FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Recorders for Sale (recordersforsale.com)?

Recorders for Sale (RFS) was founded in July 2015 to provide a dedicated space for recorder players to buy and sell instruments. Before RFS, there was no widely accessible, modern online platform for recorder classifieds. My goal is to help players find new homes for instruments they no longer need while offering others the opportunity to acquire quality recorders. The recorders listed here are owned by a wide range of sellers worldwide — I simply provide the platform to connect buyers and sellers. To keep the site running and cover the time required to list new items, I charge a small fee per ad. While this is not a for-profit venture, maintaining the site requires time, effort, and ongoing hosting costs.

→ Looking to sell an instrument? Read on!

2. How much does it cost to list an instrument for sale?

The fee to post an ad is €10 per recorder. This helps cover the time it takes to list each instrument and ensures the platform remains available to the community.

3. How do I submit my ad?

Click this link for detailed instructions on payment and the listing process.

4. What if I’m selling a full consort?

For consorts, the listing fee is calculated per instrument. For example, a set of five recorders would cost €50 to list. Since a consort sale typically generates a higher total amount, this pricing structure ensures fairness. If you’re selling a lower-priced consort (e.g., a set of five recorders for €2,000), you might consider passing part of the listing fee to the buyer. For instance, instead of listing at €2,000, you could set the price at €2,025 or €2,050 to offset the cost. While not the standard practice, it can be a reasonable option for more affordable consorts.

5. Does RFS take a commission on sales?

No. Unlike other platforms that charge commissions of up to 30%, recordersforsale.com does not take a percentage of your sale — you keep the full amount.

6. How do I pay for my listing?

My preferred method is Wise, but you can also pay via PayPal or Stripe. Find the details here.

7. I want to buy a recorder. How do I contact a seller?

Simply use the contact form below each instrument’s details. Messages sent through these forms go directly to the seller, keeping their email private and reducing spam. I also receive a copy of the initial message, which can help if sellers have strict spam filters or miss an inquiry. However, I do not see any further email exchanges.

8. My role & responsibilities

recordersforsale.com is a platform for connecting buyers and sellers — I do not sell the instruments myself. Here’s what you should know:

  • I post listings as received from sellers and can not verify their accuracy, except for obvious details. Buyers should confirm details before purchasing (see recommendations below).
  • Sellers benefit from the site’s visibility but are responsible for their listings.
  • I am not involved in transactions, do not hold deposits, and can not offer buyer protection.
  • I cannot guarantee the quality or condition of any instrument, as I have not personally inspected them.

If you’re interested in an instrument, contact the seller directly via the contact form. My role is simply to facilitate connections within the recorder community.

9. Recommendations & Sales Contract

Before finalizing a deal, take steps to verify the other party:

10. How do “Wanted” ads work?

Posting a “Wanted” ad follows the same process as selling a recorder, and the price is the same as a regular ad. Simply follow the instructions here, but you don’t need to upload photos. Be sure to include key details, such as preferred wood type or pitch, in the online form.

11. Do you list recorders with German fingering?

No. I previously made exceptions for some vintage recorders, but due to time constraints (I’m writing a dissertation!), I now focus on modern, professional instruments. For the same reason, plastic recorders are also not accepted. Besides, selling a plastic recorder for €30 while paying a €10 listing fee simply isn’t worthwhile.

12. Do you accept listings for traversos or other woodwinds?

Yes, with some restrictions. Professional modern copies of historical flutes (traversi) and other woodwinds, such as Baroque oboes, among others, are welcome. Many recorder players also play these instruments, and I believe they would be of interest to the RFS audience.

13. Who runs recordersforsale.com (RFS)?

recordersforsale.com is an original project by Vicente Parrilla, a professional recorder player, researcher, and professor.

14. Questions or Suggestions?

I’d love to hear your feedback! Let me know how I can improve the site.

15. ♡ How to Support RFS

If you find RFS valuable, you can help keep it running. RFS is an independent, ad-free resource, created in 2015, with over 5,000 unique visitors per month and more than 600 instruments sold (and counting). However, maintaining the site is time-consuming and costly. Only 0.1% of visitors contribute financially (which is fine!), but if you’d like to support this project and ensure its future, here’s how:

  • Donate via Stripe or PayPal.
  • Bank transfers are also available via Wise, with no extra fees for EUR, USD, GBP, AUD, or CHF.
  • Spread the word — RFS has grown entirely through word of mouth! A blog link or Twitter mention makes a huge difference.

Thank you so much! —VP.

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