Another Guitar Center rip-off

Dan Sawyer · Post by **Dan Sawyer** » 10 Apr 2005 7:20 pm

This guitar is refinished (amatuer job) and they don't mention it. The knobs are not original. Please don't buy this at their price. It'll just encourage them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=623&item=7314393927&rd=1

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 10 Apr 2005 8:12 pm

I just sent those questions in. Let's see what response I'll be getting.

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 10 Apr 2005 9:26 pm

You won't get a response of any consequence. I used to work there. I've seen the guitar BTW and they can't claim ignorance of the condition, I told them it was a refin- poorly executed- and that the knobs and electronics weren't right.

Denny Turner · Post by **Denny Turner** » 10 Apr 2005 10:18 pm

The 2 + octave necks and easy controls (three way switch; single volume and tone) make this an easy instrument to play, while still keeping it versatile!!

...Just like a player piano

------------

IF I were to buy from I.E. (WHICH I WOULDN'T), I darn sure wouldn't check out through those "peoples" system. Not that fleabay would do anything about any problems checking out through fleabay, since they've let I.E. back on fleabay knowing their past account / record quite well (because I know 3 people ...me included... that have reported their practices in detailed examples); A prime example of what fleabay apparantly means by "safe harbor". And if I ain't gonna trust Pay Pal anymore (and I don't as far as I can spit), then I sure wouldn't want I.E. to have any of my private data, particularly financial.

Aloha,
DT~
[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 10 April 2005 at 11:36 PM.]

Denny Turner · Post by **Denny Turner** » 10 Apr 2005 10:23 pm

Keith,

How about emailing me in private if you know anything about the previous "instrument_exchance" fleabay account listing the same items in 2 different auctions and selling to the highest bidder of the 2 and making excuses to the other for non-delivery.

Thanks,
Aloha,
DT~
[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 10 April 2005 at 11:34 PM.]

Denny Turner · Post by **Denny Turner** » 10 Apr 2005 10:29 pm

Also, ...didn't Instrument Exchange's old fleabay account operate out of their Denver overflow "junk used car lot"? Are they still operating / warehousing / shipping out of Denver while using an Atlanta physical address in this auction? If so, isn't that also a violation of ebay rules? ...although I'll bet (but of course don't know) that fleabay would have another "rule" in the can to throw into their stonewalling, diversionary confusion to protect I.E. and fleabay's stonewall fortress.

DT~
[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 11 April 2005 at 04:48 AM.]

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 11 Apr 2005 6:47 am

Denny, I had gotten the impression that the GC rep accounts were operating from various GC locations, but I sure could be wrong- I've emailed them on a couple of these ludicrous auctions asking them why they start bids at more than twice the prevailing market price, and reminding them that at least a portion of the online Steel community was watching and not impressed. They did thank me for my interest.

------------------
Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 11 Apr 2005 7:54 am

Here's my answer.....

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>You asked:
"Hi, has this guitar been refinished? I've never seen this color on a Dual 8 Pro. Also, are the tone & volume knobs original? I seem to recall knurled chrome knobs as standard. Thanks, Huron"<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thank you for the questions! I have seen other original Dual 8's from the same era with this finish and knobs, and I do believe that everything is original on it! Not a very common finish, but I've seen it, and Walnut finish, and the obligatory yellow's. I hope that this helps, and if you have any other questions please ask!

Yeah, right.....bid with confidence? I think not....."Bid with consequence" is more accurate.

[This message was edited by HowardR on 11 April 2005 at 08:56 AM.]

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 11 Apr 2005 8:24 am

Is the correct name for this guitar a "Fender Dual Eight"?

phred

------------------
"From Truth, Justice is Born"--Quanah Parker-1904

Chris Brooks · Post by **Chris Brooks** » 11 Apr 2005 8:44 am

I wouldn't buy it from a store that can't write English:

"despite it's age"

Gack! My "favorite" solecism . .

Chris

Russ Young · Post by **Russ Young** » 11 Apr 2005 9:01 am

I'm still waiting for a response to my question about this statement in another Guitar Center auction. That auction (for a 1932 National Style O, starting at $3720) closed with no bids:

"The square neck is not the straightest I've seen, but the action is very low."

[This message was edited by Russ Young on 11 April 2005 at 10:02 AM.]

Paul Arntson · Post by **Paul Arntson** » 11 Apr 2005 10:08 am

Could it be that this is a tax dodge of some sort, or some sort of internal deal where the actual sale of an instrument is not so important, and it's only about the amount of goods offered up for auction?
This is the only logical explanation I can think of that would account for this behavior. (Unless of course people are actually biting on this junk.)
In their 454 or so completed auctions, I read 11 sales (or at least non-zero bids).
It must be that they have somebody on salary + commission to do this. It is definitely not for making money. The items that did sell look like they accidentally priced them not outrageously enough.-paul[This message was edited by Paul Arntson on 11 April 2005 at 11:18 AM.]

