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Original Post By:
Ernie
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Date: 7/23/2015 3:41:30 PM |
Unlike some, I quite like ebay, and have generally had pretty good experiences there.
I recently had a bad transaction, and since the item in question is up for auction again, I wanted to share my experience here.
On June 22, I bought a Kamaka Tiki Concert (the auction can be found under completed listings). I sent payment right away, as well as a "thanks for the auction" note to the seller, along with requests for careful packing of the ukulele. Several days later I had still not heard anything from the seller and wrote to them again, with the same message. Still no confirmation or any communication of any kind. Finally, I wrote to ask why the uke hadn't shipped, and I finally got a reply, simply stating that they shipped their items out once a week, and giving me the ship date (which happened to be after the estimated delivery date from ebay). When it did arrive, it was intact (which is a miracle, because the packing was woefully inadequate), but the condition was not as the seller described it: "Two Hairline Cracks Back in Back upper Left Side of Ukulele , also has some Fret wear from age". In fact the uke has 6 cracks, at least one of which could not be described as hairline. I wrote to the seller, and they said to send it back, which I did (in a bigger, better box, with much more packing material, and insurance). They never acknowledged receipt, and didn't reply to two requests for my refund (even after they had RE-LISTED the uke on ebay!). Eventually, I had to open a case, and let the wheels of ebay turn, while I waited. I just received my refund. Fortunately, I took pics of the cracks,and documented everything- shipped the uke back with insurance, and a tracking #... I lost out on the return shipping, which I don't think is right, considering the item was not as described. Even in the new listing, they've amended the description to THREE cracks, rather than six. They have a style 3K for sale now, too. It looks sweet, but just know who you're dealing with.
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Posted By:
Ukulele Rob
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Date: 7/23/2015 10:12:54 PM |
| Sorry to hear about your experience, but at least this appears to be a case of "all's moderately well that ends moderately well." I would be hesitant to buy a vintage instrument sight unseen from someone unless I really trusted them to be a knowledgeable and ethical seller. E.g., places like Elderly and Gryphon are not only real vintage and repair experts, but honest as the day is long, and frequently describe their instruments as in worse condition than they actually are. To an inexperienced or less-than-ethical seller, something he or she thinks is "no biggie" could be an expensive and complicated restoration job.
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Posted By:
Ticker
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Date: 7/26/2015 7:44:46 PM |
| Same could be said of any musical instrument. I had a bad experience with a vintage Martin alto saxophone which was described as 'playable'. It arrived well packed and no signs of abuse, but on opening the case, the bell was shoved back toward the lower stack about an inch which jammed up the low keys. I did return it and did received a refund and he was 'sorry' that I didn't like the sax. I doubt that it could ever be made playable and I told him so. Anyway I didn't see it re-listed, so maybe he listened.
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