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NBD and I need to return it already!
- Thread starter jmattbassplaya
- Start date
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I can wait.
So, a Ric 4003 then, right? Okay, that would be a good example of a good savings. Not that anyone is demanding "proof", but.....
What are you "waiting" for?
Instead of asking others to jump through hoops to back up your assertions, why not just post a screen shot of your receipt?
I for one, might like to save a nice chunk-o-cheese on a Ric someday. Cheers.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
You started this again, not me
. Why do my posts seem to be bugging you? I got 28% off the going price for a 4003 at MF, less than a year ago. 20% for their once a year biggie discount, and 8% with the backstage pass program. The bass was flawless. I'm 100% certain it wasn't a return, I'm nuts about that kind of thing. If purchased at Sweetwater, I'm fairly certain it would have cost me somewhere around $500 more.
Do you think I'm making this stuff up? I have no reason to.
I'm here tryin to help people out, and you guys are getting upset? What's up w that? I'm finding it amusing in a weird way.
I dunno...I cruise both MF and Sweetwater weekly and I don't see SW selling anything for more than what MF is selling, 15% off coupons aside. I actually just checked both bass departments and the prices are the same on any models I looked at. Both MF and SW are selling AmStd P's at $1149. Can someone please post examples/screenshots of SW upcharging, because I couldn't find any. I do see some demo model deals in the SW bass gallery with high res pics that literally point to and give close ups of the blemishes in question. That's something MF doesn't have. I buy from and have long histories with both. If either displeases me, I get a refund. I can't say I'm offended by SW's customer service tactics, FWIW.
Edit: as a relatively recent sign up to MF's 8% program, I have yet to see any returns on it, but hope to put it to use after the new year for a new cab and some other goodies.
Edit: as a relatively recent sign up to MF's 8% program, I have yet to see any returns on it, but hope to put it to use after the new year for a new cab and some other goodies.
You can't count the 8%. That is given to the buyer 45 days after purchase in store credit, not on past purchases.You started this again, not me
Why do my posts seem to be bugging you? I got 28% off the going price for a 4003 at MF, less than a year ago. 20% for their once a year biggie discount, and 8% with the backstage pass program. The bass was flawless. I'm 100% certain it wasn't a return, I'm nuts about that kind of thing. If purchased at Sweetwater, I'm fairly certain it would have cost me somewhere around $500 more.
Do you think I'm making this stuff up? I have no reason to.
I'm here tryin to help people out, and you guys are getting upset? What's up w that? I'm finding it amusing in a weird way.
I've received deliveries from both MF and Sweetwater that needed to be exchanged. Both companies were very good about it.
You may be honestly trying to help people out, but your absolute determined love for MF is a bit over the top. I've never had a problem or a return to Sweetwater. The current "new" bass I bought from MF has had to be returned twice as both times I have received open boxed used returns.You started this again, not me
Why do my posts seem to be bugging you? I got 28% off the going price for a 4003 at MF, less than a year ago. 20% for their once a year biggie discount, and 8% with the backstage pass program. The bass was flawless. I'm 100% certain it wasn't a return, I'm nuts about that kind of thing. If purchased at Sweetwater, I'm fairly certain it would have cost me somewhere around $500 more.
Do you think I'm making this stuff up? I have no reason to.
I'm here tryin to help people out, and you guys are getting upset? What's up w that? I'm finding it amusing in a weird way.
So whoopty doo I saved 15% on damaged goods and after almost 4 weeks I still don't have the G&L bass I ordered. If Sweetwater carried G&L I'd have been more than happy to pay more and would have got a new clean undamaged bass three weeks ago.
Sometimes saving $105 isn't worth the time, hassle or the wait. So put that in your pipe and smoke it
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
LOL, and jeeeez... !!!
Here, take a look at this TC Electronic BH250 250-Watt Compact Bass Head. You can call, beg, stand on your head, turn away free candy, sing and dance - Sweetwater is not going to budge off of the $299 price on that.
Right after I bought my Ric, I needed another bass head because I wanted to use the Ric in stereo.
I waited patiently for 15% off, which brought the price of the head to $255. I added the 8% from the Ric purchase which amounted to $152.
I paid $103 for a brand new in the box no issues BH250. It didn't need a setup, I didn't need any pictures, I don't eat candy, and I don't want strangers calling me asking me if I'm enjoying my gear.
Does this make sense yet?
And PS. I'm always spending money on gear... whether it be basses, guitars, recording stuff, accessories, so for me that 8% back is as good as cash.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
You may be honestly trying to help people out, but your absolute determined love for MF is a bit over the top.
Sometimes saving $105 isn't worth the time, hassle or the wait. So put that in your pipe and smoke it
I quit smoking a long time ago.
It's not an absolute determined love for MF. It's an absolute love for engaging in silly banter here on Talkbass, which I question myself about often. And I'm not kidding.
This thread is really entertaining! I feel blessed to have had good experiences with both Sweetwater and the amalgamation of Musician's Friend, Music 123, and Guitar Center ( as well as Zzounds, AMS, and Amazon.)
Having said that, the one thing I keep reading over and over in this thread about Sweetwater's "extra service" seems a bit misleading. This "added courtesy" isn't a true "set up" as some have eluded to, but rather an inspection (a brief once over), a couple of pics, a wipe down (probably just to remove the fingerprints from handling the instrument) and a wee bag of candy. And let's not forget the incessant pestering for the next 2 years via phone calls and emails.
