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(Unfortunately) My first ebay dispute

#61
"Just the facts, ma'am".

Keep your dispute claim brief and to the point. It may help to include a picture of a stock truss rod access and assembly: one picture is worth a thousand words.

Good chance the seller will not respond to PayPal inquiries (...seen it happen before) and you'll win by default.

Riis
 
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#62
I got burned years ago on a purchase. Paypal couldn't do anything but suspend the sellers account.
After that I always paid with a Discover CC through Paypal. If PP failed I filed a charge-back with my CC co.

If you paid with a CC keep that in your back pocket if for some odd reason there is an issue getting a refund.
Most CC have a 60 day period for this. Some 30 or even 90 days.
 
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#63
J.D. Detroit said:
I got burned years ago on a purchase. Paypal couldn't do anything but suspend the sellers account.
After that I always paid with a Discover CC through Paypal. If PP failed I filed a charge-back with my CC co.

If you paid with a CC keep that in your back pocket if for some odd reason there is an issue getting a refund.
Most CC have a 60 day period for this. Some 30 or even 90 days.
Click to expand...

Good to know.

Unfortunately, this was paid through PayPal dinging my checking account.
 
#64
My initial dispute claim submitted:

"Truss rod broken and the tip has been jerry-rigged requiring a modofied screw driver for adjusting action. There was no mention of this in the ad or in our email correspondence via eBay."

Seller's response:

"I see that your plan is to continue to mislead ebay about the condition of your bass by stating that the truss rod is broken - non functioning. No matter how many times you write this, the fact remains that the truss rod does work. It is able to be turned and it does adjust the relief in the neck exactly as intended. Continuing with this "broken truss rod" nonsense is simple dishonesty. The truss rod adjustment tool end has been replaced however the truss rod does turn and adjust. Again, open your case as my plan is to challenge the "broken truss rod" allegation, this is simply not true, we both know that."

My response:

"I am not misleading eBay; you have misled me in this transaction. Anyone who plays bass would agree that a truss rod with the adjustment tip sheered off is a broken truss rod. I tried to lower the relief but I could not get it to budge at all. It's between .030 and .035 at the 9th fret which is way too much relief for my playing style. The screw driver slipped off the nut most times, and when I could get it to stay in place, the truss rod would not turn. So either the jerry-rigged system doesn't work or the truss rod is maxxed out where it's currently at, which are both unacceptable. I didn't try adding relief as it's already too high for my liking so it may very well be able to add relief, but I cannot get it any lower than where you had it when you shipped it out. I clearly disagree with your response that the "gross tod turns and adjusts properly" because it clearly does not. I've purchased a few Carvin s n the past where the truss rod was maxxed out with too much relief and that is why I specifically asked you if the truss rod was functional. Had you simply stated that the truss rod tip broke off and the previous owner put a nut on it to fix it I would have thanked you for the info any not bid on the bass. I wasn't given that opportunity because you failed to disclose that pertinent info. Ask any bassist or guitarist if that small bit of info is important in a buying decision and they would all reply in the positive. And I don't think Carvin would say that's a proper looking truss rod. So again, I am not misleading eBay and I would like to return the bass."

Seller:

"Reading you "I want a refund note" I see that your plan is to continue to mislead ebay about the condition of your bass by stating that the "truss rod is broken" - non functioning. No matter how many times you write this, the fact remains that the truss rod does work. It is able to be turned and it does adjust the relief in the neck exactly as intended. Continuing with this "broken truss rod" nonsense is simple dishonesty. The truss rod adjustment tool end has been replaced however the truss rod does turn and adjust. Again, open your case as my plan is to challenge the "broken truss rod" allegation, this is simply not true, we both know that."

My final correspondence with this seller:

"Why do you continue with your accusations of me misleadig eBay? I'm simply telling them my side of the story. I think that's how it works; I tell them my side, you tell them your side, and they decide.

Maybe you see the truss rod as several parts whereas I see it as one. If the adjustment tip is broken, the truss rod is, in essence, broken in my opinion. Not only is the tip broken, as I stated in my earlier post, I cannot reduce the relief. Clockwise, I cannot get the truss rod to turn. Most times the screw driver slipped right off.

