Does a good deal excuse a terrible seller?

[bobba66]

Twenty years of gigs and only six dings? He must have loved that bass.

 

[James Collins]

People tend to over exaggerate how good the condition of an I instrument is. If the deal was good enough and the seller seemed genuinely ignorant of the defects, I'd cut him a break. I don't know where any of the damage to my instruments came from.

 

[steelbed45]

OP - thoughts? I've bought and sold enough on TB now to realize that the level of descriptions given can vary wildly.

I've been disappointed in three deals, and just like you, when I questioned the items, all 3 TB'ers instantly flared up.

I kept one item, dumped the other on a pawn shop and gave one item away here on TB.

I guess the question would be if this is something that is going to just bug the hell out of you every time you pick up that bass. Only you can answer that.

 

[birminghambass]

I specifically asked if there was any cosmetic damage other than the one he did disclose. He said no, that it was in great shape for a 20 year old bass. None of these issues pictured were deemed significant (to him) to mention or photograph.

 

[birminghambass]

Twenty years of gigs and only six dings? He must have loved that bass.

No, tons of dings. But only 6 that went completely through the finish. Sorry if I wasn't clear.

 

[birminghambass]

Can you elaborate? Did you complain to PayPal, or was that 10% discount for something else? (I would find it odd that PayPal would arbitrate some thing like that.)

After the seller became belligerent he refused to discuss the matter. I contacted PayPal and requested a 10% refund. He accepted that only after insulting me again.

 

[Flooflox]

I specifically asked if there was any cosmetic damage other than the one he did disclose. He said no, that it was in great shape for a 20 year old bass. None of these issues pictured were deemed significant (to him) to mention or photograph.

I'd say he significantly misrepresented the condition of the bass. To me that's fraud.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I'd open a complaint with PayPal - item not as described, and get my money back. Screw him.

 

[jd56hawk]

You're talking about an expensive bass, right?

 

[drewphishesp]

Call him
Out already. Let's hear the other side

 

[Jscriv]

I would have been annoyed with those dings. Enough to send it back. Unless it was a good enough deal that a refin would bring my cost up to market level for that bass

 

[Jscriv]

And thats an EBMM of some sort.

 

[DavC]

it's a 20 yr old player ... start getting it cleaned up and fixed up and play it some more ..!! it has some very real road rage ... cool ...

i clean and fix up whatever i get ... regardless of what shape it looks to be in ... i'd still go over everything ... YMMV

 

[Maxdusty]

I don't know, maybe just me, but those are some strange dings, other than the 2nd pic.
If the bass was priced reasonably for a 20 year old bass, I probably would be mildly upset that these weren't disclosed, but things like this and the stripped screws comes with an older used bass. It's not going to look perfect. That's just me though. Maybe he didn't notice them himself as he had the bass for so long? I don't know, just going on a limb here but if his intent was to knowingly misrepresent the bass, he would have touched up those spots with a little black paint.

 

[Cliff Colton]

A bass gigged for 20 years is going to have dings, although I agree more accurate disclosure was required here. But the real outrage was delivering the bass covered in filth. To me, that’s insulting. If they’re going to take someone’s money for a bass that hasn’t been personally examined, they should at least invest in a wet rag and wipe it down. I fully sympathize with the op here.

 

[JohnnyChatter]

Depends on what the bass is? If you were give a 10% discount and it was 25 bucks cheaper than what was sold for the bass was only 250 bucks to begin with... a 20 year old bass that was a persons go to player must be a decent bass at least. The condition is confusing though....

 

[Dluxe]

Was it the '95 Sterling? $700 was a great deal and I guess $630 is even better.

SOLD - 1995 Ernie Ball Sterling w/ Drop Tuner - USA - 5 Shipped

 

[MDBass]

Hey TB, not sure how I feel about a recent deal I made. Bought a bass that was advertised as "gigged for 20 years but in great shape". The seller showed one imperfection in the (several) pics he posted. When I asked about specific issues, cosmetic or otherwise, he stated no and the only issue worth mentioning was shown in the pics. Well I receive the bass and it has SIX different dings that go through the finish and expose the wood, the strap buttons are loose and the screws are completely stripped out, and less annoyingly the bass is covered in filth. Oh and one of the neck plate screws needed to be screwed in another 1/4 inch (not a big deal just odd). None of these were mentioned or could be seen in the pictures, I feel he strategically posed the bass so these could not be seen. When I let him know I was disappointed in the bass he freaked out. He became belligerent and accused me of being a "high maintenance" jerk because I got the bass for $25 less than he was originally asking. In his opinion the good deal I got excuses his lack of details. Thoughts?

Nope.

He's wrong.

 

[Chrishi87]

Srsly? In my country you have to pay at least 1200 $ for a used Stingray. And these are battle scars. In 20 years I would be sceptical if there were NO dings and dongs...
I call this first world problems - sorry

 

[Bass V]

the whole thing stinks but the dings are liveable / fixable and if it's a nice old Ray for cheap then forget about the negs and get on with enjoying a well preserved bass. don't think about him again cos you scored.