They Told Her A $14,000 Guitar Was Worth $250

[@spaceace41]

Several years ago an elderly man brought a guitar into the local music store. He asked what it was worth. The guitar tech and salesman looked at each other. “Hold on” the sales man said. He called Martin guitars and described what the man had brought in then took some photos and emailed them to the rep. Turns out it was a 1936 or 1937 D-28. The guy at Martin told him to call his insurance company and get it insured for at least $90,000. That whole 30 minutes was pretty wild.

[@LeeGee]

So the local store didn't try and give the old guy a hundred bucks? Decent.

[@ag_deville]

It happens in every field of antiques and collectibles. One example that comes to mind is the case of the militaria dealers and appraisers for Antiques Roadshow who ripped off the descendant of Confederate General George E. Pickett, purchasing his sword and memorabilia for $80,000 only to flip it for $800,000 to a collector. The family sued and got an $800K judgement from a jury.

[@yayayaokoksure]

I worked at a mom and pop shop - an old lady brought in a 50's strat. The shop did her right and she was very surprised.

[@JoeR203]

Guitar Store Horror Stories? I was sure this would be an episode dedicated to Ed Roman.

[@martinreid1740]

Back in the early 80's my brother who was living in Inverness Scotland saw an ad. for a Les Paul custom for £250. He went to see it and it was a Les Paul switch master with the 1,2 3, all switch. The only one I've ever seen was played by John Miles and he reckoned it was his which was stolen. He didn't buy it and God knows where it is now. Probably one of the rarest Les Paul's which you can see in videos of him playing it.

[@scuzz152]

I think the days of "An elderly lady walks into a music store with a '59 Les Paul" are pretty much gone. Note that virtually all these stories are from decades ago. These days, someone who doesn't even have a computer will have a savvy relative or friend who will set them straight pretty quickly about relative values of gear. I run a small guitar and amp repair shop and every single customer of mine, young or old, has a very good idea of what their gear is worth.

[@ModularMemories]

I appreciate watching this. There are pieces of gear I regret selling, but none of them were huge losses, nor were they ever to guitar stores because I understand the re-sale issue.

[@schooldya.]

God bless you Phil ! This Thanksgiving I am thankful that there are good people like you. Best of everything to you and your family ❤

[@mattj6676]

I love to support small local businesses, but to be honest this is why I'd rather sell gear to a big outfit. With the big chain store it's not personal to the person you're dealing with and while they might make mistakes sometimes it's not their money and they don't get to "score" if they screw you over. Unless you are an absolute expert on what you're selling or you have a truly excellent relationship with the owner of the store you never know for sure if they're shooting straight with you. Either way, nowadays the internet is your friend before selling anything.

[@didamnesia3575]

Coming up on a great deal isn't a crime. But if you knowingly lie to someone to get a better deal, it can criminal fraud. A felony

[@216trixie]

And in the case of the music store owner who gave the lady 150 bucks for a $14,000 guitar, he just plain out ripped her off.

[@DarlaGentry]

Good insight Phil, thanks!

[@matthewdeheus3124]

I had a guy who had traded a car for a limited edition Kirk Hamett ESP. He actually thought it was stolen and he had gotten a good deal. It was a counterfeit. That was a really hard phone call and discussion.

[@ratwynd]

I repair guitars as a bit of a hobby so I am always hitting local pawn shops and GC and local shops for high quality potential projects. Most recent find a 000-28 Martin in need of some love. 4-5 hours later looks and plays as sweet as ever. Joined the herd where she will stay until she is traded. I don't bother with instruments not worthy of good trade value when restored. Mostly American and some Japanese and Korean instruments are worth it depending on the work level required. I have repaired and resold a number of them but I look at it as a RESCUE, not a flip. as it is in good playable order when I pass it on.

[@216trixie]

Yes

[@trippgoldsberry2694]

I have a couple of bits of gear that are going to fall into the "vintage" category in a few years or are already there. One is an early 1990s Peavey Bravo 112. Was it a super expensive amp when it was new? No, it was maybe $300, $400. They still go for about that much. The Bravo was a 12AX7 and EL84 tube amp with a tube driven spring reverb tank. I can see that amp becoming pretty valuable sometime in my lifetime. Thing is-that's my amp. It's got a clean channel, a dirty channel, and a switch that puts it into a high gain mode. It's all tube, it's got reverb, it's got a cabinet out, and it has an effects loop. In other words, it will do just about anything you can ask a combo tube amp to do. It's going to remain being my amp even if Bravos start selling for $1500. I'd only sell something if it became valuable if I had no attachment to it. And if I had no attachment to it, I probably wouldn't keep it long enough for it to become valuable.

[@216trixie]

Okay

[@Joe-mz6dc]

If you've ever worked in sales... you know.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

It why I sold used cars for only a short while. It can be brutal.

