Same. Since PayPal invariably sides with the buyer it can be abused especially if buyers use any oversight to get an extra discount. Not saying OP did this but if it was really such a big deal why not return the bass?
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Does a good deal excuse a terrible seller?
- Thread starter birminghambass
- Start date
Same. Since PayPal invariably sides with the buyer it can be abused especially if buyers use any oversight to get an extra discount. Not saying OP did this but if it was really such a big deal why not return the bass?
Okay, we got close up pix that show dings through the finish.
But what is this?
What was the deal?
What price for what bass?
I have bought some 20 year old basses and older that have no dings and some that have dings but they don't go through the finish. But is this something vintage/collectible that you got for a great low price?
Agreed - looks like it was rocked with the other side of a ball peen hammer. Weird dings for sure.
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
It's not the issue that there are or are no dings or dongs per say.. it's that they apparently were not disclosed to the buyer. There are basses that are bought and sold here all day.. People post pic after pic, this scratch, this ding, setting a coin next to it to accurately show the size.. It is all about honest disclosure. Not that the bass is "old" and has "battle scars" that isn't the point. If they got em, show em. Avoids all of this malarkey.
I will take major exception if someone ships me something with dongs in it.
Sellers: Please do NOT make only judgement-based statements in your description. Be honest. State the facts, not just your interpretation of them.
Buyers: Don't accept judgement-based statements. Ask questions. Get pics, get numbers. If the seller thinks you're being a pain with the questions, then cut your loss while all you've lost is time.
Buyers: Don't accept judgement-based statements. Ask questions. Get pics, get numbers. If the seller thinks you're being a pain with the questions, then cut your loss while all you've lost is time.
I was in a similar situation a few years ago. I bought a bass for a great deal and the pictures were blurry and dark, but the seller said the bass was in "great condition." Given the price, I was willing to overlook imperfections. But when I got the bass, it looked like it had lived in a greasy auto repair shop for decades. There were Phillips screws for strap buttons! The strings were rusted, and the entire bass was covered in dirt and grease. There were no tone controls and the strap button holes had been ruined.
I opened a dispute and in the end I kept the bass after being offered a refund on shipping. Six months later, while watching TV, I took the bass apart and cleaned it with 409 and a Mr. Clean scrubbing sponge from top to bottom I bought new tone controls and did the old toothpick repair on the strap buttons. After putting it back together, I put a set of light gauge bass strings on it. The truss rod came out perfectly with a very low action and the neck played like I had an old familiar bass I bought 20 years ago. The bass sounded fantastic! Sure, the body has some nicks but now that it's cleaned up it just looks like an old road warrior. And it was a good deal. I was lucky it turned out that way. I could have gotten a complete refund but for some reason I wanted to keep the bass, which really befuddled me. In the end, now it's one of my favorite at-home plunking along with the TV basses.
But here's what I learned. Get more pictures of the bass. Look at the feedback. Even neutrals tell a story. Make sure you buy with PayPal protection otherwise you're stuck. Keep your cool. If the other guy gets nasty don't worry-- eBay and PayPal are monitoring every interaction between you so keep it positive on your side. I'd also like to point out that while I feel your frustration, we have not heard the other party's response. Every story has two sides. You must be pleased enough and you settled for a 10% refund. I hope you learned from this poor experience.
I opened a dispute and in the end I kept the bass after being offered a refund on shipping. Six months later, while watching TV, I took the bass apart and cleaned it with 409 and a Mr. Clean scrubbing sponge from top to bottom I bought new tone controls and did the old toothpick repair on the strap buttons. After putting it back together, I put a set of light gauge bass strings on it. The truss rod came out perfectly with a very low action and the neck played like I had an old familiar bass I bought 20 years ago. The bass sounded fantastic! Sure, the body has some nicks but now that it's cleaned up it just looks like an old road warrior. And it was a good deal. I was lucky it turned out that way. I could have gotten a complete refund but for some reason I wanted to keep the bass, which really befuddled me. In the end, now it's one of my favorite at-home plunking along with the TV basses.
But here's what I learned. Get more pictures of the bass. Look at the feedback. Even neutrals tell a story. Make sure you buy with PayPal protection otherwise you're stuck. Keep your cool. If the other guy gets nasty don't worry-- eBay and PayPal are monitoring every interaction between you so keep it positive on your side. I'd also like to point out that while I feel your frustration, we have not heard the other party's response. Every story has two sides. You must be pleased enough and you settled for a 10% refund. I hope you learned from this poor experience.
On a second note, do you like the bass?
I have gotten a cosmetically damaged guitar that I couldnt return.
I felt like I got scammed but the guitar played and sounded so good it became my number 1 gigging guitar.
I still have and love paying it even after more than a decade.
I have gotten a cosmetically damaged guitar that I couldnt return.
I felt like I got scammed but the guitar played and sounded so good it became my number 1 gigging guitar.
I still have and love paying it even after more than a decade.
Dirt =/= Mojo. Clean your damned basses when you sell them. You slobs 
None of the things you mention determine if the bass is for you or not...these issues would be irrelevant or a bonus because I enjoy customizing my equipment
Many would call that condition "Mojo"
And charge you extra!!
And charge you extra!!
I recently went through this with a bass I bought off Reverb. The photos did not show much detail so I asked specifically about wear and damage. The seller said it had none. It arrived and looked like a typical beater bass although the top was fairly clean. I complained and he was a dick about it so I went through the trouble of having Reverb force him to take a return and issue a full refund including shipping. Then he left negative and untrue feedback and Reverb removed it when I complained.
The bass was a Peavey USA Millennium plus 5 that was still worth what I paid for it even with the damage but he was such a jerk I made him eat shipping both ways to teach him not to be dishonest.
As some have previously stated....condition and the words we use to describe it may be different to seller/buyer. Clear photos are best.
That said, I have bought many basses online and this is only the second time I have been burned. Paypal made the first seller refund the purchase price but I ate the shipping cost both ways on that one.
The bass was a Peavey USA Millennium plus 5 that was still worth what I paid for it even with the damage but he was such a jerk I made him eat shipping both ways to teach him not to be dishonest.
As some have previously stated....condition and the words we use to describe it may be different to seller/buyer. Clear photos are best.
That said, I have bought many basses online and this is only the second time I have been burned. Paypal made the first seller refund the purchase price but I ate the shipping cost both ways on that one.
