Purchasing from eBay Kleinanzeigan from outside Germany

[TheModiesel]

Hello all, apologies if this is in the wrong place but I was hoping someone here has some experience in this. I've found a lovely archtop in Germany and I'm not sure if it's even possible to contact the seller. Has anyone managed to purchase anything from there from outside Germany or is it impossible?

[Mick-7]

Your question is unclear.... if it's an eBay seller you may contact them through eBay (via the "Contact Seller" link) and ask them if they'll ship it to your country.

[TheModiesel]

Apologies, eBay Kleinanzeigan is like gumtree/Craigslist for Germany and it won't let you send messages without a German phone number as far as I was aware. I was wondering if anyone has maybe used a freight forwarder for this, if one exists or if there's simply no option otherwise.

[Mick-7]

Oh, I see, I imagine you could solve that problem by renting or borrowing a German cell phone number.

"The user is obligated to provide the data collected during the registration for classified ads truthfully and completely, including their telephone number, which will be verified via SMS after registration. Successful verification of the telephone number is a condition for using the classified ad services."

P.S. - Are you sure you need a German cell phone number? (maybe just an EU number?). It is not mentioned in their user agreement but I didn't try to register.

[Herbie]

Maybe I got into Kleinanzeigen so early that the phone number wasn’t needed. I live in Finland and have made tens of deals thru that medium. Guitars, pedals, pickups, even 1-2 Polytone amps!

No problems ever. Except two or three sellers who won’t do international deals because some bloody scammers.

EDIT: I checked my old e-mails: in two days it will be EXACTLY ten years since I registered! Amazing!

The registering mail said then:

"You can log in to eBay Classifieds at any time using your email address and password to edit or delete your listings."
So I guess the phone number is more modern thing.

[eblydian]

Hello,

I live in Luxembourg (which is a neighbouring country to Germany) and I was able to register with my Luxembourgish phone number.
As a place of residence I chose the closest village to the border and every time I sell something I specify that the item is in Luxembourg.
It works.

As for buying, it's a lot easier. Without a registered German bank account on that platform I cannot use their in-app payment system, but I generally offer payment through paypal and it generally works.

Which country do you live in?

[cmajor9]

I’ve certainly received offers from people outside of Germany, and sold to a few of them. As long as you can register and use the service, its up to the seller whether they will ship internationally.

By the way, its no longer associated with eBay. Its just kleinanzeigen.de.

[Drifter]

It all depends on the seller. Is it a private seller or a shop / pro seller? Ask his contact address / phone and contact him before you pay, to see if it checks out, so you know you have a contact option if something goes wrong. Ask how he packs the guitar, make sure he knows what he is doing, tell him what's important for you and see how he responds to that. You could ask if the seller would demonstrate the guitar in a Zoom meeting. If he does, check the neck for any breaks at the headstock. It's probably wise to make sure it isn't broken, one way or another. It's a too easy scam, selling a guitar with a broken headstock, advertising it with old pictures and when the buyer complains, telling that it must have happened during transport and making the carrier responsible.

Payment: Many sellers will try to avoid the kleinanzeigen payment system - for good reasons as this system is the only valid proof of sale. If someone sells stuff for more than 2000 EUR / year, Kleinanzeigen is obligated to inform the German tax office (they may want to check the seller to make sure he is not a hidden pro seller not paying taxes). Most people, at least those who know, will try to avoid that. So if the seller asks for payment by bank wiring or paypal it is most likely for that reason, not because he tries to scam you.

I have sold stuff through kleinanzeigen and was asked by the potential buyer to send a picture of the item with a piece of paper with his name on it, so he knows I really own it. Seemed a little paranoid but I complied with the request. Why not, an honest seller doesn't hide things. If you pay good money, the seller will understand if you're cautious. This could also be a way to make sure that the headstock is not broken.

Archtops don't sell easy these days. The seller should be very open for your wishes. If he isn't, move on.