Top tips when returning a Music Man instrument you bought online

[PeteDuBaldo]

This footage is a few months old, but real - an instrument was shipped back to us with no packaging, a label simply stuck to the case, and some packing tape holding the case closed. Fortunately no instruments were harmed in the making of this video. Maybe the box was damaged in transit and the case slid out - who knows?

 

[beej]

Omg.

 

[Astrofreq]

I bought a little mini guitar once and it was in the cheapest possible gig bag (no foam) with the FedEx cable zip tied around the nylon handle. I couldn't believe it.

 

[Johnny Alien]

I have heard many people tell tales of getting guitars shipped in their case or gigbag with no box. Just a label on the case. In every tale the guitar arrives with no issues. Interestingly a UPS driver on one of the forums said that they are more likely to treat it with care when its shipped like that.

 

[Sweat]

Oh HELL NO!! Can people really be that stupid! Unbelievable

Your not shipping my new guitar that way, are you Pete

 

[Astrofreq]

Pete doesn't even use a case. Just the UPS label right on the back of the guitar. lol. . Just kidding.

 

[jayjayjay]

I bought a little mini guitar once and it was in the cheapest possible gig bag (no foam) with the FedEx cable zip tied around the nylon handle. I couldn't believe it.

So.... what was its condition?

 

[Astrofreq]

It arrived in GREAT shape. I couldn't believe it.

 

[tbonesullivan]

JEEZZZ. It's a good thing that Music Man cases are so good.

My other main instrument is Trombone, and years ago I bought a horn off ebay. Got a great deal, and they shipped it parcel post mail. Took a bit to get here.

When it arrived, it was just like that: the case, wrapped with a bit of tape, and a label. That was it.

Thankfully, 90s Yamaha trombone cases are bulletproof. There was not a single issue, but still, I was aghast.

 

[DrKev]

I spent a year in a music store as the warehouse guitar tech. I shipped 4000 instruments and handled returns. Like Pete, I have seen some things that will make your stomach turn. Ya know those thin triangle boxes that cheaper guitars come in with no gig bag or case? The box was more hole than box when it arrived. The guitar arrived with a broken neck and cracked body. Customer returned the guitar without contacting us first for a return number or instruction (we would have provided a UPS shipping label!). Hand-written note in the box, written in colored pencil, saying without further explanation "the guitar doesn't work and I want a refund". Cost them 600€ because they used cheapest mail, uninsured. And they got mad at us for it and threatened legal action! People are idiots.

 

[jayjayjay]

It arrived in GREAT shape. I couldn't believe it.

Wow.

A credit to the FedEx line workers for not abusing it. I'm sure they loved that, though.