Mega-retailer Sweetwater launches low-fee used music gear marketplace

Music instrument and audio gear online mega-retailer Sweetwater has launched the Sweetwater Gear Exchange to facilitate the sale and purchase of used equipment and instruments.

Sweetwater Gear Exchange transactions using PayPal’s Hyperwallet incur a 2.5% processing fee and a 5% seller fee. But through October 31st, the Exchange will waive both fees if the seller takes the payout as Sweetwater e-Gift Card.

Gear Exchange sellers create a customized storefront, including a store address, outlining policies for returns, and adding a bio to let buyers learn more about them.

The Exchange has built-in fraud prevention measures, including requiring photos of the exact item listed. There will be badges on storefront pages showcasing how long Gear Exchange sellers have been verified as Sweetwater customers and a team of administrators monitoring transactions.

“Being avid music makers ourselves, we know how real the connection can be between the musician and their gear. The Gear Exchange provides music makers and gearheads the opportunity to find a common place to buy and sell items, sharing the remarkable stories behind each unique piece,” said David Stewart, Chief Marketing Officer at Sweetwater.

Bruce Houghton is Founder and Editor of Hypebot and MusicThinkTank and serves as a Senior Advisor to Bandsintown which acquired both publications in 2019. He is the Founder and President of the Skyline Artists Agency and a professor for the Berklee College Of Music.