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July 2007
Posts: 33
Location: Detroit Rock City | Hello Everybody. I've had an Ovation Celebrity CC66 since 1993. Love it. About a week ago, I decided I wanted a real ovation, but couldn't afford a new one. So, I looked at Ebay. I knew it could be hit or miss. I wanted an American Made Ovation, and missed out on the S771 Special at Guitar Center earlier this year. All sold out it seems. So, I find an auction for a "new" s771 - Cedar Top. The seller has perfect feedback and has sold guitars in the past. I email him, and he assures me it is "new" and never played. So, I win the auction, and it arrived today.
Well, guess what? Yep, not exactly honesty by the seller. The guitar plays very nicely. I am happy on that front. BUT, it has 2 small dents on the front. Not TERRIBLE, but they're still there, and noticeable. One is tiny, about 1/16". Okay, fine. S happens. The other is almost 3/8", and I see it every time I look at my hand when I'm strumming. It is not real big, and does not go through the wood, but man it's just bugging me. This was not caused by shipping - this guitar was packaged really really well. Really hard to even unwrap all the foam and packaging protection!
I really hate to go through mailing it back and getting a refund over some small dents. Who knows if that would actually happen. I'm happy with the guitar's playability, and can live with the dents, but I would feel better if there was some way to get some cash back from the seller.
Is it reasonable for me to ask for a partial refund, say 10%? Or am I just out of line? Should I just grin and bear it, and put my OCD in check, and be glad I came out reasoanbly well with Ebay? The seller did do a good job of packaging, and shipping right away. The guitar does play exactly like I hoped. Just those darn little dents bother me a lot!
I'm not even sure if this guitar has a top that can be repaired. I really do like this guitar. Any advice?
Thanks |
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Joined:
April 2007
Posts: 318
Location: Slightly northwest of Trader Jim | Hi Fleet, I purchased an 1115 off a seller on eeekbay. Long to short...it had the "ovation crack" below the bridge(just in the finish)It was not mentioned in the description. I contacted the seller and we came to an agreement. He was very sorry for the over sight and gave me 100 bucks back. So it may be worth getting in touch with the seller. ;) |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Yup, Gary made out on that one. Got it for a good price to begin with, and I was amazed to see he got the money back. It's only right though, if it isn't as represented, you should get some $ back. |
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April 2007
Posts: 318
Location: Slightly northwest of Trader Jim | Yea, I also bought a 1614
from this guy..........
oh! hi Jim :D :D :D |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | had to go there, didn't you? |
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April 2007
Posts: 318
Location: Slightly northwest of Trader Jim | sorry buddy, sometimes I just don't know what comes over me :rolleyes: |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Sorry about your Bad Luck there Fleet.
But as to mentioning your problem to seller;
I got a New CC44 with case... After a coupla days I found a crack in the case, and mentioned it too them. I didn't wanna send it back over the case (but I didn't tell them that). I just mentioned the crack. They asked if I wanted 10% back. I said sure. I figured that they would send me $12.69, 10% of a cheaper Ovation case, or something. But they sent me 10% of the whole purchase price.
Alot of sellers really love their 100% positive score, and will make it right for you.
[too bad it is Cedar, and not just Black! Sharpie markers cover alot of evils!] |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Fleet, if it bothers you, I'd contact the seller about it, in a non-threatening manner. Just matter of factly say that there are a couple of dents in the top that were not described in the auction. If you can send a picture of them to him, so much the better.
If he's honest, he'll work with you on it. But if he won't, your main recourse is to leave negative feedback.
I had one of those cedar S771s....the top does dent easily on them, the wood is soft, and with no gloss to protect it, I can see those happening easily. My bet is that those are a result of shop wear, and it actually is a new guitar. The seller should have mentioned them, though.
Roger |
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April 2003
Posts: 243
Location: Pewaukee, WI | My cedar topped S771 had a ding in it (on the wall at GC) and they discounted (more than the normal 40% off list). |
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March 2005
Posts: 2791
Location: Atlanta, GA. | You didn't mention how the O was shipped.
In a case? If it is new it should have the case.
If not, was it well protected with packing material?
Couldn't hurt to contact the seller if they shipped the guitar with the dings and didn't mention them in the auction. |
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February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | Given the cost of shipping, most honest sellers find it easier to make a modest refund than to mess with having to arrange the return and resale. |
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July 2007
Posts: 33
Location: Detroit Rock City | Last night, I put a a couple of drops of water on the larger of the dents. And this pulled it out a bit. Nifty little trick that works sometimes. But the spot is still unfinished compared to the rest of the guitar. Is there a product I can use to cover up this spot? I don't think varnish is the right product. I need to be careful - so far I've done improvement, but I don't want to ruin this! |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Call the factory, today. They may have some suggestions. |
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December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Originally posted by cwk2:
Call the factory, today. They may have some suggestions. Emphasis on TODAY. The factory will be closed for the next couple of weeks. |
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Joined:
July 2007
Posts: 33
Location: Detroit Rock City | Okay - I actually did call the "mothership", and they said that I should probably take it to a service center or mail it in to them if it really bothers me. I'm getting ahead of myself, so I choose to do Nothing at this time. I'll start with my original issue, and try and get a little compensation back from the seller. Then I'll see if my OCD will allow me to enjoy this wonderful guitar. :) It looks dramatically better now that the dent has swolen out... |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I wouldn't have done ANYTHING to those dents before communicating with the seller(indeed, before settling the whole issue). If you didn't take pictures, and he asks for some proof, you are in a less favorable position. Just my cent and a half.
Roger |
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Joined:
July 2007
Posts: 33
Location: Detroit Rock City | I did take pictures when I opened the package, and after the dent was pulled. I'm well documented. I'm not really looking to take advantage of this situation. I'm trying to get this guitar in good enough shape that I can enjoy it. I'm not going to let the seller off the hook just yet. But if I could get it fixed for $5, I wouldn't waste the effort of harrassing the seller. I really don't want to return the guitar. It plays really nicely.
I think I'm really over-reacting on this forum :)
So easy to type and type and type. |
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Joined:
July 2007
Posts: 33
Location: Detroit Rock City | Hate to dig up an old horse with this thread, but for the sake of closure, I was able to settle with the seller for 10% refund. I'm happy now. The seller admitted he dented it while packaging it, and no issue with a partial refund. Now, to get it repaired by a professional... |
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Ebay Purchase - Return?
