Buying a Used Snare Drum On eBay
If any drummers are considering buying a used snare drum on eBay, then maybe the experience of an eBay-buying veteran will help you find the drum you want at the right price as well as alleviate some of your concerns about the process. There are great bargains available if you know a few basic rules and stick with them. By following these tips, you will end up with a drum that you can be very happy with going forward.
Be Sure About What You Want
This is true at the local music store and it is true when purchasing from any online location. You don’t want to have to return the drum unless it is defective. At the local store you may have to pay a restocking fee. Online, you’ll have to pay shipping to return something unless it is defective and the defect was not listed in the description. Some sellers won’t accept returns while others will within a certain time period – 5, 10, 21 or 30 days are most common. Have a good idea ahead of time about size, brand, model, and age you want the snare drum to be.
Be Flexible for the Best Deal
If you have to have a DW Edge and nothing else will do, then you may have to pay top dollar to get it. But if you can be just as satisfied with used snare drums of comparable quality, then you’ll find better deals. Will a Ludwig Black Magic or a Tama Metalworks snare drum also give you the sound you want? The more options you’re willing to consider, the more likely you are to find a great bargain.
Stick to your Size Choice
Size is the exception. Know what size snare drum you want and stick with it. This will save you from making a purchase you regret. For example, let’s say you want a 5×14.5 drum but you spot a tremendous deal on a 4×14 Mapex Black Panther. Is that a good purchase? It may be for someone but not for you. You won’t be happy with it when it doesn’t suit your needs because it’s the wrong size.
Research the Series or Model
Manufacturers make many different collections, as you know. A Pearl Reference Series drum is better than a Pearl Firecracker by a long shot. Pearl Signature models are somewhere in the middle. Spending $250 on a Pearl Reference would be a bargain. That price would be about right for a Joey Jordison Signature and it would be way too much to spend for a Firecracker. It’s the same with all brands. Learning how their different series stack up in terms of quality will be a big help. Many manufacturers (and retailers) have videos on their site to help you sift through the different options they offer. Most want you to buy a snare you’ll be talking about. They don’t want you telling all your drummer friends about “that damn Pearl I bought.” You know?
Finally, don’t forget to check YouTube. Many musicians as well as manufacturers have a ton of video reviews or education programs. Just go to YouTube and search for the snare you’re looking for. Take a look at this search for “pearl snare drums” to see what I mean.
Ask Questions
Most sellers have a contact form or a phone number to use to ask specific questions. They are typically very responsive to the questions of potential buyers because they want to sell the product. They realize buying a used snare drum is not like picking a side dish at a restaurant. There are WAY more choices available. The good ones know you need answers.
Ask all of your questions. If you don’t get good answers or they aren’t responded to, move on to another seller. There are many to choose from on eBay. Checking seller ratings is a must!
Summary
I hope these tips for buying a used snare drum on eBay will help guide you in your purchase. You can find great deals on snare drums on eBay. The goal is to find one that does what you need it to from a reputable (seller ratings) seller at a price you can afford. That way, you’ll have that new snare drum for a long time.
Also, remember that most of these tips apply to buying a used snare anywhere. You should always be sure of what you’re looking for and make sure you understand what you’re getting. Return policies and customer reviews come into play with most retailers as well.
To your used snare drum buying success,
Jeff
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