Seller FAQ

What products do you buy?

We buy functioning, high-end home audio products such as amplifiers, preamps, speakers, cd players, turntables, integrated amps, speakers cables, interconnects and more. We DO NOT buy car stereo equipment, pro-audio or studio gear, cheap, mass-market home theater receivers, televisions or projectors. We also DO NOT generally buy equipment that has been abused, exposed to smoke, water or other contaminants or non-working components. We are no longer buying vintage gear unless it is in exceptional condition with original factory packaging. 

How long does it take to get a quote from TMR? 

Generally 1-2 business days.

How do you appraise used audio gear to come up with a fair price? 

Appraising used audio gear is one of our unique strengths at The Music Room. The TMR appraisal team starts by researching historical sales data from our own transaction history. With over 50,000 transactions in our history and well over 500,000 appraisals of HiFi gear, our proprietary database is the deepest in the industry. 

But we don’t stop there! We research beyond our own data to see the most recent sales trends by comparing standard sources such as Audiogon Bluebook and eBay transaction history. We pay for tools that allow us to see 3 years of global eBay sales history so when you get a quote from TMR you can rest assured that we have landed on a fair market value that will get your product sold.  

Does TMR work with businesses? 

TMR powers the trade-in programs for some of the top-selling direct-to-consumer brands in the audio industry. We also work with local and national audio retail stores to facilitate trade-ins and easy liquidation of demos and overstock. Other business partners include distributors, manufacturers, custom-installers and estate liquidators. Contact our Director of Sales to discuss a custom solution to your business needs. 

Will I make more if I consign vs. selling to you directly? 

When consigning items with TMR the risk is shared so in many cases you may make more money. You have a greater say in the listing price but ultimately it still depends on what the market is for your piece of gear. 

Read more about our “headache-free consignment program”

When selling directly to TMR we shoulder all the risk if your item does not sell, so sale offers are typically lower than consignment pricing. 

Who pays for the shipping of my item to TMR?

In most cases TMR will pay for the shipping of your item to us for testing and photography as part of your offer. We will also do our best to help with any logistical challenges such as custom packaging, freight etc. Depending on the situation, some costs may be incurred, but in general we will provide you with prepaid shipping labels. 

How do I ship my item(s) to TMR safely?

After shipping over 50k pieces of hifi gear around the globe we consider ourselves experts in how to ship delicate hifi equipment. 

Read our tips for safe shipping 

View our how to ship freight items video 

How will I be paid when I sell to TMR?

Most of our customers request a business check be mailed upon receipt of the merchandise. Alternatively, we can do an instant "cash" transfer via PayPal “friends and family” (no fees for either party).

Why should I sell to TMR when I can sell it myself?

In a word - trust. Deal with an established business that you can trust with one simple, care-free, safe, secure, efficient, and fair transaction. The alternatives are often more costly than you might think. In addition to the evident costs such as packaging supplies, seller fees, and paypal fees there are a number of hidden costs that you should consider:

Your precious and limited time - this is the most important factor to consider. What is your time worth? Getting your product listed for sale on multiple websites takes time. Then there's answering questions, fielding offers, negotiating, dealing with buyer-backouts, avoiding scammers, and finally packaging then shipping.

Customer Service & Returns - Like it or not, there might be questions after the sale. And unless your buyer paid with cash or check, then you have a return policy whether you like it or not. Anyone can force a return by contacting their bank and filing a dispute.

Seller Fees: Often people are surprised by just how much this can cost. eBay now charges a 10% Final Value Fee on completed sales. This is in addition to Paypal fees which are 3-4%. Audiogon is a much cheaper alternative, but be careful - if your item doesn't sell within 30 days your cost to advertise it there renews each month.

Risks: The internet is rife with scammers, and many of them are far more informed and sophisticated than you might suspect. Know who you are dealing with. Feedback scores are great, but if someone's account has been hijacked you might not know it until it's too late.

Headaches: You should be enjoying your music; not driving yourself crazy selling things online. Wasted time, shipping damage, lost packages, scammers, buyer-backouts, sillly or repetitive questions, uninformed customers, petty complaints, outrageous fees... these are all things any experienced online seller has dealt with. If you have the time, patience and skill you can definitely save a few bucks selling your gear on your own time. For the rest of us that would rather be enjoying life, The Music Room has created an easy, safe, fair outlet for your unwanted gear. Contact us today to find out just how easy it can be.

How do I get my gear to you safely?

It's always best to save the original factory packaging for your equipment. You never know when today's "last system I'll ever buy" is tomorrow's upgrade fever. Most factory boxes are well-engineered to withstand the rigors of FedEx, UPS or USPS shipping.

If you don't have the factory box for your item, we recommend using a thick, rigid foam product to protect your gear. We do NOT recommend the use of packing peanuts. Not only are they messy, but they simply don't work well for anything other than very lightweight items. Bubble wrap is effective, but only if you used several layers. One or two layers just won't cut it. Bubbles pop. Packing peanuts compress and shift. Get a utility knife and some sheets of 1" thick foam from the insulation department at Home Depot, and cut sheets of foam to protect your item on all sides.

Not interested in a packing project? Contact us and inquire about custom packaging solutions. We have invested thousands of dollars in a foam-in-place packaging system. We can create a box for you for a reasonable fee and deliver it to your door. You'll only need to drop your item in the box, tape it up and apply the provided prepaid shipping label.

Do you accept trades?

Yes, absolutely. Trading in your gear is one of the very best ways to continually upgrade your system without breaking your budget. We welcome your trade offers. Complete this simple form to start the process.

Please mention the product that you're interested in acquiring when you fill out the form. Appraisals can take 1-2 business days, and we do not generally hold products without payment. If you see something you like, buy it now! We can always reimburse your trade credit later, and you won't risk missing out on the opportunity to purchase the product you're looking for.

What brands of HiFi equipment do you buy?

Here are just a few of the HiFi brands that we regularly buy, consign & trade: