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Guitar Center sold me used as new!

B

busmandan

Feb 12, 2003
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Ft. Worth, Texas
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#1
I bought what I thought was a new Ampeg SVT-CL head right before Christmas. It was missing the fuse holder and a couple of other parts, so I got a really, really good deal on it - but I couldn't test it in the store.

I had the local Ampeg repair center order a new fuse holder and the other parts. Put a new fuse in, plugged in a 4 ohm cabinet, and plugged a bass in. The head went into protect after about 20 seconds.

Took the head to the repair center yesterday. The repair shop contacted Loud to get authorization for a warranty repair - only to be told the head had originally been sold in September 2010 and had a previous warranty repair in 2011.

GC did not tell me the head was used - I wouldn't have bought it if they had. Has anyone else had GC pull this on them?
 
#6
Oh man, you gotta raise hell on them for this one.

They'll probably give you the run around, but get something in writing from Ampeg, ideally, or your tech failing that, and don't rest till you get reimbursed on the price difference.
 
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#10
busmandan said:
I bought what I thought was a new Ampeg SVT-CL head right before Christmas. It was missing the fuse holder and a couple of other parts, so I got a really, really good deal on it - but I couldn't test it in the store.

I had the local Ampeg repair center order a new fuse holder and the other parts. Put a new fuse in, plugged in a 4 ohm cabinet, and plugged a bass in. The head went into protect after about 20 seconds.

Took the head to the repair center yesterday. The repair shop contacted Loud to get authorization for a warranty repair - only to be told the head had originally been sold in September 2010 and had a previous warranty repair in 2011.

GC did not tell me the head was used - I wouldn't have bought it if they had. Has anyone else had GC pull this on them?
Click to expand...
Did they claim that it was new or did they just not say anything at all? Did it have a hang tag that did not say "used"? Did the fact that it was missing some parts not send up a red flag for you?
 
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#11
They didn't say anything at all. Did not have a hang tag saying used, nor does the GC inventory bar code tag say it is used.

I got this thing for such a bargain basement price that even with the missing parts I thought it was worth the risk - but then I also expected it to have factory warranty since there is no indication that it had been previously sold.

If GC is willing to pay for the repair I'll be happy.
 
#12
busmandan said:
They didn't say anything at all. Did not have a hang tag saying used, nor does the GC inventory bar code tag say it is used.
Click to expand...

That's not the same thing is as "selling you something as new".

busmandan said:
I got this thing for such a bargain basement price that even with the missing parts I thought it was worth the risk - but then I also expected it to have factory warranty since there is no indication that it had been previously sold.

If GC is willing to pay for the repair I'll be happy.
Click to expand...

That doesn't scream "new" either but the important thing is have you talked to GC yet?
 
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#17
Not trying to be a jerk, but if it was new they would not have sold it to you below MAP. Even with the fuse holder missing. They're not allowed to negotiate prices on new items these days. It sucks, and I hope you can get somewhere with GC customer service, but you might be up the creek if you're past the return policy window.

If it were me, I'd raise hell with GC until they agreed to swap for another SVT-CL, I'd settle for a used one that's been tested and proven to be fully functional. They have a great selection of used gear and a good shipping network to shuttle items between stores. They have several used -CLs, and if you make yourself annoying enough you could probably get them to take back your amp and swap it for another used one.

Don't try to get a new one, for what you paid they almost certainly won't give you a brand new amp, but you might be able to swing another used one.
 
#19
I'm not mentioning names but a high end store I used to buy from did a similarly deceitful thing on a guitar I returned to them with a truss rod issue.
Buyer beware. Never assume
Good advice in general ESP when instrument shopping.
 
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#20
Bquan said:
For real! I went into the Nashville gc last week and some of their "new" stock was worse off than basses I've owned for 15 years. Guess kids go in there and beat on them cause they don't respect other people's stuff.
Click to expand...

I've had some cringe worthy moments in there before... Preschoolers banging on guitars while their bored mothers stand around playing with cell phones while daddy is off playing with gear. I guess thats why the really high end stuff is up on the walls but still...
 
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