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Two requests that should stop a purchase

If either of these happens, don't go ahead with the purchase.

• The seller asks you to pay outside Reverb. Paying any other way voids Buyer Protection.
• The seller asks to move the conversation off Reverb. Keep messages on Reverb for the whole transaction so our team can step in, as needed. Sellers can see your phone number for shipping, but they aren't allowed to use it to contact you. If a seller calls or texts you, report it.

Either way, report the message. It helps us find the account before someone else runs into it. Learn why scammers want you off Reverb.

Look at the full picture

No single detail means that a listing is automatically fraudulent. There are plenty of great deals, new sellers, and listings with stock photos on Reverb. However, if several things feel off at once, it's worth a second look. Consider a listing like this:

Any one of these has an innocent explanation. Together, they’re a pattern.

What to look at

A deal that’s too good to be true

Underpriced doesn't mean fake. Some of the best purchases on Reverb are gear that a seller simply wants to sell quickly. 

That said, take a second look when in-demand gear is priced far below every comparable listing, especially if the listing is lacking detail. Sold listings for the same model and our Price Guide show what the gear actually sells for.

The same logic applies to shipping and returns. Watch for offers that would cost a real seller money: free international shipping on a heavy amp, free expedited shipping, or a generous return policy on top of an already-low price. Someone who doesn't intend to ship anything has no reason to worry about what shipping costs.

The seller

Check how long they’ve been on Reverb, how many sales they’ve made, and what their feedback says. Every seller verifies their identity before they can publish a listing, so a new account isn’t automatically a suspicious one. That said, a brand new account listing high-value gear at a low price is worth a second look.

The photos

Look for photos of the actual item: multiple angles, real wear, and close-ups of details the description mentions.

Stock photos are expected on new or sealed gear from a dealer. They're a problem on used gear, where it’s important to see the actual item you're buying. The same goes for photos that look reused, watermarked, or inconsistent with each other.

If you're unsure, run a photo through a reverse image search like Google Lens or TinEye to see whether it appears on other sites or in older listings.

The conversation

A seller who knows their own gear can answer questions about it. Ask something specific, like the year, the serial number, whether anything's been replaced, or how it sounds, and see what comes back.

Vague answers, answers that don't address what you asked, or a refusal to send additional photos are all worth weighing.

If a listing looks fraudulent

Report the listing, and you don’t need to be certain. If something looks wrong, flag it and let us check.

We monitor the site constantly and remove fraudulent listings, but some get published before we catch them. Buyer reports are how we find those faster.

How you’re protected

Every purchase made on Reverb is covered by Reverb Protection. If an item never arrives, arrives damaged, or is significantly different than how it was described in the listing, contact Reverb Support so our team can help.

To stay covered, keep the sale, payment, and all communication on reverb.com. Be sure to report any issues within the timeframes in our protection policy.

Additional resources