Author Topic: Potential Series I acquistion (Read 551 times)

hammer · « **on:** December 29, 2015, 09:46:24 PM »

I was recently contacted by Alan Hart who lives just south of Portland regarding my desire to acquire a Series I bass. Alan indicated that he is/was a professional musician who saw my inquiry on the Topics Board and has a Series I he is looking to move. The price seems reasonable but not out of range, and he's provided all of the photos that I've requested.

Alan seems like a very nice guy but since he desires to do a direct transaction rather than use PayPal and I haven't been able to find any posts on the board that he has made, I was wondering if anyone from Portland or the LA area where he used to live and work knows/can vouch for him. It's not that he has done anything suspicious, it just that I've been ripped off before and do due diligence before sending large sums of money to people who I do not personally know.

charles_holmes · « **Reply #1 on:** December 30, 2015, 07:26:49 AM »

If Mr. Hart does not want to transact via PayPal, Then it sounds like you'll have to pick up the bass personally or he can deliver the bass to you and transact and that's one heck of a drive like 24-25 hrs.(500 miles give or take a few miles) Why doesn't he want to use PayPal? Maybe you two could meet somewhere in the middle? I know it sounds far fetched but I'm just suggesting some solutions that comes to mind immediately. Perhaps you can somehow reassure Mr. Hart that PayPal is fine but when shipping the bass to insure it.

Enzo · « **Reply #2 on:** December 30, 2015, 07:43:40 AM »

I bought my first Alembic, an '87 Spoiler from Alan a few years ago and I can say he's a fine gentleman and pro Musician. I don't know him personally but chatting over the phone with him he seemed a very nice guy.
I don't know why he's not accepting Paypal but sometimes I don't want to use it either, especially since they recently come up with a new rule that doesn't allow you to transfer the whole amount of the transaction to your bank account but only $500 per month unless you provide your Social Security #, I guess for tax purposes? If I'm the buyer I offer to pay the fees to help the decision but it could be not enough if the reason is the delayed transfer and he needs the money right away.

toddharris · « **Reply #3 on:** December 30, 2015, 09:05:14 AM »

If the issue is the 3% fee, let him know that you can send the money to him as a gift and there will be no fee. Either way, PayPal won't protect you on this type of purchase.

keith_h · « **Reply #4 on:** December 30, 2015, 01:28:43 PM »

Is there a club member in the Portland area that would be willing to check out the bass and/or act as an intermediary? This would cover both folks involved in the transaction.

Keith

hammer · « **Reply #5 on:** December 31, 2015, 05:53:57 AM »

Already received a pm from gtrguy in Portland who offered to help as well positive feedback from someone who has had transactions will Alan. I feel a lot better. Thanks guys.

wfmandmusic · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2016, 05:54:40 PM »

I did an awesome transaction with Alan last year. He is great!

Enzo · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2016, 06:37:52 PM »

Great, next step is...Showcase