Ebay Advice - Guitar Sold on Ebay Auction

[walleyeman]

Anyone had to deal with an upset buyer on ebay? I recently sold a guitar on ebay and just received a request for a return. He is claiming problems with the guitar before he even received it. Now he wants a full refund, after he has done who knows what to the guitar. There was nothing wrong with the truss rod and the guitar was in excellent condition. I have over 600 positive feedback on ebay. The auction stated NO RETURNS. I have sold other guitars and have never had a problem until now. Any advice?

I have included all messages -

Dear Buyer,

Thanks for the fast payment. I think you will really like this guitar. I can't ship tomorrow because of July 4th holiday. But, will get it out first thing on the 5th.
Dear Seller,

Okay. Will a regular fender case fit this guitar. I just lothe gig bags. Had a guitar stepped on in a gig bag and it didn't turn out pretty.

Dear Buyer,

Yes, it will fit in a regular hard case.

Dear Seller,

Whats going on with the fret board on this guitar? I noticed unusual streakin in the rose wood. It bothers me. Wanted a nice rose wood grain but looks defective or just not a very good piece of wood. Didn't notice it at first until I got to looking at it real close with my zoom level up to 150%.

Dear Buyer,

Guitar was shipped today. You will need to sign for it. I never noticed anything unusual about the fretboard. What are you referring to?

Dear Seller,

WELL WHEN YOU ZOOM IN ON IT THERE'S WEIRD STREAKING IN THE GRAIN. NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE.

Dear Buyer,

I would hate for you to start disliking a guitar before you even see it in person and play it. I wonder if you are seeing shadows from the flash? No reason for buyers remorse. This guitar is in great shape and plays great.

Dear Seller,

YEAH I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING AND I ALSO CONSIDERED THE FACT IT MIGHT LOOK DIFFERENT IN PERSON.WISH I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE MAPLE NECK ONE INSTEAD THOUGH. HELL IT WAS EVEN CHEEPER,BUT WE'LL SEE.

Dear Buyer,

WHAT A PIECE OF JUNK. YOU OTT TO BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF PEADELING THIS STUFF. SOME CHINK EVEN CROSS THREADED THE NUT ON THE INPUT JACK. IT WAS LOSE AND THATS WHY. YOU SURE AND HELL WON'T GET POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM ME ON THIS CRAP.

Dear Seller,

DID YOU KNOW THE TRUSS ROD WAS DEFECTIVE? NO WAY TO ADJUST IT. THERES NO ALLEN HEADED ADJUSTING NUT. NEED A TOTAL REFUND OR I WILL HAVE TO START A CASE AGAINST YOU. I DON'T WANT TO, WOULD RATHER SETTLE IT IN A GENTALMANLY MANNER. PLEASE RESPOND.

Dear Buyer,

There is nothing wrong with the truss rod! Please do not tear up the guitar. Take it to a luthier to let them show you how to operate it.

Dear Seller,

I GONNA HAVE TO HAVE A REFUND. THE TRUSS ROD IS DEFECTIVE,NON ADUSTABLE.

Dear Buyer,

Do not start tweaking with the truss rod. There is one and it works. If you don't know what you are doing you will damage the guitar.

Dear Seller,

NEVER TRIED TO TWEEK IT BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING THERE TO TWEEK. WHAT KIND OF TOOL IS NECESSARY. NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. I'VE BEEN AROUND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS FOR A LONG TIME NOT A GREENHORN. WAS GOING TO KEEP IT EVEN THOUGH I WASN'T IMPRESSED UNTIL I NOTICED THE DEFECTIVE TRUSS ROD ADJUSTMENT. DID YOU DO IT OR DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT A TRUSS ROD IS? IF YOU CAN'T ADJUST THE TRUSS ROD THE GUITAR IS JUNK. BY THE LOOKS OF THE WAY THE STRINGS WERE INSTALLED YOU DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT GUITAR MAINTENANCE. DON'T TEAR THE GUITAR UP PLEASE. WHAT A DUMB STATEMENT. ANY WAY I WANT A REFUND BECAUSE EITHER IT'S A FACTORY DEFECT YOU ****ED IT UP OR THE FAMOUS PREVIOUS OWNER DID,BOTTOM LINE. OR I'LL START A CASE AGAINST YOU FOR SELLING DEFECTIVE MURCHANDISE.

