How do you guys feel about buying a “no returns” bass?

No returns=no way. But that's just me.

 

buying untested is always a risk, I've done tons of it over the decades and rarely gotten skunked or gotten a lemon, but nothing over a $500 outright theft and that was by far the worst. most everything custom on ebay is way over $500, if you have unlimited funds then who cares? under that amount things really start getting squishy, too many jokers looking for suckers, yet there is always a diamond in the rough to find if you're willing to gamble. then there's always Wishbass! Wish will do virtually any custom for cheap, with lots of satisfied customers.
if I was in Dumfries, VA I'd pick this 'custom' up for $15 ...but I'm VERY glad I'm not lol
Customized Legacy Precission Bass PBass Four String GC | eBay

 

Buying any hand made instrument comes with an element of risk. One from an unknown maker, without any direct support, or even a return policy, increases that risk exponentially. I might still do it (last time I did I struck out pretty bad), but I'd have to weigh the risk against the cost and how bad I want/need it.

 

No. Could be counterfeit, in poor condition (never trust photos as proof), broken hardware/truss rod.

 

When buying online from outlets like eBay there is always a risk. Now, eBay (and PayPal) usually do offer some form of buyer protection, however in this case if the seller is disclosing flat out (and props to them for being transparent about it) no returns at all I personally would be less likely to pursue it. You just never know and sometimes you roll the dice and win and sometimes you get burned. I guess it really depends on what it is and how much money we're talking here. Also that you'll get exactly what you paid for and expect. Main point - how much risk you wish to possibly take on?

 

Depends on whether you’re talking about a $400 custom bass or a $4000 custom bass. I wouldn't spend 4K without a bunch of research and getting some first-hand recommendations and experiences

if it was spec’d the way I wanted it and looked good, I’d throw $400 at it in a NY minute and take that chance

 

I wouldn’t buy a custom bass from eBay. Was the price incredibly low? If so, it’s probably coming from China among countless copies. It will be cheap, but you get what you pay for.

If you’re seriously considering a custom build, check out Tom Clement or Chris Bordwell. Their prices start among the lowest and their quality is amazing.

With a custom build, ask as many questions as you can imagine. Ask for the builders’ professional input as well. Normally, the paying process is a deposit upfront, another portion mid-way and finish payment when it is complete. So it’s not like you need to pay for the whole instrument upfront.

 

how is this a custom bass if it gets delivered in 4 days?

 

Custom built to someone else’s specs? Is this a custom bass that someone ordered and rejected?

 

A little risky, could be the guy's very first custom build...

 

No.

There are too many reasons I wouldn't like for the seller to book ONLY a one-way trip. I only play poker at a table.

 

I probably wouldn't BUT, if I really liked it there would be 2 essentials for me.

1. A good price.

2. A video chat where the person selling answered any and all questions, plus played the bass for me as per my direction. IE... shake the bass while you're playing it so I can see that nothing is loose .

 

...about poor thread titles?

 

About someone who posts negative replies every time someone asks for help or posts a legitimate question?
just sayin.............

 

Unknown seller, unknown product, no returns?

What could go wrong?

 

Nope.