NBD and I need to return it already!

[jnewmark]

You will regularly pay 10% more at sweetwater every time.
They take the bass out of the box, photograph it, weigh it and give it a quick once over.
I believe this is what you pay for. It's up to you to decide if it's worth it.
I purchased a sterling by musicman Ray 35 from SW. Before it arrived they sent me pictures of the actual bass and I noticed that the bridge was unacceptable . Very crookedly mounted.
I refused the shipment and they sent me another.
Later that week I saw the one I refused on their website for sale as new.
So what's the point? I guess we have to be vigilant as consumers. Even though these companies will fix your problem, they're not past attempting to slip one past you if you're not paying attention

Maybe for basses, not amps.

 

[PortlandBass77]

That's the most important thing said in this entire thread.




I think UPS has become a defacto warehouse/logistics helper for MF. They store, pack, and ship live lobsters and other junk, so is it that much of a stretch to imagine a company with a history of cost cutting to the point where it hurt their business wouldn't try farming out some of their logistics?

Bass gets returned.
Bass ends up at a UPS hub that also warehouses MF products.
jmattbassplaya orders a bass
It shows as "in stock" at the hub.
Shipped.
Returned.
Restocked.
Shipped.
Lather.
Rinse
Repeat.

lol, well your probably right. And even better, this reinforces my crazy theory that the private sector is very inefficient at delivering mail

 

[jd56hawk]

What's with all the Musicians Friends apologists? Sure, they'll give you your money back, sure stuff happens, but damn, this has to be the fourth thread this month about them selling used stuff as new, and I don't care what anyone thinks...there is no excuse for this happening again and again and again.

 

[bassstrangler]

What's with all the Musicians Friends apologists? Sure, they'll give you your money back, sure stuff happens, but damn, this has to be the fourth thread this month about them selling used stuff as new, and I don't care what anyone thinks...there is no excuse for this happening again and again and again.

I just got the replacement G&L L2000, although this bass is in way better condition than the other one I received, I'd still say it is a return. No new bass fresh out of the box has swirling scratches on the back. I'm going g to call and I'm going g to b!+(# and moan and wonder why this is.

 

[eldoryder]

What's with all the Musicians Friends apologists? Sure, they'll give you your money back, sure stuff happens, but damn, this has to be the fourth thread this month about them selling used stuff as new, and I don't care what anyone thinks...there is no excuse for this happening again and again and again.

You're probably right, but after five years of buying from MF, I've never experienced any problems like this. I've bought more than my share of "STOTD" basses, 20%-off sale basses, 15%-off sale basses and other massively-discounted basses at prices too good to miss with MF, and have YET to suffer any problems that the Sweetwater fans seem to have with them. I've bought at least two basses from SW, as they were the only ones to have the finish I wanted, but attempting to negotiate price with those people is a useless endeavor. The candy hardly makes up for the 15% discount that is my usual maximum I wish to pay for an online purchase.

To me, that 15% discount guards me against the "instant depreciation" of a new purchase, and also gives me wiggle room in case I don't bond with the bass and need to sell it locally. Also, getting a $799.99 Fender artist model NIB for $549.99 is the kind of deal you will NEVER see at SW. Best of all, MF does NOT charge state sales tax like GC has to. Win/win for me so far. (Knock on wood!)

 

[jd56hawk]

Sure, it's a bit of luck...good or bad.
I bought a new Markbass CMD-121P from Guitar Center last June for $599...$300 of the regular price and haven't seen the same sale since.
Ordered a used Dean Exotica acoustic bass from one of their stores for $250 and was surprised when it arrived at my local GC that it came with a Roadrunner ABS case.
Just recently bought a used G&L SB-2 from the GC in Albuquerque, and the manager at my GC talked them into shipping it there even though it was only half paid for..How often does that happen?
The bass is A1, too.
Yet plenty of people hate Guitar Center.

 

[Joe Nerve]

You're probably right, but after five years of buying from MF, I've never experienced any problems like this. I've bought more than my share of "STOTD" basses, 20%-off sale basses, 15%-off sale basses and other massively-discounted basses at prices too good to miss with MF, and have YET to suffer any problems that the Sweetwater fans seem to have with them. I've bought at least two basses from SW, as they were the only ones to have the finish I wanted, but attempting to negotiate price with those people is a useless endeavor. The candy hardly makes up for the 15% discount that is my usual maximum I wish to pay for an online purchase.

To me, that 15% discount guards me against the "instant depreciation" of a new purchase, and also gives me wiggle room in case I don't bond with the bass and need to sell it locally. Also, getting a $799.99 Fender artist model NIB for $549.99 is the kind of deal you will NEVER see at SW. Best of all, MF does NOT charge state sales tax like GC has to. Win/win for me so far. (Knock on wood!)

Who are you, me?