Dear Buyer,

Please take the guitar to a music store so they can show you how to operate the truss rod.

[sjtalon]

Sounds like a nut job.

I would let it run it's course for now. See what he does, but like you say the listing says no returns. He may find he is not going to get anywhere and give up. If he files a dispute, you have all the correspondence so naturally save EVERYTHING to give to ebay. See how you make out with them, I have received good treatment I would say with some issues.

So in other words you could just let things run the course, call his bluff, if he is stroking you, he probably won't file a dispute, if he does you may be o.k. anyway. He is being quite aggressive and if I was an arbitrator I would not think much of his character.

If you want to consider making him happy, you could ask if he can give you a REASONABLE amount you could credit him to end the deal. That would be totally up to you if you feel you could do that, or SHOULD do that. That would also look good on your part, in ebay's eyes. He would probably give some outlandish figure anyway, then you know for sure he is a bit touched.

Sounds like he might just be trying to get something for nothing or work you over.

Just my .02

[tap4154]

Eff 'em.

No returns.

Plus the guy types in all caps, a loser.

BTW, do you have a link to the completed sale?

[ESQUIRE JR]

The Buyer's feedback?

[goonie]

I feel your pain. The internet's gone downhill since they let the monkeys on. Do you have a link to the sale? We're all curious to see this piece of junk!

[walleyeman]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...:X:RTQ:US:1123

New Message -

JUST TALKED TO MY GUITER TECH AND HE SAID HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF A TRUSS ROD WITHOUT EITHER A NUT OR A HEX SOCKET. I'M TAKING IT TO GUITAR CENTER TOMORROW AND HAVE THERE TECH (PAUL) VERIFY WHATS GOING ON BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M LOOKING AT. BEEN MESIN WITH GUITARS FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. MY TECH SAID IT WAS WHAT I SUSPISONED THAT THE ADJUSTING NUT/SOCKET HAS BEEN BROKEN OFF. WILL LET YOU KNOW.

[timgreene]

Good luck, I would stick to my guns. Especially the fact he started complaining after a second look at the pictures, but before receipt of merchandise. Unfortunately pay-pal is probably involved, and I hear they are very buyer friendly. If pay-pal is involved they will just take the money from you. I am curious as to what type of guitar it was? Just to wrap my mind around the truss rod thing. The guy sounds like a tool.

[Flipped Mustang]

Been selling on eBay since '97 and the number of "crazies" buying my items and wanting returns for either no good reason or imagined reasons has reached epic levels. Unfortunately, PayPal and eBay almost always side with the buyer and I think the crazies know it :(

I don't know if it helps or makes you feel any better to know I have to deal with this level of nut about once a month. Last month I shipped an expensive, minty bass guitar and the buyer wanted a refund because the guitar "reeked of a horrible smell". I had been playing the guitar for 5 years and didn't smell a thing. After a back and forth very similar to yours, I let him return the guitar, which had no odor at all when it arrived here. I now have everyone that comes to the house smell the guitar and nobody can smell anything...

Six months ago, I shipped a like new tube amp that when the buyer received it, wanted $300.00 back because he knew that when you shipped tubes through the mail, it ruined them, so he needed to buy a entire set of tubes for the amp. When I told him that was not true, he started with the "You don't know what you're talking about, I've been dealing with amps for 15 years..blah blah..crazy crazy stuff...

[walleyeman]

The link to the auction is in my previous post.

He has been "messin with guitars for over 40 years" ... has me worried!

[Lunchie]

Ebay is sooo bad when it comes to these situations. I sell alot and i expect the worse each time. I wouldnt give him anything, but if you are obcess with your feedback, take the return but only refund him the price - shipping - packaging and take 10-15% as a "restocking fee".