I say do whatever floats your boat. If maximum discounting is your top priority, then I'd look to Musician's Friend. If getting to pick from a slew of basses with varying weights and "real world" pics of the actual instrument is more important, than maybe Sweetwater's the better choice. Just do what makes YOU happy. After all, YOU'RE the buyer, not the rest of us opinionated blow hards!
After all this, I think we can all agree on at least one thing: Paying for a brand new bass and receiving a previously played (used, open box, demo, factory 2nd, floor model, or whatever else they call 'em) is not cool.
Having said that, the one thing I keep reading over and over in this thread about Sweetwater's "extra service" seems a bit misleading. This "added courtesy" isn't a true "set up" as some have eluded to, but rather an inspection (a brief once over), a couple of pics, a wipe down (probably just to remove the fingerprints from handling the instrument) and a wee bag of candy. And let's not forget the incessant pestering for the next 2 years via phone calls and emails.
I say do whatever floats your boat. If maximum discounting is your top priority, then I'd look to Musician's Friend. If getting to pick from a slew of basses with varying weights and "real world" pics of the actual instrument is more important, than maybe Sweetwater's the better choice. Just do what makes YOU happy. After all, YOU'RE the buyer, not the rest of us opinionated blow hards!
After all this, I think we can all agree on at least one thing: Paying for a brand new bass and receiving a previously played (used, open box, demo, factory 2nd, floor model, or whatever else they call 'em) is not cool.
@Joe Nerve It made sense, does being frustrated about having to return a bass twice make sense to you? Does getting open boxed items touted as new sound like a good way of doing business?
I've had at least three times where Sweetwater saved me money and they offered. Enjoy your savings and your holidays. I'm out.
I've had at least three times where Sweetwater saved me money and they offered. Enjoy your savings and your holidays. I'm out.
You started this again, not me
Why do my posts seem to be bugging you? I got 28% off the going price for a 4003 at MF, less than a year ago. 20% for their once a year biggie discount, and 8% with the backstage pass program. The bass was flawless. I'm 100% certain it wasn't a return, I'm nuts about that kind of thing. If purchased at Sweetwater, I'm fairly certain it would have cost me somewhere around $500 more.
Do you think I'm making this stuff up? I have no reason to.
I'm here tryin to help people out, and you guys are getting upset? What's up w that? I'm finding it amusing in a weird way.
Dunno, but you just went from $300 savings to $500 savings.
Doesn't sound like the folks asking the questions are the ones who are "upset".
Whatev, I'll be making phone calls if/when I make my next serious online bass purchase. Thanks for the heads up. Cheers.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Holy crap...My dear friend. A Rickenbacker goes for $1900 new.
A Jazz bass goes for $1200.
We've been talking about 15%, 20% 23% 28%... you can go back and do the math. I promise it's accurate.
We started talking about a jazz bass. I didn't buy a jazz bass - well, I did, but we weren't talking about it and I don't remember what I paid. I did just recently buy a Ric. The savings on that was more than the savings on the Jazz mentioned in the OP.
Any other questions?
Y'all are free to value whatever you want however you want. Who cares?
In other news I got my return label today
In other news I got my return label today
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Joe Nerve!!!
Hope you get a great bass at a great price, whatever you choose to do.
Good points, totally agree.
My buying experiences with the above mentioned sellers have been positive, despite having to return a couple items to MF. I have no problem with potential returns, provided I don't lose any money. I also understand that uber-liberal return policies will inevitably mean some stuff will get recycled as "new". It's bound to happen, for whatever reason. It seems unrealistic to me to expect an untouched, never been kissed, vestal virgin guitar from an online dealer with God knows how many returned items pouring in daily. But that's just me. YMMV
Sweetwater does go a bit overboard with the "mother hen/nanny" shtick. Still, it does inspire confidence that any issues will be taken care of in a professional manner. That alone should ease the anxiety of the Nervous Nellie customers.
My dear friend. A Rickenbacker goes for $1900 new.
A Jazz bass goes for $1200.
We've been talking about 15%, 20% 23% 28%... you can go back and do the math. I promise it's accurate.
We started talking about a jazz bass. I didn't buy a jazz bass - well, I did, but we weren't talking about it and I don't remember what I paid. I did just recently buy a Ric. The savings on that was more than the savings on the Jazz mentioned in the OP.
Any other questions?
Relax man. As long as it all makes sense inside your head, then it's all good, right? Cheers.
I've ordered three basses from MF. All were new, Undamaged. I've ordered two from Sweetwater. The pics and the weight are nice to have. I don't think they "set up" the basses. They adjust the saddle height (sloppily) and maybe the truss rod. No issues.
The difference is in the price. I called MF and scored a MM Ray HH for $1150. A Sterling HH 5 for $1100. I paid full freight from Sweetwater, but they had the color I wanted. It's just a different approach and neither is wrong, assuming you don't get a used bass like the OP.
The difference is in the price. I called MF and scored a MM Ray HH for $1150. A Sterling HH 5 for $1100. I paid full freight from Sweetwater, but they had the color I wanted. It's just a different approach and neither is wrong, assuming you don't get a used bass like the OP.
