Ebay woes

[redramen]

Some of those would probably come off with a Magic Eraser. But since the ad said excellent+ rather than New, the seller has some wiggle room. I hope you sent it back with tracking info.

I am sending it back after work today.

The seller did say it was excellen+ in the text of the ad.

But under "Item condition:", it says "New other (see details)"

And ebay defines New other as "A new, unused item with absolutely no signs of wear. The item may be missing the original packaging, or in the original packaging but not sealed. The item may be a factory second or a new, unused item with defects. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections."

So I was expecting that it didn't have the original packaging or something. And the text of the ad never mentioned the stains or ding. Like I said, even after I sent the pictures, he said that he found nothing wrong with the bass before he sent it.

So I don't know if he really believes that he sent it out perfect or he is just outright lying.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I am really hoping I don't have to get ebay involved. I am afraid of what the seller might try to pull.




I started a return process. But I couldn't send any communication through that. So I was just emailing him through the ebay message thing.

I see this has been taken care of. You very much want ebay involved and use their communications channel for every correspondence.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

Is starting the ebay return process the same as involving ebay? When it asked me the reason, I chose "not described" or something like that. I was able to upload those pictures. Or is there something else I need to do to get ebay involved?

The seller accepted that I can return the bass. And I was able to print out a label. I don't know who pays for that label. I think he did maybe?

He also given me positive feedback already. But can he change that to negative?

How did you start the return process? Did you open a dispute and then select " return item, item not as described" or something to that effect? If so, you are good. It has been some time since I last went through the process. You may only have to upload photos if the seller argues against the dispute.

I'm not sure who pays for return shipping. You will have to read through the seller's return policy or contact eBay. Typically when an item is not as described, the seller eats shipping both ways. The seller cannot change the feedback he left for you. Even if he could, eBay does not tolerate feedback retaliation so if he does, you can report him for it. Come to thing of it, in a dispute I believe eBay locks feedback.

Why did my font get small up there? Weird.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Why did my font get small up there? Weird.

Cold shower?

 

[Maxdusty]

That's not a new condition bass. He may not have used it, but how did he store it in the closet? That stain looks like it was perhaps from being inside a gig bag that got a little moisture on it. The 3rd picture looks like a pattern one would usually see in a gig bag. The color from the dye of the bag.

Edit: I know this because I put a newly painted project bass in a gig bag a long time ago thinking the paint was fully dry. On the bottom was a similar pattern to what you have in your picture of the gig bag leaving a mark in the same spot as yours. Remember, most gig bags are tapered so pressure is greatest at the bottom and near the corners- exactly where that spot is. So you're probably right, it's from a gig bag.

Other than that, if the bass plays well - I would probably ask for a discount rather than returning it.

 

[Xandrell]

Other than the blems, do you like the bass? Does it play, sound, and feel good? If so, I would think about trying to buff them out. I've bought many basses online that were blem free which is always a good thing but had other problems. I would rather have some blems than other problems. I know it's frustrating finding things like that on a new bass but if this is capable of being a great bass, it's something to think about.

 

[tjh]

...
I didn't even try to play or do anything with the bass since I didn't want to be accused of damaging the bass by playing it. So I emailed the seller within 5 minutes of seeing the stain/ damage. And I haven't touched the bass since.
....

... FWIW, I am glad it seems to be working out favorably for you, but if this was the type of bass you have been searching for, and with the remorse you are showing for having sold the (previous) one that you had, I would have been examining/playing that bass until I was completely convinced that this was not one of those Fender offerings that just heads and tails stood out above the rest ... I would be happy to live with a few minor cosmetic issues, if it screamed 'keep me' in every other way ...

JMHO .. as always

 

[DavC]

by definition ; if someone already bought it once ... it is USED ... !!! it can be Like New or As New , but it is USED ... period . After decades in Retail sales ...

get out some polish and buff those things out ... !!

USED = buyer beware - always .

