I agree 100%. Last summer I sold a nice Ludwig parade drum on eBay. It didn't go as high as I had hoped, but I didn't set a reserve and did get several bids. I've seen it on eBay 3 or 4 times since, listed at a significantly higher starting bid. My thought is this: more power to him! I hope he gets his price! Hasn't yet (as far as I know), but maybe he will.

Last I knew, we're still in a free-market country. I saw that listing first thing this morning. Nice drums. But no-way I'm interested, for 2 reasons:

1) Most of what I buy, I resell sooner-or-later. I guess that makes me a "flipper" so I'm not qualified.

2) This "lot" would obviously have a price-tag on it that wouldn't allow much of a margin for profit anyway. I'm not saying they're not worth much, I think they are: just don't think I could make enough to make it worth it. And, IF he gets his price, more power to him!

BTW -- I'm not afraid to venture out of Kansas to buy drums; have done it on a number of occasions. Love to make the trips!

BTW -- based upon what is included in a lot of Craigslists posts, I'm just a "low-baller" anyway...

I actually try to be as fair as I can when purchasing as possible... I recently bought a couple of kits from a "kid." He shot me a price, and I talked him down a little (not as much as I would have liked, but a little). He had some good, re-sellable stuff, but I was going to have to spend some quality time as well as some money to bring his stuff up to that "sellable" level. So, it wasn't really that I was trying to "low-ball" him; it's just that I've got to make some money on the deal, too.

That IS the way our society works, whether some like it or not!!

Think the point he was trying to make was Lowballers looking for a bargain need not apply.

Gold mine for the strippers that he needs to watch out for in this market.

I somehow think that he must have bought at least some of those kits for a low ball price.He has got to be making something on this deal,surely its not just a labor of love:2Cents:

Steve B

Ahhhhh. Once a policeman, always a policeman. I should have been one, too because I am very cynical about a "for sale" listing written in the style of this one.

I get a different meaning from what he said.

No dealers are welcome that are looking to buy for nothing & flip for a quick $.

To me that says "I'm charging a premium and am firm on my pricing and don't care to be badgered by folks--dealers or whomever--offering me ten cents on the dollar to take them off my hands."

Thus "Serious collectors & serious players ONLY. Drums are priced accordingly to age & value & rarity. There are rare, custom, one of a kind instruments in this collection."

I don't think he'd care what happens to them after they're purchased, he just doesn't want to deal with the low-ballers.

My guess is he pulls the auction at the 12th hour. It's all for advertising and I'm surprised eBay is letting him do it, but then again everything looks legit. I'm a flipper/keeper, I flip so I can keep. I'm sure there is no deal here but they would look great in my basement!

band3

I've been an "email friend" with the seller, Steve Ellis, for a few years now. A great guy! See that Slingerland Red Sparkle 80N kit? Used to belong to me and there is a picture, or pictures, here on the forum. I'll attach one to make it easier! I can see that the original Slingerland heads are still on the drums! Steve contacted me well before this auction went up to explain that he as too much "stuff" and, like many of us, has bills to pay. I'm sure we all know how difficult it is to part with our beloved drums, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do!

Steve just doesn't want to bothered with dealers who want to pick this stuff up for cheap and flip it for a profit.

Yes, for Steve, like myself, it is a labor of love! Everyone knows the slump our economy is in. Based on what Steve has invested in his passion, he will never come out ahead. But... when you need help with the bills, you look at almost any price you get for a given item as cash in the bank. I'm sure most of us have been in this same boat!

Your friend may have better luck selling these drums to hobbyists who don't frequent any of the various drum forums. I think that you can tell by most of the posts here that his eBay listing has struck raw nerves of several collectors and hobbyists here who take offense to his belittling and dismissal of people who are really similar to himself.