The "no return" policy always scares me off. What if I don't like the sound of it?
The "no return" policy always scares me off. What if I don't like the sound of it?
As a seller, it would be tough for me to accept "I don't like how it sounds" as the sole reason for a return. I think it's impossible to ascertain in 24-48 hours whether an instrument "sounds good", assuming there are no structural issues. It can take awhile for your ears to adjust to a new instrument, for the instrument to acclimate, for new strings to play in, etc. IMO, a seller has satisfied his/her end of the bargain if they've supplied the instrument in as-advertised physical condition. If the buyer doesn't like the sound, that's on the buyer.
Think of the inventory cost in a high end shop. Want to stock Collings? Well you’d need six or seven just to cover the bases, for someone would surely walk in wanting an MT 2 or an F5 deluxe. That alone would be $25k . I’m guilty of thinking stores only having three Weber’s, or one or two Pavas were not providing a decent selection. But carrying inventory adds up fast, and mandolins do not fly off the racks. I’ve noticed how many Northfield F5S are sold compared to the double the cost MF gloss.
Those few who can afford four already have them.
Silverangel A
Arches F style kit
1913 Gibson A-1
In this case, the seller is a longtime eBay seller with perfect feedback specializing mostly in mandolins. I would say he knows what he is doing. As an eBay seller myself, the "no return" policy was recently forced upon sellers by eBay wanting smoother returns with international sales, which required more expensive return costs, considering shipping both ways and who pays customs fees, etc. -- like I say, mostly forced upon sellers by eBay because it is just easier to state that policy upfront. NOW, for years and years BEFORE eBay, most vintage guitar dealers had a 48 hours approval which meant once you got it in your home you had 48 hours to decide if you liked the instrument. Many of the old school sellers will still honor such a request, but I would make sure in advance with emails, phone calls, etc.
OTOH, every eBay sale is guaranteed to be as described or your money back, which opens the door for buyers to return things for petty reasons like "seller said there was finish checking but I didn't expect this much finish checking", etc.....basically, eBay will always side with the buyer, but if a seller states no returns upfront, I would be respectful of that, in other words, if you don't like the sound of it don't say it has too much checking, as a reason to force a return -- which is basically lying, IMHO.
Last edited by Jeff Mando; Dec-29-2019 at 4:03pm.
Well it looks like one sold, guessing the bidder was reading this thread.
THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!
re: returns for not liking sound: I respectfully disagree. There is often side variation in the same model. I bought a new mando from a major shop, from a boutique maker, that did not at all live up to the reputation. Little volume, and thin tone. I returned it and bought a new Collings, for less money. My conscience is clear and the mando sounds great.
I'm scared off by purchases with no return policy. I've bought a couple that way. So now my grandson has a Gibson Alrite he enjoys. :-)
Thanks again for your input. The Silver Angel intrigues me, I like the tones I hear on videos from YouTube. I think I am going to try to hold out for a used "Country Boy" and keep saving my $$'s. I have a few other instruments I play and have been focusing my practice time on those, so mandolin, serious as I am about learning to play, may come a bit down the road, once I have actually had some time to budget and save for a $1000 range Country Boy.
1924 Gibson A Snakehead
2005 National RM-1
2007 Hester A5
2009 Passernig A5
2015 Black A2-z
2010 Black GBOM
2017 Poe Scout
2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
2018 Vessel TM5
2019 Hogan F5
1924 Gibson A Snakehead
2005 National RM-1
2007 Hester A5
2009 Passernig A5
2015 Black A2-z
2010 Black GBOM
2017 Poe Scout
2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
2018 Vessel TM5
2019 Hogan F5
Yes, he said he could do $1350, but that is just the right price, not a deal. He will do free shipping, but not much beyond that, so not sure if it is worth it, though others have said he is fine to deal with. I am guessing these don't discount much new, given there are so few of them, but IDK?
I bought a custom ordered Ratliff "Country Boy" #1182 about a year ago off of Reverb. It was brand new but the buyer decided to stick to guitar. I can say with out a doubt I don't think I will ever sell it. Its amazing! Not flashy but with a radius fret board and a lacquer top has enough panache to take anywhere. I have had several Gibson's over the years and it has just as much punch and chop as they do. I have talked to Audey several times and he said that this one came from Mandolin World HQ as a special order. Audey Ratliff mandolins are the best value for small shop builders out there. I would put mine up against anybody as far as sound and build. Its not flashy, but it wasn't built to be.
PS. Here is a great article I found not to long ago on Audey Raltiff.
http://www.themandolinplayer.net/audey-ratliff
2018 Ratliff R5 "Country Boy"
Mid-MO Model OO
2002 Gibson F9 with radius fretboard.
Not all the clams are at the beach
Arrow Manouche
Arrow Jazzbo
Arrow G
Clark 2 point
Gibson F5L
Gibson A-4
Ratliff CountryBoy A
2018 Ratliff R5 "Country Boy"
Mid-MO Model OO
2002 Gibson F9 with radius fretboard.
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