlie Bernstein]

Great advice above. Here's more on shipping:

1. Don't offer to ship it outside the usual 48 states. There are too many surprises possible. I did it once, to Canada. Never again!

2. Either say something like "plus actual shipping cost" or add a figure that you expect will cover it.

3. If you want to figure out what the most you're likely to pay for shipping is:

- box it up as if you were getting ready to ship it. (Might as well. You are going to ship it.)

- measure the length, width, and height.

- weigh it. (Round up: If it's 8 lb. 10.5 oz, call it 8 lb. 11 oz. If you can't weigh ounces, use pounds. If it's 6.5 pounds, call it 7 lbs.)

- go to the online shipping calculators for FedEx, US Postal Service, and UPS. (I know you're online. You're reading this!)

- enter the dimensions and weights and anything else they ask for, like insurance and delivery preferences.

- for the destination, enter a zip code for a town far away. (I'm in Maine, so I use a San Diego zip. You're in Jersey, so that's probably good for you, too.)

- compare rates and choose.

That way, you'll have an excellent sense of how much shipping will set you back.

I've taken advice of the "It can't be more than $80!" variety and lost money when it turned out to be $125. Ouch. Do the calculating yourself. You'll be glad you did!

[DaveGinNJ]

Thanks for all the great advice. I saved this off for future reference. My first ad went up today

[tiltman]

I read the classifieds at least twice a day - kind of a hobby…

Seems basic, but don’t forget to put the price.

(just read one)

Kirk