[@LeeGee]

@@geraldhenrickson7472 My father did that for a life time. He has no soul at all at retirement....

[@grene1955]

Geez... if I could get a few bucks more than I paid for a guitar, I would be happy. As long as my wife doesn't know what I paid for it in the first place!

[@dennisrohm6372]

A guitar flipper is basically a commodity broker.

[@Ottophil]

I don’t do it for profit, i flip guitars to get better guitars.

[@dennisrohm6372]

@Ottophil that's not the kind he's talking about.

[@Ottophil]

@ guitars are a commodity. Not just expensive ones. 2 years ago i found a squier tele for 100 bucks, and recently sold it for 260, usually i buy and sell american guitars, but id sell alot more squiers if i could pull those numbers again

[@nick_ashley]

​@Ottophil that is profit. Not that there's anything wrong with it. The hate for guitar flippers is crazy

[@charlesbolton8471]

@@nick_ashley Personally, I have more hate for concert ticket flippers aka “authorized resellers”.

[@JimDewdGuitars]

Man I wish I knew that store owner so I could avoid him at all costs.

[@williamthomas4125]

He said the guy is dead now. I don't think you are going to run into him. Hopefully not any time soon 😬

[@olebrumme6356]

@@williamthomas4125 He probably died of greed. I really hate people ripping others off.

[@hailmaryrecordings8255]

When I was moving out of Los Angeles a year-ago, I had some gear that I didn’t wanna pack or ship, plus I needed a few bucks. I called guitar center to see what they were paying for used gear and was told “At least 50% …” … what a load of bullshit. May as well have gone to a pawn-shop. Never again.

[@larrocovarry9027]

The Flipper who bought a les paul standard 1959 off of " radio tradeo... in Ontario Cn. Is the limit !!! His wife heard the deal off radio station, & prolly everyone thought it was a reissue for 2000 bucks (Canadian)... so he went bought it from a elderly couple only ownet and sold it in N.Y.C. (webuyguitars) for 400 K !!!! This is not that long ago , crazy absolutely no soul ....

[@NathanWoollaston]

Loved this story. What a gem Can't believe you've never told it before on your channel!!

[@6stringcodger450]

I think he did! or I have really strong deja vu.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

I appreciated these stories yet canno say I like then. Very disheartening.

[@Yardbird68]

@@6stringcodger450 Phil did. 🙂

[@johnholly7520]

I’ve always liked listening to you talk. After this video, I like it even more. I really identify with you and I appreciate your values.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

I once knew a irascible motorcycle shop owner who for 60 years relished the attention brought to light by being at the heart of several urban legends. He would loudly admit the most off-putting stories imaginable were all true. After he passed away it came to light he was actually the opposite of what image was and all the legendary stories did not originate from, nor were actually about him. I prefer to think these stories of some people taking advantage of others are mostly urban legends. Yep, yep, yep.

[@douglaspate9314]

Strangely enough I bought a second hand bass (I love it) from a very reputable shop for 500€. I was told almost immediately after by a person in the know that it was worth at least 1500€. He couldn't believe I had had such luck

[@66falcon99]

The question one must ask themselves when dealing with guitar dealers, or any dealer, really: Do they care more about the guitars and the line of work they are in? Or, do they care more about money, to the extent that the guitars (or whatever they are selling) are simply a means to an end. The end being money.

[@nikolasb2933]

Why did the guy take 2k for the SG when Phil said he'd give him 4?

[@carlc2597]

Wondered that myself

[@panchonelson3573]

LIKE I SAID HE CANT GET HIS OWN STORY CORRECT AND MAKES NO SENSE

[@johntwardy1430]

In the mid seventies, I sold a 63 Gibson reverse Firebird V to guitar center for 150 was i a sucker?

[@ronj9448]

Yeah I have a few guitars I was thinking of selling but not too many of them sell on reverb so I have a limited idea of what they are worth. I know they are not a lot but still.

[@CalixtoElDiablo]

Happy Thanksgiving!! 🦃

[@knowyourgear2320]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@PabstMauloon]

​@@knowyourgear2320 Sake can be an interesting and unique choice for Thanksgiving, though it's not a traditional beverage for this holiday. It can pair well with a variety of Thanksgiving foods, particularly those with umami flavors such as turkey, stuffing, and dishes featuring mushrooms or soy-based sauces. The delicate, slightly sweet taste of sake could complement the savory aspects of the meal. If you're planning to serve it, consider a lighter, chilled sake for a refreshing touch, or a richer, warmer sake for a more comforting experience. It ultimately depends on your guests' preferences and how adventurous they are with their holiday drinks!

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Backatcha! Eat well and watch a game or whatever your thing is.

