I've noticed a trend on the forum over the past year of some newbie coming in with a "how much is my insert random drum item here?" question, then turning around and posting on ebay or other sites for a huge amount usually close to what we appraised it for here, sometimes higher.

Well I gotta tell you. I'm tired of appraising for free on here. I'm, NOT an appraiser, nor did I ever claim to be one. It has gotten so bad with PMs to me on the subject that I've turned off PMs and email contact through the forum! You want top dollar for whatever it is, get it professionally appraised, in other words...pay for the service. Most of what we "appraise" on here if you actually saw it in person is probably far from top dollar value. Pics can hide a lot of flaws, especially those tiny cameraphone pics or lousy out of focus, or crappy craigslist ripped pics that people post on here when the question is posed. Best way to give a true value on something is to see it in person, and then I'm sure all the flaws will truly show.

The word RARE is tossed around far too much. Rare means hard to find. Anyone that says a Leedy drum is RARE.....is just plain lying to sell it. I thought I'd have a hard time finding Leedy parts.....I didn't. It was as easy as finding Gretsch or Ludwig parts. Leedy rare? Not so much....they were the largest drum company in the world up until 1955 after all.....

Everyone claims the Mod finishes on 60's Ludwig to be rare. I think I've seen more Mod Orange and Citrus Mod kits for sale on ebay in the past year than were actually made!Mind Blowi

Where am I going with this? I'm tired of seeing posts like this for "help" on how much is my stuff worth, then finding out they already know and have a website or have them for sale on craigslist or ebay or some other auction site. Why waste the members of this forum's time over and over again. You want a general rule of thumb? Search ebay for completed items similar to what you have. Base the value around that, and ignore p00der2, because the prices they have are unrealistic on EVERYTHING.

Want a true idea of your gear's worth? Contact two or three PROFESSIONAL drum appraisers. If you only get one that is only one person's opinion. Two or three more, fine. Then average it. Most of all pay for the service and stop asking us to waste our time over and over again.

DOH

Just my two cents... because I know much less than most (all) of you guys and people don't seek out my opinion like they would you... I don't mind somebody like that lady with the old Luxor asking what her drum might be worth.... but I guess when a list of equipment shows up like this one you might expect the advertiser probably has an idea what it is worth or would just say up front... "Hey do you guys think the prices on my web site are reasonable??"

and take what they get from there... IMHO

Jim, you are very valued here!!!! and the lady that you responded to that's one of the type people we want to help, but like ludwig-dude stated, man were getting used and abused here!!!Hurting

Wow, Ludwig-dude, and some of you others, when you cut loose, you really do it, don’t you. Sorry to have touched a nerve, but I was under the impression that these forums were designed for us drummers to help each other. If any of you feel “used” I am sorry, but I was hoping to get some friendly advice not prices from the forum, the kind of advice I would gladly give if the position were reversed. I asked if the items were valuable based on the experiences of the forum, it’s the kind of information that is very difficult and expensive to get through normal Internet channels. You don’t have to agree with me, but you could at least be compassionate and kind. My post was in good faith sincerely hoping that some fellow vintage drummers could advise me and point me in the right direction because I was just guessing with the prices I quoted on my website. Since prices on eBay are all over the place, it is confusing for a “newbie” like me to come up with a fair price, both for me and for the buyer. I didn’t expect to get butchered in the forum. Thanks anyway.

Folks with a hidden agenda, when outed, tend to

get butchered everywhere, .... not just here.

Could have been very different, had there been no subterfuge.

Don,

I'm sure no one here wants to make a 70-plus year old man feel like crap. However, I must ask, if you've been around playing for such a long time, have you really lost touch with prices? I understand selling something and then realizing it's worth more than you thought, but you don't have to make it all up on one item.

Like L-dude said, "I'm tired of seeing posts like this for "help" on how much is my stuff worth, then finding out they already know and have a website or have them for sale on craigslist or ebay or some other auction site. Why waste the members of this forum's time over and over again."

You do have a site, so I assume you are pretty saavy with a computer or know someone who is, and there are other ways to value or sell your drums, including asking on this forum, but you will get the truth, pretty or not.

A lot of people here have found deals, paid way less than value and/or fair value for vintage stuff. A strong consensus here don't care much for price gougers, as is there is a lot on Ebay and other places.

True value of your items is what someone will pay for them if they want them bad enough. Your prices advertised on your site are a bit unrealistic, but that doesn't mean someone might not buy them.

Again quoting L-dude, "You want a general rule of thumb? Search ebay for completed items similar to what you have. Base the value around that, and ignore p00der2, because the prices they have are unrealistic on EVERYTHING."

And by the way, if no one has said it, Welcome to the forum.

BBK

Hey, backbeatkeeper, thanks for at least one kind word. By the way, I haven't been playing much for over 30 years, so I'm a little out of touch with things. Anyway, so much for getting friendly advice from the forum -- especially for us "price gougers." . Just for the record, I really have no idea what value there is for vintage drums, but I'd like to know so I can be fair. Enough said. Let's see if we can't hassle another "Newbie" and make his day.

No offense meant at all Don. If you really want to sell them, Ebay 'em. Prices are down right now, so if you want to supplement Social Insecurity, how about giving some lessons on them fine drums instead of selling them?

By the way, is that Dynasonic wood?

Don...Because we cant see a face or hear a voice a lot of people can be leary of new people,im sure you can appreciate that.A few years ago there were a handful of liars,thieves,backstabbers etc just causing trouble for the fun of it.We even have a guy that must of used a dozen different names to sneak into forums he was banned from.That POS even has his own forum now....i wonder why??..After you,ve been around for awhile folks get to know and trust you.It really is a protective community here and on many other forums.....Give it some time...no harm done.

not to jump on the gravy train - but guys feel used when they dont know the full story. reading this thread from scratch it seemed like you were just lucky enough to have some great equipment and really knew nothing about what it was worth.

when it comes out that you have a website and clearly know what you are doing to some degree guys are bound to feel used - because they are being used. As LD and others said, guys give input on value here because they want to help people who really know nothing.

perhaps this was the thread that broke the camels back so to speak and as wayne said no harm done. best of luck selling that euipment, im sure it will work out for you!