[saksofil]

Hi guys, I need your help. I own an alto and am looking to buy a tenor that will last me a lifetime. Recently a (too) good offer poped up, a used Series III tenor for 1600€ (cca 1880$). Owner says he bought it in 2010 and used it as a second horn beside his alto. Also included are an S90 mouthpiece and original case.

These are the pics:

The pics are not the best, but is there something obvious I'm missing? Thanks.

 

[milandro]

looks real to me, but I would buy in person but the horn in this pictures is a real Selmer III ( doesn’t mean you get that horn if they ship it to you)

 

[saksofil]

I will definitely be testing it in person before purchase. For now I'll ask for extra photos including one of the serial number. Is there any other specific part I should ask him to take a photo of?

 

[saksofil]

The seller removed the ad minutes after posting here...

 

[milandro]

maybe he realized it was about half the current price or maybe it was a scam with real pics and no horn

 

[saksofil]

It seems the account was also terminated. The ad was active for at least a week before this. I guess I'll never know, time to move on... But thanks for the info!

 

[Kritavi]

It seems the account was also terminated. The ad was active for at least a week before this. I guess I'll never know, time to move on... But thanks for the info!

Please be very wary of situations like this with a horn priced far below its value. Do not send money without a certainly of recourse in the event of problems as there are many scammers out there. This was probably one of them...

 

[snazandmatt]

Yes - be very wary.

The horn looks real to me.

HOWEVER - it was probably a scam. If the instrument is priced well below market value and you can't inspect it in person, then most likely it is a scam operating out of Africa or India.

 

[saksofil]

But it wasn't posted on eBay, it was a website where you usually contact the person directly and go test it at the seller's location. In any case I agree that it's good to be cautious.

 

[milandro]

there is always the possibility that someone first made a mistake with the price and the realized it or that someone form this forum ( or someone else from Slovenia) saw this and snatched it

 

[snazandmatt]

Craigslist?

 

[milandro]

was a local (Slovenia) site?

 

[Vanadiel]

I found the pics from a saxophone I bought (Selmer Serie III Soprano) months later on the same, small french website I found it... So yeah be cautious! Really offers are sometimes copied as fraudulent adds.

 

[saksofil]

It was a German website

 

[Kritavi]

Scammers worldwide are adept at stealing photos and making last minute excuses why you can't see it in person. I don't know if that is true in this case but anything that interrupts the opportunity to see it in person must be considered a major scam warning.

 

[Terciopelo]

It was a German website

I have seen plenty of scam on all german online sales platforms.

 

[soybean]

... it was a website where you usually contact the person directly and go test it at the seller's location...

even that can be a problem. Sometimes they know you'll be bringing cash and they simply rob you at their location. So make sure you meet in a public place like a Starbucks or near a police station.

 

[Danstr]

Just offering a suggestion to anybody thinking about purchasing a horn from an ad on Craigslist or other forum.

1. Only deal locally.

2. If you are interested in a horn being posted, contact the seller. Ask to speak with the person over the phone. A person who is serious about selling should have no problem speaking with you over the phone.

3. Arrange a day to meet in person where you can inspect and try out the horn. You don't have to take cash with you to inspect the horn and try it out. Explain to the seller that, if you like the instrument, both of you can agree on a date to exchange payment for the instrument.

Doing the above recommendations should give you a general feel for the seller. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, you have the option to walk away.