Purchasing a brand new instrument is not always financially feasible, leading many to consider used instruments — which is typically a much better idea!
Not only are you giving a piece of equipment new life, but you are also helping yourself stick to a budget while finding an instrument you love and can afford. Additionally, you can often trade in your old gear to further reduce the cost!
That is why at Music Go Round St. Louis we want to help make the process of shopping for used instruments easy and stress-free. With a little bit of research and some help from a professional, you can feel confident purchasing a used instrument that you’ll love.
Use A Price Guide
Use multiple sources like eBay and Reverb to check the price of the used instrument you wish to buy. This will help give you an average price on the instrument.
Make Sure It’s In Good Working Order
If possible, check out the instrument in person to make sure it works. Look over the instrument and see how it looks and how it sounds.
If the piece needs repairs, ask the seller how much it will cost to repair it. This can help you determine if the final price will be affordable or if you should look elsewhere.
If you are purchasing an instrument online, it may not be possible to test out the instrument first. If that is the case, be sure to get as much information on the instrument as possible before hitting confirm.
Know The Return Policy
Do not automatically assume you will be able to simply return used instruments after you purchase and decide it is not right for you.
For example, at Music Go Round, if you are not satisfied with your instrument purchased online for any reason, you must contact us within 48 hours of the receipt of your shipment in order to receive return authorization instructions. When buying in our store, you have 7 days to make sure you like it. If not, you can bring it back and apply the full amount towards a different one you like better!
Instruments must also be returned to the store from which they were purchased.
Ask For Details
It’s not enough to read a simple description and see a picture or two of the instrument. Ask the seller for more details and clear photographs; these will help you determine the condition of the gear.
If the seller is on the up and up, they should be more than happy to provide you with the information you need to make an informed purchase.
While it may be tempting to buy new since there is less worry about an instrument’s condition, you can often find used equipment that is like new at a fraction of the price. And many times, vintage instruments have unique qualities that make them more valuable or desired than something fresh off the assembly line.
When you are ready to invest in new equipment, it is often well worth your time to be patient and do your research. You will quickly find that the savings and bang for your buck is much better when you shop used.
