Sold Bass on E-bay - Buyer Broke Truss Rod

98dvl · #1 07-06-2010, 11:36 PM

So, last week I sold a Fender Jazz V on e-bay ($255 with Gator HSC). Auction ended Jun 22nd.

Today, I read my e-bay messages, and found that yesterday (July 5th) the buyer sent me a message claiming that the truss-rod was shot. He said that he could not adjust the neck to lower the action to his liking. He wanted to ship the bass back (he'd pay for shipping) for a refund.

Today (July 6th), he sent me another message stating that he took the strings off to oil the fretboard. He also said that he put the strings back on, and tuned it up. He said the action was so high, he turned the truss rod 1/4 turn. He mentioned that the pitch of the strings should have changed, but they didn't. (I've never known anyone to adjust a truss rod with the strings tuned to pitch). He then said that he was concerned, so he turned the truss rod ANOTHER 1/4 turn! At this point, he claims that the allen wrench slipped into the head of the truss rod. He shined a flashlight down in the cavity to find that the truss rod was cracked in two places "yielding it unusable".

He claimed that he owns an American Fender five string so he is familiar with adjusting a bass (doesn't sound like it from what he explained above).

So, now he wants me to give him a call to "work something out".

I'm a little miffed that he 1st claimed two days ago that it was shot, yet went and tried to "fix" things, and only made them worse. I was on vacation, and not around a computer on the 5th, so didn't get his initial message.

The bass left my hands with what I consider "normal" playable action. I bought the bass about six months ago, and it was high when I bought it, but I was able to dial it down to where it was comfortable for me.

So, the question is... How would you handle this situation? I'm willing to work with the guy... But, I don't think a refund is in order at this point. The neck was in question on the 5th, no doubt about that. But, now (since the sixth), the neck is clearly shot, at the hands of the new owner. I think I'm willing to offer him some cash (how much?) towards a replacement neck. But, in my opinion, he broke the neck, so it's now his. Am I "right" in this standpoint?

NickInMesa · #2 07-06-2010, 11:54 PM

He overtightened it and cracked it, end of it. He is lying to you to try to get his $ back and you would be stupid to give in.

If he complains with eBay, eBay will contact you and you can give your side.

The most you risk is a negative review which you will be able to comment on and move on.

I have a negative review from an idiot who gave me a wrong address, the item came back, I offered to resend if he paid shipping again, he then started ranting on and on and on instead of finding a solution to the problem. I replied "HE a gave a wrong address the refused to work it out" I don't have a 100% because of him. Big deal. Who does?

If he files a complaint otherwise it will be another "one story, two versions" kind of deal and you know how the cops love to deal with it.

jive1 · #3 07-07-2010, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98dvl

(I've never known anyone to adjust a truss rod with the strings tuned to pitch). He then said that he was concerned, so he turned the truss rod ANOTHER 1/4 turn! At this point, he claims that the allen wrench slipped into the head of the truss rod. He shined a flashlight down in the cavity to find that the truss rod was cracked in two places "yielding it unusable".

Actually, you're supposed to adjust the truss rod with the strings tuned to pitch. The truss rod works against the tension of the strings to maintain a certain amount of relief. If you didn't tune the strings to pitch, you wouldn't get the proper tension to know whether or not to add/remove relief. The only time you would adjust the trussrod without tuning to pitch is if you had to remove the neck, like you would with some Fender models. But that's a guessing game, and a pain in the butt.

It may not be as bad as it seems. Depending on the trussrod, it just may be the nut at the top that needs to be replaced, not an entire truss-rod.

Quote:

The bass left my hands with what I consider "normal" playable action. I bought the bass about six months ago, and it was high when I bought it, but I was able to dial it down to where it was comfortable for me.

So, the question is... How would you handle this situation? I'm willing to work with the guy... But, I don't think a refund is in order at this point. The neck was in question on the 5th, no doubt about that. But, now (since the sixth), the neck is clearly shot, at the hands of the new owner. I think I'm willing to offer him some cash (how much?) towards a replacement neck. But, in my opinion, he broke the neck, so it's now his. Am I "right" in this standpoint?

It's not uncommon for a bass to have a change in action, tuning, or relief when it is shipped. It's still wood, and changes in temperature and humidity during shipping can affect the playability of the instrument.

A truss-rod adjustment is a common adjustment, and I don't consider it a major repair. It's possible that the buyer gave it more than a half turn, or tried to force it. It's also possible the trussrod was defective. A cracked trussrod isn't something I would expect from a half-turn though. Hard to tell from where I'm standing.

XigXag · #4 07-07-2010, 12:03 AM

He has no idea what he's doing. He broke the neck. I'm not sure I'd offer him anything.
I guess maybe if you sell alot of stuff on ebay it might be worth it to offer him something.
He clearly broke that truss rod tho.

MJ5150 · #5 07-07-2010, 12:18 AM

This isn't about who is right, or how to tune a bass. You're hosed, especially if you took PayPal. Remove your bank account from your PayPal account right now.

-Mike

jive1 · #6 07-07-2010, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

This isn't about who is right, or how to tune a bass. You're hosed, especially if you took PayPal. Remove your bank account from your PayPal account right now.

-Mike

So true. The idiots at Paypal know nothing about instruments, and could care less to read through any explanation you give them.

Their seller protection is non-existent.

