Am I responsible for modifications that I did not mention in a listing?

[Mark Skid]

Let's say that I sold a guitar with a third hole drilled into the body for a strap knob that I did not mention in the listing. If the buyer misses it, then notices it after he has purchased the guitar, should I be held responsible? If yes, to what degree?

 

[ClintN667]

Let's say that I sold a guitar with a third hole drilled into the body for a strap knob that I did not mention in the listing. If the buyer misses it, then notices it after he has purchased the guitar, should I be held responsible? If yes, to what degree?

Was it pictured? If it was in the pic I would say no. Also depends on what you listed the condition in. If you listed it as good then I would be fine. Excellent or above then the buyer has more pull

 

[japetus]

Let's say that I sold a guitar with a third hole drilled into the body for a strap knob that I did not mention in the listing. If the buyer misses it, then notices it after he has purchased the guitar, should I be held responsible? If yes, to what degree?

As Clint asked, did you disclose it in the pictures? If not and he is upset, I honestly believe you should refund his money if he desires. It would be a deal breaker to some collectors, especially on a higher end instrument.

 

[DanTravis62]

Like Clint says, if it's clearly pictured, and you didn't list the condition as "like new," or "excellent," it wouldn't be too much of an issue.

There's also the issue of WHERE the strap hole is drilled, and in what guitar.

If it's a high end or collector vintage piece, then it raises the stakes considerably. Most of this kind of stuff isn't hard and fast rules, just situational.

 

[Mark Skid]

Like Clint says, if it's clearly pictured, and you didn't list the condition as "like new," or "excellent," it wouldn't be too much of an issue.

There's also the issue of WHERE the strap hole is drilled, and in what guitar.

If it's a high end or collector vintage piece, then it raises the stakes considerably. Most of this kind of stuff isn't hard and fast rules, just situational.

The guitar is a Gibson Custom Shop '59 Flying V reissue.

 

[japetus]

The guitar is a Gibson Custom Shop '59 reissue Flying V.

Yeah, definite deal breaker. I personally would try to work out a deal if I loved the guitar, but collectors aren't going to want to deal with it.

 

[DanTravis62]

The guitar is a Gibson Custom Shop '59 Flying V reissue.

If I was the buyer? I'd be royally pissed it wasn't disclosed. Especially on that guitar.

 

[ClintN667]

If I was the buyer? I'd be royally pissed it wasn't disclosed. Especially on that guitar.

I gotta agree. It was probably moved for a balance reason but still that's going to be a problem.

I would ask them if they want to send it back or a partial refund. If you sold it through reverb and listed it for good condition you may get reverb to side with you although it might still be unlikely.

 

[Mark Skid]

If I was the buyer? I'd be royally pissed it wasn't disclosed. Especially on that guitar.

The third strap knob was visible in the listing images, but wasn't noticed by the buyer. It was installed behind the neck pocket.

 

[DanTravis62]

The third strap knob was visible in the listing images, but wasn't noticed by the buyer. It was installed behind the neck pocket.

*How* visible are we talking here?

It seems like a pretty obvious place, like it would be apparent to the buyer, but with reverb or ebay listings that isn't always the case.

Even so, either way i would probably offer a partial refund or to send it back - it seems like it would be shady to do otherwise, because it wasn't mentioned. ?

Obviously a mistake anyone could make.

If I was a collector I would send the guitar back, if I got it for a player Id be happy with a partial refund.

 

[Mark Skid]

*How* visible are we talking here?

It seems like a pretty obvious place, like it would be apparent to the buyer, but with reverb or ebay listings that isn't always the case.

Even so, either way i would probably offer a partial refund or to send it back - it seems like it would be shady to do otherwise, because it wasn't mentioned. ?

Obviously a mistake anyone could make.

If I was a collector I would send the guitar back, if I got it for a player Id be happy with a partial refund.

The extra knob was visible, just not mentioned in the listing. The buyer didn't notice it until after he purchased it. The guitar had already been shipped.

 

[japetus]

In all honesty there are 3 ways you can go about this:

1. Get in a long, drawn out battle with the buyer/Reverb where you have to prove this and that and spend time defending yourself on a purchase that the buyer is not pleased with..ultimately ending in bad feedback and an upset buyer.

2. Work out a partial refund situation that both parties agree to. (Probably a longshot with this particular guitar)

3. Refund the money, relist and disclose in the next listing. It will still sell.

 

[scottosan]

Let's say that I sold a guitar with a third hole drilled into the body for a strap knob that I did not mention in the listing. If the buyer misses it, then notices it after he has purchased the guitar, should I be held responsible? If yes, to what degree?

It depends on the listed condition. If listed as mint or excellent, there is some implied assumptions that no modifications have been made. Very good is probably borderline.

 

[harddriver]

If you knew about it and did not mention it at all... you are responsible. If you were in the same position as a buyer you would feel the item was misrepresented by the seller not disclosing something like extra holes drilled into the body.

Yep... I would not be happy about that situation at all, especially on a considerable purchase.

 

[gbsmusic]

Honestly if I was you I would try to work out something with the buyer. I don't think you're going to win if he disputes the sale. Keep us posted. I'm interested to see how it works out I wish you luck.

 

[Fiesta Red]

In what condition did you list the guitar?

 

[TheRealDonnie]

'Plain to see' isn't enough with a guitar of that value. You should have disclosed something as evasive as
that in your description IMO.

Just sold this about a month ago.

 

[Mark Skid]

I'm the buyer of the guitar. I failed to take notice of added strap knob. I should have noticed it, but I didn't. I asked the seller to re-route the guitar back to him for return and refund, but he refused. He feels that "Message me with any questions or more photos" was sufficient. I sent a message that I will consider keeping it, if he's willing to renegotiate the price. It's a fine guitar, but it's been modified. The "V" tail plate points have been bent slightly upward as well. I've sent pics of the pickups to Gibson, in an attempt to see if they may have been swapped. The labels look like they were peeled-away and placed on an alternate set of pickups. I could be wrong, I'm not sure? Both pickups read 7.4 Ohm, but that doesn't tell me much. It would be nice if Gibson stamped their p/u for ID.

 

[japetus]

I'm the buyer of the guitar. I failed to take notice of added strap knob. I should have noticed it, but I didn't. I asked the seller to re-route the guitar back to him for return and refund, but he refused. He feels that "Message me with any questions or more photos" was sufficient. I sent a message that I will consider keeping it, if he's willing to renegotiate the price. It's a fine guitar, but it's been modified. The "V" tail plate points have been bent slightly upward as well. I've sent pics of the pickups to Gibson, in an attempt to see if they may have been swapped. The labels look like they were peeled-away and placed on an alternate set of pickups. I could be wrong, I'm not sure? Both pickups read 7.4 Ohm, but that doesn't tell me much. It would be nice if Gibson stamped their p/u for ID.

View attachment 100673


View attachment 100676View attachment 100679

You have a right to return it. Now let's get rock n roll. How does it play/sound? If it was a guitar I really wanted and it ripped, I might just say fuck it and keep it, and fill it. If it's an investment, well get your money back.

 

[harddriver]

If you bought that on Reverb you should be protected from outright misrepresentation of the sale item. Something like extras holes drilled into the body should be disclosed. If the seller is willing to be less than honest about a drilled hole it would make me question everything about the deal.

If you like the guitar then negotiate something fair with the guy but you have the upper hand with the return policies as they are now.