Grateful Dead Music Forum

I sold a guy in Romania a guitar. I could not ship it any normal means (ups, dhl, usps etc) because it cost about $500 to ship. Anyway the guy tells me of a shipping company in NY that specializes in shipping to Romania. After checking it out and determining that it was a legit company I sent the guitar. Shipping was $75. I told him I would only be responsible shipping to NY what happens from there is his concern. And because I that I would not sell it to him via ebay (where it was listed) so I dont get negged just in case.

It literally took me a couple of hours work to do the paper work and make sure everything was ok for me to ship the guitar. By the way the guitar was a flawless low end atlas b-stock breedlove worth about $500. I went above and beyond the call of duty and as you can imagine there is almost no profit in selling a $500 guitar.

The shipment arrived in romania just fine. But there was a ding on the top that was not there when I shipped it. Here is his comments to me from Romania.

Hello Jack,

The guitar arrived in one piece, in time and with no incidents. It was well packed.

However, I am dissapointed to see that the guitar HAS A VISIBLE FLOW as you can see in the pictures I took immediately after opening the package and inspecting it. This is a mark of a obvious hit, maybe not so severe, but enough to leave a noticeable flow. This hit must have taken place before shippment, because there is no other reason to suspect it could have been done during the shippment: the factory package box was intact. The mark speaks for itself. It is a visible flow, right in front of it, and although you had the obligation to inform me and other ebay users about this, you did not! Instead, your ebay listing state that "this guitar is flawless and brand new". Obviously you lied about being flawless, I don't know about the other statement. Of course, now there is nothing I can do since the transaction was made outside ebay (first transaction out of ebay, first deception - I will learn from that!), and you're probably happy with that. I am not, and your misleading description made me completely unhappy about this aspect of the purchase. I just wanted to let you know.

My response

Elvis,
I did not notice any flaws when I shipped it and resent the fact that you accused me. Don’t forget that it was probably opened between here and there. It does look like a "hit" as you say and that was not there when I shipped it.

Anyway enjoy the guitar.

Jack

His response

I wish I believe you...

Just wanted to vent!! thanks for listening.

Is the flaw sufficient that it would be seen on the pictures you used on ebay to sell the guitar? If so, and they guy doesn't believe you, screw him. Stuff gets damaged in shipment, that's why shipping companies pretty much always offer insurance. If he cheaped out and didn't buy the insurance, he took the risk. You take the risk, sooner or later, you pay the price. If he had carrier's insurance, he can take your pictures of the before, and his pictures of the after, and make a claim against the shipper.

That said, and given the guy's attitude, I am not sure I would hold his hand through that process. If he can't figure that out on his own, and can't treat other people with a modicum of respect, he will get what he deserves one way or another.

Elvis from Romania ?
Sounds like a real wiener.

Sucks man
Dont worry
we still love ya !
Peace

Sucks.

This is the reason I only eBay, online, etc sales 48 CONUS.

I've had guys send my hateful messages calling me a everything from stupid to ignorant to moron to xenophbe to being an arrogant American elitist.

Good times! Fuck 'em. Any time I've done anything outside of the 48 CONUS I've gotten:
- oh, didn't know, is there a cheaper way to ship it?
- oh, didn't know, can you declare it less so I don't get taxed?

Or my favorite: ship with the cheapest carrier, say it's a gift (0 dollars), and cuz it's 0 dollars no insurance or the gov't may get suspicious.

Again. Fuck 'em.

A complaint without a pic or suggesting remediation falls on virtually deaf ears with me...

he sent me pics and there is a ding but there was none when I sent it. He basically thinks the photos on eBay were doctored or misleading.

Anyway, the hell with him now. The deal is done and even with a ding he got a great deal.

If the ding effected playing I'd be pissed, but if it didn't I'd be cool with it. The guitar was USED, I'd expect a few dings or scratches.

This stuff happens. I bought a WY-1 off eBay and when I received it I opened up the HARD shell case and it had a crack on the top of the guitar. I was freaking out at first. I had it repaired and it turned out sweet. However, I wasn't happy about what I went through and DHL paid for the full price of the guitar. I like freebies!