**JayAmel** · #7 07-07-2010, 04:38 AM

Funny how some people get into critical handlings without knowing what they do and without taking advice from people who know. 6 weeks ago, I needed to adjust the truss rod on my Am Dlx Jazz V, since the action was too high. I tried to give 1/4 of a turn but nothing would happen, the truss rod nut would not turn. I did not force, and I went to the luthier's with my bass. He detuned the strings, unscrewed the neck, then oiled the truss rod nut a bit. Five minutes later, the nut was turning again normally. I went out of the luthier's outlet with a perfectly low action on my bass, and it cost me only 10 € (let's say $ 12).

Buyer is dead wrong here. He broke the truss rod by handling something he didn't know how to handle. When one doesn't know, one better let specialists act.

ehque · #8 07-07-2010, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98dvl

He shined a flashlight down in the cavity to find that the truss rod was cracked in two places "yielding it unusable".

Sorry, what is this?

How can you possibly observe the truss rod with a flashlight?

Broken truss rod adjustment nut, possibly? If so he knows nothing about basses and should bring it into a shop. You owe him nothing.

EDIT: Anyone who tries to make action adjustments with the truss rod also knows nothing about setting up his own basses.

98dvl · #9 07-07-2010, 08:04 AM

I believe he took a flash light to look down the pocket of the truss rod (top of the neck at the nut). Yes, I agree, it probably is the adjustment nut that is broken.

How do I remove my bank account from my Pay Pal profile? Don't I have to keep something on there?

Pay Pal is the only way to do business now through e-bay (from what I understand).

[Edit] Just tried to remove my account, but it states that I have a "pending transaction"... Not sure what that might be.[/edit]

MJ5150 · #10 07-07-2010, 08:13 AM

Is the pending transaction this deal?

-Mike

98dvl · #11 07-07-2010, 08:15 AM

Everything in my recent transaction history (including this deal) is shown as "completed".

bjlevine · #12 07-07-2010, 08:21 AM

Doesn't matter. He can open a dispute claiming that the item received is not as described. Unless your listing includes the words "as is" or "all sales final", they can immediately freeze your account for the amount of the sale. Mind you, they cannot force your bank to make up the balance if this makes your paypal account negative, but you then will not be able to use Paypal until the account is brought up to a positive amount.

I would suggest that you offer to pay a certain amount to have this looked at by a professional (maybe $50-75). A pain, but worth the hassle he would otherwise put you through. He had to know he wasn't exactly buying a top of the line bass.

98dvl · #13 07-07-2010, 08:52 AM

I didn't use the words "as-is", but the item was exactly as described. I also set up the ebay listing so that there were "no returns". I assume this means "all sales final".

The thing is, that I would have taken a return after his first e-mail. However, now he would be returning an item in a condition that it was not originally sent in (i.e. the broken truss rod nut).

I don't leave money in my Pay Pal account, so does this mean if he tries to recover the funds, I'm left with a negative balance? I can live with that. I have another Pay Pal account that I use for personal stuff that I can use.

I'm open to offering him some money to have it looked at, or to use towards a new neck in good faith... But, I'm really leaning more and more towards saying "Sorry Charlie. You broke it, you bought it."

coreyfyfe · #14 07-07-2010, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehque

Sorry, what is this?

How can you possibly observe the truss rod with a flashlight?

And how would he know it was "broken in two places"?

Tell the guy to jump in a lake. You'd be stupid to give him anything.

sirmike75 · #15 07-07-2010, 10:05 AM

well,,,,he should have had it looked at by a professional...instead he tried to do it himself and screwed it up ...ebay has changed ...they have been refunding buyers .for just about any reason these days.even if the advert says "SOLD AS IS"....that suks this guy is that way about the transaction....i wish you luck ..remember what goes around comes around

Gopherbassist · #16 07-07-2010, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98dvl

Pay Pal is the only way to do business now through e-bay (from what I understand).

Last time I bought or sold on eBay, this wasn't true. You can take checks and money orders, you just can't advertise it. So, you could send a message to all buyers telling them you prefer a money order.

mulchor · #17 07-07-2010, 10:20 AM

It's not a huge amount of money, not worth the high blood pressure.

I think I'd just have him ship it back and either fix the neck (if it can be) or part it out.

Obviously if he'd bought it at a swap meet or CL, this wouldn't come up. You bought it, you own it, you break it, you still own it. But on eBay, people think everyone is Sears & Roebuck with unlimited returns.

$%^& happens, especially on eBay.

ubado · #18 07-07-2010, 10:49 AM

This one is a bit of a crap shoot. Personally, I'd tell the guy to "go chase himself" ... and let paypal do the deciding (just a matter of principle).

However, if you are willing to work with him ... try to figure out a common ground. 2-1, he's fishing for a "keep it" reply, since the sale was only $255, including a case (which probably makes the bass more like $200-ish). Add to that ... he's willing to pay for return shipping. To me, that's a Red Flag ... showing he knows he's at fault here.

IMO ... he doesn't know what he's doing as far as setting up a bass. Anyone who has a clue knows you don't mess with the truss rod to adjust the action. For one.

If you go the PayPal route ... make sure you send them all of your messages. Do not close your account, as that would make you look guilty. IMO ... take his message to your local luthier, and ask if he'd write something stating the guy was in the wrong. That the truss-rod is not the correct procedure to adjust the action. And that if done incorrectly, will cause breakage. This will hold a lot of weight as far as PayPal is concerned. This will put the blame on him, since he was adjusting something he wasn't supposed to, and frankly, make him look as though he doesn't know enough to even attempt a truss-rod adjustment.

Even with all of that ... it's still a crap shoot. There's no slam dunk as far as PayPal is concerned.

Good Luck!