Sweetwater Gear Exchange (Competing with Reverb)

The Lounge General Discussion
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https://www.sweetwater.com/used/

Buy/Sell…

What are the Gear Exchange fees for a seller?

Gear Exchange transactions have a 2.5% processing fee and a 5% seller fee.

For a limited time, when you choose a Sweetwater e-Gift Card as your payout, we will waive both fees! That means more funds available for you to use on purchases at Sweetwater.com.

If you choose PayPal Hyperwallet as your payout, then the total seller fees are 7.5%.

Pro Tip: Keep all your earnings, get a faster payout, and turn your old gear into new gear with a Sweetwater e-Gift Card redeemable at Sweetwater.com!

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I think this is a terrific idea and would love to see similar examples with other retailers. Selling your stuff commission-free in exchange for in-store credit. Love it. Imagine eBay doing this.

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Just to reiterate, that’s just the introductory offer. Come November 1st, that ends.

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Indeed, seems they’re trialling it. Wouldn’t be surprised to see ‘fee-free weekends’ like eBay with their 70% off weekends.

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Good to see more competition because Reverb has taken a dive since the Etsy acquisition.

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I didn’t know this existed until this thread! I hope it’s legit (I use Sweetwater constantly, I’m assuming they have some protections in place in case it’s not a legit ad?)

I saw a used Prophet 10 posted for 2850, no tax! I couldn’t pass that deal up and bought it…I hope it all comes through ok!

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They’ll charge tax at checkout if you’re shipping to a state with sales tax.

Just like Reverb, eBay…

Are you in Montana or Oregon or something? Hehe

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What’s the shipping situation, is there a discount or something? Shipping fees for anything bigger than USPS prepaid boxes seems to be outrageous. I was going to sell this old Roland keyboard i have on ebay, until i found out shipping would be like $150. so i decide to give commition to a local synth shop and have it maybe wait a few month to be sold…

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Shipping rate appears to be set by the seller, just like established marketplaces.

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I dunno, shipping was only 25, and after I paid and everything it was still no tax. I’m in CA. When I buy something from reverb the tax is factored into the final price, so I’m a bit confused…

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I bought a thing that that has been at the top of my to-buy list for a while. Will report back when it arrives.

And, yeah, this looks like a fairly conventional classified ads space with the twist that they also list how long you have been a Sweetwater customer.

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I completed the Sweetwater Gear Exchange today, as a buyer.

The seller responded at the end of the weekend, shipped promptly, and stayed in communication. I received the item in good condition and am in general happy with the transaction.

I prefer Elektronauts and Modwiggler for gear transactions since I’m familiar with the community standards around gear condition. But I will consider buying more gear from Sweetwater Gear Exchange, and may consider listing gear there too.

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I’m guessing the gift card is treated as taxable income and will be reported by SW. I find SW prices too high because they don’t run 10-15% off sales ad nauseum like other online retailers. I’m probably worse off taking their gift card with no fees than Reverb cash with fees. Not to mention with cash I can shop at any store.

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I find this shady / genius business design. I wonder what their regular in-store profit margin is. I’ve never run a shop, I have no idea. Is it close to 7.5%? More? Trap the people selling through your 2nd-hand platform into buying more stuff from you they’ll then sell 2nd-hand later… They can make profit twice on the same item!

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Isn’t this how Guitar Center and oldskool record shops used to operate?

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You have to call for those prices. They are available.

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