What would you do? vintage fender/ebay deal-Misleading?

A-Step-Towards · #1 02-04-2013, 04:19 PM

I have been looking for a Mid 70's J bass for a LONG time and I finally found one on ebay. With older basses I tend o buy in person but this guy assured me all was original except the badass II bridge. We discusses originality through messages and that his friend was the original owner and would try to find the original covers, which besides the badass II was the only missing parts.

He even stated in the ad the following (yes is caps as well)

IT IS ALL ORIGINAL EXCEPT FOR AN UPGRADE OF A BADASS BRIDGE.THE TUNERS, PICKUPS, CONTROLS, PICK GUARD, CASE, ECT.... ALL ORIGINAL. THE ONLY THING NON ORIGINAL IS THE BADASS BRIDGE WHICH IS AN UPGRADE AND A GREAT ASSET TO THIS BASS FOR TONE AND PLAYING

The issues
Here is what I found upon getting it:

1.) the pickguard, control plate and pickup height screws are all way over larged flathead screws. Total incorrect, they look like crap and honestly I coudnt see these in details in the pictures.

2.) the volume pots, both of them are not original. They are stamped M250kA 88. The tone pot is original and stamped 1377607 which dates to early '76.

3.) The pickup wires have been disconnected and thus the pickups have been removed along with a new ground wire put in, the pickups appear correct but I havent had a close look.

4.) It has the common first fret inlay crack and repair, this however doesnt happen to every jazz and wasnt disclosed.

5.) If you look closely there are no holes for the bridge cover, they have been filled and the whole finish on the face looks weird compared to the back.

6.) The inside cavities of the pickups and control plate are black ,I didnt think they were painted black stock? anyone know? the finish on the face of the bass just looks weird compared to the back.

My question-Should I be okay with this based on the description of the badass II being the only non original piece? I paid a decent sum for this and expected it as the seller described. I was automatically applaud when I opened it and felt like I totally overpaid as I would not have paid what I did if I knew of its issues.

Thanks, your opinions are welcome and I know some will feel I should just keep it etc. The fact is either way I paid for a bass that I was lead to believe was correct in all ways besides the bridge and got something different. If I were to sell it I would loose a decent amount I believe.

Kmonk · #2 02-04-2013, 04:29 PM

This looks like the same bass that I was going to watch until I noticed the crack that you mentioned and the fact that the finish didn't look right. It was visible in one of the pictures. I would put in a claim and try to return it for a refund. (By the way, I think you meant "Appalled" which means dismayed or horrified, not "applaud" which means to show approval by clapping).

kellyrojo · #3 02-04-2013, 04:31 PM

hels no! If it has a lot of incorrect things going on with it send it back--just my opinion of course and I have no experience in the vintage market---but come on!

AdamR · #4 02-04-2013, 04:31 PM

Still looks like a nice bass. I would fix the issues and call it a lesson learned.

A-Step-Towards · #5 02-04-2013, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kmonk

This looks like the same bass that I was going to watch until I noticed the crack that you mentioned and the fact that the finish didn't look right. It was visible in one of the pictures. I would put in a claim and try to return it for a refund. (By the way, I think you meant "Appalled" which means dismayed or horrified, not "applaud" which means to show approval by clapping).

Iphone

Yeah the pics sucked , lesson learned dont buy vintage online.

NYCbassist · #6 02-04-2013, 04:34 PM

submit Ebay & Paypal disputes for Item not as described. ASAP

Philonius · #7 02-04-2013, 04:38 PM

It seems he flat-out lied to you. You should definitely file a dispute, and can still chalk this up as a lesson learned.

Baird6869 · #8 02-04-2013, 04:39 PM

Send it back. It was not as described and the seller either mislead you on purpose or is complete moron.

If you paid less than $1000 and the bass plays/sounds good, I might consider keeping it.

Immigrant · #9 02-04-2013, 04:39 PM

If I were in your shoes, I'd:

1) Try contacting the seller and seek a refund in the amount you feel you'd stand to lose if you re-sold it. If that fails,

2) Attempt to return it for a full refund.

You may get what you're looking for without the flaws for approx the same price you paid for that. I know you said you've been watching for awhile, so you'll have to be patient longer.