Loni Specter · Post by **Loni Specter** » 11 Apr 2005 10:23 am

It's just the same logic they use in the 'vintage room' of their Hollywood store. I was there on Saturday and the knowlegeable sales staff are aware of the inflated prices. It's a deliberate attempt to inflate the market and send average prices higher to insure a strong return. They don't really sell anything at those prices, er, well not to sane musicians anyway, but there are always a few 'trust fund speculator, 'never owned a guitar before' types that bite. You know, the same geeks that buy $40k Harleys, that just learned to ride yesterday. (another sore point with me) Guitar Center just looks at all this vintage stuuf as money in the bank. Just like most of us, they know it will double and more within a few years.

Ben Elder · Post by **Ben Elder** » 11 Apr 2005 1:23 pm

But then sometimes you can catch them being clueless and/or desperate (year-end). Here is an example of the former, bought in 2003 for $2500:
http://home.earthlink.net/~efgacb/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/61d28a.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~efgacb/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/61d28c.jpg

This is a one-owner (three now, including CG and BE) '61 D-28--no cracks, not even the obligatory pickguard crack, just a lot of honest playing wear. Only needed a refret. The '73 D-28 hanging next to it was tagged at $2700.

(And to whoever was asking above: the instigating object of this thread is properly called a Dual Profesisonal model, if that hasn't been so noted already.)

Dan Sawyer · Post by **Dan Sawyer** » 11 Apr 2005 9:19 pm

Paul Arnston, now i believe you are onto something here. The Hollywood GC store that Loni talks about has some very old stringed instruments hanging as wall decorations. They are hung up out of reach of any and all customers, some as high as 25-30 feet. Obviously, just for decoration. These are things like banjeaurines, harp guitars, pony banjos, etc. Not big sellers… BUT, they have price tags on them. One time i was able to see a few of these (quite dusty) price tags when they were doing some re-organizing in the store. The prices were sky high; five times what the instruments are worth. So, i'm guessing these instruments serve two purposes. They are great decorations for the store and give a vintage ambience. At the same time, Guitar Center can take huge write offs for unsold stock or some such thing.

------------------
Dan Sawyer
Rickenbacher B6, Fender Dual Professional, Fender Deluxe 8 (trap), Fender "White" 6-string w legs, Carvin steel w HiseTri-plex.

Loni Specter · Post by **Loni Specter** » 11 Apr 2005 10:36 pm

Dan, I don't know the last time you were there, but way up high on that wall are probably 2 dozen vintage lap steels. Ricks, Nationals, Cast and wooden, probably all the models we have seen on ebait plus way.
PS call me again I lost your phone so we can trade back.
Loni

Russ Young · Post by **Russ Young** » 12 Apr 2005 4:53 am

High walls with hard-to-reach guitars seem to be SOP at Guitar Center. When I've been in two of the local GCs I've almost overlooked (or underlooked?) a Weissenborn Kona and a National Model 97 because they were hanging up in the stratosphere.

I'm with Paul on this -- I keep wondering if they're using eBay as a means of documenting for tax purposes the "value" of some of their vintage stuff. Are there any accountants out there?

Alvin Blaine · Post by **Alvin Blaine** » 12 Apr 2005 8:20 pm

Someone on the TDPRI posted a "GCrep" auction where they actually took/linked the text and pictures from this guys web site to and used it on their auction, with out permission. GC on ebay is really turning into lowlifes.

TDPRI members website here.

GC rip-off auction here.

Loni Specter · Post by **Loni Specter** » 12 Apr 2005 8:49 pm

I just sent a scolding email to the seller, letting him know what jerks they are for ripping the info 'as is'. I have several friends at G.C. corporate, and perhaps I'll bring this uncool [ractice to their attention.

Loni Specter · Post by **Loni Specter** » 12 Apr 2005 10:39 pm

Here's a reply to my email on the Guitar Center auction. I halfway think he's sincere.

Dear lonster1,

You asked:
"Stealing text etc. from another person's labor is pretty poor behavior. I suggest you refrain from such poor tactics. Guitar Center
is quickly becomming the laughing stock of the internet guitar community. Write your own descriptions, and if your not qualified to
do so, try selling used cars."
His reply:
I really thought I had included a credit for this, I got a link as reference to some helpful info to this item. I will write a public apology
for this. As for the other comment, I can see what you mean. I am very emarrased.

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 12 Apr 2005 11:13 pm

He does seem sincere, and well heck, as long as he's "very emarrased"... !

Alvin Blaine · Post by **Alvin Blaine** » 13 Apr 2005 3:02 am

Good job Loni,
He even posted your email on the auction site, listed credit to Deaf Eddie's site, and apologized.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 13 Apr 2005 4:31 am

i've written these guys too in the past concerning their scam auctions
i did get a reply once but not "emmarrased"
spread the news on these guys & mostly spend yer $$$ elsewhere
they don't deserve 1 penny

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 13 Apr 2005 5:15 am

Well I feel honored. Mine is the only question the cat put on ebay. I think he may not know a Fender Dual Eight from a hole in the ground. I also noticed this AM that the auction ended yesterday with no bidders. He did have 440 hits on his meter, but still NO BIDDERS. You think my signature doesn't ring true?

phred

------------------
"From Truth, Justice is Born"--Quanah Parker-1904

Denny Turner · Post by **Denny Turner** » 13 Apr 2005 6:53 am

Better get out our WWI pilot caps, goggles, scarves and red panty hose; The plot thickens (understatement).

DT~

[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 13 April 2005 at 07:53 AM.]