| Author | Message | ||
| jim777
Junior Username: jim777 Post Number: 26 Registered: 10-2012 |
Just letting you all know, it looks like a guy who specializes in credit card fraud has gotten an Alembic off of Brian at the LoweEnd Bass shop. Brian is a very standup guy, so I wanted you all to be aware. http://www.thelowend.net/gallery/viewtopic.php?t=6066 | ||
| llobsterbass
Intermediate Member Username: llobsterbass Post Number: 120 Registered: 5-2004 |
Sorry, I don't quite follow your warning. Are you saying someone's perpetrating a fraud, pretending to have this bass? | ||
| tubeperson
Senior Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 407 Registered: 5-2005 |
The perpetrator has the bass, wants a refund after using and probably inflicting damage to the bass and wants to keep the bass and his money. This is why when I try to sell something (in particular one of my instruments, which I have tried to avoid doing to my "children"), I ask for cash, US Postal Money order or bank certified check but ship after the payment clears. | ||
| jim777
Junior Username: jim777 Post Number: 28 Registered: 10-2012 |
Not really lobster, it appears that the 'buyer' was intent on running a scam against The LowEnd from the beginning to get the bass for free. When Brian called the card company he was told other companies had complained about the same thing from this buyer. I honestly don't know if it would matter to everyone, but this guy bought the bass, waited 39 days after receiving it, called his credit card company to demand his money back (not what I ordered/expected/not acurately described/whatever)and got it. AND HE KEPT THE BASS. To me, that's theft. I would ask the good folks here to be aware and not allow the guy to profit on the bass by buying it from him. I know he'll sell it regardless, I'm not that naive, but it is now a bass that will come back to haunt future owners as the serial number is very available (76 - 581). Pics of the bass are on the Lowend's site as well: http://www.thelowend.net/gallery/viewtopic.php?t=5927 (Message edited by jim777 on February 12, 2013) | ||
| jcdlc72
Advanced Member Username: jcdlc72 Post Number: 217 Registered: 11-2009 |
Should this bass's serial be in our own "Stolen" list with a comment so anyone interested would be aware? I also consider it is theft, after all... | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1485 Registered: 6-2002 |
That's just what I was thinking jcdlc72 | ||
| llobsterbass
Intermediate Member Username: llobsterbass Post Number: 121 Registered: 5-2004 |
I don't understand why the credit card company doesn't require him to return the item for which he's demanding a refund. And I'm confused as to how Low End was ripped off. Weren't they already paid when scammer first purchased the bass? Isn't it the credit card company that's out the money it sent for the refund? | ||
| wfmandmusic
Member Username: wfmandmusic Post Number: 53 Registered: 1-2012 |
Well I was the guy who purchased the bass and I certainly don't appreciate all of these nasty things being said about me when you only know half of the story. All I wanted to do was return the bass because it was not in the condition I was told it was in when I purchased it. I was told it was in excellent condition. I specifically asked about the back of the neck. I asked twice about the back of the neck. I just can't play a instrument that has dents or nicks on the back of the neck and that was explained twice and I have the emails to prove it. Not only does it have an old nick in the back of the neck(I say old because it has darkened with dirt and sweat over the years, there was a undisclosed 2 inch long crack on the back running out from one of the electronic cover screws to the tail. Two of the screws were also stripped out. One side of the bridge had fallen all the way down on the fretboard and the bass was unplayable when I received it. I tried to just live with it but could not. I tried to send it back but that request was refused. I have never frauded anyone in my life and this is the first and only time I ever filed a complaint with a credit card company. The credit card company told me to hold the bass until the dispute is closed. Well it closed yesterday and it can now be sent back. I actually begged that this issue just be kept between merchant and buyer and we took care of it between us, but as I can see other things have happened. Yes I was on tour when the bass was shipped to me and it took me 30 days from the time it got to my house until I was able to give it a full inspection. This instrument left my house one time to get evaulated from a professional shop. I have not even taken it back out of the case since the dispute was filed. I have also never had anything like this ever happen to me and I've been playing and buying basses for 40 years. So this bass is anything but stolen, it was misrepresented to me before purchase. I did the only thing left for me to do after trying really hard to work it out with the merchant. I intended to fraud someone from the beginning? Not even close, I thought I was buying a really nice Alembic bass. Actually, I would appreciate this entire thread being erased. | ||
| nnek
Member Username: nnek Post Number: 84 Registered: 8-2009 |
Just goes to show there are always two sides to every dispute... it is dangerous to choose sides before both sides have finished venting | ||
| tubeperson
Senior Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 408 Registered: 5-2005 |
I can understand being on tour and not being able to ship the bass back sooner, but to what extent was there a real attempt to resolve this by either party, especially the buyer? I have learned that sending an e-mail is not nearly enough, a certified letter at least shows proof of receipt of any complaint and stands up in court. I still question the length of the time lapse. We need to keep in mind that one person's excellent grade is merely another person's very good plus. This applies to any purchase. I hate when someone lists an item as new, then says it was played for 3 hours (and not a store demo, where who really knows how often that piece was played). The barely played item is not new, period end of conversation. Perhaps the lesson here is to ask questions before you make the decision to buy. If you want an absolutely dent and bump free neck (understandable of course) then make sure to ask about it before you buy. Caveat Emptor! By the way I believe there are usually 3 sides; each party's version and then somewhere in-between usually lies the truth. | ||
| wfmandmusic
