Buying a bass from Amazon ...???

[MTBassMania]

I'm not going to come on here and vent... I might come on and say something like, "Yeah, that was stupid... (list defects). Learned my lesson." But I would hardly call that venting.

It's a Warwick Streamer $$, swamp ash, burgandy red, oil finish, with the "flat-top" pups (the pups are square, with the screws inside, rather than having rounded parts above and below for the screws = flat thumb rest surface). Thats all the info I could get out of Amazon. If its not exactly what I want, or if I find some defects (which, I'll probably post question regarding those, as everything I've owned are "cheap asian POSs" and have had to dial in myself, or had work done by my local luthier) I'll return it. Simple as that.

I know... There are "better" basses out there, but I really love the sound of that Warwick all wood and $$. And, really, that's what it comes down to. I'm not big into the "bright" and pop and bight of other basses, or what some consider that "jazz" sound - love that low-mid, punchy grr, and then be able to flip some switches and have a smooth, warm, colorful tone. And that oil finish burgundy red... Just makes me feel evil. And I love to be evil. MWAHA!

So yeah - In threory, that's EXACTLY what I've wanted. And I have not seen one anywhere else for awhile. If patience were one of my virtues, I'd probably chill for awhile. But waiting for "the right moment" has gotten me screwed more often than not - seize the carpe, and all that.

But again, we shall see...

 

[GG7]

We buy a lot of stuff from there cause I have an Amazon Visa (3 points per buck baby!), and as a rule they sell unopened factory sealed merchandise unless otherwise indicated.

Their return policy and system is second to none and FAST! They usually refund me on a return as soon as UPS scans the return shipping label into their system. Days before it actually gets back to them.

Only draw back is that you can't call and negotiate a price like you can at MusiciansFriend and elsewhere. MF takes forever to process returns too. I am still waiting for my refund on a returned BA115 that I sent back over 7 days ago. They are just as fast as Amazon with issuing the return UPS prepaid label though.

 

[Bongolation]

and as a rule they sell unopened factory sealed merchandise unless otherwise indicated.

Largely untrue, but it depends on the type of merchandise.

I'd say 80% of the music gear I've bought from them was pretty obviously distressed merchandise, at least on the first pass.

And it was NEVER indicated, except when from "Amazon Warehouse."

I could spend many hours on horror stories. Returns were fine, but the stuff I got first was just remarkable, though a lot of people would never have noticed, like the Fender OV pickups I got that had been resealed and turned out to be nearly 20% out of spec.

Since Amazon started charging CA sales tax I rarely buy anything from them and I don't know if any of this has improved in the meantime, but they've moved a lot of junk as A-stock.

 

[MTBassMania]

After I get the serial number, would I be able to give it to a Warwick rep and get more info? If it's A-stock, B-stock, what's wrong with it, etc...

 

[Maxdusty]

I bought quite a few basses and guitars from Amazon as they frequently spotlight a manufacturer and discount their guitars/basses for a couple of weeks. They used to be more heavily discounted a while back, more so than these days but still, you find a good deal every now and then. Yes, I too live out in a musical instrument vacuum with the nearest GC about 40 miles away. I buy from a number of online places (had 40 guitars/basses and have since sold or traded most- talk about a bad case of GAS).
Amazon, I haven't really experienced any problems with them in terms of packaging and shipping- although I bought a guitar once that wasnt adequately padded and during shipment, the plastic switch knob snapped off as I would imagine, something heavy was probably stacked on it.. grrr). Called Amazon and they offered to process a return, but as it was the last one in stock of a hard to find guitar, I opted to keep it, they gave me $50 back for my troubles. (part cost all of $2)

 

[Bongolation]

After I get the serial number, would I be able to give it to a Warwick rep and get more info? If it's A-stock, B-stock, what's wrong with it, etc...

You can try, but I doubt it.

They never admit his stuff -- and in fairness, a lot of Amazon's strange stock appears to have been acquired from retailer liquidations, etc., etc., so the manufacturer may not be aware of nor to blame for the condition.

But...another respected manufacturer's customer rep as said off the record to never buy one of their basses from Amazon, as they only sell them their reject overseas builds that fail their inspection upon importation and are unfit for distribution to their authorized dealers. I'm sure this is not that uncommon.

In that most brands only distribute instruments and accessories through authorized dealers and will tell you that Amazon is not an authorized dealer, you have to wonder how the Amazon stock came into being in the first place, right?

 

[GG7]

Largely untrue, but it depends on the type of merchandise.

I'd say 80% of the music gear I've bought from them was pretty obviously distressed merchandise, at least on the first pass.

And it was NEVER indicated, except when from "Amazon Warehouse."

