How much to repair?

ronin614 · #1 03-09-2013, 10:10 AM

So...I brought my BRAND NEW bass into a HIGHLY recommended shop to have the electronics swapped. I go to pick it up tonight and there are six chips in the paint. SIX!!!
Needless to say I'm pissed.

Keeping in mind that its hard to estimate without seeing the bass in person, what am I looking at, ballpark, to repair this?

I don't want them to lowball me.

ronin614 · #2 03-09-2013, 10:11 AM

ronin614 · #3 03-09-2013, 10:12 AM

There are at least 6 dings like this. Possibly more. I just looked it over quickly. It's a neck-through by the way. Not sure if that make a difference.

DiabolusInMusic · #4 03-09-2013, 10:24 AM

Didn't you post a thread on this subject already?

The shop that damaged your bass is offering to fix your bass or pay you to get it fixed? If they are offering to fix it there is no low-balling. I wouldn't let the initial shop repair my bass but that is your call. Personally if you cannot install pickups without damaging paint, you are a full blown moron. If they offer to buy it off you they will assuredly try to low ball you, probably offer you the used value instead of the new.

If they are going to pay for your repair, first your take the bass somewhere you respect to get is fixed then see what they want to repair your bass. Then you go back to the shop that damaged your bass and hand them the repair quote from the respectable shop. They owe you that much.

ronin614 · #5 03-09-2013, 10:36 AM

Yes. But someone suggested that I post it here "luthiers corner" to get some input from builders.

And they haven't made any offer of any kind yet. The owner said he wants to talk to the tech.

brianerwin · #6 03-09-2013, 10:55 AM

If you are sure that there were no dings in it when you dropped it off take it back and ask to speak with the manager and show him the dings and chipped paint. Tell him that you brought it in brand new and this is what you got when you picked it up. Ask them to fix it or get me a new one. If this doesn't work out ask to speak to the owner of the shop. Same presentation.
I feel that since you brought this in with the intention of it being repaired you should get it back like you brought it in. NOT have to repair the repair job.
You also have rights as a customer, you can send a complaint to the better business bureau. And you also have the chaimber of commerce to talk to.

ronin614 · #7 03-09-2013, 01:36 PM

Here's their offer...said theyll take some money off the $120 wiring repair that they did. Said I can't prove it wasn't damaged when I dropped it off. The tech is denying that he did it. And the girl who took it in said she doesn't remember there being any hips but she also doesn't remember there not being any.

Clydesauce · #8 03-09-2013, 01:51 PM

Sounds to me you are in a pickle. My first piece of advice, never go their again and try and find a more reliable guitar technician. My second piece of advice is from here on out make sure you have before pictures to help drive your case, I know hindsight is 20/20 but it will help if future cases if you do return to them.

Do you have a receipt for the guitar? If so, I know it isn't the best of evidence to prove there was no chips in the painting, but you can show them how new the bass was and it can drive the case that it was bought, and the brought to them to be wired with new pickups, ect.

Best of luck and sorry to see that.

luzceloffan · #9 03-09-2013, 01:52 PM

mmm this makes me think of the use of a "status sheet" when receiving an instrument tn do any tech job, make the customer sign it, give him a copy and be careful, i know its not ethical to deny mistakes but they got a point saying you cant prove it.

JLS · #10 03-09-2013, 03:12 PM

"There"

"They're"

"Their"

Gotee78 · #11 03-09-2013, 03:24 PM

Hi! I have just been given a Hondo P-Bass copy. The neck seems to be pretty much shot. I'm wondering can I put a replacement P-Bass neck on the body or will a P-Bass neck not fit due to the fact that it's a Hondo? I know they are beginner level instruments but I thought I might try and fix it up since I really don't have any money in it. Any thoughts? I would like to get it gig ready. I appreciate any advise on the matter. Thanks!

Lee Bruton · #12 03-09-2013, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLS

"There"

"They're"

"Their"

What, we back in school now??

johnson79 · #13 03-09-2013, 03:41 PM

To P bass guy.

Here's a thought: Start a new thread!

DiabolusInMusic · #14 03-10-2013, 01:17 PM

Tell them that they owe you a repair. If they don't want to fix your bass tell them you are going to take them to litigation. You brought them a new bass and they damaged it, they are expected to repair to the original condition. The offer they made you is insulting. If they truly believed they did no wrong, they would tell you flat out to eff off. They know they did the damage and by you taking a slightly reduced cost you have just allowed them to wash their hands of it.

As far as the manager calling you liar, don't stand for that. Tell him you want the owner because he needs to know you are taking his butt to court for repair costs and then to the BBB for having to go through this BS. Before you do go to court, make sure you get at least one current repair estimate form a respectable shop.

As clyde said, you do have a leg to stand on if you can prove the bass was brand new when you took it in. A retailer receipt for a brand new bass is just as good as a picture of a brand new bass.

ronin614 · #15 03-10-2013, 01:38 PM

I'm dealing with the owner. Went to speak w him yesterday. Said he'd be willing to take $60 off the repair cost. (Which was pretty insulting.) Said that it's not a really high end finish and that they chip pretty easily. I told him that I'm fine w my finish getting dinged. But not right away and not by them. If my bass is going to take some hits, itll be from me and I don't care how "high end" the finish is, they got it in perfect condition. Then i told him that I'm perfectly willing to pay the full cost of the initial repair, I just want my bass back the way that I gave it to them. So now tomorrow he's going to have a restorer that he knows take a look at it.

JLS · #16 03-10-2013, 02:24 PM

OP: if you have good documentation--paper trail, photos--you might want to consider taking this to small claims court.

ronin614 · #17 03-10-2013, 03:37 PM

I'm giving small claims some SERIOUS thought!!!