The only thing that makes sense is the receiver dropped it. It’s shameful they won’t man up to it and cost this honest man money and problems. Op not sure if you can write this off on your taxes but maybe? If so let it go its not worth the stress. Get it back. Patch it up and give it away or sell off for parts. Reverb , eBay, PayPal. None of them protect the seller when you really need it.
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Reverb did me wrong
- Thread starter Rod Barchetta
- Start date
If the neck gets swapped the SN will match. I would take a close look at the grain on the body.
I have quite literally done this with my last 2 reverb sales. Worth the 10 seconds of aggravation to set my phone up to record. Keep the video on your phone and computer and hopefully never need them.
To the OP that really sucks man. I can tell fro the photos you shared that damage was not there. It would be visible. Hopefully the shipping service takes care of you. You don't deserve this mess.
There are packing requirements by the shippers usually 2” of padding around the items. There is a chance they might pay out if insured. At this point I would try. Start a damaged claim with the shipping co. UPS , FedEx. Etc etc
It's funny I was being a bit sarcastic with my initial comment but based on the comments after, I am convinced this is actually what people should be doing when selling things on Reverb. I just recently sold a bass and am crossing my fingers the person I told it to receives it as expected with no issues... but from now on I think I will do the video thing just in case.
That really stinks.
A few months ago I had a bass shipped to me by Sweetwater — came with one of those silly light gig bags — and arrived with a gash on the edge of the lower bout apparently caused by an impact to the box during shipping that caused the gig bag seam to dig into the finish. Truth to tell, the SW pix didn’t show any pre-ship damage to that spot. But they took it in stride— sent refund and return shipping label, and later someone got a nice deal on the same bass ‘scratch & dent.’
A few months ago I had a bass shipped to me by Sweetwater — came with one of those silly light gig bags — and arrived with a gash on the edge of the lower bout apparently caused by an impact to the box during shipping that caused the gig bag seam to dig into the finish. Truth to tell, the SW pix didn’t show any pre-ship damage to that spot. But they took it in stride— sent refund and return shipping label, and later someone got a nice deal on the same bass ‘scratch & dent.’
Please do not tell me people actually do this, don't make me lose even more faith in humanity...
That's definitely not a shipping damage, case is immaculate and that finish cracking looks so fresh...
My JB was dropped to a concrete floor when playing by the original owner. he was 6' 2" and didn't believe in strap locks...
This is the damage made, I know they are different kind of finishes, but to get an idea...
My JB was dropped to a concrete floor when playing by the original owner. he was 6' 2" and didn't believe in strap locks...
This is the damage made, I know they are different kind of finishes, but to get an idea...
I just don't deal with shipping instruments anymore. I've had UPS crush a Martin Dreadnought that was a custom deal for Musician's friend that cost $600 in 2005. The replacement made it fine. My Carvin AC40 made it from San Diego to Dayton unscathed. Then a few years ago Fedex broke the neck on a jazz bass I bought. I just don't buy instruments unless I can pick it up myself. It's a crap shoot and I stopped rolling the dice. Sorry you got in this mess, it was a beautiful bass.
Maybe somebody who was involved in transporting it popped it open to check it out, and somehow damaged it. It seems highly unlikely, but who knows.
I have to play a little devil's advocate here.
How is it known the box was in perfect shape? are there pictures of it? if no pics, how is it known it's the same box? If theres no proof of the box, is it possible something happened to the box and and was reboxed by the shipping company? If all this were to have had happened its possible that case had been opened as well.
And while I get sending the wrong bass was a genuine mistake and you owed up to it immediately, look at that from the buyers point of view.
I also dont see them "holding the label" for days adds up to anything negative, unless some actual comment was made about it. not everyone has easy access or time to get to a shipping store.
it may all suck for you, but I would need amore proof before assuming it's all a bad buyer.
How is it known the box was in perfect shape? are there pictures of it? if no pics, how is it known it's the same box? If theres no proof of the box, is it possible something happened to the box and and was reboxed by the shipping company? If all this were to have had happened its possible that case had been opened as well.
And while I get sending the wrong bass was a genuine mistake and you owed up to it immediately, look at that from the buyers point of view.
I also dont see them "holding the label" for days adds up to anything negative, unless some actual comment was made about it. not everyone has easy access or time to get to a shipping store.
it may all suck for you, but I would need amore proof before assuming it's all a bad buyer.
same, i would much rather buy/sell with someone with a good rep. I have bought two bases here from tb members and the sellers were just fantastic people.
I had something like this happen on a bass I bought new from a retailer. There was a screw or long rivet under the foam inside the case very close to the edge where the body sits. The case fit slightly loose and during transit the bass moved around inside and hard enough that the screw or rivet did a job similar to what your buyer is showing. For me the situation was easy as the inside of the case of loaded with paint flakes.
Best advice I can give is that when selling, make sure you take enough high quality photos to show every inch of the bass. That is sometimes enough to get you out of a sticky situation.
Good luck OP.
Best advice I can give is that when selling, make sure you take enough high quality photos to show every inch of the bass. That is sometimes enough to get you out of a sticky situation.
Good luck OP.
playing devil's advocate here...
but what if you're the buyer, open an undamaged box and undamaged case and then see that upon examining the bass? I'd be pretty pissed if that damage was there and wasn't noted and photographed when buying it.
That's not to say someone didn't something shady. Just giving a different point of view.
but what if you're the buyer, open an undamaged box and undamaged case and then see that upon examining the bass? I'd be pretty pissed if that damage was there and wasn't noted and photographed when buying it.
That's not to say someone didn't something shady. Just giving a different point of view.
I've read enough horror stories on here that I don't know that I'll ever sell a bass online/ship it. 
Every bass I currently own was bought online - via the 'bay, the 'verb, and TB classifieds - with results varying from "Man, this thing is even mintier than I thought it would be" to "Yyyeeaahhh...the seller really should've disclosed this issue..."
- In other words, pretty hit-or-miss. I know people have had some not-so-great experiences here on TB too (buying/selling), but I'm pretty sure if I ever buy online again (and/or take a shot at selling), it'll be here.
On a side note, green is generally not a color I gravitate towards with basses, but the one that is the subject of this thread? Wow...
Every bass I currently own was bought online - via the 'bay, the 'verb, and TB classifieds - with results varying from "Man, this thing is even mintier than I thought it would be" to "Yyyeeaahhh...the seller really should've disclosed this issue..."
- In other words, pretty hit-or-miss. I know people have had some not-so-great experiences here on TB too (buying/selling), but I'm pretty sure if I ever buy online again (and/or take a shot at selling), it'll be here.On a side note, green is generally not a color I gravitate towards with basses, but the one that is the subject of this thread? Wow...
Something fishy with this transaction for sure. My last bass bought off the ol'bay was shipped without a case, in just a cardboard box with little bubble wrapping and it made it home perfectly fine. Sort of luck of the draw I suppose. I definitely consider the distance it has to travel when buying.
