Would you... buy a used cabinet from Musician's Friend?

[Jimmy Stump]

Hopefully, this is posted in the right section....

As a Canadian from the great, white north, I've never done business with Musician's Friend. I have an account set up and was considering it though.

They are currently sold out of a new bass cabinet I want, but do have some used ones on hand, for about $120 less. Has no warranty though, which worries me, considering they are saying it is "condition 1" and "indistinguishable from new".

My question is, does anyone know the deal with Musician's Friend used equipment? Is it refurbished crap, or just stuff that someone didn't like? And, has anyone bought anything and had any significant troubles with the equipment?

Your experience is what I'm looking for here.

Cheers.

[seamonkey]

No warranty or exchange - no deal

[lowfreq33]

No way. Their customer service is horrible, and I'd hate to see what they think is "good condition".

[JimmyM]

i bought a used casio piano for my wife from mf once, and it was in perfect condition. when she quit trying to learn it, she sold it and made $50 on it.

so yeah, i'd do it again

[bongomania]

They do offer a generous 45-day return policy on used gear, including to Canada. And in every instance where I've wanted to return something to them, it was easy and painless. I've returned items to them on at least six occasions.

[johnk_10]

if the item is what you want, and its a good deal, i don't see a problem with it at all. with their 45 day return policy, you could alsways return it if you found it to be less than described. (IME, their return system is hassle-free).

[mikeddd]

No, I would not. The cost to ship it back would negate any savings from buying it used. It's the exception rather than the rule that used/returned goods from a retailer (vs. buying from a TBer) are "in great shape" or "exactly as described."

[Joe Nerve]

If it's free shipping back to them, I would. If you have pay for return shipping, I wouldn't. And I disagree with the horrible customer service comment. I've bought lots from them, returned a handful of things, and never had any problem at all.

[mikeddd]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

If it's free shipping back to them, I would. If you have pay for return shipping, I wouldn't.

I agree with this. Unfortunately, very few companies will pay for return shipping except in rare cases. I.E. it'll take you a week and 32 phones calls to sort it out.

[devtodd1]

I've never had a problem.

[silen7ce]

They won't pay for return shipping unless you argue with them. I had them try to tell me it was my fault for wanting to return a bass that I ordered in a different color... It took several phone calls to get them to send me a shipping label. I'd say its a safe bet to order if you are 100% sure you want that cabinet (so try it local if possible).

[Jimmy Stump]

Originally Posted by seamonkey

No warranty or exchange - no deal

It's the lack of warranty that bugs me. You can return it no questions asked within 45 days, on my dime. That's a pretty sweet return policy.

As one poster said, the cost of return shipping back negates most of the cost savings you got in the first place.

[naturalkinds]

MF is wonderful. Never had anything but positive experiences buying used gear from them, whether it's used basses, high-end recording gear or cabinets. Returning stuff to them is very, very easy. But, yeah, unless there's a functional issue with the item, you pay the return shipping costs.

[BurningSkies]

I bought a set of refurb. Alesis powered studio monitors from them and they've been perfectly fine...and were about half price or less.

[Eric Perry]

I personally wouldn't buy anything from MF, new or used, unless I was in a massive jam and had no choice.

That's just me, however.

[Foz]

I have bought used items from MF... worked out fine.

If you are certain the item is what you need I reckon its a high percentage likelihood of positive results... but it'd be an expensive way to try out gear what with shipping costs to Canada.

[peterwsmith]

I've never had anything less than excellent customer service from MF myself. I've bought a couple condition one used items, and when they say "indistinguishable from new" they mean it. I'm talking all case candy, stickers, "inspected by" labels, and original packaging.

BUT: If you don't like the item, the cost of shipping it back would be a bummer, especially since it's a cab. But that's just retail, because I don't know too many places that'll foot the bill for you to ship something back unless it's their fault.

[Jimmy Stump]

Originally Posted by peterwsmith

I've never had anything less than excellent customer service from MF myself. I've bought a couple condition one used items, and when they say "indistinguishable from new" they mean it. I'm talking all case candy, stickers, "inspected by" labels, and original packaging.

BUT: If you don't like the item, the cost of shipping it back would be a bummer, especially since it's a cab. But that's just retail, because I don't know too many places that'll foot the bill for you to ship something back unless it's their fault.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to do it. I definitely know I want the cab, so there is no issue with that. As long as condition 1 is as they say it is, I won't worry.

Thanks for the input everyone!

[vinxbass]

I've purchased used gear from MF and it's arrived fully packaged as if it were brand new, no problems at all.

[BobWestbrook]

Their used stuff seems over-priced to me.