I also find it funny that a dude has been "messin with guitars" for 40 years and he relys on techs. Of course the tech is going to humor the guy, he wants his money.

I buy affinitys for $50 at the pawn shop and part them out on ebay. I got a message today from an irate buyer that "the body isnt an affinity because my trem sticks out 3/8 of an inch." He demanded that I start putting up measurements. I kindly let him know that affinity bodies are built thinner because they are a budget guitar that uses heavier wood. That a standard strat trem isnt going to fit perfect and its his duty to know what he is buying before bidding. Just waiting on the negative feedback now...

So yea i dont have any pitty for stupid eBayers.

[EricS76]

Caveat emptor. Buyer beware. Everytime I look at an item on ebay, I check the return policy. This guy should have as well. Explain to him that the auction was no return and it was clearly says no returns or exchanges. It does say it is still covered by ebay buyer protection. I'm not sure how that affects you or the buyer...

http://pages.ebay.com/coverage/index.html

[tap4154]

Checked the link: Cool looking guitar. The fretboard streaks are nothing unusual at all. Does he know that rosewood comes from a tree? Look like a deal for the price IMO, and very nice flame neck.

Good luck on the truss rod deal. He may have broke it... then it's a he said/he said.

[oramac7891]

I would make him file a dispute. Then i would provide all of th e eocumentation where he was already having buyers remorse before the guitar showed up.

[dsutton24]

Tell him it's his guitar now, and to enjoy it. You were kind of between a rock and a crazy place on this sale, the contending bidder has a 0 feedback, that's always a nervous time.

I've had a few crazies, but I've never gotten stung badly. Make him file his dispute, and keep track of the correspondance you've had with him. One negative won't hurt you any, at least these days you can post responses to his comments. It's a nuisance, but I think you'll come out okay.

[chrisgblues]

I have dealt with a few difficult customers on ebay, one in particular reminds me of this guy.

We can all tell on this forum that this jerk is being uncooperative. The Ebay dispute center deals with these jerks all the time, so they should definitely see what we are seeing.

My advice to you (what worked for me) was to contact Ebay first and show them the messages, and tell them you are concerned that this buyer is somehow trying to rip you off. BE VERY POLITE AND PROFESSIONAL, it will separate you from the nutcase buyer.

Furthermore remind Ebay that the item was clearly advertised as "used" and "no returns". Either one of those descriptions alone is enough to make this an open and shut case for the dispute center IMHO.

Good luck, above all remain professional. The more he talks, the more stupid he looks.

JMHO.

[Tred]

I wonder if you'll get the same guitar back in the mail? Sounds like it could be a scam? You mail you guitar, he mails back a P.O.S. and claims you sold it to him. Meanwhile he sells the one you sent him. You loose, and he gains.

Hmmmm?

Ebay seems to be becoming a snake pit? To bad, I have bought some nice things off them.

[ad720]

Seems to me like the dude got some buyers remorse, wanted the maple neck, whatever and is just looking for excuses to return it. I would just hope he didn't purposefully monkey with the truss rod.

Agreed with above. Get the ball rolling with eBay. Be calm, courteous. It's going to be a long time and a ton of emails before ebay gets to the point where they just pull money from your paypal.

[walleyeman]

Thanks alot Tred. If I wasn't worried enough already.

I think if he files a claim against me I will direct ebay or paypal or whoever I have to deal with to these TDPRI posts.

[flyingbanana]

Fight it. What a pain in the rear and a lot of work for that guitar. Definitely tell the guy that he agreed to enter into a binding contract when he bought the guitar and paid for it. Get in touch with Ebay first, before the buyer does, and tell them the guy is trying to scam you. You'll look better to them that if you waited. Also, tell the guy that he's scamming you and you are on to him. Buyer's remorse turned ugly.

Edit, call Ebay. Don't do the email thing.

[Martinp]

and, uh, do not keep a lot of money in the bank account that's hooked up to paypal, that way they can't recapture any if the deal goes further south.
good luck