E-bay Auuughhhhh

[G-Man777]

Ok, I'm just venting with some E-Bay fustrations, LOL.

The other day I bought a Brian Moore i91.13 on E-bay. I had sent the seller an email asking if we could avoid shipping charges and I'd pick up the guitar since he was in the town next to mine...well, no respone. I figured I should "Buy-it-now" since it is in mint condition and if I don't like it I could get same value back for it. I also needed it for a gig. Okay so I pay for shipping (He was going to use UPS to ship and pack it).

He writes back a different email and asks if he could bring me the guitar. So I write back and tell him I would pick it up. He calls an hour later and asks again  :blink: I told him I was going to be in his area to drop off two guitars to be worked on at this music store. He knew of the store. Well, he wanted to bring it to me, so I said okay if that's what you want. BYW, at no time did we talk about shipping or him getting the $45 shipping charge I was charged for using UPS.

He comes over we are all friendly and everything. Then I tell him I was charged and I wanted to get partially reimbursed. He said, well I took off work to bring you the guitar. I said, "Well I told you in two emails and one phone call and asked you if I could pick it up since I was going to be in your area." He claims that even though he read his e-mail he never saw my two emails. I reminded him that I said I was going to be in his area and he replied "Ummm yeah you did." I said, from the sound of his call, and professing his Christianity, that he was bringing the guitar from the goodness of his heart.

I said I'd give him gas money plus something extra...all he did was put the guitar in the back of his van and bring me the guitar. He thought he should get the full amount. I said, you arent UPS and you advertised using UPS.

It got ugly for a few minutes but later he said, he'd compensate me the full $45. He asked me to give him good feedback to which I did. He then goes and writes a partial lie about the shipping incident.

What is fustrating is one him professing his Christianity, and two, even though I have purchased over 10 items (all paid for immedately), I only have 3 feedback listed (all positive) and now I have this blemish. I am trying to sell a few of my Taylor's and one Larrivee. Even though I have purchased from people with a negative feedback this sucks cause I'm so new at it and I know it will make a few people hesitate on bidding.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR...LOL anyway, just had to vent. Hope none of you have ever experienced this or never will!!!

David

[dbirchett]

David, you can respond to any feedback on your account. Go ahead and explain. Won't remove the blemish but it will help with most people.

Don

[G-Man777]

TY for the advice Don, I just did it.


ANd BTW, I wasn't trying to knock Christianity when I was mentioning this guy...was just fustratred of him trying to toot his own horn telling me on how he has made money on people taking advantage of his "buy as is" comments when he sells.

Thanks again Don.

David

[dbirchett]

I think it was Mark Twain who when someone remarked that they didn't go to church because there were too many hypocrites replied, "Don't worry, there is always room for one more."

My point is that Christianity first of all is not necessarily for the perfect. Someone said that the purpose for religion should be to make bad men good and good men better. There are a lot of bad apples out there using any sort of religion as a crutch and justification. Hopefully osmosis will help them to be a better person than they otherwise would be. If not, we all must live and learn.

Sorry for your bad experience and hope I helped a little, even if only giving you a way to vent.

[naboz]

I will have to be very desperate to do eBay again.  I have had similar experiences with two purchases thru them.  One tried to say they mailed the item (and didnt), the other sent a cracked guitar and then took one month to respond for refund (I sent it back the next day).
I think anonymity allows Integrity to sit on the corner, holding a beggars cup--if "they" cant see you, face you, then it is easy to screw you.
And eBay does not make it very easy to access their "security & complaint" arena; very vague links to get anywhere.  I will only use it to compare price shop.
My vent...

naboz

[wyodeb]

We had a very unpleasant experience buying a flute through ebay. I guess I should have known better. We buy Gameboy games, puzzles, and other low dollar items that way, but I'll never buy another musical instrument from ebay. I just use it to get a feel for prices. I have 2 guitars I'd like to sell, but I won't do the ebay thing, and I'm reluctant to leave them anywhere on consignment. Oh well.

Deb

[G-Man777]

I hear ya Deb, (BTW, good name~my daughter's name)  ;) Yeah, I can see my guitars being banged around at the store where it would be consigned at. I have two Taylors and two Larrivees that have no marks at all that I want to sell. There is no way they are going on consignment. Same with my Martin 000-18 that is in the process of being restored. It will still have dings/scratches all over it once it comes back. But it will be worth too much to consign...And I think you hit the nail on the head there Naboz, key word "Integrity." It's gone by the wayside.

