jamusbass Posted January 12, 2017 Posted January 12, 2017 I've just sold a bass on eBay, the bass was in (what I deemed to be) great condition. I've just had an email from the buyer asking for a partial refund as the strings are old and need changing. Am I being out of order thinking that this request is ridiculous?
Crawford13 Posted January 12, 2017 Posted January 12, 2017 No you are right, it is a crazy request. I would expect to have to change the strings on a 2nd hand instrument. Most people would want to put on strings of their own preference.
T-Bay Posted January 12, 2017 Posted January 12, 2017 Unless you stated it had new strings then tough luck to them. Sadly eBay is full of complete and utter morons these days.
jamusbass Posted January 12, 2017 Author Posted January 12, 2017 I'm just unsure if it's 'the done thing' or not. I always change the strings and set up any new bass I buy to my taste, even when buying new.
yorks5stringer Posted January 12, 2017 Posted January 12, 2017 Unless the bass was sold as 'New' you have no obligation to do anything. Just politely decline :am sure eBay would intervene on your side should the buyer decide to be awkward.
jamusbass Posted January 12, 2017 Author Posted January 12, 2017 Was no mention of the strings being new in the ad.
jamusbass Posted January 12, 2017 Author Posted January 12, 2017 Cheers chaps, you've put my mind at ease.
yorks5stringer Posted January 12, 2017 Posted January 12, 2017 Then it's caveat emptor-'buyer beware'.
T-Bay Posted January 12, 2017 Posted January 12, 2017 [quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1484256585' post='3214181'] Then it's caveat emptor-'buyer beware'. [/quote] Not always on eBay, sadly they are now so biased towards the buyer that selling on there is a risk and I have stopped for that reason. Hopefully the OP will be ok in this as he is completely in the right.
paul_5 Posted January 12, 2017 Posted January 12, 2017 I think unless you list it as having 'new strings' then they can go whistle.
Dood Posted January 12, 2017 Posted January 12, 2017 [quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1484257297' post='3214193'] Not always on eBay, sadly they are now so biased towards the buyer that selling on there is a risk and I have stopped for that reason. Hopefully the OP will be ok in this as he is completely in the right. [/quote] Yes me too! - I won't sell on eBay any more after buyers 'trying it on'. I'd rather sell to the awesome people of BassChat.
Grangur Posted January 12, 2017 Posted January 12, 2017 Write to the buyer pointing out that you sold the bass as "used"; that includes the strings. Whether they need changing is a matter of opinion. If you're planning to play reggae they're just getting broken in.
jamusbass Posted January 12, 2017 Author Posted January 12, 2017 Right on!!! I actually pulled the eBay ad as I was contemplating keeping the bass, the buyer contacted me after the fact and asked what it would take for me to sell it.
molan Posted January 12, 2017 Posted January 12, 2017 Putting new strings on can often be a waste of time / money too. I bought something recently and the seller put on a new set of Rotosound Steels in a 50-110 gauge. I didn't ask for this, he just thought it would be a nice idea. I don't like Rotosounds, rarely use steel and generally have 40-95's on. The Rotos came off immediately and went into my 'spares' box.
gjones Posted January 12, 2017 Posted January 12, 2017 I sold a MIJ 62 reissue Jazz Bass to a member of Basschat a few years ago. They had a set of used but very playable, DR Hi Beams on them. He'd never tried them before but now he's a big fan. So yes, your buyers request is ridiculous.
spectoremg Posted January 12, 2017 Posted January 12, 2017 [quote name='molan' timestamp='1484261443' post='3214241'] Putting new strings on can often be a waste of time / money too. I bought something recently and the seller put on a new set of Rotosound Steels in a 50-110 gauge. I didn't ask for this, he just thought it would be a nice idea. I don't like Rotosounds, rarely use steel and generally have 40-95's on. The Rotos came off immediately and went into my 'spares' box. [/quote]This. Strings are personal. Send the buyer a set of the cheapest nastiest strings you can find.
threedaymonk Posted January 12, 2017 Posted January 12, 2017 I've always been mystified by this from the other side, when I read ads that say "needs new strings". The second thing I do when I buy a used bass is put new strings on it! The first thing I do, of course, is to disassemble it and give it a good clean to remove the previous player's biological residue. I guess I know why people write that now: to pre-emptively deflect the unreasonable expectations of purchasers.
chrismuzz Posted January 13, 2017 Posted January 13, 2017 I'd sooner use second hand toilet paper than play strings that have had some dudes grubby mitts all over them. That said, when buying a used car, you don't expect four brand new tyres and a full tank do you? What part of "used" he doesn't understand is beyond me. Cheeky git!
blue Posted January 13, 2017 Posted January 13, 2017 [quote name='jamusbass' timestamp='1484255679' post='3214167'] I've just sold a bass on eBay, the bass was in (what I deemed to be) great condition. I've just had an email from the buyer asking for a partial refund as the strings are old and need changing. [/quote] You gottah be kidding. Blue
mcnach Posted January 13, 2017 Posted January 13, 2017 [quote name='jamusbass' timestamp='1484255679' post='3214167'] I've just sold a bass on eBay, the bass was in (what I deemed to be) great condition. I've just had an email from the buyer asking for a partial refund as the strings are old and need changing. Am I being out of order thinking that this request is ridiculous? [/quote] it is ridiculous... file under "I" for "ignore". I don't think I've ever changed strings just to sell a bass. I may have if the strings were so old that it sounded bad and I wanted it to sound good when demoing it... but that must have been just a handful of times. Conversely, when I buy a bass, I change strings pretty quickly unless I'm lucky that the bass uses my favourite strings already and they are not too old. If he's a pain the the arse and you fear how eBay might rule (they are unpredictable) you could order a set of Coban strings online, sent directly to him. They're £5. No, they're not great. But he'll get new strings, not cash. Screw him
dmccombe7 Posted January 13, 2017 Posted January 13, 2017 (edited) what a chancer. Keep yourself and ebay in the right by re-iterating that it was a 2nd hand bass incl strings. You might add you would be prepared to send new strings at buyers cost incl postage. (obviously quote cost from most expensive supplier you can find ) That might shut him up. Dave Edited January 13, 2017 by dmccombe7
barneyg42 Posted January 13, 2017 Posted January 13, 2017 The way some people are on eBay you could change to new strings, advertise it as such and they'd complain the strings aren't good enough or the wrong type! I'm sure you'll be ok, as said, second hand bass, second hand strings!
ambient Posted January 13, 2017 Posted January 13, 2017 How many times have you used a public loo and seen someone finish, and just walk out without washing their hands ? The first thing I do when buying a used bass is strip it down, clean it and put new strings on.
Trueno Posted January 13, 2017 Posted January 13, 2017 I'd be a little disappointed that I'd sold my beloved bass to a complete knob. Apart from that... don't sweat it.
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