MartyGrass Posted June 13, 2012 Posted June 13, 2012 Here's the back story, if you hadn't read it. http://www.heritageownersclub.com/forums/topic/18102-another-shipping-horror-story-ngd/ This guitar arrived damaged. None of the photos I had pre-shipment were of the areas of finish damaged, which is highly suspicious. The seller said it was "immaculate" when I bought it. He wanted $100 to ship it. My FedEx account would do the same for $34. He agreed to use my account for the shipping. There was significant finish damage and a chip in the binding. The pickup screw came out on one side (no biggie of course). A dispute followed since he said all of this is my problem. PayPal sympathized with me in the end but he prevailed because THERE IS NO BUYER PROTECTION PLAN UNLESS THE SHIPPING OCCURS THROUGH PAYPAL! This makes no sense, but that's there policy. In fact the PayPal rep, who really is a nice guy, said at least the guitar didn't arrive in pieces and is still useable. Even if it did make it to me in splinters, there is no buyer's protection. PayPal collects about 3% of the shipping costs when you pay for shipping via PayPal. If it's free shipping on an eBay item, they figure shipping is already included in the price. Anyway, keep this in mind when you arrange your shipping for any eBay purchases. Also, there is no buyer protection will local pickups. So Heritage will make the guitar as good as new, stem to stern, for $200. Jack has taken a special interest. In fact, Ren and Billie remember the guitar from 12 years ago since it is the first production Heritage Eagle 2000. So the outcome isn't as bad as it could have been. It is a sweet guitar that will need some TLC from the masters. Then all is well with it. My bank account is another story.
Guest HRB853370 Posted June 13, 2012 Posted June 13, 2012 Thats pretty odd Mark. When I got scammed on my first Taylor, the seller (scammer) would not let me pay through ebay checkout. He claimed "account problems". So he send me a funds request by PP and I paid. Ebay would not honor the buyer protection because I circumvented their checkout. PP however, honored their protection and refunded my money promptly! I swear its like two related systems that don't communicate together. Glad its "only" $200. Sounds like somebody cut you a good deal.
skydog52 Posted June 13, 2012 Posted June 13, 2012 All the fees you pay for all these transactions and no customer service! Unbelievable. I'm glad you'll end up with what you originally wanted. It's a real looker!
pegleg32 Posted June 13, 2012 Posted June 13, 2012 Glad that is turning out well for you Mark. Should be a good instrument when the master's get through with it.
Gitfiddler Posted June 13, 2012 Posted June 13, 2012 Glad this got worked out and not too costly for you. The best part of it is that it is being restored by the original builders!! That adds even more mojo to an already special instrument. Hey, see if you can get photos of the boys holding it after repairs are completed...OK and get you in the picture too.
FredZepp Posted June 13, 2012 Posted June 13, 2012 Hmmmm.... I'm not sure what to think of that result. I agree that it's rather convenient that the pics sent before shipping don't show the damaged areas. It would seem that you received a product that is not as advertised , regardless of where that happened. In the end though ... it's not a great loss and you'll have it fixed in no time. Enjoy that beauty.. It's worth keeping.
MartyGrass Posted June 13, 2012 Author Posted June 13, 2012 Well, I left the guy negative feedback at least. It's hard to tell a story in 80 characters.
tulk1 Posted June 13, 2012 Posted June 13, 2012 Well, if you're happy, thats what counts. But this leaves a bad taste for me. Never have really ever like either PP or eVilBay. But you bought THRU Ebay, used PayPal and still get screwed. Just because you used your own shipping account, which I do all the time. Leaves me with words I won't put in print. Good that the boys are fixing it for you.
Spectrum13 Posted June 13, 2012 Posted June 13, 2012 Wonder if PP would have paid if the shipping WAS paid through PP. The damage could have been prior to shipping, the Millie was not properly boxed and secured. Even if there was buyer protection they MIGHT have come up with another escape clause.
TalismanRich Posted June 14, 2012 Posted June 14, 2012 Its hard to believe that Paypal threw that little gem in on you. It makes using ebay/paypal much more of a crapshoot. At the end of it all, you'll end up with a great instrument in primo condition, for a bit more than you anticipated. I"m looking forward to seeing the end results at PSP.
PunkKitty Posted June 14, 2012 Posted June 14, 2012 It's good that it's getting worked out. Still, PP or ebay should provide some protection. $200 to get the repairs done isn't a bad deal. Maybe I should take my Prospect in to see how much it would cost to restore the finish.
MartyGrass Posted June 14, 2012 Author Posted June 14, 2012 I believe that I got generous treatment at Heritage. It may be that they are proud of the guitar, it being their first production guitar of that model. It may be that they felt sorry for me due to my hard luck story. And it might be that I mentioned Brent and HOC to Jack. The only thing I'm sure of is that it wasn't my good looks.
bolero Posted June 14, 2012 Posted June 14, 2012 yeah you look a little rusty in that pic glad the gtr will be repaired by the guys in Kalamazoo
Blunote Posted June 14, 2012 Posted June 14, 2012 I'd say you got lucky. It could have arrived with a cracked neck or head stock that would have left you on the hook for a whole lot more. Thanks for posting. I'll take a lesson from your experience. It's turning out there is less and less reason to purchase through ebay these days.
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