I have had pleasant experiences using E-Bay and that's where I picked up my D-09 BZ which I am extremely happy with (It's become my main playing guitar). But lately a lot of the wind has been taken out of my sails with two bad experiences. The other one is, I bidded and won a GR-33/GK-2A pickup. It came in mint shape with one exception...without a necessary cable that runs from the pickup to the input of the guitar. At least this guy is making good and has ordered the part from Roland. Of course it's taking forever and a day. We'll see what happens with this one.

And dbirchett...yeah I have to say I didn't mean to imply perfection in being a Christian. Thank you for pointing it out though. Jesus came to save the sinners and that us sinners are a work in progress which doesn't become complete until His return. The Apostle Paul called himself the "chief of all sinners." Of course he hadn't met me yet. It was just the way this guy was using the Lord's name in vain by saying how he took advantage of certain situations with people and using a reverend name like Jesus' in the same sentance, you know? It just threw me for a loop there. I'm moving on and forgiving the guy, I just won't do business with him.
:)  

[dbirchett]

G-Man, I didn't take it that way at all. I hope you don't think that my comments were directed to you as they were comments about the unChristian acts of a person professing belief.

1. There are a lot of hypocrites (undoubtedly myself included) who claim to be believers and practitioners. Many of us fall far short of our ideal.

2. Don't judge anything by its practioners. Who knows, they might be far worse without the beneficial influence of whatever, in this case Christianity in whatever form.

Peace, bro'.

Don

[G-Man777]

Don, oh no on the contrary I thought you were helpful in reminding me of the old man that trys to resurface once in a while. In reality you were very helpful in helping me re-focus on the cross.

Continued blessings to you,
David

[dbirchett]

Lets not talk about an old man. That's starting to hit a little close to home.  :D

Don

[stevelawsn]

Deb,
I have had better luck selling guitars in the Buy/Sell section of the different acoustic guitar forums. I sold a gorgeous 12 string, Brazillian rosewood Yamaha is about one hour after I listed it on the Taylor forum ( I have never had a Taylor). I also sold a six string Yamaha and my beautiful Larrivee rosewood parlor. Very easy transactions and you don't have to pay fees. Just a suggestion. Good luck...Steve

[mjvincent]

We had a very unpleasant experience buying a flute through ebay. I guess I should have known better. We buy Gameboy games, puzzles, and other low dollar items that way, but I'll never buy another musical instrument from ebay. I just use it to get a feel for prices. I have 2 guitars I'd like to sell, but I won't do the ebay thing, and I'm reluctant to leave them anywhere on consignment. Oh well.

Deb

What guitars are you trying to sell Wyodeb?  Maybe we could work something out?  :huh:  

[wyodeb]

I have a 2001 Taylor Big Baby, like new. Wonderful action, nice gig bag (much nicer than Larrivee gig bags!!) I played it for 10 mos. (then I got the Larrivee OM), and never use a pick. I also have a 1981 (or '82?) Alvarez Yairi DY-52 (I think that's the model, I'd have to look)--walnut dreadnaught, spruce top, wood pick-guard, maple binding, abalone purfling, snowflake fret markers. It has a lovely sound and easy action. It has moderate fret wear, and some dings, and buckle rash (no cracks or finish checking)--I got it used about 9 years ago. On ebay people would have a field day with the dings, without ever hearing the beautiful tone. Anyhow, I feel bad because neither one gets played anymore. The Yairi is too hard on my back. I don't like the sound of the Taylor. It's not like I HAVE to get rid of either of them. Actually, I'm reluctant to part with the Yairi, but I wouldn't mind finding a new home for the Big Baby. It's a pain checking the humidifier on a guitar that I never play.

Deb :)  

[Ratishna]

I've been on ebay since 1996 with about 3,000 transactions.  Sooner or later, a transaction will turn stale.  But about 96% of mine have been perfect with professional sellers and fine products.  Don't let horror stories scare you off.  Do your homework and listen to your gut.  It will guide you in most cases.

E. Shoaf

[G-Man777]

I hear ya Ratishna, I know there are some good sellers out there. But, now I've had two bad experiences in a row. I bidded on a amp, made sure the guy had good feedback (he did). I sent a money order to him Thurs. via Express Mail, he signed for it yesterday. Today I get a nasty email dated 10AM his time today asking if I've sent the payment in. So sent him an email with the tracking # saying someone with his name signed for the envelope. Sent a couple more asking him to call me collect to resolve this situation. Nothing so far. Anyway, so far two strikes, hopefully if there is a next time, it will be a hit and not a strikeout...thanks!

David