Exactly the same experience and thoughts. I realized yesterday though that there's really no point in trying to help people get better deals here. They don't seem to want them (which is fine) and ultimately it may very well start causing us problems w MF. I don't abuse their policies. I'm certain many do, might and/or will.

I've purchased at all the big online chains. I now only purchase from MF.

 

[bassstrangler]

Who are you, me?

Exactly the same experience and thoughts. I realized yesterday though that there's really no point in trying to help people get better deals here. They don't seem to want them (which is fine) and ultimately it may very well start causing us problems w MF. I don't abuse their policies. I'm certain many do, might and/or will.

I've purchased at all the big online chains. I now only purchase from MF.

Getting a better deal on a "new" bass is one thing, getting 15% off and getting a "used" bass sold as "new" is a completely different ballpark.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Who are you, me?

Exactly the same experience and thoughts. I realized yesterday though that there's really no point in trying to help people get better deals here. They don't seem to want them (which is fine) and ultimately it may very well start causing us problems w MF. I don't abuse their policies. I'm certain many do, might and/or will.

I've purchased at all the big online chains. I now only purchase from MF.

Buy where you want. I have personally had several bad experiences with Musician's Enemy.
I seldom buy new anymore (basses) anywhere without handling them due to THEIR track record with ME.
But Joe, I too prefer sweetwater. (for things other than basses I don't see me buying new any time soon, without laying hands on it)
Ironically the last purchase I made from Sam Ash was sent in a box with shipping labels showing that it was from MF.
Also ironic, it was a "new" item that had player's wear on it.
I was already getting a discount, but offered far more once i walked into the storefront to make the return, which i continued with.
the counter gal shrugged and said that "it happens"... whaaa?

 

[Joe Nerve]

Getting a better deal on a "new" bass is one thing, getting 15% off and getting a "used" bass sold as "new" is a completely different ballpark.

If you think it's used, you can send it back. Not a problem for me, and a bit of an exaggeration, too. People buy basses off the shelves of a Guitar Center and local mom and pop stores. Those basses are FAR more used than a bass someone may have returned at MF. To each his own. I'd much rather get a bass for $300 less with the option to return it with no hassles, than pay that extra $300 for a few pictures, a setup, candy, and lifetime friend I don't really need or want to talk to. I get that some people want or need that... nah, I'm lying. I don't get why they think that's worth hundreds of dollars. And if they have an issue, I'm fairly certain the return won't be as simple as with MF.

FWIW, my issues w/ Sweetwater came a while back. My wife had ordered a surprise birthday present for me, and they called and left a message on my home answering machine, asking about it - before she gave it to me. Do I have to explain how very uncool that was? They were very apologetic, and cut me a one time break after that, but the break they cut me amounted to the same I would have paid for it had I bought it at MF. I was then put on their no call list, and it seemed to have worked. Gave them a shot again, and bought the already mentioned Fender VI for $80 more than it would have cost me at MF (Sweetwater had the color I wanted). The bass arrived with significant bridge issues. I didn't return it for a bunch of reasons, main ones being that I thought I'd be able to fix it myself, and waited too long before realizing I couldn't.

What's most interesting, again as mentioned but not detailed, was that they actually called me AGAIN about a week ago. "Hey Joe, we noticed you haven't made a purchase in a while. Wondering what we could do to gain your business back?" Pretty sure that's exactly what was said. I actually started to call back... but decided against it. If I had I was going to say, if you want my business 2 things only will get it. Stop calling me, and price match with Musiciansfriend. If they did that, the pix and candy would make it worth it for me . They won't. Or they can't. Whatever.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

If you think it's used, you can send it back. Not a problem for me, and a bit of an exaggeration, too. People buy basses off the shelves of a Guitar Center and local mom and pop stores. Those basses are FAR more used than a bass someone may have returned at MF. To each his own. I'd much rather get a bass for $300 less with the option to return it with no hassles, than pay that extra $300 for a few pictures, a setup, candy, and lifetime friend I don't really need or want to talk to. I get that some people want or need that... nah, I'm lying. I don't get why they think that's worth hundreds of dollars. And if they have an issue, I'm fairly certain the return won't be as simple as with MF.

FWIW, my issues w/ Sweetwater came a while back. My wife had ordered a surprise birthday present for me, and they called and left a message on my home answering machine, asking about it - before she gave it to me. Do I have to explain how very uncool that was? They were very apologetic, and cut me a one time break after that, but the break they cut me amounted to the same I would have paid for it had I bought it at MF. I was then put on their no call list, and it seemed to have worked. Gave them a shot again, and bought the already mentioned Fender VI for $80 more than it would have cost me at MF (Sweetwater had the color I wanted). The bass arrived with significant bridge issues. I didn't return it for a bunch of reasons, main ones being that I thought I'd be able to fix it myself, and waited too long before realizing I couldn't.

