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Is it really in excellent condition?

#2
JAUQO III-X said:
Why do people advertise a bass that their selling as being in excellent condition? and then proceed to describe it as having nicks,chips,dents,heavy scratches,etc.

Thats is not a bass that is in excellent condition.
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Good point. While I've never bought any bass that wasn't "as described", I bought some where the description was generous.

I've always tried to give an accurate rating for the condition and usually try to overstate the issues so that there is no confusion. Why on earth people try to pimp things to an informed audience is beyond me.

Mike
 
#5
It's often the other way around with me. I insist so much on what is wrong with the bass that people seem to think that it is in an awful condition. And I end up have trouble selling it.
I want to be as honest as possible.
I guess there must be a way to be honest and be a good sales man!
 
#7
People have to know how conditions are defined by collectors.

With Comic books & Toys, mint means almost better than new, no defect what so ever. Everything must be complete and in the package unopened and no signs of aging.

I believe guitar collectors have a grading system as well.
 
#8
It might be valuable to create and post a scale to describe the condition of an instrument:

5 - No scratched or blemishes
4 - light surface scratches
3- one or more dents of up to 1/8 inch
2 - finish worn through to wood.
1.- complete relic

Just a suggestion to be refined and then posted as a guide that everyone must follow.
 
#10
The word I HATE is 'cherry'. If the seller uses the word 'cherry' I click to the next whatever. Nothing I have ever bought that was described as 'cherry' was.

But then again, what does 'cherry' really mean anyway? :confused: :hmm:
 
#13
JAUQO III-X said:
Why do people advertise a bass that their selling as being in excellent condition? and then proceed to describe it as having nicks,chips,dents,heavy scratches,etc.

Thats is not a bass that is in excellent condition.
Click to expand...

I think it some circumstances it could be. If there was a stock 60's Precision with some nicks & scratches (and perhaps a bit of buckle rash) I would consider that excellent condition for a 40 year old bass. Not "mint" condition obviously, but excellent considering its age.

But discussing a much more modern bass, I'd say it's because many people (especially in this day and age of being inundated with advertising) have accepted deception and half-truth as the proper steps to take when selling anything. Of course, as mike_v_s pointed out, it's a different ballgame when selling to an informed audience. Personally, when I sell bass gear, I find it best to be completely upfront about it.
 
#14
TheBigO said:
I think it some circumstances it could be. If there was a stock 60's Precision with some nicks & scratches (and perhaps a bit of buckle rash) I would consider that excellent condition for a 40 year old bass. Not "mint" condition obviously, but excellent considering its age.

But discussing a much more modern bass, I'd say it's because many people (especially in this day and age of being inundated with advertising) have accepted deception and half-truth as the proper steps to take when selling anything. Of course, as mike_v_s pointed out, it's a different ballgame when selling to an informed audience. Personally, when I sell bass gear, I find it best to be completely upfront about it.
Click to expand...

I totally agree.
 
#15
RWP said:
The word I HATE is 'cherry'. If the seller uses the word 'cherry' I click to the next whatever. Nothing I have ever bought that was described as 'cherry' was.

But then again, what does 'cherry' really mean anyway? :confused: :hmm:
Click to expand...

Virgin.

When somegoes to sell something it's always "It's in excellent condition, but... "

You see, the but in there makes it ok to be an ass and describe something of untouched virgin state even though it's been used and well, worn in. :D

A better discription would be: "It's used and worn, but not to the point of ugly and non-usable."

There is still a but in there, but it's not like your trying to make something look better than it actually is, your escribing your used bass exactly as it is.

If I ever sell my bass it will be something like: "pos squire for sale, great playing and sounding for a starter bass, but it won't give you :o job or something."
 
#16
I'm always honest with condition when selling gear. Because I know if I lie about it, I'll only be getting the bass back and going through a load of aggro. I try to provide people who buy from me with an honest deal and I hope to get the same in return.
 
#17
I sold a bass that was in excellent condition for what it was and the buyer disagreed... it was an offshore version of a bass and he thought it should've been as nice as the US version which cost triple. I rook it back and sold it to someone who understood what it was.
:hmm:
 
#18
well I mean, I'd define my own bass as being in excellent condition. sure it has a ding in the neck from not watching where I'm going, but I play the bass, I don't feel the ding, the bass keeps great tune, and the pickups pick up whatever they are supposed to pick up. i think what i'm trying to say is some people determine excellent condition not by what has happened to the bass, but focus mainly on how it plays....cuz that ding.....i almost never notice it.
 

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