By Dr. Eldon Matlick
Professor of Horn, Universiy of Oklahoma

This is a post concerning the process of buying a pre-owned horn. While some people may choose to buy a horn locally from an area hornist, there are more instances of potential buyers obtaining instruments via the internet. Internet buying can be a good thing, or can go horrendously wrong.

As some buyers have unfortunately found out, there are unscrupulous sellers that prey on those who have limited experience on horn buying. It is a wonder that more potential buyers have not been taken advantage of.

While hornplayer.net is a wonderful source, one can get burned. If you go to e-bay the potential for disaster is higher. So it is essential that one protects themselves. I can assure you that it is just as nerve wracking for the potential seller too. I've heard many stories of horns not being returned/totally paid for.

Here are some things to do to that will help protect you in case you are either buying or selling an instrument.

1. Get a 'middleman' to act as a go-between. This person would be a mutually agreed upon individual that will receive the shipped horn and hold the security check/money order. This protects both seller and buyer.

2. Have a professional inspect and play the instrument. If there is a trusted repairperson available, have a thorough inspection done. Of primary concern is valve compression and leadpipe damage. Also, these individuals may be able to give you their estimate of a ballpark figure of what they would assume to pay for the horn. See if this is in line with what you are paying. As a caveat, certain horns may have higher value in different areas of the country. The buyer may be looking to sell the instrument in the "market economy" of the area.

3. Have a sufficient test period that is mutually agreeable. During this window, usually 7-10 days, you will make the decision to either buy the instrument or return it.

4. If you decide to return the instrument, it must be returned/received in the exact same condition as which it was sent. Thus you must FULLY INSURE the instrument for the asking price. If damage occurs, you will settle with the insurance company to make all necessary repairs to the instrument.

5. Take pictures of the instrument when it arrives and when you return it! Some damage may occur from being shipped from the seller. This should protect you and the seller. The seller would then contact the insurance company to settle with the satisfactory repair.

6. Make sure the instrument is sufficiently padded and protected. If the instrument came to you without damage, then ship the instrument back using the same method.

7. I always recommend a contract, or bill of sale. The seller could fax the form to the buyer or put it in the horn case. All terms of the sale (price, terms, trial period, description of inst., serial no., etc.) should be spelled out. You then would sign, agreeing to the terms and FAX back the completed contract. Some sellers will not let the instruments go unless they receive a signed Bill of Sale (or Terms of Sale). This gives more recourse to both parties if things go awry.

8. Determine the terms of sale. Will the seller take a "good faith" deposit? If so, this may be negotiated (from $500 to half the total price of the instrument). Some may only accept a check for the full amount of the instrument. This is precisely why a trusted 'middleman' is desirable for the buyer.

9. If you decide the horn is to be returned, the middleman will keep the deposit until it has been verified that the instrument has arrived back to the owner.

10. If you decide to purchase the horn, the middleman should keep the instrument until the funds have been accepted and deposited by the seller.

11. Sales transactions should be done by money order, or certified check. This way, the buyer knows that the funds are secure and the money has already have been paid to obtain the checks.

12. Payments should be send by Express Mail/UPS/FedEx for NEXT DAY delivery. This will expedite matters.

Hopefully with these tips and common sense your internet horn purchase can be rewarding for you and profitable for the seller.

Good luck to all potential horn buyers!