Hi Guys and Gals, I am new to this forum. My current accoustic is a Martin D-18 which I have had for quite a while. I am in the market for a Larrivee Parlor just for the fun of it and have been spending a lot of time on Ebay. I noticed a seller who lives in Ventura, CA which is right next door to Oxnard. This guy always has a bunch of what looks to be close to new Larrivee's for sale, he claims they are used. The prices seem to be very reasonable and he always reveals the reserve price. I figure he has some connection to Larrivee and I suspected he was selling some sort of seconds. I sent him a message and asked him straight out if he is connected with the factory and if the guitars were seconds. Of course he didn't respond. Anyone know what this guy is up to?
First off :welcome: Rich. :gotdonuts:
It might help if you name the seller.
I don't want to mention names but he has a slope-shouldered sunburst dreadnaught for sale now.
Quote from: rich602 on October 05, 2010, 05:17:53 PM
Hi Guys and Gals, I am new to this forum. My current accoustic is a Martin D-18 which I have had for quite a while. I am in the market for a Larrivee Parlor just for the fun of it and have been spending a lot of time on Ebay. I noticed a seller who lives in Ventura, CA which is right next door to Oxnard. This guy always has a bunch of what looks to be close to new Larrivee's for sale, he claims they are used. The prices seem to be very reasonable and he always reveals the reserve price. I figure he has some connection to Larrivee and I suspected he was selling some sort of seconds. I sent him a message and asked him straight out if he is connected with the factory and if the guitars were seconds. Of course he didn't respond. Anyone know what this guy is up to?
As far as I can tell, what he's "up to" is selling nice Larrivee guitars for great prices. If you have questions, check out his feedback. Ask him questions about the item for sale, but personal questions...well, I wouldn't expect an answer if I were you. If he doesn't pass your personal muster, pass on the guitar. FWIW, he's got 100% positive feedback, with 5 stars in all criteria. You can read his feedback...not one person says "second."
I agree, all his customers seem to be very pleased, the guitars look great, and the prices can't get much better. The proximity to the Larrivee factory just got me curious, he doesn't seem to sell anything but Larrivee's. If there is a connection it certainly seems to be to the buyers benifit. Just curious, that's all.
Have no fear regarding the quality of his wares. I'm a recent customer. My guitar is like brand new, but with old strings and no warranty. I can't find a scratch on it or anything else that would make it a 2nd.
I don't know how he does it. But at his prices, frankly, I don't care.
I purchased a Guitar from this seller.
It is a :nice guitar: if I do say so myself
Was very professional, the guitar was well packed and promptly shipped. I rewarded the seller with appropriate top feedback. Seemed honest absolutely nothing to suspect otherwise and I am very conscious and skitzy of such things.
I would recommend to any friend to have a look at this sellers offerings. No worries there friends.
:cheers
I also bought a Larrivee guitar from him and love it. Good transaction. If the right guitar comes along, I would buy from him again.
Thanks for the valuable input. I now feel confident about this seller. Still curious where he scores all these fine used Lavivees at a price that he can make a profit selling very reasonably. A really good gig if you can get it. I brought the donuts. :donut :donut :donut :donut :donut :donut :donut :donut2
Great, I just sat down with some coffee!
LJ
I would like to check this seller out, but it appears I was too late to search/see the SD he had for sale. Does he have anything for sale at present?
THanks
:donut :donut :donut :donut :coffee
Rich,
One thing that has not been brought up is that there are no seconds from Larrivee. The only time you will see a new Larrivee discounted for any damage would be if a dealer received a guitar that say had a scratch on it from shipping. I have only seen that listed once or twice in the 5 years I have been looking at Larrivee guitars. I have seen this sellers ads, and he always has nice guitars for sale. He must have some sources that buy up Larrivees around the country, or he goes to the Jaxed.com website and finds them himself.
Clifford
Quote from: Southern Cross on October 13, 2010, 10:09:43 AM
Rich,
One thing that has not been brought up is that there are no seconds from Larrivee.
Clifford
Clifford not so sure about that - Larrivee I am told do offer seconds on occasion as does most all major manufacturers of all things including guitars. It would be extremely wasteful and costly to not. For the most part these 2nds offered on occasion to my knowledge has a very very minimal blem and its only effect is appearance and not playability or sound.
Don't think this seller has anything right now BUT consider checking regularly ( few days) by going to the link posted above and then click on sellers other items for sale.
:cheers
Quote from: JOYCEfromNS on October 13, 2010, 10:41:37 AM
Clifford not so sure about that - Larrivee I am told do offer seconds on occasion as does most all major manufacturers of all things including guitars. It would be extremely wasteful and costly to not. For the most part these 2nds offered on occasion to my knowledge has a very very minimal blem and its only effect is appearance and not playability or sound.
Don't think this seller has anything right now BUT consider checking regularly ( few days) by going to the link posted above and then click on sellers other items for sale.
:cheers
He's got 3 or 4 posted now...OM-05, quilted maple parlour and a rootbeer RS-4
Thanks JoycefromNS, Walkerman. I tracked this seller down with your help.
JoycefromNS: assuming you're in Nova Scotia, did seller ship to Canada for you?
