TalkBass Trade Gone Bad

[sissy kathy]

I'm gonna catch a bunch of flak for this but, consider you are buying a road worn reliced bass; Now imagine a 16 year old kid that has scrimped and saved to get his dream bass and then chips the finish. He's strapped for money anyway, so the sharpie fix seems only logical. You have a newbie player that hasn't learned how to care for his equipment and gets gouges from careless handling.

 

[DWBass]

I just looked at a handful of road worn basses and not one is gouged out like that. Mostly worn areas! That did not come from Fender that way.

 

[Gaolee]

My RW Precision has scratches and chips in the paint, and it was like that when it was new. They don't look like what happened to that bass. In fact, even the bumps and bruises I have put on the bass over the years don't look like those. I have come to really appreciate the fact that I don't worry at all about what happens to the finish on my P, but even so, I'm not sure how you get the kinds of shattered looking spots that were on that bass unless you take a tool to it.

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

modified with a black marker, extra non-factory gouges,.

OK, this just sounds weird, what the heck is the difference between a non-factory gouge and a real factory gouge?
and does it make a bigger difference if the gouge was done in Fullerton ?

how does the bass sound ?

if you are unhappy, then indeed, try to un-trade.

 

[smperry]

A couple of things:

1) (OP) Assuming all of this is accurate, I agree with those that stated that the trader should take the bass back, or providing some payment in an agreed-upon amount. If that doesn't happen, then I think negative feedback is in order. Again, this is assuming all to be accurate. I hope you two can work it out. If you want to discuss further with me, send me a message.

2) (Everyone else) I deleted some posts, including ones that suggested violence or damage to the other trader or property, even though I think they are joking. I also deleted a couple of posts that used this as an opportunity to make fun of relics, which is against the rules.

Thanks.

 

[lfmn16]

OK, this just sounds weird, what the heck is the difference between a non-factory gouge and a real factory gouge?
and does it make a bigger difference if the gouge was done in Fullerton ?

If you don't understand the difference, you don't understand relicing. Relicing an instrument is not randomly beating the crap out of it. There is an art to it and not everyone does it well. A good luthier makes the wear look real.

So yes it does make a difference.

 

[blueskyjaunte]

My personal philosophy is that the deal isn't done until both parties are happy with the end result. If that state cannot be achieved, the trade/sale gets reversed.

Period.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

OP here, just wanted to add a few things.

The actual model year of the bass was never an issue for me, as, IMO, Road Worn basses have changed very little over the years. I did a little detective work and it appears that the bass was more than likely purchased by the trader as NOS (New Old Stock).

I wanted to quickly go over how this deal went down and where the transaction currently stands -

We discussed the trade using TB messages.

We traded basses.

The trader followed up first, sending me a TB message stating - "I received your bass yestetday eve. It is nice. Did you receive my bass on your end?"

I replied that I was glad he liked my bass, and then explained my dissatisfaction with the condition of his bass (actual text in post #7).

He replied that Road Worn instruments come that way from the factory (actual text in post #7). Then he adds this - "Btw, I did not find the extra pickup with your bass."

Note: My bass came with a upgraded pickup installed and I offered to included the stock pickup. I had to go to the store to buy extra supplies to pack it with. It sure isn't sitting at my house. I'm 100% sure I packed it.

I replied - "If you received the bass, then you received the extra pickup. It is in a padded mailing envelope in one of the gig bag pockets."

That is the last communication I've had with the trader.

It may sound cynical, but you called him out on this damage to the bass (which I'm almost positive anyone who posts on TB would know is not done in the factory), and suddenly he's missing the pickup? AFTER messaging you saying he's happy with the bass? Hmm. Sounds like mud-slinging to try and protect his reputation, to me.

If everything's happened exactly how you said it has, with the PMs to back it up, you've been mislead and either need your bass back, or some money. If not, well, neg feedback & naming and shaming, and at least they won't be able to rip off anyone else.

