Tuner Give-A-Way & Inspection Period Question - And the Winner is......

[Dotneck]

I've known owners of brick and mortar music shops that would routinely loan out a guitar or amp....and then return it to stock and sell it as new.  These guys were pretty sleazy business men....but my point is that this is not a new practice. The internet has gone a long way to changing business practices as well as customer expectations in the MI business...

[highervista]

I think a trial period of 3 days is fair. Some online stores opt for a 7 day period (better, but riskier for scratches/dings, etc.).  I think that, as a consumer, I should receive a guitar in clean condition (i.e. polished and new strings) even if it's been demo-ed and returned by another customer. Summary: a 3 to 7 day trial is great - typically the customer pays return shipping to the store if they decide against it, no restocking fee, and clean guitars when the customer receives the guitar - no matter if used, new but a previous demo, or spanking new.

Ron

[LawDogStrgsAttach]

I think we all agree that it's a must to have an inspection period on a used guitar you bought online, in fact I've always offered a three day inspection period on our used guitars, but what about when buying a new guitar?

No, we do not agree.  It is a common misconception - the overwhelming majority of guitars sold on ebay or guitar discussion fora are sold without a return "policy".

There is a 10 page discussion on this on the AGF is you want to read the whole thing hashed out.  There was even a poll that showed some 4 to 1 thought you "must" have such a return option.  There is no legal requirement, no industry to base a standard, and private sales are based on basic contract law principles where terms are agreed upon by two parties.  Economically speaking, the risk is built into the lower price.

If a return option is wanted, then the buyer should be willing to pay for that benefit - through either a higher price, option price, or agreement to pay all costs (i.e., return shipping, a handling/rental fee, etc...).

All the above assumes a private seller to private buyer.  If you are a dealer, then it is probably in your economic survival interest to have a return policy.  There is also another governing body of law over merchants.

[Mr_LV19E]

No, we do not agree.  It is a common misconception - the overwhelming majority of guitars sold on ebay or guitar discussion fora are sold without a return "policy".

There is a 10 page discussion on this on the AGF is you want to read the whole thing hashed out.  There was even a poll that showed some 4 to 1 thought you "must" have such a return option.  There is no legal requirement, no industry to base a standard, and private sales are based on basic contract law principles where terms are agreed upon by two parties.  Economically speaking, the risk is built into the lower price.

If a return option is wanted, then the buyer should be willing to pay for that benefit - through either a higher price, option price, or agreement to pay all costs (i.e., return shipping, a handling/rental fee, etc...).

All the above assumes a private seller to private buyer.  If you are a dealer, then it is probably in your economic survival interest to have a return policy.  There is also another governing body of law over merchants.

LawDog, did you realize Tarpman has a brick and mortar store and does on line sales?  I don't think he was referring to private sales.

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Correct, I'm talking about new guitars only. Thanks Roger.

Ted

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Thank you folks for all the responses, they really will help me.

Johnny M, you have a PM and an email.

Ted

[Johnny M]

Wooohoooo!!!! 

I think this is the first thing I ever won!  This tuner will be perfect for those late evening outside jams where my current tuner is of no use at all.

Thanks so much Tarpman for the generous offer.  I just e-mailed you 

John