that is not good, saw a FCS and was shocked how I could see the outline of the fender decal. My MIM was finished better. Indonesian made is going to pass USA made in QC.
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Sweetwater Scam
- Thread starter corradoc
- Start date
If it was a vintage reissue, that's how they were originally (decal over the finish).
The post above from the sales rep said the deduction was $581. $141.50 for the shipping labels since there was no issue with the bass that was the basis for Sweetwater paying return shipping. The remainder is the difference between the selling price of a new bass and what they would have to sell a demo bass for... which makes sense as it's now a scratch and dent type item.
I think they are in the right. If it had been returned in the same condition it left there would have been no holdback, and if the supposed issues with the bass had been real they would have refunded in full and paid shipping both ways. But they proved it was not defective nor was it damaged when it was sent out, and that the package was not damaged upon its return. Sweetwater shouldn't have to absorb that loss, IMO.
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Cool. Though I only clicked the link in your post (yesterday and again today).
Shipping is not reflected in a discounted price, and even if it did, the math didn't add up. The bass was $2999 last night; now it is $3222, reflecting the 10% I figured it should if it were marked down to demo status. It is the same bass as mentioned by the Sales Engineer. The photo of the damage has also been updated:
Still a very small dent, and still very possible to have happened at any point along the line and not gone noticed by any party. I think this whole thing has been blown out of proportion, and I would recommend anyone coming in here be sure to read the earlier posts for full context.
Having said all of this, my personal thoughts are as such:
- I believe OP could be lying in some capacity, or at least be untruthful given the radio silence since creation. Returning an expensive bass over a very minor flaw is not unheard of, and not unwarranted either, but being unworkable with the flaw is a bad way of doing business if not presented other alternatives.
- The damage could have been caused by anyone involved. It is a small mark on a finish with lots of open grain that is only visible in the right light. Given the difficult situation, I don't think it's fair to pin it on any one individual; thus, the customer shouldn't have to fall on the sword. I don't understand why they would purposely damage it, and if they accidentally did, they should have admitted it graciously and apologetically.
- I believe the Sales Engineer involved is being mostly truthful and struggling to communicate with a difficult customer, which is common in their field when you work at such a busy store. I do believe it could have been handled with more grace and patience, even if the customer was being dubious, but they may very well be bound up by rules beyond their control from their management and technical teams.
- In either case, Sweetwater is a multi-billion dollar company at this point. Give the customer all their money back and block them from further sales if they're being untruthful. Eat the $600 or whatever the actual fee is as a company (don't make the Sales Engineer eat it) and move on.
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I'm being 100% honest. When I reached out and said the bridge screws weren;t working propoerly (best as I could tell) I was told that they'd 'open a ticket' with the guitar department. Never heard back from them so called a few days later. When I got a guy in the guitar department he said they have no more in stock so I could either wait, or return the item for a full refund. So i got the label, paid extra for fragile packing, and then sent it. Only to be told that I'd be charged $600. That was on a friday and I immedaiately responded saying that this is not cool. I never heard back from him until Tuesday afternoon, well after I posted here - as I was pissed off. Now I'm being told "we could've worked something out if you hadn't bee public about it". I think this is BS and they were hoping I'd just give them the money and go away. I've spoent thousands of dollars with Sweetwater in the past (bought several basses) - never again.
I agree generally, I was only pointing out that the buyer wasn't charged an arbitrary penalty, they calculated the cost of the two shipping labels (since there was nothing wrong with the bass, it was a buyer's remorse type return and the buyer would be responsible for shipping in those cases) and the rest was the difference between the new selling price and a demo selling price.
People can debate whether the ding in the body is worthy of the item being designated a demo model, but everyone here would be disappointed if a new bass came that way, and they are going to dissatisfy another customer if they sell it as new. I would be disappointed personally, anyway, even if it's not such a big flaw.
I am sure they know what the market will bear for a demo model, irrespective of any damage done by the OP, some people want a pristine new instrument, others won't want something that was returned damaged (wondering what else might be wrong with it), etc.
