David's story

Volunteering in the eBay team is never dull, and for David, one of our eBay’s dedicated volunteers, every shift brings the promise of discovery.

“Of course, one of the best parts of being here is working alongside our lovely colleagues,” David says. “They keep us wonderfully well supplied with tea, coffee and plenty of biscuits!”

But for David, who looks after our eBay’s musical instrument donations, there’s another kind of excitement waiting each morning. “When I arrive, there’s often a beaten-up, dusty music case sitting there and I can’t wait to see what’s inside,” he explains. “Once the spiders have been rehoused and the dust cleared, there’s usually an old instrument that’s been lurking in someone’s attic for decades. Maybe it was a child’s violin, or maybe a musician’s old favourite that got left behind when they upgraded.”

Violins are a frequent find. “We’ve had at least half a dozen with ‘Stradivarius’ labels,” David laughs. “The excitement lasts only a few seconds though because underneath ‘Stradivarius’ it usually says ‘Made in Czechoslovakia’! Bit of a giveaway.” Even so, violins tend to sell well. “One particularly nice old one from the late Victorian era sold for £800,” he adds.

Every so often, a discovery offers a glimpse into musical history. “We once had a saxophone- a Melody ‘C’ instrument - that came with a packet of reeds from an old music shop,” David recalls. “The phone number had no area code and only five digits, which helped me date it to around the 1920s or 30s. It’s amazing what little details can tell you.”

Pricing can be an adventure too. “I listed a Peavey semi-acoustic electric guitar for £30 because the electronics didn’t work, which is fairly crucial for an electric guitar!” he says. “But after a bidding frenzy and 23 bids, it sold for £227. You just never know.”

And the surprises keep coming. “Inside this morning’s music case was a brand-new electric violin,” David says. “Obviously, I had to test it at full volume, just to make sure it worked, of course! It’s just a pity for the staff that I can’t actually play the thing.”

From forgotten violins to century-old saxophones, David never knows what he’ll uncover next. “That’s what makes volunteering here so enjoyable,” he says. “You never quite know what’s waiting for you but you always know you’ll have a good laugh, a cup of tea, and great company while you find out.”