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dream amp + massive ebay frustation = rant

factorplayer

factorplayer

Apr 16, 2009
876
335
#1
UPDATE Amp is dead. screw it.


So i've been using an old Warwick Pro Tube IV the last several months and love it. Great amp and delivers the tone for me.

But it's never enough, is it, and I decide I need another one. So I have my eye on the Warwick Tubepath which is the current model of their tube hybrid amps, but they are like 2K new, which cools my GAS pretty fast.

So a few weeks ago I spot a TubePath 10.1 (1000 watts) on eBay - starting bid at $699, described in "excellent" condition. Seller only has 8 feedback, but it's all +. So I bid the minimum, fully expecting to be outbid. Turns out there no other bids, the auction ends, and it's mine for a steal. I paypal the funds immediately.

First clue that something is up is when the seller sends me an update with a tracking number that doesn't fly. I ask them to follow up and get a correct tracking # but after a few emails it's obvious the seller doesn't have a clue. I'm pretty sure I'm not being scammed and that the seller is just stupid. Turns out they get my address wrong (which is clearly stated on my Paypal transactions) and I have to call Fedex to find out where they delivered it and go hunt it down (other side of condo complex).

Now the fun starts - I open the box and discover this abject moron has put an amp that goes for over $1000 easy loose in a cardboard box with NO packing whatsoever. No bubble wrap, no peanuts, nothing. The mind boggles. I can't believe how ridiculously stupid or careless or both someone would have to be to do this. And of course there is damage to the amp. A rack ear and the front panel are bent up. I plugged it in and tested it out and luckily it does appears to be operable so best case the damage is just cosmetic. I might be able to bend it back in place but it will always be evident.

So now I'm trying to figure out what I should do. Sure I got low price but I can't just let this slide. I am so pissed that someone would think this is acceptable and mistreat valuable musical equipment. I don't necessarily want to return it for a refund but I'm thinking about shaking them down for $50 bucks or so for this... not for the cash but the principle of the matter - stupidity should cost you. What would you do in my place?
 
#3
IME your only options are send it back and get your money from Paypal, or explain to the seller that unless he refunds a certain amount of cash you will be returning it for a full refund.
 
#4
factorplayer said:
another reason to buy on talkbass instead....
Click to expand...

Not always
Bought a rackmount Aphex unit from TB classifieds with a non working LED; unit was in a large box with a few pieces of paper tossed in; really bad judgement

Re-bent the rack ear, cleaned the horribly scratchy pots, and the LED worked

Bought an Acme cabinet here that was supposed to be mint; speakers would distort at very low volumes no matter what amp was used; seller later said that he bought it but never tried it; said his bass teacher did tell him "it lacked booty"; took a huge beating on that one with return shipping

Some sellers are not very bright, some are dishonest, some are lazy, some are all 3
Just have to spearate the the smart, honest guys from the rest
 
#5
if you open a "significantly not as described" ticket, you WILL be refunded IN FULL from paypal. whether you give him the amp back or not.

from there, you have your money and you can bargain a lower price or him sending you the cash to pay for return shipping.


I've had someone SCAM me this way, but if you use it properly.. its a good thing.

you WILL NOT LOSE if you do a "significantly not as described" it works without pictures confirmation, shipping dates anything. just saying its not what you asked for will get you refunded. its stupid.. but thats how paypal is. it states in their agreement that buyer protection DOES NOT APPLY to "significantly not as described"
 
#6
I sell buy & stuff on E-bay ...and it seems that the folks with low feed back ratings don't have a clue as how to pack ...but with that said I recently bought an amp from a seller with a high feedback rating and he didn't pack the amp carefully ...amp arrived with the wood case broken in several places ...but poor packaging practices are not limited to E-bay sellers ...bought an amp from Musicians Friend, and the amp arrived in an open condition ...due to the fact that when they opened the box to put the invoice inside. they used thin tape to reseal it, and they didn't even double-box it ... seems shipping companies like to play football with amps, while they are in-route .... but there is a few folks who do know how to pack stuff .... had a amp shipped to me that was wrapped tightly with 6 inches of bubble-wrap around the amp and to me that was the best way to cushion the amp from the rigors of shipping ... but as a seller/shipper most people bitch & moan about the extra $$$ for cushioning materials .....
 
#7
Appreciate the empathy from you guys... helps to know I'm not the first one here...

Funny how this is the polar opposite of when I bought the Pro Tube IV - that guy not only packaged it well he fabricated a plexiglass face cover that screwed on the rack ears to protect the knobs and switches. I was amazed.
 
#9
I bought a used Peavey Bandit (Late '90's USA model) when I was outfitting my bandroom two years ago. I went to the P.O. to pick it up and I about fell over when it was wheeled out on a cart. The seller had used the cardboard boxes that are at the P.O., expanded them into a single layer, and duct-taped pieces of cardboard around the amp. The handle and feet were exposed, along with the sides...AMAZINGLY IT WAS NOT DAMAGED!!! I took it all apart, cleaned it, and now I have a fine amp for when my bandmates drop over.

X8
 
#10
You know I think I would actually settle for a sincere apology. I'm going to send her some pics of the damage and leave it open-ended... If they are sufficiently contrite and own up to their incompetence I'll give it a pass. Otherwise I'm going to Paypal.
 
#12
factorplayer said:
You know I think I would actually settle for a sincere apology. I'm going to send her some pics of the damage and leave it open-ended... If they are sufficiently contrite and own up to their incompetence I'll give it a pass. Otherwise I'm going to Paypal.
Click to expand...

JMO, but I'd make sure I got a partial refund, if for no other reason than to drive home the point. Get him to refund $100 and he'll take the time to pack the next shipment more carefully. Won't help you, but the 100 will...

...if he won't, start a claim...he'll play ball, and other buyers from this guy will thank you.
 
#13
shipping charge was $30, which I thought was reasonable for a near-50lb head. but yes, not much was spent on packaging

I do have to amend what I stated earlier, there actually was some foam lining bunched up in the back of the box, but obviously none on the side that got damaged.


here's a pic of the damage too...

Invalid Link Removed

taking a look at that... do you think it can be bent back into place without messing it up more?
 
#14
It more than bent the ear as the front face has puckered; is this case steel or aluminum?
I would be more worried about the PC board and components if this case is steel; that was a tremendous amount of force for a point load.

To repair: Remove front face and bring it to a machine shop that has a brake; chances are the repair will be close to perfect although there will probably be some tooling marks in the powder coating even with sandwhiching between soft scrap material.
Shop minimum will be approx $25 - $50 unless you have a pal or the shop is real friendly to musicians.
 
#16
Jim C said:
To repair: Remove front face and bring it to a machine shop that has a brake; chances are the repair will be close to perfect although there will probably be some tooling marks in the powder coating even with sandwhiching between soft scrap material.
Shop minimum will be approx $25 - $50 unless you have a pal or the shop is real friendly to musicians.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't mind doing that but removing that front panel sounds easier said than done - what about the control connections?

I went ahead and sent him the pics and asked for $75 - which I think is pretty conservative. If I get blown off I'll take it through eBay.
 
#19
I'd send it back and get a refund. An amp that has taken a hit like that is likely to have other problems show up in the future. It takes a significant drop to cause that damage. I'd NEVER buy an amp with bent rack ears. It's like buying a hurricane car that's been "dried out". There will be more opportunities for you to get this amp. Plus you have another one so it's not like it's your only option. Send it back and get a full refund including your return shipping.
 

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