 

[Herrick]

Everything works as it should, and there is no damage or wear.

If that's really how the seller described the bass well...you can't describe a bass like that if it does have wear LoL. When I sell stuff on eBay, I try to get upclose pictures of any damage and if I can't get a good picture, I'll try to describe the damage as best as I can. An instrument can still be in very good condition and still have minor damage.

 

[dxb]

Thanks, I actually did email the seller, and he is hesitantly accepting a return.

The weird thing is, even when he accepted the return, he kept saying that it wasn't like that when he shipped it. And was asking to make sure that they weren't normal Mexican finish flaws. And then he basically said, I expect the bass to come back to me in the same shape that I shipped it out in and that it hasn't been modified, or the damage was caused by use, etc.

So I am now worried that he won't give me a refund when he gets it back, since he insists that he didn't ship it out with stains and damage and he wants it back in the same condition that he says he shipped it out in (i.e. no stains or damage).

So is he able to deny me a refund and say that it didn't have stains and damage when he shipped it out it?

Man, do all the shady ebay sellers take a class where they learn these lame tricks to try and use against buyers? I had a similar experience to this once. The guy claimed the instrument was in "perfect" condition, but it was far from perfect. He eventually agreed to accept a return, but at first denied there was anything wrong when he sent it and tried to pass the flaws off as shipping damage- even the big hunk of wood that had been shoved inside the body as part of a repair and never removed- yeah that totally happened during shipping.

He also threatened not to give my money back if it didn't arrive back to him in the exact condition I received it, and said he wouldn't give me a refund at all until then. It was an empty threat though since ebay always sides with the buyer if there are defects that weren't mentioned in the item description. He did send me a shipping label- which he paid for- but since he was being so difficult I said that if I didn't get the refund by the time I had to pay my credit card bill, I'd be filing a dispute with my CC. He refunded my money shortly afterward. I guess it helped that I paid with a credit card, but you should be able to file a dispute with paypal too.

 

[Herrick]

by definition ; if someone already bought it once ... it is USED ... !!! it can be Like New or As New , but it is USED ... period . After decades in Retail sales ...

get out some polish and buff those things out ... !!

USED = buyer beware - always .

Yeah I bought a "like new" acoustic guitar from MusiciansFriend. It arrived with one of the bottom sides caved in. No damage to the shipping box or the hardshell case.

 

[redramen]

That's not a new condition bass. He may not have used it, but how did he store it in the closet? That stain looks like it was perhaps from being inside a gig bag that got a little moisture on it. The 3rd picture looks like a pattern one would usually see in a gig bag. The color from the dye of the bag.

Edit: I know this because I put a newly painted project bass in a gig bag a long time ago thinking the paint was fully dry. On the bottom was a similar pattern to what you have in your picture of the gig bag leaving a mark in the same spot as yours. Remember, most gig bags are tapered so pressure is greatest at the bottom and near the corners- exactly where that spot is. So you're probably right, it's from a gig bag.

Thanks. I was pretty certain that it was from a gig bag or strap or something. And not from shipping. Again, another reason why I am cautious of this seller.

How did you start the return process? Did you open a dispute and then select " return item, item not as described" or something to that effect? If so, you are good. It has been some time since I last went through the process. You may only have to upload photos if the seller argues against the dispute.

I forget exactly how I started the return. I think it was one of the things under "more actions" or something in my purchase history page. and I selected "not as described".

 

[A-Step-Towards]

I'd ask for $75 back and just live with it. One time I thought I scored a 70s p for $900 at least that's what I was told. Turns out the neck was original
And body wasn't even fender at all. I got the guy to knock off cash and kept it since it was a insanely nice player but it's pedigree was totally wrong.

 

[redramen]

by definition ; if someone already bought it once ... it is USED ... !!! it can be Like New or As New , but it is USED ... period . After decades in Retail sales ...

get out some polish and buff those things out ... !!

USED = buyer beware - always .

