Arrh...my first Reverb.com purchase is terrible

[Herrick]

My vasectomy cost me $15 and was an office visit. Was only a few days of discomfort, compared to a lifetime of pain!

Nice. Mine only cost $10. Greatest investment I ever made.

As for the bass, if I liked it I probably would've kept it. The OP could've gotten a partial refund because the seller did say bass was "mint". However, those...dings don't look very bad and a few members have posted ways to fix them. It may even be possible the seller simply didn't notice them. The OP could've gotten a partial refund but instead, he lost $50.

 

[GBBSbassist]

It’s in excellent condition. What you want, so far as I can tell, would be described as “new” or “mint” condition. Obviously do return it, as you’re unhappy. Me, I would eat the fifty bucks and get on with my life, but we all need to pick a hill to die on at some point, and this just might be yours.

I'd maybe cut the seller some slack if Reverb didn't break down the condition of an instrument when you do the listing. When you choose "Mint" it describes it as nearly indistinguishable from a brand new instrument off the shelf at a retailer (not word for word, but that's the gist of it). I sure as poopie wouldn't want any dings if I buy a mint condition instrument. The seller's listing was not accurate, and the buyer shouldn't be stuck paying anything.

To the OP, I'd contact BOTH reverb and paypal, and explain it the same to both.

 

[mcnach]

My Ray34 has the exact same neck finish. Matte up to the nut, then gloss on the back. Don't know why, but that's what it is. Also, mine has very similar dings on the neck from my hanger. I agree it is not ideal, and I wouldn't describe it as mint.

Really? with a sharp change from gloss to matt?
That's interesting, I never noticed that (never owned one, but tried some). Thanks for pointing that out, so that is probably a factory finish after all.

 

[mcnach]

We're about to have two and it's going to cost us about $2100/mo. That's gonna suck.

On their 5th birthday, send them to sweep chimneys to pay for they daycare

 

[mcnach]

I’m suprised you feel that.

Yeah they're small nicks and likely easily fixed as described earlier... what makes it annoying is that the OP specifically asked.

It's like me asking for a white bass, and receiving a black one. "Ah, but it plays just as well" is not going to cut it when I specifically stated white. If I ask about dings in the neck, tell me the truth. Then I see them and in this case I'd probably buy it anyway, end of story. The problem is when you omit something on purpose or straight lie about a direct question... then the seller may feel cheated, and that's not a good feeling.

 

[Bigbri]

Most of the time, the buyer needs to bear the burden of return freight.

An escalation could get you that $50 original freight charge reimbursed along with the item price.

In some cases, you get a prepaid return shipping label emailed to you. It’s rare, but does happen.

In most sales I have seen buyer always pays return shipping. And it has to be in the exact same shape he sent it to you in. It might be a good idea to take pics as soon as you get it delivered. Open the box if the driver has a spare minute and have him as a witness to the opening.

 

[mcnach]

You are actually wrong. I owned a Sterling Ray 34 and a 35. The necks definitely have a distinct line on the back of the neck where the gloss finish stops going down from the headstock. It is perfectly normal and not added or removed finish.

yes, so it seems, I just edited my post.
I NEVER noticed in any bass I tried, nor on my own Stingray! That goes to show how noticeable it is in practice when you are not analysing it. I had my Stingray's neck lacquered properly years ago, so it's all glossy now, like a "Classic".

 

[B-Mac]

Mint condition
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mint condition is an expression used to denote the quality of a pre-owned good as displaying virtually no imperfections and being in pristine condition relative to its original production state. Originally, the phrase related to the way collectors described the condition of coins. As the name given to a coin factory is a "mint", then mint condition is the condition a coin is in when it leaves the Invalid Link Removed.[1]

Mint condition = zero imperfections. It means the item is in exactly the same condition as when it was brand-new & left the factory.
I have purchased used basses in mint condition many times.
To all the people telling the OP things like "get over it", or trying to redefine the definition of "mint condition", give yourselves a zero for the day & try again after receiving a proper education.

Look up 'virtually' You'll be surprised; translation - 'almost'

 

[Spectre1966]

In my opinion, if you want a mint condition used instrument, make sure you check it out in person before buying it.

 

[EtoBb]

What, in this instance, is strategic about these nicks?

I can't move past this.

 

[Maxdusty]

Yeah they're small nicks and likely easily fixed as described earlier... what makes it annoying is that the OP specifically asked.

It's like me asking for a white bass, and receiving a black one. "Ah, but it plays just as well" is not going to cut it when I specifically stated white. If I ask about dings in the neck, tell me the truth. Then I see them and in this case I'd probably buy it anyway, end of story. The problem is when you omit something on purpose or straight lie about a direct question... then the seller may feel cheated, and that's not a good feeling.

Exactly - if you ask about ANY scratches or nicks on the neck, you'd think the seller would at least look at the freakin' neck.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

mint doesn't mean perfect without any flaws.

 

[mcnach]

What, in this instance, is strategic about these nicks?

I can't move past this.

My interpretation of the OP (I could be wrong... it happens rarely, but it's happened) (dang, I just remembered I was wrong before on this very thread... erm... mooooving on! ) is that by strategically he meant that the nicks are in such position that you keep noticing them while playing. That's how I read it. But... I could be wrong!

 

[Hounddog409]

Sorry OP but if those 'dings' we see are the worst of them and the bass was described as 'excellent' I'm siding with the buyer. I'd eat the $50.00 as a lesson in expectations and the perils of buying a used guitar off a stranger on the internet.......

I was going to post the same. I was expecting more that pic showed.

Sorry OP, you are over reacting by a large margin. If those to tiny microscopic dents are the only problem, you need to get over yourself.

 

[EtoBb]

My interpretation of the OP (I could be wrong... it happens rarely, but it's happened) (dang, I just remembered I was wrong before on this very thread... erm... mooooving on! ) is that by strategically he meant that the nicks are in such position that you keep noticing them while playing. That's how I read it. But... I could be wrong!

You may be correct. I read it as: the nicks were deliberately placed in those locations for some advantage. My interpretation makes no sense, and I couldn't move past it.

 

[Hounddog409]

I think some sellers use “Mint” and “Excellent” synonymously which would be a mistake.

The OP needs to understand that mint does not equal perfect.

 

[mcnach]

You may be correct. I read it as: the nicks were deliberately placed in those locations for some advantage. My interpretation makes no sense, and I couldn't move past it.

yeah, that would be almost Twilight Zone territory

 

[bassstrangler]

You may be correct. I read it as: the nicks were deliberately placed in those locations for some advantage. My interpretation makes no sense, and I couldn't move past it.

I read it as the seller strategically placed them there as a way of fudging the deal.

 

[bassdood]

Is it my imagination, or is it amazing that we have now gone on for over 175 posts regarding some little tiny dents that are hard to see, and that several people have described how to remove in about ten minutes for free?

And further, we haven't heard Word One about how the bass plays or sounds.

What a truly TERRIBLE experience.

Indeed.

 

[mcnach]

Is it my imagination, or is it amazing that we have now gone on for over 175 posts regarding some little tiny dents that are hard to see, and that several people have described how to remove in about ten minutes for free?

And further, we haven't heard Word One about how the bass plays or sounds.

What a truly TERRIBLE experience.

Indeed.

It's not amazing. Are you new to TalkBass?