Since I was the highest bidder, I really wanted this bass and other than the truss rod issue the bass is in great shape. I even overlooked the after purchase notification that the toggle wasn't connected. Anyone familiar with the Musicman type of humbucker with the toggle switch would assume it toggled between single coil and humbucking mode. And part of my question in regards to does the electronics work took the toggle also into consideration. I overlooked that.

The truss rod issue, I cannot overlook.

This will be my last correspondence with you until eBay makes their decision. Have a nice evening."

And with that I will await eBay's decision. Unfortunately, they won't even step in to look into this matter until the 22nd and I have no idea how long their process will take.
 
#65
AudioDwebe said:
My initial dispute claim submitted:

"Truss rod broken and the tip has been jerry-rigged requiring a modofied screw driver for adjusting action. There was no mention of this in the ad or in our email correspondence via eBay."

Seller's response:

"I see that your plan is to continue to mislead ebay about the condition of your bass by stating that the truss rod is broken - non functioning. No matter how many times you write this, the fact remains that the truss rod does work. It is able to be turned and it does adjust the relief in the neck exactly as intended. Continuing with this "broken truss rod" nonsense is simple dishonesty. The truss rod adjustment tool end has been replaced however the truss rod does turn and adjust. Again, open your case as my plan is to challenge the "broken truss rod" allegation, this is simply not true, we both know that."

My response:

"I am not misleading eBay; you have misled me in this transaction. Anyone who plays bass would agree that a truss rod with the adjustment tip sheered off is a broken truss rod. I tried to lower the relief but I could not get it to budge at all. It's between .030 and .035 at the 9th fret which is way too much relief for my playing style. The screw driver slipped off the nut most times, and when I could get it to stay in place, the truss rod would not turn. So either the jerry-rigged system doesn't work or the truss rod is maxxed out where it's currently at, which are both unacceptable. I didn't try adding relief as it's already too high for my liking so it may very well be able to add relief, but I cannot get it any lower than where you had it when you shipped it out. I clearly disagree with your response that the "gross tod turns and adjusts properly" because it clearly does not. I've purchased a few Carvin s n the past where the truss rod was maxxed out with too much relief and that is why I specifically asked you if the truss rod was functional. Had you simply stated that the truss rod tip broke off and the previous owner put a nut on it to fix it I would have thanked you for the info any not bid on the bass. I wasn't given that opportunity because you failed to disclose that pertinent info. Ask any bassist or guitarist if that small bit of info is important in a buying decision and they would all reply in the positive. And I don't think Carvin would say that's a proper looking truss rod. So again, I am not misleading eBay and I would like to return the bass."

Seller:

"Reading you "I want a refund note" I see that your plan is to continue to mislead ebay about the condition of your bass by stating that the "truss rod is broken" - non functioning. No matter how many times you write this, the fact remains that the truss rod does work. It is able to be turned and it does adjust the relief in the neck exactly as intended. Continuing with this "broken truss rod" nonsense is simple dishonesty. The truss rod adjustment tool end has been replaced however the truss rod does turn and adjust. Again, open your case as my plan is to challenge the "broken truss rod" allegation, this is simply not true, we both know that."

My final correspondence with this seller:

"Why do you continue with your accusations of me misleadig eBay? I'm simply telling them my side of the story. I think that's how it works; I tell them my side, you tell them your side, and they decide.

Maybe you see the truss rod as several parts whereas I see it as one. If the adjustment tip is broken, the truss rod is, in essence, broken in my opinion. Not only is the tip broken, as I stated in my earlier post, I cannot reduce the relief. Clockwise, I cannot get the truss rod to turn. Most times the screw driver slipped right off.

Since I was the highest bidder, I really wanted this bass and other than the truss rod issue the bass is in great shape. I even overlooked the after purchase notification that the toggle wasn't connected. Anyone familiar with the Musicman type of humbucker with the toggle switch would assume it toggled between single coil and humbucking mode. And part of my question in regards to does the electronics work took the toggle also into consideration. I overlooked that.

The truss rod issue, I cannot overlook.

This will be my last correspondence with you until eBay makes their decision. Have a nice evening."

And with that I will await eBay's decision. Unfortunately, they won't even step in to look into this matter until the 22nd and I have no idea how long their process will take.
Click to expand...
Once a dispute has been opened, I believe the seller's funds are put on hold. Can anyone confirm?

Good luck, OP!
 
