I would return it, no doubt. You paid for a bass in excellent condition and you did not receive a bass in excellent condition, that's the bottom line. The seller offered you that option and wants you to be happy, you'd be nuts to refuse his offer to return it. I don't think you wanted a project bass, did you?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Recieved bad bass on ebay, what should I do?
- Thread starter Outlaw_son
- Start date
- Jul 8, 2007
- 1,272
- 9
- Disclosures
- Lead Designer, Zeibek Boutique Pedals
Where is this "return it" frenzy coming from? The moment he returns the bass, he is out $70 (what he paid minus shipping minus his return shipping).
If seller would give $100 refund, he would end up purchasing a deluxe MIM for $380. Since it is very very rare for a pickup to go bad, it's likely a wiring problem. The body can be easily repaired as well since the lost paint was in the box (I would repair it myself, but I am good at this kind of stuff and I have proper tools).
So if he decide to sell the bass, he would be better of than returning it at any price higher than $310; which he would easily get for that bass.
Econ 101
If seller would give $100 refund, he would end up purchasing a deluxe MIM for $380. Since it is very very rare for a pickup to go bad, it's likely a wiring problem. The body can be easily repaired as well since the lost paint was in the box (I would repair it myself, but I am good at this kind of stuff and I have proper tools).
So if he decide to sell the bass, he would be better of than returning it at any price higher than $310; which he would easily get for that bass.
Econ 101
Shippers are brutal. If you want it, save the packaging, and contact the shipper yourself for a claim. Hopefully he fully insured. Cold solder joint issue with pickup probably is an easy fix. If you don't want it, I would get a refund with shipping charges refunded too. If packed well, this sort of body damage should not have occurred, but the pickup issue still might have happened.
Where is this "return it" frenzy coming from? The moment he returns the bass, he is out $70 (what he paid minus shipping minus his return shipping).
If seller would give $100 refund, he would end up purchasing a deluxe MIM for $380. Since it is very very rare for a pickup to go bad, it's likely a wiring problem. The body can be easily repaired as well since the lost paint was in the box (I would repair it myself, but I am good at this kind of stuff and I have proper tools).
So if he decide to sell the bass, he would be better of than returning it at any price higher than $310; which he would easily get for that bass.
Econ 101
buyer threatens negative feedback unless shipping is included in refund.
Negotiating 101.
The seller shipped it, it's his shipping insurance.
Already happened to me, the post office said it wasn't their fault 'cos it was "badly packed". I liked it anyway so I kept it, didn't even bother the seller about it. A little bit of superglue goes a long way.
If you think you could live with it, see how much you can get out of the seller $150 maybe (?) and you wouldn't be paying to send it back too. If you can't live with it, send it back and count yourself lucky to have bought it from a good seller.
Already happened to me, the post office said it wasn't their fault 'cos it was "badly packed". I liked it anyway so I kept it, didn't even bother the seller about it. A little bit of superglue goes a long way.
If you think you could live with it, see how much you can get out of the seller $150 maybe (?) and you wouldn't be paying to send it back too. If you can't live with it, send it back and count yourself lucky to have bought it from a good seller.
I'd send it back. You don't want a pre '02 MIM fender. The bridge or neck pups isn't standard size for a jazz, so you'd have to do some routing if you decide to replace the pups. Plus the build quality on newer MIM's is much better then it used to be. I'll say this again...SEND IT BACK. You can get a much better deal on a MIM Fender.
Well, I would set it up to taste and play the hell out of it for a couple of hours/days, even with the pickup issue, and decide if it's a player and a keeper. That would be the #1 determiner for me, because great playing basses don't exactly grow on trees. If it plays great and you want to keep it, be fair in your request for partial refund. Take it to a good aesthetic tech and get an estimate on the chipped finish (black is perhaps the easiest color to work with). I would be very surprised if the pickup issue is anything more than wiring/resoldering. If you like this bass, it plays great, and you get $100.00 back to restore it a bit, you would be doing well. If your tech wants more than that, share the actual estimate with the seller.
Of course, if it's a lemon, here's your free pass to a return with full refund (including shipping).
Of course, if it's a lemon, here's your free pass to a return with full refund (including shipping).
that or it was damaged after it was wrapped but not boxed or shipped. if the shippin gbox doesn't have any damage, he may have dropped it or banged it against something before boxing it up.
I believe it was damaged after the pictures were taken and before it was wrapped to be shipped. Just a reminder the seller was selling seashells by the seashore lol joking. But really the seller was selling the bass for someone else and i believe this person had dinged it before they wrapped it and wrapped it before the ebay seller even saw the bass. pure speculation though
- Aug 5, 2005
- 7,243
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses
I'd return it. The seller is offering that option to you. Sure, you'll take a hit with shipping, but you can pick up a much nicer bass for ~$500.
Update. Yes the seller is offering a FULL refund including shipping it back.
However i might just keep it. It plays well. I am waiting to hear what he's willing to refund me. It the number is right Ill keep it.
However i might just keep it. It plays well. I am waiting to hear what he's willing to refund me. It the number is right Ill keep it.
If you don't want to spend time and money fixing it then send it back. The whole eBay ad is misleading. I didn't read anything about the electronics not working.
I hope you get a big refund.
but on the bright side, at least you won't have to worry about putting scratches on it. Just play the SHITE out of it!
but on the bright side, at least you won't have to worry about putting scratches on it. Just play the SHITE out of it!
dunno what you are talking about. fenders are ridiculous;y easy to sell fella... in fact, I'll buy this one if you want to sell?
Basses with non-working pickups and giant gouges in the finish are not easy to sell.......fella.........
So I spoke with the seller and he made me a very reasonable offer if i were to keep the bass. I talked to a couple of guitar shops here in town and they said new electronics would run me about $40 plus $40 for labor, and would include a proper set-up for my bass. I also spoke to a friend of mine who does custom paintjobs and he wants to refinish my bass for next to nothing since i played some parties for him!
I must say i was very skeptical at first about keeping it but now I have definately made the decision to keep it! Thanks to all for your input. You guys really had me swinging back and fourth on what to do. Some very strong opinions in here! But in the end the deal was just too damn good to pass up!
Kudos to the seller. Very professional and very fair. I see why his ebay ratings are at100%.
I must say i was very skeptical at first about keeping it but now I have definately made the decision to keep it! Thanks to all for your input. You guys really had me swinging back and fourth on what to do. Some very strong opinions in here! But in the end the deal was just too damn good to pass up!
Kudos to the seller. Very professional and very fair. I see why his ebay ratings are at100%.
- Jul 8, 2007
- 1,272
- 9
- Disclosures
- Lead Designer, Zeibek Boutique Pedals
Good one
However, please do not threaten people. That includes both real life and eBay... IF you really must do it, please exhaust all other alternatives before going down that road. If you don't, the chances are it would backfire and you could end up being worse off.
Ethics 101
Ps. I am glad that your issue was resolved and you are happy with the outcome
False... the damage is not in the pictures. The electronics are NOT his responsibility if it says it is all working in the auction... and it does.
Personally at that price I'd get a ffull refund because he is not going to accept a $200-$250 refund that I would ask for... and at this point I would only even consider that if the bass feels amazing in your hands.