Yeah lesson learned. I just thought it was the case of a guy getting a bass, and not using it and just storing it in the closet. and then getting a different bass. And in the pictures in the ad it really did look like it wasnt used at all. Of course, I guess he could have taken this when he bought it and not when he was selling it.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

I forget exactly how I started the return. I think it was one of the things under "more actions" or something in my purchase history page. and I selected "not as described".

You should be fine. I've gone through the return process with non-happy sellers too. They eventually get over it.

 

[dxb]

I'd ask for $75 back and just live with it. One time I thought I scored a 70s p for $900 at least that's what I was told. Turns out the neck was original
And body wasn't even fender at all. I got the guy to knock off cash and kept it since it was a insanely nice player but it's pedigree was totally wrong.

Yeah, I would also recommend to the OP that if he likes the bass and can live with a couple scratches he should see if the seller will give a partial refund to bring it down to what the cost would be for a used instrument... though returning it is also a valid solution.

 

[redramen]

Thanks everyone for your help.

I think I am going to return the bass.

Before, I was hesitating between returning it or just keeping it and trying to deal with the staining.

But I was afraid that the staining went all the way to the paint and not just the clear coat. When I ran my fingers on the stain or the black marks, I couldn't feel them at all. Also, I was afraid that there were other issues with the bass that the seller is not disclosing, like was it kept bone dry or kept next to a heating vent. Or did his cat pee all over it? Or something else. Since he didnt disclose the small things that I really wouldn't have minded, then what stops him from hiding other things. Like is the body really a squier. Or something.

I really was tempted to try to buff it out. But I didnt want the seller to accuse me of modifying his bass and then claiming that it wasn't in the condition that he sent it out in.

Also, I was afraid of that crack, paint chip near the neck. What could cause that? Did it fall on its neck or something?

[Edit:]
I just looked at the bass again when I was about to pack it up and noticed that it didn't even have the protective film on the pickguard! That was one of the things that he specifically pointed out in the ad! So this seller seems really shady. Weird since he has a 100% positive feedback rating.

 

[pcake]

the item wasn't "new/other", it was used. since you knew the seller was the owner, not a store, it couldn't have been new. and that would be a big red flag new/other is used if something was a store demo or the packaging was damaged in some way but is being sold by the retailer.

best of luck with your return.

 

[dxb]

Thanks everyone for your help.

I think I am going to return the bass.

Before, I was hesitating between returning it or just keeping it and trying to deal with the staining.

But I was afraid that the staining went all the way to the paint and not just the clear coat. When I ran my fingers on the stain or the black marks, I couldn't feel them at all. Also, I was afraid that there were other issues with the bass that the seller is not disclosing, like was it kept bone dry or kept next to a heating vent. Or did his cat pee all over it? Or something else. Since he didnt disclose the small things that I really wouldn't have minded, then what stops him from hiding other things. Like is the body really a squier. Or something.

I really was tempted to try to buff it out. But I didnt want the seller to accuse me of modifying his bass and then claiming that it wasn't in the condition that he sent it out in.

Also, I was afraid of that crack, paint chip near the neck. What could cause that? Did it fall on its neck or something?

Yeah, if you're not comfortable with it, send it back. I also had an experience where I kept an ebay item that didn't meet my expectations and I ended up regretting it later. It didn't develop more issues than the ones I initially discovered, but every time I looked at it it reminded me of the deceptive seller and I felt a little sick to my stomach.

 

[ArtechnikA]

I don't believe so, no. From everything I've ever heard eBay pretty nearly always takes the buyer's side in any dispute.

Once the seller accepts a return through EBay it is a done deal.
_Even If_ the buyer damages the item.
Thank you for not asking how I know this...
(But it's why a 15-year EBay selling history came to a screaming halt when EBay would not budge on full refund including shipping both ways even after the buyer admitted she'd worn a bracelet for 2 weeks and beat the cr&p out of it, then decided she didn't like it any more...)