[@rosskrause3926]

I am waiting for my Engl Fireball 25 to get here tomorrow..but I will eat way more than I should very soon. ​@@geraldhenrickson7472

[@patricklemire9278]

That’s not surprising. For years I worked in used record stores everyone is convinced their record collection is worth a lot of money and usually it was a lot nothing

[@davidbaldwin1591]

0:18 Honest people don't bother keeping close track of what they said in the past. It saves space for better ideas.💡

[@freesk8]

Caveat Emptor.

[@peterbutlien1335]

The seller deserved to lose his shirt. He didn't go back to the guy who was honest with him after the other store lowballed him.

[@donanders2110]

You can’t stop doing what is right for you because others are unscrupulous! You can justify a lot of behavior if you try hard enough. I have to look at myself in the mirror and can’t worry about what others do! And can only control what I do!

[@maxnits9556]

Everything that has the word "flipping" in it is morally wrong.

[@JamesJessenfedden]

I take it you’re not a fan of gymnastics?

[@dennisrohm6372]

Didn't you have safeguards. Guitar Center and Sweetwater take a license cooy when trading.

[@tonyhill1141]

I took a double neck 1980 12/6 Carvin into Guitar Center Fort Wayne (now closed) and they said we can do $200. Yes it was one of the typically completely untrained kids they always have at Guitar Centers. Look up how rare and what they go for. All original, virtually untouched, original case.

[@marxfish]

saw that long ago. woman brings dad's Hagstrom guitar to pawnshop. Pawnshop offers $1500. She leaves gets appraisal for over $30K

[@loudguitarist]

Happens in all sales. Not news.

[@Old_Sailor85]

So you confirmed that salesmen lie. Thanks!

[@planetwisconsin9901]

I like that red Firebird!

[@Jeremya74]

@phillip mcknight?..#1 why didnt the guitar seller come back to your store and sell it to you for 4k?..#2 how do you know the guitar store wasnt lying to you and bought it for more than 2k?

[@TechnicallyNotSteve]

The two greedy people comment is straight up sage advice!

[@Flying-V-Shredder]

I didnt know the guys from American Pickers had a guitar shop.

[@juvedoo99]

It’s ok to not be a fence sitter Phil. Sometimes you gotta call a spade a spade. If people get upset well as the saying goes “if the shoe fits…”

[@guitarflyer172]

Is this a Trogoly video?

[@jamesearl389]

This guy absolutely stole that instrument and its value from that lady. I have bought stuff from customers that walked in, bought it for my own use…….but I ALWAYS make sure they know the full value of what they have. If not, I’m STEALING, literally.

[@brandonc2859]

The other shop lied to you they bought it for 2k then called you to confirm it sold 8k.

[@dannyturner7967]

Isn't it unethical what that first guy did to that lady!! I mean what a jerk move! Or am i wrong?

[@didamnesia3575]

Its fraud actually

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

If true, I is SO wrong. But I do not believe any person born after 1970 or so would do such a thing to another. Awful stuff.

[@didamnesia3575]

@geraldhenrickson7472 what? The prisons are filled with people born after 1970. They're also filled with people born before 1970. Which alternate reality did you arrive from?

[@7171jay]

@dida. It's the divisive alternate reality... you know, the Boomers suck, hipsters are stupid, everything is DEI, kind of crap that's all over the interwebs. Unfortunately we can expect it to ramp up considerably over the next four years.

[@kevindean1327]

The danger in that kind of move is that you could wind up on the wrong/right end of a baseball bat!!! Imagine if that prick did that to Reacher’s mother.

[@TODDSTAPLES]

I worked for this store Phil is talking about for a year in the early 2000s. It’s true. It’s all true.

[@didamnesia3575]

What is the name of the store?

[@johnfoskey7855]

Was it ed Roman's store?

[@216trixie]

That music store owner was awful, lacking them morals and ripped her off.😢

[@MrPAULONEAL]

The amp probably was stolen.

[@shaynew6894]

That is not a bad impersonation by the way Phil.

[@rochford59]

So,as they say,go away and do your homework,and that applies to most things in life🤔

[@MrPAULONEAL]

That was worse than Pawn Stars...

[@PoppysGuitar]

Ed Roman once said "the only way to be successful in the guitar business is to be a crook".

[@Mephisto7529]

Bizarre Guitars

[@MesaGuitarGuy]

it's a cool store now

[@DrMurdercock]

dude called your wife honey in front of you? damn, that's a power move right there

[@thseed7]

🤘👍

[@kevintaylor5079]

Horrible story.This guy deserves anything bad that happens to him . Unfortunately it seems Karma doesn’t always come around. I actually felt sick hearing this . How can he live with himself?

[@Vykk_Draygo]

You mean the dead guy? I suppose he's struggling with living at all, let alone with himself. 😂

[@panchonelson3573]

SORRY PHIL BUT YOU CANT GET YOUR OWN STORY CORRECT. AND IT MAKES NO SENSE IN ANY UNIVERSE