Good luck. I'm sorry this happened to you.

funnyfingers · #10 02-04-2013, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

submit Ebay & Paypal disputes for Item not as described. ASAP

Agreed. Do not let him get away with this. He basically let you know the only OBVIOUS thing. It isn't as described. Let him know you want a refund however that is done (escrow with eBay?). If he doesn't get back to you quickly start the official dispute process with Paypal/Ebay. Or if you do want it, a refund of X dollars...

ShowLow · #11 02-04-2013, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

submit Ebay & Paypal disputes for Item not as described. ASAP

^^^ This. Don't mess around with partial refunds. Send it back and get your money back. If the Evil Bay doesn't support you, I'd be shocked.

This is gross misrepresentation and the seller should be ashamed.

audioglenn · #12 02-04-2013, 04:53 PM

Get a full refund! Something does look wrong with the finish. Screws that are to big???? NOT ORIGINAL!! Do what ever you have to do to get ALL of your money back. You haven't waited this long to get THIS bass! Believe me...if you're disappointed now, it's only going to get worse over time!

rootsnfifths · #13 02-04-2013, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShowLow

^^^ This. Don't mess around with partial refunds. Send it back and get your money back. If the Evil Bay doesn't support you, I'd be shocked.

This is gross misrepresentation and the seller should be ashamed.

^^^^RIGHT THERE..EXACTLY. ASAP. Please contact Ebay as soon as possible. No excuse for this seller to mislead you. He/she in my opinion is no moron. Just a crook. Turn him in as I am sure you payed good money for what you thought was 99% original.

smcd · #14 02-04-2013, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamR

Still looks like a nice bass. I would fix the issues and call it a lesson learned.

WHAT!!?? Worst advice ever!!!!!!!!!

OP - the guy scammed you. Don't ask for a partial refund. Demand your money back. The seller has no choice, ebay will force him to refund your money. And it won't cost you to ship it back. Under ebay's customer satisfaction policy, ebay will send you a shipping label, so you won't have to pay for return shipping. Do not let this guy get away with this. Sellers like that give ebay a bad name.

topo morto · #15 02-04-2013, 05:09 PM

Do you still like the bass? If so, you could make it the seller's decision - he can refund you the difference between what you paid and what it's worth, or you'll need a full refund.

If I were you I would keep the list of discrepancies you mention only to the things you are absolutely sure of and can back up/prove.That way everything is nice and simple and factual - you didn't get what you paid for, so you need a refund.

Even if you suspect dishonesty, don't accuse anyone of it. Act as though the seller was selling it in good faith as he believed it to be. If you do that and stick to the facts, there's nowhere for any ill feeling to creep in. In theory

smcd · #16 02-04-2013, 05:10 PM

This is the ebay auction. The seller is a rat fink.

Bongolation · #17 02-04-2013, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamR

Still looks like a nice bass. I would fix the issues and call it a lesson learned.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smcd

WHAT!!?? Worst advice ever!!!!!!!!!

Not really, but bad enough -- and totally common for TB, unfortunately.

Never accept misrepresented merchandise. Never.

Mojo-Man · #18 02-04-2013, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topo morto

Do you still like the bass? If so, you could make it the seller's decision - he can refund you the difference between what you paid and what it's worth, or you'll need a refund.

If I were you I would keep the list of discrepancies you mention only to the things you are absolutely sure of and can back up/prove.That way everything is nice and simple and factual - you didn't get what you paid for, so you need a refund.

Even if you suspect dishonesty, don't accuse anyone of it. Act as though the seller was selling it in good faith as he believed it to be. If you do that and stick to the facts, there's nowhere for any ill feeling to creep in. In theory

+1

EagleMoon · #19 02-04-2013, 05:20 PM

I guess my biggest concern would be whether the pickups are original. Pots shouldn't make any difference, or screws, if you're buying it to be a player. The front of the bass looks like it might have been exposed to something like water or even some kind of cleaning compound that funked it up. Do you have a better, closer picture of the front of the body?

A-Step-Towards · #20 02-04-2013, 05:21 PM

As you can see from the auction above this was said to be all original , barely used etc. What I got was funky, there is come copper wiring running from the bridge to the bridge pickup and then grounding in the cavity. So much little crap that really adds up in terms of its value.

That said I paid $1730 with shipping and I couldnt even get the guy to send me the tracking number. I do like the bass and it plays nicely but honestly I would have paid $1200 for it in this condition.