wintremute
mediocrity at its finest
- Oct 16, 2014
- 6,942
- 29,552
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- Endorsing Artist: Langstrom Carrot Farms
I don't think you need to have the word "Ebay" in that sentence. I think that's good advice that applies pretty much everywhere.
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(Unfortunately) My first ebay dispute
- Thread starter AudioDwebe
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- ebay
I don't think you need to have the word "Ebay" in that sentence. I think that's good advice that applies pretty much everywhere.
This seller sounds like a class A douche. Already repeated enough but you will win, especially since the audit trail is all in eBay and you used PayPal. While not for basses, have dealt with his ilk in other sales. Hang tight and best wishes that it all goes well... a shame you've got to waste time and energy on these kind of characters...
No problem.
I was done communicating with him last night. Nothing to talk about, really.
You really need to out this douchenozzle to TB (maybe when it's resolved). This is one person I never want to deal with.
If you guys could refrain from calling this guy names, that'd be appreciated. I don't much appreciate what he's done and said, but name calling isn't cool, either.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Haven't read all of the posts so I apologize in advance if this is redundant. Lot of experience on eBay (908 transactions over 17 years). Been through more than a few of these issues.
As others have said you need to quit corresponding with this guy and open your claim. All you have to do is show eBay that the bass is not as described. You can just tell them briefly what a truss rod does and how it's supposed to work and that this one doesn't. For whatever reason there are non-standard screw slots at the end of this rod (usually adjusts with an Allen wrench) so a typical screw driver won't work and the "makeshift" tool the guy sent doesn't work either. Tell them that essentially a truss rod in this condition makes the bass unplayable. Your messages/emails will show them that you asked the guy about the truss rod, he said it was fine and when you got the bass it wouldn't turn. You could mention that it's impossible for this problem to be caused in shipping.This kind of heads that issue off before the guy tries to blame the shipping company. Then send them your email/message trail and your pictures and let eBay deal with it. If the guy tries to contact you directly by email or phone just tell him you've opened your claim with eBay and that he needs to talk to them.
You should be able to get your original purchase price plus return shipping back. Go ahead and PM me if you have any other questions and I'll try to help you as much as I can.
As others have said you need to quit corresponding with this guy and open your claim. All you have to do is show eBay that the bass is not as described. You can just tell them briefly what a truss rod does and how it's supposed to work and that this one doesn't. For whatever reason there are non-standard screw slots at the end of this rod (usually adjusts with an Allen wrench) so a typical screw driver won't work and the "makeshift" tool the guy sent doesn't work either. Tell them that essentially a truss rod in this condition makes the bass unplayable. Your messages/emails will show them that you asked the guy about the truss rod, he said it was fine and when you got the bass it wouldn't turn. You could mention that it's impossible for this problem to be caused in shipping.This kind of heads that issue off before the guy tries to blame the shipping company. Then send them your email/message trail and your pictures and let eBay deal with it. If the guy tries to contact you directly by email or phone just tell him you've opened your claim with eBay and that he needs to talk to them.
You should be able to get your original purchase price plus return shipping back. Go ahead and PM me if you have any other questions and I'll try to help you as much as I can.
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If it reaches dispute level and ebay sides with you, EBAY issues you the refund, not the seller. I have dealt with this process probably around 5 times....
- Oct 18, 2012
- 6,683
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- Endorsing Artist: Fender, Spector, Ampeg, Curt Mangan, Nordstrand Pickups, Korg , Conquest Sound
About 10 years ago, I purchased a 1978 Jazz bass that the seller claimed was completely original. When I received it, I noticed that 2 of the bridge saddles had been replaced and the neck binding was cracked on both sides of the neck at every fret, obviously the result of a poor re-fret job. The seller refused to refund my money. I put in a claim through ebay and Paypal. I never received a response from either of them. To make matters worse, I was charged twice and it took more than 6 months to receive a credit for the over charge. I haven't bought anything on ebay since then. I was able to sell the bass a few months later for what I paid.