 

[Sugar McGuinn]

Where is this TB'er? That's what I want to know. I find it rather odd that he/she has not surfaced to explain him/her self.

That only makes it worse...

 

[Jack Butler]

I'm gonna catch a bunch of flak for this but, consider you are buying a road worn reliced bass; Now imagine a 16 year old kid that has scrimped and saved to get his dream bass and then chips the finish. He's strapped for money anyway, so the sharpie fix seems only logical. You have a newbie player that hasn't learned how to care for his equipment and gets gouges from careless handling.

Since the seller in question has close to 70(all positive) transactions here and has been a member since 2005, I'd say the above scenario is unlikely. No offense intended SK.

 

[sissy kathy]

Since the seller in question has close to 70(all positive) transactions here and has been a member since 2005, I'd say the above scenario is unlikely. No offense intended SK.

I'm not a fan of road worn basses and wouldn't even consider buying one. I have no opinion on how, where, or by whom the damage occurred.

I'm not suggesting that is what happened; only suggesting a possible scenario to explain that sort of damage.

 

[OldCityBassman]

As an Ebay seller, I believe this bass was either misrepresented to you intentionally or the seller bought it that way and didn't know the difference. If he didn't know he should man up and say so. He still has an obligation to make it right, either trade back, offer some cash or another piece of gear.

 

[pacojas]

well,.. the name of the member in question is very easy to find with the search function and thread title that was provided. if i rat on him, he might shank me in the shower stalls!

 

[joebar]

I had a guy on here a couple of years ago who sold me a bass.
upon arrival, I realized one PU wasn't even working and the mid control wasn't either.
he played stupid, but agreed to reimburse me after I got it repaired at a local shop.

cost 30 dollars and all was well.

the seller was nowhere to be found and I was never able to contact them again.
I gave negative feedback and left it at that.

they screwed their reputation on here over 30 bucks...

 

[g4string]

Up for trade/sale is my Fender Roadworn Jazz bass. Fantastic light weight (8.4) jazz less than 1 YO, comes with it's gig bag. NO issues at all with this bass.
I am now in a rockabilly/early rock project and am in need of a single coil 51 P. So, my excellent J is up on the block.
For anyone interested or looking to part with their 51 (not interested in a Sting) in trade for my roadworn J, more pics are available.


If this is the TXT body from the ad you replied to, then yah......I think ole'boy needs to pony up and untrade. Key words/phrases like "NO issues" "my excellent J" and "less than 1 YO" don't jive with what was sold/traded.

 

[Rayjay]

I don't know if you're gonna want to get your bass back from this kid anyways, maybe just take the loss at this point. Who knows how it's going to come back, the pickup is gone, and it's a gamble he'll even ever communicate with you again.

 

[pacojas]

I don't know if you're gonna want to get your bass back from this kid anyways, many just take the loss at this point. Who knows how it's going to come back, the pickup is gone, and it's a gamble he'll even ever communicate with you again.

easy for you to say,.. he who lives in MAUI.

 

[lfmn16]

Up for trade/sale is my Fender Roadworn Jazz bass. Fantastic light weight (8.4) jazz less than 1 YO, comes with it's gig bag. NO issues at all with this bass.
I am now in a rockabilly/early rock project and am in need of a single coil 51 P. So, my excellent J is up on the block.
For anyone interested or looking to part with their 51 (not interested in a Sting) in trade for my roadworn J, more pics are available.


If this is the TXT body from the ad you replied to, then yah......I think ole'boy needs to pony up and untrade. Key words/phrases like "NO issues" "my excellent J" and "less than 1 YO" don't jive with what was sold/traded.

Stock Fender pic in the ad - another huge flag for me.

 

[ggunn]

I have no opinion one way or the other about artificially reliced basses (though I wouldn't want one), and I don't really know that much about them, but don't the "official" professionally distressed ones only have wear on the finish? As opposed to damage done to the wood, I mean.

 

[Jack MN]

And this comment adds what to the discussion?

You should ask yourself that.