Every bass I own has a new something like that little indent after a year - I wouldn't even think twice about it. I haven't bought a new bass since 1972 so my commenting is a moot point 
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Sweetwater Scam
- Thread starter corradoc
- Start date
How did you like the bass otherwise? I had a 5 string Modern for years. Great bass!
It played and sounded great - I would've loved to keep it, but was concerned what else I might uncover since in 20 minutes I found the bridge screw issue. What else might come up?
I think the most important thing is that the truss rod works as it should. Most everything else is fairly simple to fix.
A friend of mine brought over a used bass he just purchased. We discovered the truss rod nut was stripped and the seller never disclosed it.
I really like the spoke wheel Sadowsky uses, it prevents that scenario. 
This thread is what happens when you start off screaming about a scam from one of the most respected MI sellers around. Personally, I don't believe for a minute that the bridge screws were stripped. Stripped screws are extremely easy to verify, SW checked them and they were not stripped. I don't know where the ding came from and honestly, I don't even care.
I am getting very tired of people's attitudes about returns. We have all seen it, "I bought 5 of the same basses and I will be keeping the one I like and returning the other 4." If something is wrong with what you bought, return it, no problem. If you decide that you don't like it, that needs to be on you. I get that there are exceptions, but the world has taken it way too far. It happened to me once with SW, bought a bass that was in no way going to work for me, I felt guilty about returning it, so I purchased another bass on the same phone call. I didn't have to, SW was going to take the original bass back no questions asked, but I felt it was the right thing to do.
For those of you who keep harping about the $600 being too much, read the thread. It is for the damage plus outbound and return freight.
Good on you for doing what you think was right. Did you also pay to/from shipping on the first bass? If you did, that seems sufficient from a buyer accountability standpoint, but you were generous in feeling guilty as you say, or rather, felt loyal perhaps, if they did treated you right. All good.
But that's not the case here. It seems the OP's issue and those chiming in is more about the excessive damage charge - given the minor extent of the damage, it being larger than SW's own history on demo discounts, the unsubstantiated source of the damage, and at least the hearsay of the OP saying SW is being punitive for making the issue public.
Also, I could be wrong, but the way the SW rep broke the costs out it was $600 for damage plus shipping to/from. And it is the damage, not shipping cost that caused the OP to post.
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Please read the thread yourself. The damage is evident on two different basses of the same model. We were discussing whether or not the damage was caused by the OP or Sweetwater, and OP is saying they didn't cause it. That's why they're upset - they got charged for something they presumably didn't do.
Agree. How about those who purchase multiple, identical basses and harvest the best neck, etc, for themselves and return the "discards" for a refund. Scumbag behavior.
There seems to be some question about whether a Sales Engineer is a legitimate occupation. From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Sales engineers sell complex scientific and technological products or services to businesses.
Sales engineers often work under stressful conditions because their income and job security depend on commission from successfully completing sales. Some sales engineers may work additional and irregular hours to meet sales goals and client needs.
To enter the occupation, sales engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field. Successful sales engineers combine technical knowledge of the products or services they are selling with strong interpersonal skills.
The median annual wage for sales engineers was $116,950 in May 2023.
Employment of sales engineers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
Sales engineers sell complex scientific and technological products or services to businesses.
Sales engineers often work under stressful conditions because their income and job security depend on commission from successfully completing sales. Some sales engineers may work additional and irregular hours to meet sales goals and client needs.
To enter the occupation, sales engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field. Successful sales engineers combine technical knowledge of the products or services they are selling with strong interpersonal skills.
The median annual wage for sales engineers was $116,950 in May 2023.
Employment of sales engineers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
Well, I don't have that crystal ball, and neither do you, and while it is easy to assign blame, I do know how often it isn't the screws, but the allen wrenches provided by the manufacturer that are soft or simply out of spec enough to spin 'somewhat' freely and 'somewhat' adjustable. I have no idea of the OP's experience but it happens regularly. He may have thought they were stripped or at the least defective. Those bridge pieces and screws from the German and Chinese Metroline are made by the thousands. I doubt the inspection team grabbed the included allen wrenches and gave it a go. As a professional tech, I always take the time to find a proper fitting wrench before adjusting. Which is just to say, other possibilities exist.
Well, regardless of anyone 'harping' it's easy to see why so many people who have seen the 'ding' feel the punishment is excessively out of touch, particularly when there is no documentation of when and where it happened. Maybe SW is slow on sales or maybe it was the sales engineer who is a little desperate. Everybody has a valid position to take. They all come with consequences.
On the flip side, brick and mortars are closing. So just taking whatever is sent to us isn't in the consumer's interest. No way to try before you buy and the online retailers are saving on not having retail space. Returns are part of the new game. I don't like to return things much either, but as more and more physical stores close, it's the only real way to try something.
Curiouser and curiouser.
Were I on a jury, the introduction of the picture of a second identical bass with an eerily similar blemish might be enough to establish reasonable doubt as to the origin of the disputed blemish.
This thread simply reinforces my deep-held belief about never buying an instrument I have not first held in my hands.
Were I on a jury, the introduction of the picture of a second identical bass with an eerily similar blemish might be enough to establish reasonable doubt as to the origin of the disputed blemish.
This thread simply reinforces my deep-held belief about never buying an instrument I have not first held in my hands.
Unfortunately, this is the shape of things to come. As @MultiScaleMale states, brick and mortar stores are closing. There's a GC or two within driving distance from me, and a couple of smaller retail outlets, but they just don't have the diversity of products. 5 string basses are few and far between, as are amps, and even strings. So it's on-line purchases for the most part for me.
have you tried talking to a different rep or to their manager?
i REALLY don't like "we could have worked something out if you hadn't been public about it"...
This may sound sacreligious [even to me] but GC may be better than likes of Sweetwater for some
There are Guitar Centers within 50 or so miles from most of us;
When buying a Bass[or amp/cab] best to have it shipped to Store with instructions not to open until you get there[spot repacks] then do thorough check while at Store any problems can be dealt with on the spot.
Even if you have it shipped to Home you can return it to local store.[ no hassle of shipping or cost]
45 day no question asked returns
They now carry [most not in stock Retail but can be ordered] Mesa, Genzler, EBMM, Fodera, Fender Custom Shop. Lakeland, G&K, Fuchs, Darkglass Etc.
] but GC may be better than likes of Sweetwater for someThere are Guitar Centers within 50 or so miles from most of us;
When buying a Bass[or amp/cab] best to have it shipped to Store with instructions not to open until you get there[spot repacks] then do thorough check while at Store any problems can be dealt with on the spot.
Even if you have it shipped to Home you can return it to local store.[ no hassle of shipping or cost]
45 day no question asked returns
They now carry [most not in stock Retail but can be ordered] Mesa, Genzler, EBMM, Fodera, Fender Custom Shop. Lakeland, G&K, Fuchs, Darkglass Etc.
This thread is such an interesting cross section of the TB community
And a sign of things to come. On several fronts....
