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JohnW63![]() |
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Joined: August 2012 Posts: 227 | I am trying to arrange a purchase of a guitar from a guy in Tx, but he requested a money order as payment. I haven't done one of THOSE in a long time. Is this still a normal thing, or should I walk away ? He gave me a c/o address of a church, which is where he works. I think it's a pretty good deal, but I don't like the idea of basically mailing him dead presidents with no recourse. Still, he doesn't know me from Adam either. | ||
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Patch![]() |
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Joined: May 2006 Posts: 4232 Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Sadly, that's the risk we take. I have asked for MO's and sent them. So far I have not been burned, but you never know. I always try to have a good phone conversation with the other guy. It gives you a chance to make some sort of impression. But there is no denying the risk is there. Then again, there is certainly some truth behind the phrase "No guts, no glory." | ||
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noah![]() |
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Joined: December 2004 Posts: 1673 Location: SoCal | Stranger, money order, another state... you have no protection, recourse would not be easy. PayPal, funded by your credit card... you are covered. Maybe someone here lives close to your seller in TX and can be your point man. Edited by noah 2012-09-20 8:52 PM | ||
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Old Man Arthur![]() |
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Joined: September 2006 Posts: 10777 Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I'll agree with Noah. This is what PayPal is for... Make him send you an invoice and pay the extra 3% Have you talked to this person on the phone? Not to be rude... But lots of Street People use Churches as their mailing address. -edit for spelling- Edited by Old Man Arthur 2012-09-20 9:04 PM | ||
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stephent28![]() |
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![]() Joined: April 2004 Posts: 13303 Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | And there was a certain preacher from Texas who ripped off several OFC members several years ago. | ||
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JohnW63![]() |
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Joined: August 2012 Posts: 227 | I was going to call the church and inquire about the guy. I thought about the possibility of some transient like connection too. They would have to have access to CraigsList, some how, though. | ||
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Old Man Arthur![]() |
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Joined: September 2006 Posts: 10777 Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | JohnW63 - 2012-09-20 7:37 PM They would have to have access to CraigsList, some how, though. Public Library... Or the computer at the Church "Drop-in Center". Many Church programs will give access to computers for Job Searches. The "Bud Clark Commons" here in Portland gives homeless a Mailing Address and access to computers to check their email, eBay, job search all that. I see Many street-people with smart phones... Just sit outside of Starbucks' for wi-fi. The guy might be legit! Just saying "Use Caution"... | ||
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TAFKAR![]() |
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Joined: April 2008 Posts: 2985 Location: Sydney, Australia | My gut feeling would be careful and look for an OFC member of good standing (Low member number, high post count) and send your money to them. I had my brand new Adamas sent to a member from here and I picked it up from him. | ||
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numbfingers![]() |
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Joined: January 2006 Posts: 1128 Location: NW Washington State | If you're emailing a Craigslist seller and asking him to ship, it's reasonable for him to ask for a postal money order. It's one way he can be sure you're not scamming him. Craigslist ads can generate lots of bogus responses. | ||
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jay![]() |
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Joined: January 2009 Posts: 1249 Location: Texas | John... I PMed you. | ||
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DaveKell![]() |
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Joined: November 2011 Posts: 741 Location: Fort Worth, TX | I'm in Ft. Worth, Texas and willing to drive an hour one way to do this for you. PM me for phone number if I can help, | ||
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ProfessorBB![]() |
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Joined: January 2006 Posts: 5881 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I'm with Noah on this. PayPal funded through a credit card can't be beat as it provides double protection. I've sent money to members here before gear was shipped and never been burnt, but a few others I know haven't been so fortunate. I would have no issue with any member who has been around awhile and is a regular contributor. Sometimes, you just have to step forward and be the first to trust. | ||
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stonebobbo![]() |
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Joined: August 2002 Posts: 8307 Location: Tennessee | I'd go to the church's website, and if the guy appears there then you've got something to hang your hat on. I have a character flaw ... I tend to think almost everyone out there is honest and trustworthy. It's the very few bad apples you need to watch out for. A money order is totally normal ... I just sold a couple of guitars to someone across the country and that's how we did the deal. But remember to be careful when you accept one ... it's not that hard to set up a bogus one. Trust but verify. | ||
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FlySig![]() |
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Joined: October 2005 Posts: 4070 Location: Utah | I've purchased sight unseen off of this and other guitar forums and never been burned. I even bought a late 70's Ovation Preacher Deluxe electric guitar for my daughter off of Craigslist in another state. I like the suggestions of paypal and pay the 3% or have an OFC member be your intermediary. Another option is for him to eBay it with a Buy It Now at your agreed upon price. Be on the phone with him as he posts it on eBay and then you snag it immediately. Though I don't know what extra protection this might be over just doing PayPal. If the guy is legit he is due some kudos for sticking his neck out and for bothering with the shipping. | ||
