Thomann return - or not?

[lownote]

I need the hive wisdom please.

I've just bought a B stock Harley Benton B550FL from Thomann Germany. When it arrived straight out the box it had a thumbsized impact bruise on the bottom edge of the body, and one of the pickup screws spun uselessly in its hole. Other than that it's a remarkable instrument for just £167. So I reported these issues to Thomann and today, with the email equivalent of shooting dark glances at me they had me photographing all the packaging and the bruise and they've now gone off to deliberate what to do about it. They could accept a return, or make me keep it. 

Now, I really like the bass.  The bruise on the body doesn't worry because as the bassist I can't see it. I have successfully replaced the loose pickup screw with a longer one of my own, which does work - although it's so long it's close to coming through the other side of the body. So I could live with the bass as is.  But the B stock price was less than a tenner off the brand new price, and Thomann themselves say B stock gear 'may have slight signs of use'.  Now to me a loose pickup screw and a significant bruise isn't slight and would certainly put off a buyer if I try to sell it on sometime. 

So do I keep it and let Thomann get away with offloading damaged goods, or return it for a refund?  They can't send me another because they're out of stock at the moment. 

 

Edited March 11, 2023 by lownote

[Dan Dare]

1 hour ago, lownote said:

Now, I really like the bass. 

 

Only you can decide. If the above is true, however, £187 isn't much to shell out for it. There's a reason something is described as B stock and reduced in price. Perhaps try to get a few quid back from Thomann? Or are you buying it to flip it?

[PaulThePlug]

Did you buy a damaged one? NO.

Thats Quite a Dink... I'd say start at a £50 dink... tell them it's not a £10 B Stock Scratch... they got a copy of the pic and take another look!

Let us know how you get on.

[Cosmo Valdemar]

That's not a tenner's worth of damage... I'd return it and, knowing you like the bass, buy a brand new one.

[MichaelDean]

If you keep it, I'd suggest filling the pickup screw hole with a cocktail stick and a bit of glue before refitting a more suitably sized screw. 

 

But, with that dent, I'd be looking for more money off or return it. 

[Waddo Soqable]

S'manth got a good hefty part refund for a similar damage, I'd say you suggest to them £100 part refund and you'll "take a chance" and keep it.. They'll counter offer but you should get a substantial bit off the price.. 

[Lozz196]

As you really like that particular instrument try & get a further reduction, no guarantee that another of the same model will feel/play as nice.

[Newfoundfreedom]

They're pretty reasonable.  Propose an offer off the purchase price to keep it. 

 

 

[SamIAm]

1 hour ago, Waddo Soqable said:

S'manth got a good hefty part refund for a similar damage, I'd say you suggest to them £100 part refund and you'll "take a chance" and keep it.. They'll counter offer but you should get a substantial bit off the price.. 

indeed.

I received a cosmetically damaged bass from Musiker, it had suffered an impact around the bottom button strap resulting is some finish flaking off. It was a B stock, which they described as nearly new but opened or used for demo etc.

I told them what I anticipated the repair cost (inc shipping )would be and said I’d keep it if they discounted it by that much plus a bit for inconvenience, all in all about £130 on a £270 instrument.

They knocked off £100, which I accepted … and I’ll fix the damage myself.

IF you like it then a similar approach would be worth considering.

S’manth x

[BassAdder60]

I look at it this way … later when you feel like selling it the damage will put folk off and drop the value 

 

I would get it replaced ( if you like it generally) even if it takes some time to wait. 

[yorks5stringer]

Keep the pound coin (that it obviously came with) and return the Bass...

[jonno1981]

Hope you get it sorted. Something to consider is trying to bargain for a gift voucher and not a straight refund. £40 gift voucher will cost Thomann less than a £30 refund. I’ve done this before and spent it on accessories which I was happy about and the shop was happy about. 
 

[TheGreek]

Try to negotiate...

 

If they won't reduce the price significantly try to negotiate "store credit" - that encourages you to remain their customer, spending their money with them, and hopefully you are happy with the outcome and spread the word about their good customer service.

[Maude]

What ever happened to settling scores by simply going round and giving them a nuggie? 

[lownote]

Well, positive moves by Thomann re sending me a new bass. Wait and see but good so far.