#67
Could be a couple of days or a couple of weeks. This is the part of the seller's response that works in your favor. "The truss rod adjustment tool end has been replaced". Replaced by who,when,why? If there was nothing in the original listing that said you had to have a "special tool" to adjust a rod that somebody modified for an unknown reason the seller is implying that the rod is stock and functions. Just that shows that the bass was "not as described" and would probably get you your money back. The fact the the "special tool" doesn't actually work is just more in your favor.
 
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#68
AudioDwebe said:
The ad didn't answer some questions I had so I asked this:

"interested and have a question. do all electronics work as intended? truss rod work?"

The seller's response:

"It's per my description. Thanks"


I'd be interested in your thoughts.
Click to expand...

You won't like my thoughts, but after he didn't answer your first question, you should have run. The seller is a jerk, but you should have known better.
 
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#69
Agreed.

My friend at the office said the same exact thing when I was considering bidding.

Unfortunately, due to this experience, I have to ask a ton of almost stupid questions on any future purchase.

So if I buy from any of you in the future, I apologize in advance for all the questions I'll be asking.
 
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#70
eBay has really made an effort recently to back buyers, not sellers. In my opinion, just the switch not working is enough to fulfill your claim. And yes, the trussrod is broken and repaired="Item not as described".
 
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#71
Bassman54 said:
Could be a couple of days or a couple of weeks. This is the part of the seller's response that works in your favor. "The truss rod adjustment tool end has been replaced". Replaced by who,when,why? If there was nothing in the original listing that said you had to have a "special tool" to adjust a rod that somebody modified for an unknown reason the seller is implying that the rod is stock and functions. Just that shows that the bass was "not as described" and would probably get you your money back. The fact the the "special tool" doesn't actually work is just more in your favor.
Click to expand...

Agreed. He pretty much indicts himself with that statement, which he has now repeated a couple of times. I'll be very surprised if this is not a slam dunk for OP.
 
#72
AudioDwebe said:
So if I buy from any of you in the future, I apologize in advance for all the questions I'll be asking.
Click to expand...

Don't apologize. Good honest sellers have no trouble answering questions quickly, politely, and honestly. Failure to do so casts a big shadow of doubt on the transaction.

@lfmn16 is correct in that if you don't get answers quickly, accurately, and politely, as much as you want that item or however good deal it may seem, you are taking a huge gamble if you follow through with the purchase.

All the two parties really have going for them at first in a long distance transaction is a healthy channel of communication. Tarnish that, and you tarnish the deal.
 
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#77
sissy kathy said:
I have no reason to doubt you; but if that is the case, there is no real value to the feedback system. Amazon lets you leave feedback in any case.
Click to expand...

I am just going off personal experience and I don't Ebay like I used to. After thinking about it though, I was never able to leave feedback after a refund (and I have gotten quite a few off Ebay.) The OP is returning the bass. I only went through a return one time and I did leave feedback for it. In my case, the return process went very smoothly and I left some very positive feedback. I would blast this seller for attacking me if I was the OP.
 
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#78
Wow. Glad you outbid me on that one :)

Sorry you had that trouble with it though, that sucks. I bought a 4 string Bunny last year and the truss rod was maxed out. I didn't know that, put just an ounce of pressure on to turn it, and SNAP. Carvin truss rods are like twigs. Luckily mine is stuck in a great position and has not moved.

And here's the kicker...after that experience I'm very careful when looking at Carvins. When I saw this one, I noticed in the picture of the headstock that there's no screw holding the trussrod cover on. It's just sitting there all crooked with nothing holding in in place. I thought that was very odd and never increased my initial bid because of that. I just had a funny feeling about it. I hate you proved me right :(
 
#79
Wish your pockets were a bit deeper than mine that day. ;)

Even at this stage of the process the seller's correspondence grates me in the wrong way, even though he's just stating the facts. I'm thinking a ton of fotos before I ship out will be a must. This experience has left a very offputting taste in my mouth.

"Ebay tells me that you have been provided a shipping label. Once I receive the bass back I have 6 days to inspect and release the funds. Provide the tracking number when available."
 
#80
AudioDwebe said:
This experience has left a very offputting taste in my mouth.
Click to expand...
Win some. Lose some. That's the way it goes. It's a bit of a gamble. That's part of the fun, in a sense. But, unlike betting, the odds are almost always in your favor. Choose better vendors and the odds go through the roof :)

Don't be discouraged. Real bargains are rare but they're there.
 

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