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Darkbar![]() |
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Joined: January 2009 Posts: 4535 Location: Flahdaw | I have a hard time wrapping my arms around "sight unseen/ neck un-played". Every guitar is a little different, and I play every guitar I own a LOT (except my G&L electric), so it has to feel right. There's more to a guitar being "perfect" or "like new"....it has to feel good under my fingers, and I can only tell that by ME playing it, not a surrogate. It needs to stand the test of time, 'cos I don't want to have to turn around and try to sell it if I'm not happy with it. I am an oddity on this forum, I'm sure. Edited by BobG 2012-09-21 4:14 PM | ||
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jay![]() |
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Joined: January 2009 Posts: 1249 Location: Texas | Unless you can find a trusted party to make the transaction, sending a money order to an unknown party is just too risky. | ||
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jay![]() |
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Joined: January 2009 Posts: 1249 Location: Texas | I concur with the oddity on this forum. I love my 67 K1111's...the necks are strat like...My K1111 RI is drop dead gorgeous, and sounds every bit as good as the 67's, but the neck...I just do not enjoy playing it as much because the neck is a little chubbier...therefore it spends 99% of its time cased. And there you go...a guitar that I really wanted and now I have it...bob is right...feel is where it's at. | ||
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Darkbar![]() |
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Joined: January 2009 Posts: 4535 Location: Flahdaw | amosmoses - 2012-09-21 5:54 PM bob is right Holy Moly!!! I'm gonna get a t-shirt made with that printed across the front of it! | ||
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ProfessorBB![]() |
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Joined: January 2006 Posts: 5881 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I'm at the other end of the continuum. For every guitar I bought after playing it, I've bought 15 sight unseen. Neck differences and variation no longer bother me. I go between skinny and thin (my 1187 custom and the ES-335) to skinny and chunky (other Gibsons, a typical Tele, the VXT), V-necks (my Hamer custom, the EA Vipers), to the widenecks (Tak EF75 and 760 custom, 12 strings). There was a time when neck size mattered more to me. Not so much any more. I'm way more interested in the rest of the configuration like, for instance, where the pick-ups are in conjunction to where my pick typically strikes the strings. If the pups are installed in a precies location that I end up striking them with the pick, that really bugs me. Since I am not likely to change how I hold the guitar and where my pick strikes the strings, a guitar with poor pickup location (for me) will end up spending its life in the hanger rather than in my hands. So far, I haven't found a neck profile that bothers me one way or another. Maybe its just that my technique is so lousy (like where my pick hits pickups) that it just doesn't make any difference. | ||
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Monttexan![]() |
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Joined: January 2012 Posts: 53 Location: NW Montucky | Well, I don't have either the low member # OR the high post count, but I'm in Texas and will help you out if I can. I'm south, just outside Corpus Christi. I drive a lot, so traveling a little if needed isn't a problem. PM me if you need me. | ||
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Darkbar![]() |
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Joined: January 2009 Posts: 4535 Location: Flahdaw | Funny you say that. I am thinking about getting an archtop with a single neck mounted pick up 'cos I HATE when I nail the pickup on my G&L Tele. It's bad technique on my part, but I'm too old to change... | ||
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JohnW63![]() |
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Joined: August 2012 Posts: 227 | Last question.... Really...maybe. Patch found one at GC I had not yet seen. A Legend Elite, black. 12 string in nice shape $499 and the one in Texas, who will go PayPal, now, is a 1758 Elite 12 string in black for $400 +shipping with a small crack that goes from the top most sound hole up to the edge of the guitar. He sent a close-up. Would the damage be worth the $100 difference to you ? My wife thinks I might always be annoyed with the guitar, if I get the damaged one. Elite Close-up I know only I can tell if it is worth it, but opinions would help cement it. | ||
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numbfingers![]() |
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Joined: January 2006 Posts: 1128 Location: NW Washington State | I dunno nothin' about these guitars, but even that odd guy has had some good input on this thread. Looks like that crack is way up where the string tension shouldn't affect it. Maybe the binding is pulling away a little bit. If you want one in perfect cosmetic condition, it will probably cost more. The seller did go to the trouble to provide you the picture and agree to PayPal payment. Seems like he's making an honest effort. If the GC guitar is nice shape and Patch found it for you, $499 is a good deal with a return option that you shouldn't expect from a Craigslist seller. Is there a case with either one? Everything else being equal, buy the one your wife approves of. ![]() | ||
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Darkbar![]() |
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Joined: January 2009 Posts: 4535 Location: Flahdaw | I would never be annoyed by how a guitar LOOKS. If it plays like butter, sounds great, and people like what they hear, then I'm a happy camper. When you close you eyes and play it, you can't hear a surface crack. | ||
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MusicMishka![]() |
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Joined: March 2005 Posts: 5567 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Buy it...a 1758 -5 for $400 is a no brainer...see if he'll give you a phone# where you can call him and do the deal...you'll never regret it... Edited by MusicMishka 2012-09-21 9:19 PM | ||
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