Mislabeled Instruments at Guitar Center (Resolved)

[selowitch]

Every so often I come across mislabeled instruments on Guitar Center’s used site that are worth more than their price suggests. A few questions come to mind:

1. If I want to buy such an item, should I call the store first to confirm what I’m buying?
2. Is there anything ethically wrong with pulling the trigger and simply checking out?
3. What is Guitar Center's obligation to me if I should buy it but they realize their mistake before shipping?

 

[TolerancEJ]

If you recognize the bass and they do not, that is completely your advantage. You have no obligation to inform them of their mistake. They cannot come back and charge you more after the fact.

 

[selowitch]

If you recognize the bass and they do not, that is completely your advantage. You have no obligation to inform them of their mistake. They cannot come back and charge you more after the fact.

I could see them going to fulfill the order and realizing they have an obviously mislabeled item (wrong brand, wrong model, worth twice what I paid easily) and decide to invalidate the sale.

I decided to pull the trigger just now anyway. Worst thing that happens is I don't get the guitar and I get my money back, right?

 

[AboutSweetSue]

Subbed.

 

[TolerancEJ]

I could see them going to fulfill the order and realizing they have an obviously mislabeled item (wrong brand, wrong model, worth twice what I paid easily) and decided to invalidate the sale.

I decided to pull the trigger just now anyway. Worst thing that happens is I don't get the guitar and I get my money back, right?

I highly doubt they’d do something like that. They are offering the item at their asking price because they offered “peanuts” to another individual who used it as a trade-in toward a more expensive purchase.

 

[selowitch]

I highly doubt they’d do something like that. They are offering the item at their asking price because they offered “peanuts” to another individual who used it as a trade-in toward a more expensive purchase.

I wonder if the hang-tag in the store reflects the error in the listing.
We're talking about an item I just bought for $850 that is worth twice that—and which would normally sell at GC for that higher price.
The title of the listing is just completely off.
Perhaps the thing to do is simply keep my mouth shut and see what comes in the mail. I may just get very lucky here.

If I'm the employee processing the order, do I say something to my manager or do I just pack the thing up and send it out like a good little soldier?

If the item number points to a different hang-tag in the store than the item I want, then I assume the jig is up.

 

[bholder]

It may depend on local / state laws, but I believe here in NY, if you catch their mistake and order it, they are obligated to complete the deal. Truth in advertising type stuff.

 

[TolerancEJ]

If you don’t buy it, someone else will. Why shouldn’t you be the one to benefit?

 

[KeithAlanK]

In 2017 I spotted the drum machine I wanted for demos at a GC out of state, and like you describe the listing was wrong and the price was much lower than it should have been. Order went through, credit card was charged. I was taking a shot at saving 60%.

The next day someone at GC must have caught it because the order was cancelled and my card was credited back.
Probably the person who pulled the item from the floor and was going to pack and ship it noticed the mistake.
One of those people who care about doing a good job and are paying attention to details.

One of my favorite online transactions.

 

[Nev375]

When it comes to ethics all you have to do is imagine the scenario in reverse. If you had misidentified a bass you were selling and were ripping yourself off, what would you want the buyer to do?

Some folks expect the buyer to watch out for the sellers interest because that results in a fair and honest exchange.
Some folks think the buyer deserves the deal because its the seller's responsibility to know his product.

Both are perfectly valid perspectives. One is realistic, the other idealistic. But only you can determine which camp you fall in.

 

[DJ Bebop]

The next day someone at GC must have caught it because the order was canceled and my card was credited back.
Probably the person who pulled the item from the floor and was going to pack and ship it noticed the mistake.
One of those people who care about doing a good job and are paying attention to details.

 

[davelowell2]

Perhaps the thing to do is simply keep my mouth shut and see what comes in the mail.

This is what I’d do. All day long...

 

[kodiakblair]

It may depend on local / state laws, but I believe here in NY, if you catch their mistake and order it, they are obligated to complete the deal. Truth in advertising type stuff.

Under UK law price tags and listings are classed as "Invitation to Trade". Sales are not legally binding until you have possession of the goods. Sellers are under no obligation to accept your business.

 

[DoctorZee]

I suppose it’s also possible that the photo is incorrect, not the listing info. I’m interested to see what you receive!

 

[BigBigGuy44]

There is a good chance that GC attached the wrong photo and you will get what the description indicates.

 

[JRA]

If I want to buy such an item, should I call the store first to confirm what I’m buying?

being able to confirm product, price, etc., for online sales is an advantage...unless you're depending on luck.

Is there anything ethically wrong with pulling the trigger and simply checking out?

ethics are already a non-issue if you're depending on that luck thing, right?

What is Guitar Center's obligation to me if I should buy it but they realize their mistake before shipping?

IME: none.

i'm not holier-than-thou on this issue, and i have appreciated such luck myself, at times, but: i wouldn't 'depend' on it for these types of transactions! that said, good luck!

 

[Ooba Tooba]

I bought my Trace Elliot ah600smx at a pawn shop in Detroit for $89. I whistled zip a dee doo dah all the way home.

 

[Flamingo21]

Guitar Center has consciously chosen a business model where there's often not a lot of expertise on the shop floor. Selling the occasional used item way too cheaply is a risk they accept.

How that weighs in to your ethical considerations is your decision.

 

[el murdoque]

So many things could happen here.
My guess is, that you can count on a refund when you're not pleased - I hope you made screenshots of the Item on the website when you ordered, so you can do the equivalent of 'talk to the manager' later, should you bump into problems.
It could be a fair deal because they bought the item at price X and their policy is to add sum Y and offer it for X+Y, no matter what it is.
It could also be that it got labeled on a Monday morning where everything was off and you either get the object in the description, or the object on the photo, or your cash back.

 

[nnnnnn]

It would be unethical to lie to a seller to convince them to lower their price, but accepting the deal they offered you is fine, especially when it's a company that is supposed to have knowledgeable staff.

Here in Australia I believe a retailer is entitled to withdraw an item from sale if they realise it was incorrectly priced before the sale is completed, but in an online transaction where they've already accepted your money I would think it could be argued the sale has already happened even if the item hasn't been shipped or collected yet.