What's most interesting, again as mentioned but not detailed, was that they actually called me AGAIN about a week ago. "Hey Joe, we noticed you haven't made a purchase in a while. Wondering what we could do to gain your business back?" Pretty sure that's exactly what was said. I actually started to call back... but decided against it. If I had I was going to say, if you want my business 2 things only will get it. Stop calling me, and price match with Musiciansfriend. If they did that, the pix and candy would make it worth it for me . They won't. Or they can't. Whatever.

So what you are saying is your personal experience is different? So is mine. Why are you harping?

 

[Joe Nerve]

So what you are saying is your personal experience is different? So is mine. Why are you harping?

Because I keep taking breaks from other work related things I'm doing, and it's fun?

I honestly don't know why I keep doing chiming in...

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Because I keep taking breaks from other work related things I'm doing, and it's fun?

I honestly don't know why I keep doing chiming in...

The nerve if this guy

 

[bassstrangler]

Well, I just sent back G&L Tribute L2000 #2 to MF because it was obviously an open box item again. I ordered this bass over three weeks ago and have received 2 losers.

This time the back of the bass was scratched and the truss rod nut was pretty much stripped. I can't imagine G&L sending out these basses in this condition, once was understandable, twice is inexcusable.

If I wanted a mom and pop or GC floor model I would buy that. I prefer my equipment to be new and in pristine condition when it arrives.

So it seems even though MF has pleasant and helpful customer service, they don't control their inventory very well and ship out returns as new. Not cool. Not acceptable, but hey I got a $10 credit and extra Back Stage points, at this rate I'll be able to buy another bass with all the points I've racked up.

 

[jd56hawk]

I just got the replacement G&L L2000, although this bass is in way better condition than the other one I received, I'd still say it is a return. No new bass fresh out of the box has swirling scratches on the back. I'm going g to call and I'm going g to b!+(# and moan and wonder why this is.

Sorry to hear that.
If you get your money back, maybe you should try this seller. I bought mine from him.

 

[BawanaRik]

I bought an EBMM used in that color.

I got that as a BIN on the bay.

 

[Alembiccucurbit]

Nope. There's no plastic on the pickguard. And I had the same experiences as you when I bought my other Fender instruments.

That bass in the photos looks like something of a sort of factory second or manufacturer refurbished.
Who can get the same stickers? The sticker is genuine? The sticker might be a copied fake one.
The worse case of the scenario would be that the scratchplate is a cheap generic one.
The worst would be that the pickup is also a generic.

 

[Iridescentone]

If you think it's used, you can send it back. Not a problem for me, and a bit of an exaggeration, too. People buy basses off the shelves of a Guitar Center and local mom and pop stores. Those basses are FAR more used than a bass someone may have returned at MF. To each his own. I'd much rather get a bass for $300 less with the option to return it with no hassles, than pay that extra $300 for a few pictures, a setup, candy, and lifetime friend I don't really need or want to talk to. I get that some people want or need that... nah, I'm lying. I don't get why they think that's worth hundreds of dollars. And if they have an issue, I'm fairly certain the return won't be as simple as with MF.

Wait a minute. It sounds like you're mixing GC, mom & pop stores, and Sweetwater into one big omelet.

To be clear, are you suggesting that MF are selling the same basses for $300 less than Sweetwater? If so, can you cite examples?

Or that there would be "hassles" involved with a Sweetwater return, that would otherwise not happen with MF ?

 

[Joe Nerve]

Wait a minute. It sounds like you're mixing GC, mom & pop stores, and Sweetwater into one big omelet.

To be clear, are you suggesting that MF are selling the same basses for $300 less than Sweetwater? If so, can you cite examples?

Or that there would be "hassles" involved with a Sweetwater return, that would otherwise not happen with MF ?

Dagnabbit, the hornets were resting peacefully... ya had to go poking the though? You just had to poke ....

OK. If you question is sincere, please do this, right now. Call up Sweetwater, and ask them what the best price they'll give you on a Rickenbacker 4003 is. I'd do it, but I'm pretty sure at this point they'd give me some sort of hell. I'm quite certain they read all this stuff we post here. That's one of the reasons I'm asking you to call NOW. Do that, let me know, and then I'll finish this here post...

And you'll understand.

Anyone else is welcome to call for a price too. Rickenbacker 4003. And not a "w".

 

[bassstrangler]

Dagnabbit, the hornets were resting peacefully... ya had to go poking the though? You just had to poke ....

OK. If you question is sincere, please do this, right now. Call up Sweetwater, and ask them what the best price they'll give you on a Rickenbacker 4003 is. I'd do it, but I'm pretty sure at this point they'd give me some sort of hell. I'm quite certain they read all this stuff we post here. That's one of the reasons I'm asking you to call NOW. Do that, let me know, and then I'll finish this here post...

And you'll understand.

Anyone else is welcome to call for a price too. Rickenbacker 4003. And not a "w".

Closed on Sundays