Smart Shopping
5 Tips For Buying Your Instrument Online
The benefits to buying an instrument online are numerous. The prices tend to be much lower than physical music stores, the selection is unmatched, and there's no pushy salesman pressuring you into a purchase you don't feel good about. The Internet, however, can be a dangerous place to shop. Research and caution are always the best way to go. Review these tips before buying an instrument online, and as always, err on the side of caution.
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Which one do I choose?
There are many different ways to buy an instrument online. No one method or website is best; rather, each one has its distinct advantages and disadvantages. The most common way to buy online is from a large commercial retailer. Tons of these sites exist, as any quick web search will tell you. These sellers are a good choice for beginners because they offer low retail prices and usually have a huge selection of mass-produced gear, but do not typically carry used items.
For a more personal approach, consider buying from a physical music shop that also has a web store. This gives you the option of communicating directly with someone who has an intimate knowledge of their inventory, rather than a sales clerk who deals with thousands of different products on a daily basis. This can be an advantage, especially when buying used gear online, but these sites do tend to be more expensive.
Another way to buy is from an online auction site, such as eBay. There are many legitimate retailers that conduct their business exclusively through these sites. However, it's important to make a distinction between private sellers and businesses. Items on auction sites are often priced even lower than commercial retail price, but you do take on a higher risk of being burned on your purchase.
Sometimes you can find great deals right within your own community from private sellers who advertise on classified sites such as Craigslist. Because it is for local, private sellers, this form of online shopping usually gives you a chance to try before you buy. There also tends to be more room for haggling, so you can score really great deals on items from private sellers. On the downside, there is seldom any kind of guarantee: all sales are final.
Don't get scammed
You probably have heard some sad Internet shopping stories, or at least are aware of some of the dangers associated with it. The risks can range from bad customer service to downright criminal practices. You would be surprised at how many legitimate looking websites are fronts for thieves to sell defective gear, or take your money altogether with nothing in return. With a little bit of research, however, you can avoid falling into these traps.
As a rule of thumb, if something is too good to be true, then it probably is not. Internet thieves prey on impulsive deal seekers. Before reaching for your credit card, do a little research. For example, type the name of the company into a search engine, followed by the word "scam." If a host of search results appear with testimonies from burned customers, then stay clear.
Since auction sites are unaffiliated with the individual sellers that use them, you can generally trust the provided rating systems. On eBay customers can rate their transaction experiences, which are calculated into an overall percentage that tells you how reliable the seller is. Be sure to take into account how many transactions they have made, as well, to give a clearer picture of their overall reliability. Most honest and respectable sellers take their ratings very seriously, as even the slightest loss of points can severely impact their sales. Keep in mind that eBay has a resolution department that can act as a third party mediator, if all else fails.
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Is it guaranteed?
Do some research on the store's warranty or guarantee. Most retailers, including "eBayers," allow you to return a purchase during a grace period of 10 to 45 days after the sale. Usually, certain items are exempt from the warranty policy, so read the fine print and make sure that the item you are interested in is guaranteed. Find out if the seller offers a complete refund, or only credit toward other purchases. Who pays to have an item shipped back to the company? Is there a "restocking" fee once it gets there? Make yourself aware of all these policies, and if necessary, talk to a representative from the company when the website is vague. Don't forget to take down the associate's name and position, just in case you need to reference him or her later during a dispute.
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To buy or not to buy?
A big risk of buying instruments online is that it's sometimes hard to know exactly what you're getting. The amount of risk depends on a number of factors, such as your skill level, what kind of gear you're buying, and whether you're buying new or used items.
If you're a beginner, it may not be as crucial to try out an instrument before you buy it. You may not be concerned with subtleties such as feel and tone, until you gain more experience and skill. As long as you choose a beginner model, made by a trusted brand, that is new or in good condition, you will most likely be satisfied with your purchase.
Intermediate or advanced players are usually more discerning. For example, through many hours of practice, you may have tuned yourself in to the subtle qualities of your bass, and you carry certain expectations of how it should sound and feel.
Trying out the same model you hope to purchase before making your final decision can help to some degree, but even that is no guarantee. Due to slight variations in wood grain and manufacturing, for instance, no two acoustic guitars play and sound exactly the same, even if they are the same model. Some sellers will even send you the actual instrument for a trial period, in exchange for a credit card deposit. No matter what instrument you're buying, gauge the risk of not getting exactly what you want.
While buying new gear is always less risky, sometimes you can get an excellent deal on a lightly used or vintage item. When buying used instruments, take extra caution. Many times, a respectable dealer will describe flaws, such as scratches, dents, or cracks, and photograph them up close so that you can see exactly what you are purchasing. Other sellers are not so honest. When shot in a certain light, and from a certain angle, for instance, a highly corroded finish on a saxophone can look brand new. Take extra caution, and don't be afraid to get in contact with the seller if you have questions or doubts.
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Do a once over
As soon as your instrument arrives, remove it from the packaging and look it over for scratches and dings. Check all connections and moving parts, and play a scale over the entire range of the instrument.
Be careful of your first impression. You may absolutely love it at first, and then grow to dislike it, or vice versa. Take some time to listen to how it sounds and feel how it plays. If possible, have a friend play a song or two so you can listen from a different perspective. Compare it to other instruments to see how it stacks up, and objectively decide if it's what you wanted.
Be sure to save every shred of packaging, and take extra care not to scratch or damage the instrument. If you decide to send the product back, it will need to be in exactly the same condition. Otherwise, they can refuse the return or charge an expensive restocking fee.
Good luck and happy shopping!
