Ebay Bass - Legal Issue???

[phillipkregg]

Ok, here is a no-name bass being sold on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Natural-Flamed-...60?pt=Guitar&hash=item19bf3ffed4#ht_833wt_735

Here's the image:

And here, of course, is a Yamaha TRB 6:

EDIT:

Here's an image from Yamaha's website:

Here's the link to Yamaha's site:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


Anyone see a problem here?

 

[Lincoln]

the bridge and headstock have clearly been photoshopped...

 

[LaklandBass]

There are some chinese companies making total knockoff instruments for cheap. I would say this is obviously one of them. From what Im told its a big issue that is hard to resolve because the Chinese govt. isnt exactly concerned about it.

 

[Corevalay]

The seller is in China. I personally would be turned off instantly by that.

 

[Gubna]

item's location is in China. I wouldn't touch that one at all. potential fraud.

 

[phillipkregg]

the bridge and headstock have clearly been photoshopped...

Ya think???

It's the exact same photo from Yamaha's site. I tried to report it to Ebay, but you must sign up for an Ebay account before you can do that.

Maybe someone here who already has an account may wish to report it.

Just a heads up.

 

[Lincoln]

Ya think???

It's the exact same photo from Yamaha's site. I tried to report it to Ebay, but you must sign up for an Ebay account before you can do that.

Maybe someone here who already has an account may wish to report it.

Just a heads up.

LOL

 

[electracoyote]

The seller is in China. I personally would be turned off instantly by that.

Anyone who needs further proof, just ask me about a direct sale from China where I lost $150.00 in shipping charges and have nothing to show for it.

 

[Stumbo]

The seller has a 94%+ rating.

A bit of text from the ad:
I love guitars and I also love to design them! My workshop is filled with many beautiful electric guitars that I have made.
I also do custom work and can usually accomplish any special requirements, as well as make left-handed versions.
If you have any creative ideas I will be happy to discuss them with you via e-mail.

eBay also insures the sale for the purchase price + original shipping.

IMO, nothing to see here. Time to move on.

 

[Bassdirty]

And here, of course, is a Yamaha TRB 6:

EDIT:

Here's an image from Yamaha's website:

Here's the link to Yamaha's site:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


Anyone see a problem here?

Does that mean yamaha has the wrong photo on the site?
Cuz those 2 basses look a lil different.

 

[bkile]

Definitely can't police ebay without an account...if that's your thing.

 

[rick0link]

if the location says anything other that somewhere in the USA, i will not buy or bid on it. pretty sure this is a scam.

 

[bongomania]

There is no viable legal case here. For any company in Japan (Yamaha) or the US (Ebay) to file a complaint against such a small Chinese manufacturer would be a joke, that would not even get past the first file clerk.

 

[bongomania]

if the location says anything other that somewhere in the USA, i will not buy or bid on it. pretty sure this is a scam.

Or not a scam, but just an identical ripoff of Yamaha's design. Spend 10 minutes on Ebay and you'll see dozens of Chinese "exact" copies of Warwicks, Spectors, everything else.

 

[dakpluto]

Am I the only one that is noticing that you are calling this a "knock-off"...does that mean they took the time to knock-off the same photo-shoot also? I love they even knocked-off the same exact grain!

AKA, the pictured bass in the ad doesn't exist. Scam

 

[Atnum]

If the guy isnt selling it as a real Yamaha then there cant be much of a problem, just look how many companies use Fender body's, copy those and then put their own name on it. Those are legal, because they don't claim to be real Fenders.

I would personally never buy anything from China directly, just too risky... There are plenty of threads about people who got screwed out of money one way or the other by the Chinese.

 

[timendous]

Obviously the photo is the same as the one from the Yamaha site. However, if you check the guys other postings, they seem to be pictures taken of actual instruments (obviously means nothing) but they don't seem to be simply lifted of a manufacturer's site.

He does have some pretty crazy designs up there. Also some that are intriguing.... But I just wouldn't feel good about a $400-$500 gamble.

 

[OmnitzGarima]

item's location is in China. I wouldn't touch that one at all. potential fraud.

+1

 

[phillipkregg]

There is no viable legal case here. For any company in Japan (Yamaha) or the US (Ebay) to file a complaint against such a small Chinese manufacturer would be a joke, that would not even get past the first file clerk.

No need for a lawsuit. Cease and desist letter should be enough.

Of course, I may be completely wrong and Yamaha may not have an issue with it at all.

 

[KramerBassFan]

Fraud?

Legal Disputes?

Its a bass. Its not worth it at all....

Trade mark and copyright laws are entirely different in china.