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Date: Fri, 20 Jun 1997 11:23:56 -0600
From: crhaize@msn.com
Subject: How to Buy A Guitar
Newsgroups: rec.music.makers.marketplace

As a buyer and seller of guitars, amps, and musical equipment, I'd like
to offer some insight into buying over the internet or through the mail.

Despite what sellers might tell you, nearly every state has laws which
protect individuals from mail fraud or direct mail sales ripoffs.  These
laws have been applied to all goods and services sold through the mail.
In other words, anything that is shipped to you from a seller.

What this essentially means is that if you, for instance, purchase a
guitar through an advertisement in a magazine or over the internet, you
have 30 days to approve the purchase or return it.  The seller does have
the right to inspect the guitar and it must be returned in EXACTLY that
same condition as it was received.  Do not screw around with this as it
will void all rights and recourse you will have if the seller refuses to
cooperate.

For best results, check you local or state laws.  However, most states do
inforce the 30-days and you'll also find the people who work in the
appropriate state offices get REALLY excited when you give them something
to do--like follow-up on your situation.

I've noticed that guitar sellers, especially vintage sellers, offer 24 or
48 hour approvals.  That's really nice of them, but does not prevent you
from returning an item after their approval time has expired.  If they
refuse to accept it, a host of options are available.
 
The best way to ensure compliance with state and local laws when
returning a item purchased through a advertisement or Internet posting is
to do the following:

As soon as possible, contact the same shipping company as used by the
shipper and inform them of your intentions.  They willl often give you a
return shipping number.  Keep this handy.  Set up a day for them to
retreive the package.  Make good notes from you call and keep them and
ALL PAPERWORK safe and handy.  Make copies of any shipping bills or
address labels on the box before returning.

Next, notify the seller of your intentions.  At this point, do not bother
to get into any shouting matches or disagreements.  If the seller gets
upset (and they often do), simply point out that it is your undertanding
that local and state laws covering mail-order purchases protect your
rights and if necessary you are prepared to follow-up on such.  Then get
off the phone.

Your seller might call you back.  It is not worth it to bother with this
as you are likely to receive threats and harassment if the seller is
upset.  If the seller is upset, it is a good indication that you should
return the piece and refuse to do further business with the seller.

You must make sure that the item is packaged correctly.  It is necessary
to double-wrap all electronic equipment which means it must be wrapped in
a box within a larger box.  Do not assume cases will protect the item.
The better you prepare the shipment, the less likely it will be damaged.
Remember--a seller who has refused an item's return would love for it to
show up damaged so it can be refused.

I want to share some of my experiences with you and to let you know that
things will work out if you are diligent and persistant.

I puchased a guitar from an advertisement in Vintage Guitar.  The first
thing to know about this magazine is it has absolutely no standards for
its advertisers.  Any Tom, Dick, or Harry can run an add and look like a
reputable dealer.  In fact, a large percentage of these adds are placed
by guys who sell out of their basements, do not pay adequate state or
local taxes, and avoid formal recognition as legitamate retail
enterprises.  This will actually work in your favor, as we will see.

So I bought this guitar.  It was a goldtop and advertised as having P-90
pickups.  As some of you may know, Gibson was actually using P-100
pickups for a while instead of P-90s.  I confirmed with the seller that
the guitar did have P-90s and sent in my money order for $900.

The seller offered 24 hour approval.  I was out of town when the guitar
arrived and my girlfriend signed for it.  It sat in the box for three
days.  When I returned, I discovered that the guitar had the dreaded
P-100s which are essentially worthless in my opinion.

I informed the seller that I would be returning the guitar.  I was told
that I could not do so, as the 24 hours had elapsed.  When I informed the
seller that I had been traveling and had not opened the box for three
days, he said that was my problem.

I immediately sent back the guitar anyway.  I also called the seller and
informed him that I would be pusuing my rights both in my own state and
in the sellers state of Ohio.  I was confident that mail-order laws would
protect me and promised that the hassle of dealing with me would not be
worth the effort.  The seller called me every name in the book (including
a variation of Tom, Dick, and Harry).  He told me he would never do
business with me again (my loss, huh?).  But, a week later, I got a check
in the mail for the guitar--in full.

The advantage to the buyer when dealing with music dealers of all types
is that few of them would welcome the scrutiny of their local or state
authorities.  One of the biggest difficulites facing the buyer is there
are no regulations or standards applied to musical equipment, especially
"vintage" equipment.  Only a foolish seller would encourage a buyer to
stir up trouble, as most do not run a clean ship.  This advantage goes to
the buyer who effectively lets the seller know that futher action might
result, should the seller refuse to cooperate.