I just saw the eBay vendor from Ventura while browsing Larrivee's this evening and then tracked down this thread.
Checking into his trades I see he's sold about 60 Larrivee's in the last 18 months. No other guitars, just Larrivee's. His feedback is impeccable and he seems to have nothing but mint condition guitars.
My curiosity is maxed out on this guy. How can he possibly get a hold of this many used guitars? Is there a bankrupt dealer near Ventura? Is he rich and eccentric? How is he making a profit on any of these? Are these studio loaners to L.A. musicians? Are they Larrivee factory loaners?
I find it odd that he has the same boilerplate on his auction descriptions, always wipes down after playing, etc. These can't all have been his personal guitars, could they?
Unless he's on this board and fesses up, I guess we'll never know. I appreciate those who reported good deals with him as now I've currently got my eye on one of his auctions.
Those of you who bought from him, how old did the guitars turn out to be, I wonder? And did "The guitar's finish and wood is free of dents, dings, and scratches" which he'd written in every auction, turn out to be accurate? TIA
:beer
Quote from: jpmist on October 21, 2010, 11:38:49 PM
Those of you who bought from him, how old did the guitars turn out to be, I wonder? And did "The guitar's finish and wood is free of dents, dings, and scratches" which he'd written in every auction, turn out to be accurate? TIA
:beer
The item was as old as was stated as was the condition at least for my purchase and I would suggest for all other transactions otherwise the feedback would have indicated otherwise. Having said that tho friend, you might consider to go with your gut; if you are uncomfortable for whatever reason, there are a ton of shops and sellers out there that should meet your comfort level.
:cheers
Thanks Joyce. No, I'm quite comfortable with buying guitars on eBay. I've purchased quite a few Strat's and Strat parts w/o issue. I've sold a few as well.
The fact of the matter is that in Atlanta, Larrivee's are few and hard to find. The local big box has a couple but they're actually selling used ones for twice what new ones sell for from online dealers. Unless I stumble on one here, buying my next Larrivee will only happen from eBay.
Thanks for the testimonial, the guitar I'm looking at, although relisted, seems to have a fair reserve on it. I've got all week to talk myself into it :winkin:
Quote from: JOYCEfromNS on October 22, 2010, 12:22:43 AM
The item was as old as was stated as was the condition at least for my purchase and I would suggest for all other transactions otherwise the feedback would have indicated otherwise. Having said that tho friend, you might consider to go with your gut; if you are uncomfortable for whatever reason, there are a ton of shops and sellers out there that should meet your comfort level.
:cheers
Quote from: jpmist on October 22, 2010, 09:15:28 AM
Thanks Joyce. No, I'm quite comfortable with buying guitars on eBay. I've purchased quite a few Strat's and Strat parts w/o issue. I've sold a few as well.
The fact of the matter is that in Atlanta, Larrivee's are few and hard to find. The local big box has a couple but they're actually selling used ones for twice what new ones sell for from online dealers. Unless I stumble on one here, buying my next Larrivee will only happen from eBay.
Thanks for the testimonial, the guitar I'm looking at, although relisted, seems to have a fair reserve on it. I've got all week to talk myself into it :winkin:
Atlanta? Have you ever been to Maple Street Guitars? I have bought a few non-Larrivee high end instruments from them and have always gotten good deals and service. Some day I'm going to have to go cross country and visit there.
You might enjoy a drive up to Dahlonega to Vintage Musical Instruments. Fun small shop, and he has a few Larrivees on hand
Quote from: JOYCEfromNS on October 05, 2010, 10:33:22 PM
I purchased a Guitar from this seller.
Joyce,
How did you get him to ship to Canada? I thought he didn't do International... but there's an RS-2 that's just screaming for me to buy it. :winkin:
dg
Funny, I'm literally a 5 minute walk from there as I type this.
I bought my first Taylor 412 from them about 15 or so years ago.
I'll never forget the first time I walked in there. One of the owners snared me and fed me one guitar after another for about 45 minutes just to see my response to them. He was sincerely interested in me discovering what I liked. I was dazed when I left, so many nice sounding instruments. For that I'm grateful, else I'd never have settled on the small bodied mahogany guitars I enjoy playing now.
No way I'd make that 5 minute walk. Some excess inheritance sloshing around in my checking account means I'd be walking out with a $4K Collins or something like that. Nah, too dangerous. . .
Thanks DKE for the "Vintage Musical Instruments" name, if I ever road-trip to Dahlonega I'll check it out. . .
:beer
Quote from: Walkerman on October 22, 2010, 09:49:59 AM
Atlanta? Have you ever been to Maple Street Guitars? I have bought a few non-Larrivee high end instruments from them and have always gotten good deals and service. Some day I'm going to have to go cross country and visit there.
Quote from: dgrose on October 22, 2010, 01:04:27 PM
Joyce,
How did you get him to ship to Canada? I thought he didn't do International... but there's an RS-2 that's just screaming for me to buy it. :winkin:
dg
I asked. Tho he had only sold a few gits at that time. Hope I didn't ruin it for everyone else as it seems even outside USA bidders are blocked now :angry:
If you are outside the USA I would suggest you ask and you never know