EmaTheMirror Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Hello everyone, I wanted to inform about a suspicious set of strings I got through Ebay. [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I recently bought an item described as a set of Elixir Nanoweb. I received the parcel today and I noticed the following things:[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]- the strings were packaged in an unusual way and not looped at regular factory-like sizes:[/font][/color] [url="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_RkEQMhpUBLcjE0WVRBS045eGs/view?usp=sharing"]https://drive.google...iew?usp=sharing[/url] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]- there are several spelling and spacing mistakes on the back of the packaging received. The print looks blurry and below standards:[/font][/color] [url="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_RkEQMhpUBLSjFBSzlDVEd0blk/view?usp=sharing"]https://drive.google...iew?usp=sharing[/url] [url="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_RkEQMhpUBLVlJiZ0FSc3N4MzA/view?usp=sharing"]https://drive.google...iew?usp=sharing[/url] [url="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_RkEQMhpUBLa3RmRUhQN2hOZjA/view?usp=sharing"]https://drive.google...iew?usp=sharing[/url] [url="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_RkEQMhpUBLWjJZb3BNaWY5Ykk/view?usp=sharing"]https://drive.google...iew?usp=sharing[/url] [url="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_RkEQMhpUBLc1hyVDVDT0c1QkU/view?usp=sharing"]https://drive.google...iew?usp=sharing[/url] All these links are photos of the item, so you get an idea. I bought "the item" for £24.95, postage included. I have already requested a return/refund, no reply yet. I'll keep you updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmaTheMirror Posted June 1, 2016 Author Share Posted June 1, 2016 Update: the seller authorised a return and refund Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badass Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 (edited) I also bought two sets from eBay, not sure it same seller though. Mine were £29.99 a set. Both were faulty and I got string wear from the frets in a couple of days. The 'G' were almost impossible to intonate, I was never happen with the compromise. I made a return/ refund request and they were set back at sellers request. They're in transit now and I'm promised a full refund the seller has told me of £59.98. He also told me they had had problems with the supply in the past, but with other items, not bass strings, but as a precaution, until my strings are checked against Elixir strings, he has removed all his bass strings from sale on eBay. EDIT: I'd Emailed Elixir first about the strings, and they recommended I contacted the eBay retailer. Never had a problem like this, and it takes 6 months of hard playing to get fret wear on the string, on my basses. Used these stings for almost as long as they've been out. Edited June 1, 2016 by Badass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmaTheMirror Posted June 1, 2016 Author Share Posted June 1, 2016 (edited) Thanks for sharing your experience. I am about to return "the item" now, hopefully the "Postage On Account GB" won't be debited to mine for this lemon Looks like there are loads of "strange" Elixir sets around eshops which fall in the price range of "sounds like a bargain but not cheap enough to be a rip off". Good to have them exposed On the other hand, I paid even less for two genuine sets of Rotosound roundwound and Fender flats from respectable sellers - actual shops who also sell on ebay/amazon. Edited June 1, 2016 by EmaTheMirror Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 (edited) "If it looks too good to be true, it probably is" But if it were me I'd pass on all the info to Elixir. Funny how they don't copy Legacy or Fender strings... Edited June 1, 2016 by Grangur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badass Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 Just an update. One day after my strings arrived back with the eBay retailer, he sent me a full refund. Don't know if I'll get to find out if these strings from his supplier were fake or not, but did not seem genuine to me. I have kept Elixir up to date on this via their customer service agent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmaTheMirror Posted June 7, 2016 Author Share Posted June 7, 2016 (edited) Right, update from my side as well: I returned the strings and got a full refund, or better say that the PayPal transaction was cancelled. Funny that the PayPal message stated that I could have kept the item. Anyway, the item's back to the seller and the ad is still active on Ebay, so I guess that set could probably end up in someone else's hands Looking up the seller's user on the internet shows that he has profiles as a bass player, so it's unlikely he's unaware of what he sells, especially after my return. I'm quite fed up by that and my first step is to post the sale link here: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Elixir-Bass-Strings-45-105-Nanoweb-Coating-/322108433363?hash=item4aff28a3d3:g:V6wAAOSwSgJXNx5b"]http://www.ebay.co.u...6wAAOSwSgJXNx5b[/url] Feel free to look up the seller's infos, they can easily be found by his username. Then I'll pass the details to Elixir. Edited June 7, 2016 by EmaTheMirror Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StringsHome Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 You bought fake Chinese made Elixir strings, which are sold from many sellers on websites like aliexpress and so on. What else could I tell when their retail price is lower than a wholesale price of original? Buy only from the stores who specialized in selling strings or musical instruments, not from the people who sell a few string sets from home. Hope it will help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sumorabbit Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 I made this same mistake last year, I did get a refund without any hassle. The largest giveaway for me was the ball ends are badly cut compared to elixir. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik (ESA) Posted September 25, 2016 Share Posted September 25, 2016 Sadly I have found this thread too late, and purchased some myself last week. Not having used elixers before I didn't know what to expect, but these clearly aren't the genuine product; the build quality is dreadful. What is the best way to progress this with the seller please? Thanks Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LayDownThaFunk Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 Look at his feedback! