So, you buy a guitar off the bay...

hassleham

If I was the seller i'd be arguing that you can see the condition in the photos and if you were unsure you should've asked for more photos before buying it.

Even so, Paypal would still probably take your side and refund you if it came to it..

lovestrat74

I wasn't bothered that the hardware was described as tarnished, but the fact that this was not a result of the age of the guitar as he alluded to. This is the neck binding that was not mentioned. Looks like torty binding  not even sure how this can be achieved!!

Sassafras

He describes it as 'rare' but it looks overdone to me.

lovestrat74

Sassafras said:

He describes it as 'rare' but it looks overdone to me.

 i am wondering if he ran out of bog roll at the beginning of the lockdown and forgot to clean the guitar afterwards 

merlin

"Ive managed to move most off the black marks that was around the Bigsby Logo on the Bigsby Tremolo Bar now." 

This equals twat. Sorry to be so blunt. I would have marched myself to another listing immediately. 

HandwrittenHero

Yeah, binding is shocking. Rest I was prepared to argue is marginal but that should have been declared by seller 

Wazmeister

lovestrat74 said:

Sorry having trouble with imjur as it has changed and I don't know what I am doing now... Above is basically an example of the "ageing". 

Seller is saying he will refund but I will have to foot the postage return bill - double 

I think thats more than fair...

Honestly, imho and all that, I dont think the seller has tried to hide anything here; photos look pretty clear to me...

For a £365 guitar, I think its only fair to pay the return postage.

Just sayin...

usedtobe

Sellers pics are pretty low res, to my mind. Maybe pay the return postage, and put it down to experience..? You could hold out, of course.. your money, your call..

Philly_Q

I can't remember what eBay policy is on return postage.  I'm pretty sure the one time a guitar was returned to me I did pay the buyer's return postage but I don't recall how the process worked.

I have to say though, apart from the binding - I have no idea what's going on there - I do think the seller's pictures are clear enough, you can certainly see the state of the hardware.  Those grotty-looking corroded tuners would be enough to put me off, I wouldn't want to touch them.

Jonathangus

"...usual wear and tare (sic) associated with a guitar this age, scuffs, marks, dings and dents, hardware is faded/tarnished."

Well, if you play with a piece of steel wool in your right hand, and boot polish all over your left.

Reckon that's an attempt at artificial aging by someone who doesn't understand that doing it well is quite difficult.

Whitecat

Philly_Q said:

I can't remember what eBay policy is on return postage.  I'm pretty sure the one time a guitar was returned to me I did pay the buyer's return postage but I don't recall how the process worked.

I have to say though, apart from the binding - I have no idea what's going on there - I do think the seller's pictures are clear enough, you can certainly see the state of the hardware.  Those grotty-looking corroded tuners would be enough to put me off, I wouldn't want to touch them.

If it’s a return claim for “not as described” ebay requires the seller to foot the bill. They usually bill you for a postage label which is completely inadequate for a guitar or an amp. 

mbe

If you bought the item with paypal they can pay for return shipping, even if you just don'the like what you bought. Look up the transaction in your PayPal account and there should be a button to claim return shipping cost. I think the maximum they pay is £15.

Iamnobody

The close up of the headstock and Bigsby would have told me all I needed to know that this guitar wasn’t for me.

The fact he’s wiped his arse on the binding does reveal itself in the photos, but only once you know to look for it. Easy to miss...

Powderfinger

Hi Lovestrat,

Sorry to hear about your experience and the guitar was not as expected.

Everyone has contributed with good advice on ebay policy etc.

But I have a curve ball solution for you...

Ok first off, if you really don't like it and think it not as described follow the advice and send it back.

I think you have a good chance.

The photos are the description, and it looks pretty much like the photos if you click to zoom.

(on a 2002 guitar there is no way that is normal wear and tear but it is shown), and yes the description isn't the best seller could have been a bit clearer in the written description.

But... Underneath that mish mash exterior is a beautiful guitar, that can be sorted for not too much

at £365 you did well. Just a thought...

 How does it sound and play?

Lesgrandepotato

Feels like a hiding to nothing to me. That guitar looks like the photos on the sale. 

lovestrat74

Powderfinger said:

But... Underneath that mish mash exterior is a beautiful guitar, that can be sorted for not too much

at £365 you did well. Just a thought...

 How does it sound and play? 

It's a beast!

Powderfinger

lovestrat74 said:

It's a beast!

Well, there you go!... I'd embrace it, or sort it.

It could be that scruffy mongrel that turns out to be your best friend?

I'd embrace it,? or sort it?

Let us know what you decide.

Powderfinger

I didn't do all those imojjis though....

Alex2678

I’d say you can see something is amiss in the photos but the seller clearly claims that it’s all normal wear and tear, not wire wool. 

Right or wrong aside, if you want to return if not as described eBay will side with you and the seller will have to pay return postage, and you’ll be refunded the purchase price and your original postage cost. Sellers really need to document the condition as thoroughly as possible, or eBay will bite them on the arse

Mudcrutch

I don’t use evil bay for guitars.
I enough bad experiences buying records years ago to put me off.