eBay uses a grading system to enforce transparent transactions and weed out sketchy players. Sellers and buyers have their number of transactions tracked and their feedback is available for viewing. The higher the number of transactions with positive feedback the more confidence one can have. Parties thus have an incentive to promptly resolve any concerns that do come up in order to maintain positive feedback on all their transactions. In extreme circumstances, eBay itself can and does intervene to level the playing field when a party is trying to unfairly game the system.
That said, there are some tips to keep in mind when buying and selling guitars on eBay. There is no better predictor for a smooth transaction than previous experience at buying or selling guitars online. Check whether the buyer or seller has consistently positive feedback specifically on guitars or other similar musical instruments (unfortunately, eBay only lists the item bought or sold for transactions within the last 90 days). Check for the seller's return policy. In the event you need to return an item you will usually be responsible for return shipping and may even be assessed a re-stocking fee. Don't forget to factor in shipping costs when bidding on a guitar.
Should you be the lucky winning bidder on a beautiful guitar at an attractive price that then arrives and is not as advertised, eBay provides a platform to try to resolve the issue directly with the seller. Short of returning the guitar, which some sellers do not provide for, one can request a partial refund based on material omissions or misrepresentations in the description of the item. If you have a legitimate complaint, most sellers will negotiate a partial refund that is acceptable to both parties in order to avoid negative feedback. It is important to hold off on your feedback until the transaction is entirely complete to your satisfaction, as that is your only real leverage short of elevating the dispute to eBay management.
Last week I received a 1983 Guild F-45CE purchased on eBay. I know this model well having successfully bought, restored, and sold a
1984 version earlier this year. There were few bidders so I could not resist bidding even though the seller had very little history on eBay and none for musical instruments, and accepted no returns. There was only one picture (sellers have to kick in a little extra to add multiple pictures to listings) and the description was unenlightening as to the guitar's condition. The seller had answered some relevant buyer questions that were posted, however, including an assurance that the guitar had "no dents or scratches" and no issues, and that the guitar case was beat up, but functional. My winning bid was well below Blue Book value.
When the guitar arrived, the packaging itself did not inspire confidence. The seller had taken some recycled cardboard sheets and taped them together over the guitar case. Not only was there no extra padding provided, but the tape at the bout of the guitar case had split open so that the base of the guitar case was completely unprotected from the vicissitudes of shipping. Note that if you have a guitar to ship, all you have to do is go to your local guitar/music store and pick up a discarded guitar shipping box by either asking or going around back and dumpster diving. Bubble wrap, packing paper, or the like, should be used both inside the guitar case and around the case to stabilize the guitar. Extra care should be taken if the guitar is being shipped without a case. It is also best to loosen the string tension befor shipping.
The guitar itself arrived intact, thanks to the US Postal Service and a hardy case. On inspecting it though, I found several obvious dents and scratches on the guitar despite the seller's assurances to the contrary. Even more significant, the bridge was visibly lifting off the body and showed evidence of an unsuccessful re-glue. Vintage instruments lose value when they are cosmetically damaged, and even more value when they have to be restored. This was no longer a good deal.
I contacted the seller with pictures and after several days of exchanging emails we settled on a partial refund that should cover the cost of having the bridge professionally removed and re-affixed, and account for the cosmetic issues. Once agreed upon, a refund is easily processed through Paypal without having to disclose any financial information, as eBay has made linking to Paypal accounts part of its platform. I should still be able to find a good home for this cool vintage guitar and come out ahead. Live and learn.
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