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 [quote name='StringsHome' timestamp='1467352215' post='3082981'] You bought fake Chinese made Elixir strings, which are sold from many sellers on websites like aliexpress and so on. What else could I tell when their retail price is lower than a wholesale price of original? Buy only from the stores who specialized in selling strings or musical instruments, not from the people who sell a few string sets from home. Hope it will help [/quote] Unfortunately too many people are quick to act and snap up a "bargain", thinking the other resellers are too greedy. It's a fact of life that quality costs. After all, if the Elixir strings last 2-3 times longer, have a great feel and give less hassle of re-stringing, they're still a good price. Nice site you have there. I'll try to remember to contact you when I need strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 Just for reference, I bought a set of D'Addario NXYLs from Strings Home, they arrived quickly and are excellent. Great price, too: I can recommend them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LayDownThaFunk Posted September 26, 2016 Share Posted September 26, 2016 The strings or the shop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykola Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 (edited) I have just got 3 sets of fake Elixirs on ebay.co.uk. B string without NANOWEB and not tapered, donat is ugly made, wrapped not so precise. Every ends have sharp thorns. Edited December 19, 2016 by Mykola Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LayDownThaFunk Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Who was the eBay seller? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoJoKe Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 OK, I have just bought fakes too...... Twice. I've used Elixir on all my basses for many years now, so know what I'm dealing with. These are definitely not genuine The first set were obvious, wrapped wrongly, badly snipped at the ends. Republic of Ireland. He refunded me and didn't want the strings back. probably not even good enough to use for anything, let alone bass strings... Seller was http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/332034457296?_trksid=p2057872.m2748.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT The second set arrived this morning. Different seller, much more authentic packaging, the strings had a pretty much identical construction to the genuine ones, but they are definitely not coated. I have strung them on a 5 string Jazz, along with a known genuine .130tw, and the feel is totally different, as it is to the feel of my newly strung Lakland 55-02. They are not as slippy, soft or flexible as the real thing, and definitely have no coatings. Seller is: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172466904547?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT and he still has 6 sets for sale. Avoid both like the plague.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 [quote name='MoJoKe' timestamp='1484937947' post='3219925'] OK, I have just bought fakes too...... Twice. I've used Elixir on all my basses for many years now, so know what I'm dealing with. These are definitely not genuine The first set were obvious, wrapped wrongly, badly snipped at the ends. Republic of Ireland. He refunded me and didn't want the strings back. probably not even good enough to use for anything, let alone bass strings... Seller was [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/332034457296?_trksid=p2057872.m2748.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT"]http://www.ebay.co.u...K%3AMEBIDX%3AIT[/url] The second set arrived this morning. Different seller, much more authentic packaging, the strings had a pretty much identical construction to the genuine ones, but they are definitely not coated. I have strung them on a 5 string Jazz, along with a known genuine .130tw, and the feel is totally different, as it is to the feel of my newly strung Lakland 55-02. They are not as slippy, soft or flexible as the real thing, and definitely have no coatings. Seller is: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172466904547?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT"]http://www.ebay.co.u...K%3AMEBIDX%3AIT[/url] and he still has 6 sets for sale. Avoid both like the plague.... [/quote] You have a PM! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 It's just not worth the risk. Only buy from an official shop. I get mine direct from Elixir because we're friends Love the strings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoJoKe Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 [quote name='ped' timestamp='1484940361' post='3219941'] It's just not worth the risk. Only buy from an official shop. I get mine direct from Elixir because we're friends Love the strings [/quote] I've never been able to get mine direct... I used to get teeshirts at the LBGS because we were friends, but for the last couple of years even they have dried up! I'm obviously doing something very wrong! I've been using them since they first came to the UK, I wouldn't use anything else on any of my basses (even my fretless basses have them), but they are just so bloody expensive and I am utterly broke at the moment. I thought it'd be worth the risk but I was proved wrong.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoJoKe Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 Funnily enough, seller two has unquestioningly refunded me in full, but asked me to not leave bad feedback as he is not a bass player and bought them in good faith. Yeh right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoJoKe Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 Funnily enough, seller two has unquestioningly refunded me in full, but asked me to not leave bad feedback as he is not a bass player and bought them in good faith. Yeh right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 [quote name='MoJoKe' timestamp='1484951749' post='3220053'] Funnily enough, seller two has unquestioningly refunded me in full, but asked me to not leave bad feedback as he is not a bass player and bought them in good faith. Yeh right. [/quote] I guess he'll be removing the other sets from his listings then? He's just giving you more ammunition for your negative feedback Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LayDownThaFunk Posted January 22, 2017 Share Posted January 22, 2017 Just buy D'Addario EXPs? Better string in every aspect? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted January 22, 2017 Share Posted January 22, 2017 [quote name='LayDownThaFunk' timestamp='1485044290' post='3220753'] Just buy D'Addario EXPs? Better string in every aspect? [/quote] Tried, didn't like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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