To return or not to return…

[NoiseNinja]

Personally I would without question keep it.

You say it plays and sounds amazing, more important to me than cosmetics.

Though you might prefer a pristine looking bass that doesn't plays and sound as great.

Can't say that I understand that perspective, but hey, it's your money and your bass.

What I possibly would though, would be asking the seller for a discount for the imperfection.

 

[Killing Floor]

That dent wasn’t as visible in the first pic. I’m not sure I’d be cool with that on a brand new item of that cost. My guitars earn dents. But it shouldn’t come with one. The finish imperfections probably wouldn’t be as big a deal. Tell them it’s dented. They have insurance to cover shipping damage.
Good luck.

 

[burgerdj]

Negotiate a discount and then play the hell out of it! Assuming you bought it to play and not collect/admire.

 

[mmon77]

I've bought B-stock instruments that have fewer flaws than that, and the price reflected that fact. If I buy something new, I expect it to be new. If these manufacturers don't get taken to task for that lack of QC, this is what they will continue to send out. The dent probably happened during shipping to a distributor, but it still is damage, and should be reflected in the price.

If GC won't give you a discount, I'd return it if it bothers you enough to ask about it on here.

 

[shnapper]

If you’re asking it bothers you, if it bothers it will always bother you. If you have money to burn it’s all good..

 

[John Cribbin]

I don't pay retail for B stock and if I wanted B stock I'd look for it.

Shouldn't have passed QC at the factory to even reach the shop.

 

[40Hz]

I'd contact the seller and ask for their opinion on the matter and the options they'd offer.
Maybe a discount, maybe throw something in to sweeten the deal (strap, cables, strings), or a return.

See what they offer and ask yourself then.

By the same token, if a deal sweetener or discount is enough to assuage your righteous indignation, just how much can you believably claim you’re offended by some small imperfection?

If something bugs you, just return or exchange it. Your complaint has far more credibility that way.

One reason I always issue a full refund and insist on any dissatisfied buyer returning what I sent them is because there’s a certain type of person who has made a career out of looking for extremely minor (or possibly nonexistent) issues with every purchase they make, and who insists on getting some cash back from the seller for it.

But whatever. The OP is probably best off returning the bass. If it plays and sounds great, but the finish is that important to him, then he’s never going to not be bugged knowing about that defect his has. Life is too short for things like that. So he might as well just get another one - and take the very real chance he might not like the next one either.

 

[Jeremy Crockett]

Maybe on something more expensive you should expect that guarantee, not for $799....
Why is everybody expecting flawless instruments for under 1K these days?

Edit: $679 at GC

If I order a steak medium rare and it comes to me well done, it goes back. Doesn't matter if it's a $15 steak or a $40 steak. We are becoming far too tolerant of sub-standard performance, EVERYWHERE.

 

[tb-player]

Easy. Keep it. Complain. Get a 15% discount/refund. It should have been listed as “minor blem.”

 

[groooooove]

that first photo I would only let slide on a new instrument if it was $300 or less. even 300 i'd be a little annoyed.

 

[Crash 56]

Since its a great player, I would keep it, and just consider the imperfections a head start on the mojo the bass will pick up over the years.

 

[Bonecat]

Look at it this way: Now you don’t have to worry about putting the first scratch, dent, ding, whatever on it. Play it without worry - it’s gonna get worse eventually regardless, so if it’s a good player just rock on…

 

[bassicmike]

If it's been hanging on the wall at GC, I wouldn't have any expectation that it would be blemish-free. However, once (or twice) dinged and the price should drop.

If it plays and sounds as nice as you say, you should keep it. And negotiate a deal with the seller. Maybe they can't do a deal on the bass you have, but they can cut you a deal on the purchase of accessories as the make-up call.

And that blue J pictured upstream is stunning. If that is what the OP's bass looks like, I would be hesitant to return it.

 

[lfmn16]

Plays amazing and has great tone. There's your answer.

 

[funkmaster p]

The issue by itself is one thing. Knowing that I previously purchased a $150 Squier with a perfect finish would really set off my annoyance.

 

[mikecd1]

Its gonna cost them to pay for your return and restock it so a well-negotiated credit would be my first choice if I was bonded with the bass. I've seen some basses that looked great, but didn't have sound and feel mojo. Trust your gut, but use your head if you're holding a keeper

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

I think you should get rid of it. Get it to me and I'll make sure it gets handled, correctly.

Seriously, I hate to be that (pedantic) guy, but it's a matter of the degree to which it bothers you.

I had a guitar which played and sounded terrific, but was ugly as sin. After a while, I guess the look became less important than the sound/performance.

At the end of the day, though, it's a decision only you can make.

 

[Captain Chaos]

If it's been hanging on the wall at GC, I wouldn't have any expectation that it would be blemish-free. However, once (or twice) dinged and the price should drop.

If it plays and sounds as nice as you say, you should keep it. And negotiate a deal with the seller. Maybe they can't do a deal on the bass you have, but they can cut you a deal on the purchase of accessories as the make-up call.

And that blue J pictured upstream is stunning. If that is what the OP's bass looks like, I would be hesitant to return it.

I got it new in box from a sale they have going on at GC.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

I just got a new bass and it’s got two imperfections, you can’t tell unless you look really close. Other than that it plays amazing and has great tone. What would you guys do?

View attachment 4450946
View attachment 4450947

I see that one of the blems is on the back. To me, no biggie... especially if the bass sounds and feels good.
The bottom pic is a bit blurry, so I can't offer an opinion. If it's on the back also, I would just keep the bass. Eventually (and inevitably) your bass is going to develop some "character" marks. If you're not ok with the imperfections, return it. I just hope you can find a replacement that you like as much as the one you just purchased. Good luck

 

[mrperkolator]

$700 is a substantial amount of money to many people.

This. $700 is quite a bit unless you're making a living at it.

I've had better fit and finish on my $300 bass.

With the demand being high right now, they are pushing things out as fast as they can, unfortunately this means they're skipping some QC. I'd look internally and see how much It would bug me. Personally, I hate scratches, dings, etc on my basses. I grew up with not much, so I had to take real good care of my stuff because I couldn't afford to replace it. So blemishes on a NEW bass would certainly bother me.