Restocking fees...

[jzucker]

I recently bought a $1200 guitar and didn't like it. Paid a 10% restock + shipping and ate $200 !!!

This was a used instrument selling at retail price [edited] so I couldn't have sold it and made out any better. I do understand restocking fees and have no complaint about that but it does make me re-think the idea of buying a new instrument mail-order. I doubt I will do it again unless it's from a big-box store with no restocking fee.

[big mike]

Was it store stock or special order?
Technically it shouldn't then be resold as new, but a demo so realistically they SHOULD drop their price that same amount.

If it's a special order, you're lucky they took it back at all, I wouldn't.

[kurtsstuff]

Well......somebody had to get paid for packaging,shipping etc,etc.....One of the many reasons I'm no longer in the business and I'll just leave it at that..

[jzucker]

Was it store stock or special order?
Technically it shouldn't then be resold as new, but a demo so realistically they SHOULD drop their price that same amount.

If it's a special order, you're lucky they took it back at all, I wouldn't.

It was bought from their "used items" page.

Well......somebody had to get paid for packaging,shipping etc,etc.....One of the many reasons I'm no longer in the business and I'll just leave it at that..


Not sure what your point is. I already stated that I didn't have an issue with them wanting to get paid for that stuff. My point is that IN THE FUTURE I will probably only buy from stores that don't have a restocking fee.

[big mike]

Well...it's not unreasonable.... If bought from a 'used' page, I'd have likely tried to negotiate a 24 hour approval and eat any freight.

[jzucker]

Well...it's not unreasonable.... If bought from a 'used' page, I'd have likely tried to negotiate a 24 hour approval and eat any freight.

I should have checked the fine print before buying. Just lucky it was only $1200 and not $2500 ! However, most stores used to offer a 24-48hr approval period. Since the store-bought instrument was going for about $300 over market value, you'd think that one of the reasons for buying used from a store would be to have an approval period but I guess the bottom line is to read the fine print and to NEVER buy an instrument for more than market value.

[big mike]

Due diligence.

[jzucker]

Due diligence.

yep... ;)

[GAD]

Just buy from somewhere that doesn't do that, or buy used.

GAD

[jzucker]

Just buy from somewhere that doesn't do that, or buy used.

GAD

And read the fine print. Don't assume that you are better off buying from a dealer. At least used, you can sell for what you paid for it.

[scottlr]

It was bought from their "used items" page.




Not sure what your point is. I already stated that I didn't have an issue with them wanting to get paid for that stuff. My point is that IN THE FUTURE I will probably only buy from stores that don't have a restocking fee.

I thought you said in your OP that it was new. If it was used and priced right, you should be able to sell it for the same, no?

I understand restocking fees at places like Best Buy. This discourages folks from buying a digicam and going to Disney world, then returning it after the vacation. But a guitar... well. I'd think that if a store sold a guitar new, and it was returned in the same condition as new (no scratches, and all of the protective plastic, etc., still intact, it should still be considered a new instrument.

[violetlove]

Except that when you guys buy new, you don't want a git that's done a round trip in the post to another guys home, do you ?

[tildeslash]

Tell us where you bought it so some of us can stay away from them. I would.

[jzucker]

I thought you said in your OP that it was new. If it was used and priced right, you should be able to sell it for the same, no?

It was a used instrument selling at full retail price. Sorry for the confusion. I could have bought it off ebay and imported it for the same price but then if I returned it there would have been duty fees and shipping on instruments from Japan is about $130 each way so it would have been even more money to return it had I bought direct.

I'm not dissing the dealer at all. I think stores like Guitar Center which allow you to keep something 45 days and gig it and then return it where they just hang it back up on the wall as new are asking for problems and it's one reason they are having financial issues.



I understand restocking fees at places like Best Buy. This discourages folks from buying a digicam and going to Disney world, then returning it after the vacation. But a guitar... well. I'd think that if a store sold a guitar new, and it was returned in the same condition as new (no scratches, and all of the protective plastic, etc., still intact, it should still be considered a new instrument.

[jzucker]

Except that when you guys buy new, you don't want a git that's done a round trip in the post to another guys home, do you ?

the only thing that matters to me is the warranty but this was an japanese instrument so the warranty didn't apply.