Online Markets

I do get questions about selling instruments, in various forms.  Most sellers want to know how to sell gear quickly and for the best return.  For band and orchestra instruments, there is an option that few among us know about, yet.

There are the usual routes:  Various interest group web sites, through stores that either buy or consign instruments, sales web sites such as ebay, and personal sales.  I always recommend a personal sale as the best way to get the highest return, but that often restricts the audience.  If you want to cast a wider net, you have to advertise somehow.  

One sales web site of which you may be unaware is reverb.com.   I first heard about it in 2013, and it was clear that, as an online marketplace, it was oriented toward electric instruments and combo gear.  But the idea seemed enticing as an online marketplace for musical instrument gear, only.

It's still primarily oriented toward the electronic market, but the band and orchestra offerings are expanding rapidly, lately.  And, the site creators have done their homework.  This web site gets many details right about selling musical instruments and accessories. The look and feel is excellent, the layout is fairly intuitive, and reverb.com makes it ridiculously easy to get paid securely.  Fees are stated upfront, and in my opinion are reasonable for what you get.

The only thing they need still is a wider audience in the band and orchestra world to consider the marketplace as a viable way to buy and sell.  Many of the brass instruments are cheap and of low quality.  And yet, the offerings keep growing both in number and in quality.  Keep your eye on reverb.  It may become your go-to online marketplace.
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