Member Username: wfmandmusic Post Number: 54 Registered: 1-2012 |
There was a real attempt from both sides. I tried to get the bass shipped to me when I was home but after two weeks I called and was told sorry they simply forgot to ship it, it's sitting in the office. I called and had a in hand description given to me besides the emails. Who sells a bass with a 2 inch long crack in the wood and doesn't say anything about it? I offered to send the bass back, I offered to send it to Alembic and have it repaired to the condition I thought it was in when purchased for a refund of what that would cost. You pay $4000.00 for a bass and can't even play it and it has undisclosed damage? What other suggestions do you have that I could have tried? Seriously because I tried everything I could. The crack could have easily been missed. Things like that happen I understand, but they do happen and when you have a unsatisfied customer it's important to take care of them. I was offered to let the merchant sell it for me on consignment commission free. That option did not sit well with me. So yes we both tried and hit an impasse . | ||
| hammer
Advanced Member Username: hammer Post Number: 313 Registered: 9-2009 |
Sounds to me like the buyer did attempt to do due diligence, but that in spite of his efforts things did not arrive in the condition in which he assumed they would be. I don't know from where wfmandmusic hails but his experience only reinforces my personal policy that I won't buy it unless I've seen it with my own eyes and had a chance to play it. When I purchased my Distillate a number of years ago I drove from Minneapolis to Chicago to look over one example and then flew to Colorado to see the instrument I eventually purchased. The trips were well worth the time and money. | ||
| tubeperson
Senior Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 411 Registered: 5-2005 |
Hammer, that is a wise purchase policy. Although most of my purchases of used items are fine, it is always the ones where there is a gross misrepresentation of condition that I remember, painfully so. One time I purchased a new Bass and from the outside there was no apparent damage to the shipping box. Upon opening the shipping box, the case was badly damaged. Fortunately, I was dealing with a reputable dealer, and received a replacement case. All to often, items are described as new or mint, and they are not (especially on evil bay). One should always factor that in. Still, the buyer has the bass and has his money back, at least that is my understanding. If the buyer had sent back the bass, then this would help the buyers cause. We do not know if the bass was really damaged before it was received or after it was received. But, one cannot get a refund and expect to keep the product that one has rejected. Perhaps the buyer can let us know who has possession of the bass, and confirm that he received his refund via the credit card company. I do not know either party to this particular dispute, and as I stated, I originally was skeptical due to the supposed length of time that had occurred between the buyer receiving the bass and then contacting the seller about what most of us would consider an issue with merit. It is only later via this thread that the buyer presented his version of the attempts at contacting the seller, so of course this could change one's view. If in fact he did make a fair attempt(s) to contact the seller, then my skepticism is greatly reduced. That is not what was originally presented when this thread started. It is fortunate that the buyer did present his side of the story later in this thread, and we should all reflect upon that. Bottom line, caveat emptor or buyer beware. | ||
| hammer
Advanced Member Username: hammer Post Number: 315 Registered: 9-2009 |
I agree with everything you've stated Steve. And of course mistakes and miscommunication can happen - that's part of human nature, none of us are perfect. I recently received my Signature Bass from Alembic only to discover that it had been built with 2 position Q toggles rather than the 3 position switches I had ordered. The difference in this situation was that once Alembic was notified, I had a box with the correct parts at my doorstep within 3-days (Now I just have to find the time to make the switch out. Thank God the parts are plug and play). | ||
| wfmandmusic
Member Username: wfmandmusic Post Number: 55 Registered: 1-2012 |
The credit card company close the case for good yesterday and I sent the bass back today. The only reason I still had it was the credit card company told me to hold it and the merchant would not take it back. I explained this on many occasions to the merchant. Now a police report for fraud has been filed against me so ive been told. | ||
| lowendbassshop
New Username: lowendbassshop Post Number: 4 Registered: 10-2011 |
He's still not telling the whole truth. He was told it had impression marks on the neck. He asked a couple times and everytime i told him it had some impression marks. He also bought the bass the day before I was going out of town. He knew I was leaving and wouldnt be able to ship til I got back. He called a couple days after I returned and it went right out. From that point I never heard from him. He recieved the bass a couple days later and for 39 days he had the bass and never contacted me about any problems or issues. If he was on tour for 20 days then what happen with the other 19 days he had it and never contacted me about any issues...... After having the bass for basically 40 days makes it a little hard to just refund and repost. I offered to sell It for him at no fee since it had been 39 days since delivered and I had never been contacted about any issues. (Message edited by lowendbassshop on February 21, 2013) (Message edited by lowendbassshop on February 21, 2013) | ||
| lowendbassshop
New Username: lowendbassshop Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2011 |
Sorry to post and bring this on the alembic forum. I just wanted to make sure facts where straight. (Message edited by lowendbassshop on February 21, 2013) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11016 Registered: 5-2002 |
On a personal note, I have traded with both parties, and have had good experiences with both. That said, the moderators wish to close the thread at this point. In our view this is one of those situations where misunderstandings have arisen, and we don't think either party intentionally meant to do harm to the other. We would like to have seen this thread end on a good note for all concerned; but we do not want to let hurt feelings escalate any further. |