I could spend many hours on horror stories. Returns were fine, but the stuff I got first was just remarkable, though a lot of people would never have noticed, like the Fender OV pickups I got that had been resealed and turned out to be nearly 20% out of spec.

Since Amazon started charging CA sales tax I rarely buy anything from them and I don't know if any of this has improved in the meantime, but they've moved a lot of junk as A-stock.

Can't say I have shared the same experience. Been shopping with them pretty regularly and I have found nearly 100% of the merchandise we purchased to be brand new factory fresh with no signs of prior use or sale.

In fact, the only time we have ever received something that looked to have been opened and returned were items purchased from third party sellers, which seems to be something you see more and more.

We are PRIME members, so always try to buy from them direct to get the free 2 day shipping, and none of the Amazon fullfilled stuff has ever been non factory sealed.

Since we live in a remote area we buy a ton from them including a lot of grocery items. I would say close to 12k worth of merchandise a year, and have done for almost 10 years now.

I think they are the best online store on the web based on my personal experience.

Sorry yours has been 180 degrees to mine.

 

[Maxdusty]

In some cases, the manufacturer will stamp something on the headstock noting that it's a B-stock. Looking at one of mine, they stamped it "used". I bought it knowing it was a B-stock though so not a problem for me. It was a new bass that had a slight ding on the headstock that was repaired (or refurbished). I can barely even notice any of it! I don't know if all manufacturers do this though- somehow doubt it.

 

[Bongolation]

Amazon, I haven't really experienced any problems with them in terms of packaging and shipping

Packaging is usually OK, but has interesting exceptions.

When I was trying to buy a nylon-string guitar for the studio, I had a series of entertaining episodes.

I bought one from Amazon Warehouse (beware!) and it was shipped in the lightweight store "shelf box" and of course arrived destroyed.

Started over with Amazon's regular site and ordered one that arrived in a huge box about four times too big, but unscathed. I opened it up and inside was the factory-sealed guitar box literally accordioned, something you rarely see, but there it was. Across the box in black marker was

DAMAGED

I just groaned, but pulled it out and saw that it had never actually been opened, so I pulled out the staples and to my astonishment, the guitar itself was perfect, even though the box and interior packing were totally trashed. It had been sold to Amazon as scrap, purely because the box looked so bad and nobody had the heart to actually open it and look.

I also ordered a bunch of Fender classical strings, only to find that the wound strings all had gaps in the silver plating, something that I (and subsequently Fender) could not imagine even happening. I got them replaced from Amazon, Fender sent me some free sets and Amazon gave me a $15 credit for my grief.

So, it was interesting.

BTW, all Fender parts and accessories I've bought from Amazon have been fishy, at least on the first pass.

 

[GG7]

WOW! Glad I have not had any such problems like you have. Must be the stuff you buy versus what I buy.

Bought several musical items including an Axiom Pro 61 USB keyboard. Arrived in 2 days, factory sealed and flawless and for 150.00 bucks less than GC or MF had it on sale for. AKG 414 XLS mic, 451B, D112. All factory sealed. Same with all my DR bass strings, D'Adario mandolin strings, etc. all retail perfect, factory sealed and just as good as anything from Guitar Center for less $$ out of my pocket.

I plan to buy from them for as long as they are around. Far more affordable than driving 150 miles round trip down to the city every week. Even with the tax we still save a ton, and have far more of a selection.

I personally would rather buy major instrument purchases from MusiciansFriend or a respected dealer with the same kind of low prices over Amazon. You can't grind on the price at Amazon, so unless they have a killer deal, I would shop around a CALL for the best deal!

 

[Maxdusty]

Packaging is usually OK, but has interesting exceptions.

When I was trying to buy a nylon-string guitar for the studio, I had a series of entertaining episodes.

I bought one from Amazon Warehouse (beware!) and it was shipped in the lightweight store "shelf box" and of course arrived destroyed.

Come to think of it, the one guitar I bought with the damaged switch knob, did not have a non-descript larger exterior box - it was shipped only in the guitar box itself. It too was purchased from Amazon Warehouse. It was taped up but the manufacturer's box had the logo emblazoned on it and even a picture of the guitar on it for all to see for goodness sake! Good thing I was home at the time and brought the package inside as soon as it was delivered as it may have been far too tempting for any errant musicians wondering around.

Buying from Guitar Center, you get the nicely packaged brown non-descript box and ten tons of foam packaging and bubble wrap. Takes about 15 minutes to get the instrument out from all that packaging. But it does make the trip to my house safely about 20 times so far.

 

[GG7]

I think that is where you guys are running into problems. I never buy from the Amazon Warehouse.