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Having been through the return process personally, that holds water. They offered me a full refund for a pedal that arrived NAD since no replacements were in stock, or to wait until stock was available.
How did you return the bass? Did you reuse the packaging you were provided by Sweetwater upon initial delivery or did you pay for the shipper to pack it for you? I think if it's the latter, the shipper probably damaged it, in which case your recourse would be to pursue damages with them. The prepaid label Sweetwater gives you is fully insured against shipping damage, so there would be no need to pay for additional postage or protection. If you paid to have it packed for you though, I think that could solve the mystery if both sides are being truthful.
I totally get the frustration of not having your point of contact be available to contact, since that is the job, but life happens, and the right thing that should have been done was calling Sweetwater immediately. They're open every day and even if you don't get your guy, they're open because they have avenues/options for solving problems every day.
Huh, it is... BUT it has a very, very similar ding as the one you linked yesterday...
OP's @ $2999:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
"Other" demo @ $3222:
Damn, OP's was marked down more and had less damage! These are clearly two different basses based on the grain pattern, but both have a similar spot of damage...
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So those pictures are two different basses? The OP's and another demo? If so what are the odds that the OP would damage the bass he received in almost the exact same place, on the same brand/model and damage/ding is somewhat the same shape as on the other demo? I would think the odds against that would be quite high, If I misunderstood the pictures, please disregard.
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Also of note, unless OP's bass was pulled from the store manually for further evaluation, someone here most likely bought it, since it is unavailable. Double-dipped already on account of this [unintentional] marketing?
They are clearly two different basses with two very, very similar points of damage. You can tell by comparing the grain patterns.
Now, how two of the same model and finish of basses get damaged the same way in the same spot... that is a peculiarity....
Huh, it is... BUT it has a very, very similar ding as the one you linked yesterday...
OP's @ $2999:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
"Other" demo @ $3222:
Damn, OP's was marked down more and had less damage! These are clearly two different basses based on the grain pattern, but both have a similar spot of damage...
and both very close to the same width.
My current theories:
- Factory finish flaw on this model.
- Shipper-related damage (only if the packaging material is the same on both and has some sort of weak point/flaw internally to cause the same damage)
- Tool/workbench-related damage from technicians at Sweetwater
- Factory finish flaw on this model.
- Shipper-related damage (only if the packaging material is the same on both and has some sort of weak point/flaw internally to cause the same damage)
- Tool/workbench-related damage from technicians at Sweetwater
Seems like the #56 inspection step is to look for damaged caused by the first 55 steps. 
In all seriousness, this is another data point to me that I am missing nothing, and avoiding trouble by ordering anything of material from SW.
The OP was upset and probably shocked by SW's initial response. Yes, he could have taken additional steps before posting, yes he could have used a few different words. But having his word at face value, he: gave a few days for SW to address; they gave him limited options other than a return; he made every effort to send back safely/responsibly; they made unilateral decisions that this was buyer's remorse and buyer-caused damage and charged the OP nearly $750. Then SW came to this post and; gave themselves a pass for life happens (true of course, but it works both ways); made a questionable evaluation of the extent of damage to this particular bass (especially in comparison to the other demo); highlighted there was ANOTHER bass with an almost identical flaw without even a hint/acknowledgement of the coincidence; and according to the OP, are being punitive for making it public.
That's a lot.
In all seriousness, this is another data point to me that I am missing nothing, and avoiding trouble by ordering anything of material from SW.
The OP was upset and probably shocked by SW's initial response. Yes, he could have taken additional steps before posting, yes he could have used a few different words. But having his word at face value, he: gave a few days for SW to address; they gave him limited options other than a return; he made every effort to send back safely/responsibly; they made unilateral decisions that this was buyer's remorse and buyer-caused damage and charged the OP nearly $750. Then SW came to this post and; gave themselves a pass for life happens (true of course, but it works both ways); made a questionable evaluation of the extent of damage to this particular bass (especially in comparison to the other demo); highlighted there was ANOTHER bass with an almost identical flaw without even a hint/acknowledgement of the coincidence; and according to the OP, are being punitive for making it public.
That's a lot.
