Buying used guitars online??

[Supersonic]

I've seen a few nice "used" Epiphones that I dig on the Musician's Friend site and I was wondering if anyone on here has ever bought something used from them? They have 5 conditions of used stuff with 1 being the best and 5 basically being a guitar that's in so bad of shape that it's only good for parts. I'm pretty sure that the stuff in conditions 1,2, and 3 are still covered by their 90 day return policy so it seems like it would be safer than buying something from a random person on eBay. Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone had ever bought a used guitar from there and if so, how was the condition?

[Gunner]

I bought an IBJL Casino that was rated a 2 for surface blemishes on the back. Frankly I couldn't find anything other than some very slight swirling that would have been there after I played it for 10 minutes anyway. I ultimately sent it back because there was a low spot on the fretboard but that was a different issue. I think they rate them pretty conservatively.

[Whitmore Willy]

Supersonic,

 

I do buy many things online. Sometimes they turn out good, sometimes not.

Have no real advice except to ask: What is their return policy?

I would be price conscious with MF or anyone else for that matter.

At least they are in the music business. That is more than I can say for Flea Bay.

 

To me buying anything online is:

 

 

Do your homework and ask yourself,

Do ya feel lucky? Well...Do ya?

 

Not to mention: Can I send it back? (at who's expense and how much?)

 

Willy

[brianh]

Willy said it already, but it's a crapshoot.

 

My IBJL Casino was a #1 from musician's friend, and it had a very minor under-finish wood inconsistency, but overall it's a great guitar and was worth the discount, so I let the return period go by, no regrets.

 

And you're right, 1, 2 and 3 have full return privledges, here is the actual legalese:

 

Used Products are rated and sorted by Condition.

Used products with Conditions 1-3 can be returned in accordance with our standard return policy.

Used items with Conditions 4 and 5 are sold AS-IS and are NON-RETURNABLE.

Our Lowest Price Guarantee DOES NOT apply to any used gear we sell.

[Supersonic]

Thanks guys. I'm leaning towards taking a chance on a "Condition 2" Epi I saw. I mean if I can send it back, why not take a risk and hope for the best.

 

(The guitar is a Hummingbird actually so that really doesn't belong in the electrics section, but I figured the topic would be relevant to electrics as well.)

[jcwillow777]

I bought a "USED" Dot from MF. It was stamped USED and I got a great deal on it ($250). It has a couple of minor finish flaws on the side of the neck, but nothing major. They definitely can't be seen when I'm playing it and they don't effect the playability of the guitar at all. I realize the USED stamp will effect the resale value of the guitar, but it ain't a Gibson, it plays great, and I didn't buy it to sell. I think MF has a 45 day return policy, you will just have to pay to ship it back. Here is my MF B-Stock. It can with the full Warrantee, which isn't any good now since I've done so many mods to it. About the only thing original is the body and neck.

 

 

 

I have another B-Stock, but it's not an Epi. I bought a Douglas bass from Rondo Music and the scratches on it were very minor. B-Stocks can be a hit or miss thing. Either you get a good one or not. I've gotten 2 good ones.

[Supersonic]

I bought a "USED" Dot from MF. It was stamped USED and I got a great deal on it ($250). It has a couple of minor finish flaws on the side of the neck, but nothing major. They definitely can't be seen when I'm playing it and they don't effect the playability of the guitar at all. I realize the USED stamp will effect the resale value of the guitar, but it ain't a Gibson, it plays great, and I did buy it to sell. I think MF has a 45 day return policy, you will just have to pay to ship it back. Here is my MF B-Stock. It can with the full Warrantee, which isn't any good now since I've done so many mods to it. About the only thing original is the body and neck.

 

 

 

I have another B-Stock, but it's not an Epi. I bought a Douglas bass from Rondo Music and the scratches on it were very minor. B-Stocks can be a hit or miss thing. Either you get a good one or not. I've gotten 2 good ones.

 

 

Very nice guitar!!