I just wait till I find what I want at a good price and grab it.! I got that 414 XLS mic for $755.00! Everywhere else wanted close to a grand.

 

[Bongolation]

WOW! Glad I have not had any such problems like you have. Must be the stuff you buy versus what I buy.

Probably, but all this was sold as regular A-stock, directly from Amazon.Com and not third-party sellers.

I think regular consumer stuff is less prone to this.

Bought several musical items including an Axiom 61 Pro keyboard. Factory sealed and flawless. Same with all my DR bass strings, D'Adario mandolin strings, etc. all retail perfect, factory sealed and just as good as anything from Guitar Center for less $$ out of my pocket.

I've bought a bunch of strings in the past and most look like they've been in a store or in some kind of loose storage -- wrinkled, mashed, dusty or opened packaging -- but the only actually defective strings I've received were the freaky Fender nylon sets. The oddest was when I ordered four sets of GHS guitar strings. Three sets came from one warehouse and looked like fresh stock, but the fourth set came from somewhere else, with the hermetic mylar foil package laboriously torn half-open by hand. Just weird.

I plan to buy from them for as long as they are around. Far more affordable than driving 150 miles round trip down to the city every week. Even with the tax we still save a ton, and have far more of a selection.

If the money makes sense, I buy from them. The great deals days of a couple of years ago are long gone, but sometimes there's a worthwhile deal on something I can't get locally.

 

[RJHall]

I've purchased an expensive Fender bass and an Ampeg amp from them... all arrived factory fresh, stapled/sealed in their respective boxes. I've been shopping Prime there for going on 6 years now, no problems. First issues I ever heard were on this thread, just now.

Zzounds on the other hand... don't get me started with their inventory.

 

[Bongolation]

I think that is where you guys are running into problems. I never buy from the Amazon Warehouse.

I only did once.

I got a few other non-gear items that were "used." and these were OK...but it's a completely different organization from Amazon's regular site, especially in terms of shipping packaging.

 

[tastybasslines]

I've bought 2 basses from the Amazon warehouse and both were superb experiences. An AE and beautiful Cort, which is fantastic. Cannot complain. Fast shipping and absolutely nothing wrong with either.

Unlike Mom and Pop stores who cannot absorb heavy losses, Amazon routinely purges inventory not moving at or below invoice and great deals can be had. If I had more money, I'd have about 7 or 8 more basses than I have now, and all that I am confident I could flip for a small profit at worst.

 

[GG7]

Probably, but all this was sold as regular A-stock, directly from Amazon.Com and not third-party sellers.

I think regular consumer stuff is less prone to this.


I've bought a bunch of strings in the past and most look like they've been in a store or in some kind of loose storage -- wrinkled, mashed, dusty or opened packaging -- but the only actually defective strings I've received were the freaky Fender nylon sets. The oddest was when I ordered four sets of GHS guitar strings. Three sets came from one warehouse and looked like fresh stock, but the fourth set came from somewhere else, with the hermetic mylar foil package laboriously torn half-open by hand. Just weird.



If the money makes sense, I buy from them. The great deals days of a couple of years ago are long gone, but sometimes there's a worthwhile deal on something I can't get locally.

Glad I don't have your luck with Amazon! I would say based on the volume of purchases we make that my experiences are far more common than yours. And there are still deals to be had if you look and are patient. That AKG 414 XLS is a prime example. The $755.00 I paid delivered is close to the price of a used one on eBay! It came in the usual AKG metal case with the glued factory sealed band around it and shrink wrapped from the factory. You can't repack that mic to look at all like the factory fresh one.

Sorry you have had such unusually bad luck buying from them.

 

[Bongolation]

BTW, all Fender parts and accessories I've bought from Amazon have been fishy, at least on the first pass.

Wait, I just remembered that a G-DEC amp foot control I ordered a while back was perfectly OK (as far as I know, I haven't really used it), though it was a full-price item.

Full-price is no guarantee of quality, though. When I wanted to do a pickguard swap on a Jazz, everyone seemed to be out of tortoise pickguards except Amazon, so I got one from them at about regular street price.

I went through three of them. They were genuine Fender bagged items, but were so ancient that they had shrunk and curled up like a potato chip. They had shrunk to the point the pickguard screws didn't line up with the holes properly. And yes, they were the right item.

I'm figuring they had to be at least five years old, probably more. Very strange!

 

[EagleMoon]

I'm sure they hire people to find close out/sale/damaged items as cheaply as they can get them...anywhere they can get them. Just so they can have the lowest price on something when a person does a search when they're looking to buy. People will buy something when they think they're getting a deal. Even when it's only by a few cents.

 

[DwaynieAD]

Bongolation's assertions on Amazon are hilarious and patently false.