Stop dealing with him. Contact Ebay and PayPal and they will give you your money back. THEN send the bass back.
Such is the way of the world these days: deny, deny, deny. Only fix problems that you are deemed guilty of by someone who has access to your credit rating. If it's just some guy, deny, deny, deny.
The seller may have not known that this was an issue, or about truss rods before the sale. But, I'm not giving him the benefit of the doubt, because he sounds like he doesn't know how they work, and purposely deceived you when asked about the condition, and or just didn't know and took a chance. I've never had to use a second guy to hold the neck into the position I wanted, then torque the truss rod to that position. Seriously, LOL
Good luck getting your money back!
The seller may have not known that this was an issue, or about truss rods before the sale. But, I'm not giving him the benefit of the doubt, because he sounds like he doesn't know how they work, and purposely deceived you when asked about the condition, and or just didn't know and took a chance. I've never had to use a second guy to hold the neck into the position I wanted, then torque the truss rod to that position. Seriously, LOL
Good luck getting your money back!
I'm very sorry to hear that happened.. I shop on ebay a lot, and haven't had amy problems like that, butI guess I've been lucky. I honestly think that you'll get a refund though. Ebay is pretty good when it comes to customer satisfaction from the stories I've heard. good luck.
Edit: I also agree that you should not respond him anymore. Just let ebay take care of it.
Edit: I also agree that you should not respond him anymore. Just let ebay take care of it.
Kudos to you for being courteous to the seller even in this situation. You're a better man than I am, if he did this to me, I might be on the next direct flight to his town with a new truss rod that I would personally install, LOL.
I've passed on a few auctions on ebay due to the seller's response to a question. Sometimes before bidding I will throw out an easy question and see how they respond - just to gauge the seller.
From this guy's first reply, I would have walked. It was just as easy for him to respond "yes, everything works great!" as it was for him to be a D and say "see ad". And that was the first red flag.
Its possible a seller's item is in absolute mint condition, but if he is a pain to deal with before the sale, you know he's only going to be a pain afterwards.
Now to nitpick: the Carvin "is about 2-3 years old"? Well obviously HE isn't the original owner, so he bought it used. Him saying anything about it being a $1,700 bass - BS! It's damaged! It was $1,700 brand new with a factory warranty. Its not $1,700 used, broken, and modified. HE didn't pay $1,700 for it.
I bet he scopes out items for sale that are broken, then either fixes what needs to be fixed as cheap as possible or covers up the issue, then flips it for a profit without disclosing the issues. There's another profession that is known for this sales method.
I bet the seller will again flip the bass - just reposting his auction without changing the words until a buyer either doesn't notice the issue or doesn't want to fight it. His emails have only been to discourage you from filing a complaint. That bully mentality might work on some people.
I would be tempted to leave a typed note in the control cavity stating the truss rod is broken and the ebay seller's name who was trying to dump it off without disclosure. Maybe someone will open the back cavity to see why the switch isn't working and discover your note making them aware of the truss rod issue.
Good luck.
From this guy's first reply, I would have walked. It was just as easy for him to respond "yes, everything works great!" as it was for him to be a D and say "see ad". And that was the first red flag.
Its possible a seller's item is in absolute mint condition, but if he is a pain to deal with before the sale, you know he's only going to be a pain afterwards.
Now to nitpick: the Carvin "is about 2-3 years old"? Well obviously HE isn't the original owner, so he bought it used. Him saying anything about it being a $1,700 bass - BS! It's damaged! It was $1,700 brand new with a factory warranty. Its not $1,700 used, broken, and modified. HE didn't pay $1,700 for it.
I bet he scopes out items for sale that are broken, then either fixes what needs to be fixed as cheap as possible or covers up the issue, then flips it for a profit without disclosing the issues. There's another profession that is known for this sales method.
I bet the seller will again flip the bass - just reposting his auction without changing the words until a buyer either doesn't notice the issue or doesn't want to fight it. His emails have only been to discourage you from filing a complaint. That bully mentality might work on some people.
