I'm not an expert on drum prices, so I can't comment on your asking price...but the shipping is going to turn alot of people off. My advice would be to pack the drums more compact (less boxes)...rack toms inside of floor toms etc. This way you should be able to get the shipping costs down substantially (under $150) and only use two large boxes. Of course, you probably wouldn't include the cases this way. Also, you can use the ebay tool so it calculates the price according to zip code. That way you wouldn't scare off people who live closer to you with the high shipping price. Although, I think I know why you did it the way you did since you can't really put in multiple boxes in the shipping tool to my knowledge. Good luck with your sale!

Hi Marty

I'll try to explain with my own opinion about your kit.

First of all, it's not really a Pro beat kit. It's a shell pack of a Pro Beat kit...meaning there is no matching hardware or proper matching snare drum -just the toms and bass drum. It should have had a Supra, not a Super Sensitive. IF it DID have the proper Supra (in that same depth) then that would be a minimum of $500 in and of itself. -and very likely more! But the Sup Sens isn't a very desirable drum (at this time).

Secondly, the Butcher Block finish is not highly desirable (at this time).

The general buying crowd will compare it to the price of a brand new kit that they can buy for a lot less. You are basically trying to hit an ant with a bb gun at 100 yards to find that one (maybe) collector/buyer who will want it.

The only advice that I can give is to start an auction really low....have a minimum bid that you will accept and then see how many bids you get that are close to that minimum price. If you only get bids of $500 or thereabouts, then you will get a sense of who is really out there and how much they are willing to spend. Be prepared to be insulted by low ballers, though!

Thanks ardrummer and O-Lugs. I appreciate your time and thoughts.

I'll take O-lugs' advice on ebay. BTW, I've got all the original hardware for that kit, but as you know, those Atlas stands are big, bulky, and heavy. Shipping costs for the hardware would really turn off any potential buyer. So I use that hardware on the kit that I play now...in case I play an outdoor gig on a windy day! :-) They'll never blow over or move out of place.

Regards, MB

Try and get some quotes for shipping from DHL. I've found them to be cheaper that UPS.

Sold the kit on ebay the other day. Practically had to give it away, but that's OK. It was time for me to make some room. And the buyer lives 4 hours away, so we are going to meet on Saturday, to hand it over!

Moving on!

Thanks, MB

Thanks for the update, Marty.

Hi Marty!

I realize that you have sold the drums and what I'm saying is now a moot point, but just wanted to put in my :2Cents:

Shipping costs are now a big turnoff to many potential buyers, myself included. The addition of those cases did mean a separate box for each...and large boxes at that! Back in July, 2018, I sold my Slingerland BR 80N kit, with all hardware shown in the picture, except cymbals. I was able to safely pack everything in 4 boxes. Shipping cost, by FedEx Ground from southern California to the East Coast, was $250. Had there been fiber cases involved, I'm sure the number and sizes of boxes would have increased considerably. While I sold them almost 2 years ago, I don't think the shipping costs would have doubled by now.

Again, this is all moot, since you did sell them locally. I did check out your listing and it does look like a nice kit!

-Mark

Thanks Mark,

Fantastic Buddy Rich kit! Whoa!

I had updated my ebay listing last week, saying I would "nest" the drums to reduce the shipping costs, if the buyer didn't want the hard cases. But that offer didn't seem to have any effect on the sale.

Interesting, I had a potential buyer in England and another in Germany, who were both scrambling to find a shipper "on a budget." Not likely. I looked into FEDEX, UPS, and USPS, and it was very discouraging. The cost was tremendous (over $1000 a box), and an expected 2 month delay in getting there (due to Covid's effect on personnel at work, a reduction in aircraft transiting the Atlantic, overseas quarantine.)

Those two guys told me that it is nearly impossible to find a 24" bass drum over there. But another problem was the 103" maximum on the box for that drum. (max 103" - adding together the height, width, and depth of the box)

Previously, I had tried "local pickup only" for a couple months, without any interest, and then decided to pack the drums for shipment, in hope of reaching a wider customer base. But as you say, the shipping cost was a deal-breaker. And the Covid has damaged the wallets of most drummers. (A year ago, I was told by a drum broker that I should start out, asking $2500 for that kit.)

Anyhow, the 6 1/2" Super Sensitive snare was bought by a local Craigslist customer, who was thrilled to get it...and the fellow in Anaheim who bought the kit seems like a great guy, so I'm glad those drums are "going to a good home."

I played that kit in the 1970s overseas in Navy squadron bands - including Iceland! - and I have fond memories of those gigs, and of my kids banging on the drums...but at this stage of my life (with those huge heavy drums), and the small venues on the Central Coast of CA, it's just not practical to have a huge kit. (I never really played the second floor tom anyhow.)

That kit is exactly what I wanted in my 20s, but now it was time to move them on....so, although I practically gave them away, I'm fine with that decision. It's all good! (And I've still got 3 other smaller kits!)

Thanks and Regards, MB

I feel ya, man...I remember when I said goodbye to most of my first real drum set. I felt like it was looking at me when I walked out the door of the drum shop...all the memories associated with them and so on....