An email inquiry, November 19, 1997:
Hi,
A friend of mine has 2 violin very old and of a famous brand.
She want to know how to announce in the Internet to try to sell
them. Do you have any suggestion to give us? I live in Brazil
and I would be glad to be helped.
Thanks in advance.
Dear M.
I don't think that the internet is a good place to sell violins,
particularly famous brands. I don't even think the internet is
a good place to announce that you have them for sale, unless you
have your own
web page. There are many opportunities for dishonest people to
do mischief.
I would instead contact several different professional violin
dealers and announce to them that your violins are for sale. Let
them use the internet if they so desire, to help sell your violins
for you.
Best of Luck,
Ryan Thomson
An email reply to my article, May 31, 1998:
I beg to differ with you on selling violins on the internet. I
have sold over 1000 of them in the last 3 years. I either get
a money order up front or send them cod. Be honest about what
you are selling. I have never had a complaint or one returned
for any reason.
Mr. R
My reply to Mr. R, May 31, 1998:
The extremely big difference between you and the person who asked
my advice about selling her violin on the internet is that you
have sold over 1000 of them as a professional dealer and she is
an individual person with no experience in violin dealing. In
your case, no problem, in her case, I stand by my advice.
R. Thomson