I would be tempted to leave a typed note in the control cavity stating the truss rod is broken and the ebay seller's name who was trying to dump it off without disclosure. Maybe someone will open the back cavity to see why the switch isn't working and discover your note making them aware of the truss rod issue.
Good luck.
That's actually how you have to adjust the rods on a Rickenbacker 4001, although you really shouldn't need a second person to do it.
That's also a handy place to put another copy of the instrument's serial number in case it's stolen. I've also got the serial numbers of all of my keyboards recorded inside the instrument as well.
I had a situation similar in nature and paid thru paypal. What he sent vs advertised, were not the same thing. Well, he sounded a lot like your guy, a LOT. I tracked him down to find out more about him ..... he worked as a Real Estate Agent in Florida, lived a few houses from his 80+ yr old parents, but used their address for Ebay, etc. Amazing. That's a hint right there this guy was not all on the up and up.
He was not going to refund it, and I submitted a dispute thru paypal. They decided against him, and he refused to pay them, so they took it out of his account .... and when protested to much ... closed his account thru them and banned him from Paypal. He slammed me, them and don't know what all else via Ebay (looked like he really got nasty) .... because they "deleted" all his feedback and comments, deleted all other items he had on Ebay, and banned him.
On another deal.. I was looking at an old car ... was trying to find one. Contacted them, asked questions, etc. Guy in the Military, etc. But, as I did searches .... I found the "same" exact picture and car advertised as them living and selling the car .... with his location showing in 5 different States. I notified Ebay. They had me make some contacts with him and noted his responses. Next thing I know Ebay advised me all his postings were closed on the site, and the FBI was involved.... apparently he had been running several scams in several different States.
Just recently backed off one, and would not bid or go any further. They were doing what this guy was doing, and not giving straight answers on questions. It was on a New AMP...... contacted the Mfgr, and some coding that showed on sticker when I blew up the pic ..... they said it was a factory 2nd. That's what the guy was trying to avoid saying ... that it was a factory 2nd... and representing it otherwise. Some factory 2nds are no big deal, but no way I was dealing with the guy anymore. I did let him know, I found it was a factory 2nd though, and he closed his Ebay post and reposted it .. as a 2nd. He probably figured I would advise Ebay of it, and they might shut him down.
If I don't get a clear, straight answer ... I move on and won't deal with them now.
He was not going to refund it, and I submitted a dispute thru paypal. They decided against him, and he refused to pay them, so they took it out of his account .... and when protested to much ... closed his account thru them and banned him from Paypal. He slammed me, them and don't know what all else via Ebay (looked like he really got nasty) .... because they "deleted" all his feedback and comments, deleted all other items he had on Ebay, and banned him.
On another deal.. I was looking at an old car ... was trying to find one. Contacted them, asked questions, etc. Guy in the Military, etc. But, as I did searches .... I found the "same" exact picture and car advertised as them living and selling the car .... with his location showing in 5 different States. I notified Ebay. They had me make some contacts with him and noted his responses. Next thing I know Ebay advised me all his postings were closed on the site, and the FBI was involved.... apparently he had been running several scams in several different States.
Just recently backed off one, and would not bid or go any further. They were doing what this guy was doing, and not giving straight answers on questions. It was on a New AMP...... contacted the Mfgr, and some coding that showed on sticker when I blew up the pic ..... they said it was a factory 2nd. That's what the guy was trying to avoid saying ... that it was a factory 2nd... and representing it otherwise. Some factory 2nds are no big deal, but no way I was dealing with the guy anymore. I did let him know, I found it was a factory 2nd though, and he closed his Ebay post and reposted it .. as a 2nd. He probably figured I would advise Ebay of it, and they might shut him down.
If I don't get a clear, straight answer ... I move on and won't deal with them now.
Wait....if the instrument is stolen, and the S/N is INSIDE the instrument....
^^^This should've been your first hint not to purchase.^^^
Work through Paypal to get your money back. Ebay/Paypal will review all correspondence between buyer and seller and act accordingly.
