MusiciansFriend Damage Advice.

eyeballkid · #1 10-18-2010, 12:36 PM

ok.. So forever Ive wanted the newer Fender 215PRO. Well I took advantage of the used gear sale and bought one that was rated as a "number 1", or in other words was rated as a "like new" with no defects but possibly the packaging.

well, it showed up today and its as awesome as i hoped, BUT...its not "like new". It has 3 small dents in the wood and 2 dents in the grill. The grill can be fixed, and Im not too stressed about the wood dents, but I did pay for "like new", not "like its been sitting in Guitar Center for 2 years".

Now I know that I can just return it for my full purchase price, but I dont really wanna return it cos it sounds awesome and I can live with the dings and dents, but I wouldnt have paid what I did for it with cosmetic damage....

So, my question is: Will they give me a partial refund or something for the damage or are they an "all or nothing" retailer?

I know I could call them and ask, but I would like to have some experiential knowledge before I try to address it with them, that way Ill know what I can expect and how to best address it with them..

thanks for your time folks!

PSPookie · #2 10-18-2010, 12:51 PM

Take some pics and get on the phone/email with customer service. I'm sure they can work something out. It might be store credit but they don't want you to return the cab any more than you do.

I've gotten them to refund shipping costs when they didn't get an item out in the promised time frame.

Strat-Mangler · #3 10-18-2010, 12:52 PM

I'd ask for a partial refund to cover the grill repair. Call an amp tech to know how much that'd cost first.

Shipping it and waiting to get another one back and hoping you won't run into any additional issues isn't worth the trouble or headache for me.

eyeballkid · #4 10-18-2010, 12:53 PM

well honestly, i can bend the grill back into shape more or less, and i would even tell them that, but theres nothing to be done about the wood denting Its all minor, but on their own rating scale from 1 to 5, it would be a 3, which has dings and dents but doesnt need functional or structural repair and performs as new.

Strat-Mangler · #5 10-18-2010, 12:54 PM

Then ask for 2/5ths of the $ back.

eyeballkid · #6 10-18-2010, 01:03 PM

well, that might be a bit much to ask, which would be like $320 or something, but it might make for a good bargaining starting point. Anyone have any idea, what i could realistically expect to done?

PSPookie · #7 10-18-2010, 01:07 PM

Tell them the item you received is not as described and ask for a partial refund. See what they offer, but if it's less than 10% tell them you'll be shipping the very heavy item back at their expense.

Be polite but firm.

Skitch it! · #8 10-18-2010, 01:10 PM

I've found it good to be congenial about it, at first, 'sorry to bother you with this, but the amp I bought has sustained some damage somewhere along the line, it's not in the condition I expected, let them talk the rest (if you can). They will usually not want the hassle of returns/resale so probably will offer a 'keep' incentive... or maybe not. Swing an extra little bit of kit you may want? It's a bit different in the U.K. a lot of folk are to shy to ask, not me though, I do want what I pay for, and I get it ; )

eyeballkid · #9 10-18-2010, 02:16 PM

oh, I totally agree Skitch!.. Im not one to be a jerk about stuff like this if i can avoid it...

And PSP: I think youre right too, 10% would be the bare minumum and even that would feel a little chincy for a dinged up used piece... Ill call em later tonight.

anyone dealt with anything similar and get a good outcome from MF?

UncleFluffy · #10 10-18-2010, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyeballkid

anyone dealt with anything similar and get a good outcome from MF?

Yeah. I've had a "grade 1 used" amp show up not working. One quick phone call and they sorted it out. If you're polite-but-firm you should be able to get them to send UPS over to pick it up from your front door and get a full refund.

eyeballkid · #11 10-18-2010, 02:30 PM

I know that much, but i dont wanna return it as its a good cab, i just dont think i should pay for a Condition One, and get a Condition Three.

C.Linton · #12 10-18-2010, 02:31 PM

I've found MF to be very cooperative with any kind of dealings I've had with them. Give them a call, their reps are very helpful.

eyeballkid · #13 10-18-2010, 04:29 PM

HMMM... well, I called em. They offered me $56.90 back as a credit. Not exactly stepping up to the plate I would say..

they said I could send in pics and POSSIBLY get approved for more, but????

MatticusMania · #14 10-18-2010, 04:35 PM

Ive never been bothered by a few dents in wood. Its an amp, if youre going to use it for live gigs it's gonna get those dents regardless. You like the amp, the dents dont affect the amps performance... I'd take the $56 and be happy with it.

eyeballkid · #15 10-18-2010, 04:49 PM

well, honestly, I take REALLY good care of my gear. I have two 410 cabinets that have seen 30 shows that look brand new, 2 others that saw probably 100 shows and had one scuff on em, and a 610 thats played out for 2 and half years and looks and sound brand new....
i know things get hurt, but when i buy "like new" i just expect to actually get "like new". I strive for full disclosure when i sell things, and i guess i expect the same. Not trying to be a weenie.

**jmattbassplaya** · #16 10-18-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyeballkid

HMMM... well, I called em. They offered me $56.90 back as a credit. Not exactly stepping up to the plate I would say..

they said I could send in pics and POSSIBLY get approved for more, but????

I'd do it. It'd take maybe 20 minutes of your time so it would seem worth it.

eyeballkid · #17 10-18-2010, 05:08 PM

yeah, i doing pics right now to send... Im not trying to rob em or anything, I dont expect half back or something stupid. If they said $100 bucks I would thought that was cool, but $56 is like 5% off for accepting damage on the face.

MatticusMania · #18 10-18-2010, 05:11 PM

So you paid, like $1100 for it?

eyeballkid · #19 10-18-2010, 05:30 PM

ok, sorry. my math skills off the top of my head are kinda lacking.. It would be about 7%.... I paid right around $800.
btw, not being snarky, but the same thing could be said about a bass, and would you be happy with 7% off a bass that you were expecting to be in new condition and found it to have 4 dents on the face and 2 bent pieces of hardware?... ( i know, cabinets are a little different, but.....)

**jmattbassplaya** · #20 10-18-2010, 05:37 PM

$200 off is actually pretty amazing of a deal for something used on MF. Typically it'll only be like $15-$30 off for something considered "like new". I think you're getting the price it would of been for something considered lightly used or similar - which it is.