having an instrument case re-keyed?

[moxiness]

I couldn't find a forum that seemed exactly right for this topic so if I'm posting in the wrong place I'm sorry.

I sold my old Yamaha bass half an hour ago to this guy and just realized I forgot to give him the key to the case! I can't find it, either it's been over 2 years since I really even played that bass so I have no idea where the key is.
I also forgot to give him the manual, so he's coming back this afternoon, and he did ask about the key as well. Crap.

What do I do? Give him back some of the money? How much? It shouldn't be that hard to have the case re-keyed, right? I did say in the ad it was the bass itself for sale and I was throwing in the case for free...and I let him pay like $75 less than what it should have gone for and gave him the $125 case for free (minus the key of course, *facepalm*).

I'm thinking of just putting the manual in an envelope and taping it to the door with part of the money and an apology note and going over to a friend's place to hide. I have a key from an old lockbox that looks sort of like it could be for the case that I could leave and play dumb I'd feel really bad, that's really crappy but it was an honest mistake... What do you guys think I should do?

[IanStephenson]

If it's anything like most of the cases I've got a paperclip is as good as a key. There's really not a lot of point in locking them. If someone's going to steal it then they'll take the case!

Just say "sorry - key's gone. If I find it I'll post it on". I'm sure he won't care.

[tplyons]

Most cases use one type of luggage lock with a standard key. I keep one of these on my key ring and it's opened EVERY bass case I've ever come across.

It's not a big deal. Besides, I don't know many people who actually lock their cases. It's far too easy to just steal the whole case.

[Pilgrim]

What use is it to lock a bass case? If anyone wants to steal the bass, they'll take the case with the bass in it. It's no issue at all.

[R D Maynard]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

What use is it to lock a bass case? If anyone wants to steal the bass, they'll take the case with the bass in it. It's no issue at all.

And, if you do lock your case and forget or lose the key, you get to tear up your case to get to your bass....

[Stumbo]

Since the deal was made w/o the key and he didn't ask for it, I would say it's a done deal.
IME, I've never gotten a key with a bass (unless it was a new case).
I've never worried about locking a case. The keys are usually cheap, small and easily lost.

[gottawalk]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Since the deal was made w/o the key and he didn't ask for it, I would say it's a done deal.
IME, I've never gotten a key with a bass (unless it was a new case).
I've never worried about locking a case. The keys are usually cheap, small and easily lost.

"Moxiness" said that they guy DID ask about the key.
But, all these guys have the same opinion and I agree. The keys are pretty much worthless. Someone grabs a bass, it's either out of the case or they take the whole thing. Just tell him you don't have the key, and that's that. If he balks, then screw the deal and sell it to someone else. Crap! You gave him the case for FREE!!!! If he can't keep track of his gear it's his problem.