Trading guitars 101 (?)

[Scoff X]

Just wondering...

If you were to trade a guitar with someone on the forum (Let's say UV777BK for a Les Paul Smartwood), how would you go about doing it?

Safely, of course, so either party can't screw the other.

Anyone ever done this.

[IbanezNorthwest]

I have done this before with no problems including over the Atlantic. I guess the best thing to do is build up a rapport with the other person, via e-mails and the phone. There is a lot of trust involved, and sometimes a lot of guitar at stake. You could check there previous posts or ask other members to vouch for them.

I don't know how you stand legally in the US. I'm sure you could sort out a little 'contract' via e-mail/fax if you are worried. Maybe we could set up a standard Jemsite traders e-mail contract. Any lawyers out there????

[gkelm]

Good advice from IbanezNorthwest. Assuming you've established a basic level of trust, you're just going to figure out the best way from there. I've had a couple great trade transactions with Jemsite members (also had a couple stinker deals too!..but those were items I purchased from them off ebay).

If there is cash in the deal, this is how I did it with another guy. I had the less expensive guitar...I sent it first, upon receipt and approval, he sent his. When I was satisfied, I send the cash part.

I also did two even trades with long-standing members...we sent the guitars at the same time and all ended up happy.

On another trade a while back, since I was the one to offer the trade, I sent my guitar first...it worked out OK too.

The trust level is the main thing to get straight. All the best.
Greg

[jemjem]

I did a trade with one of the Jemsite members a couple of years ago that wasn't great, but could've been worse I guess. I traded a near mint condition (only some of the nickel worn from bridge, not a single nick on the guitar) les paul classic for a FP jem that was supposed to be equal in condition. We exchanged emails for 2 or 3 weeks along with pix, but what I didn't see in the pix was a hairline crack in the neck between the two nut screws behind the headstock and a split in the fretboard in the first fret from apparently over-tightening the truss rod or the guitar taking a fall. The action was terrible!! I had to have a complete professional set up and fret job to get the thing to play even decent. I have thought about selling it, but I feel obligated to either keep it or have a brand new neck put on it cuz I couldn't in good conscience sell it like it is even though the neck seems stable. My advice would be to get every possible pic you can think of prior to trading that you can think of.
Good Luck!

[Scoff X]

Really good advice. I have done a write up of everything "wrong" with the guitar. (Lil scratches on the back etc.)

Since his guitar is a smartwood, I don't think there is much paint to scratch

[rl^^]

use a escrow service if you have any doubt

[Knightmeir]

I got lucky with a trade on a JS this past week... I'm waiting for the pro at the shop to set up the Jem I'm shipping out. It just depends on who you're trading with. I trust the forum members for the most part.