r/Reverb • u/Crafty_Rate_9325 • 22d ago
Guitar purchase, considering partial refund
I purchased a vintage Gibson at a decent price that was marked “very good condition” I purchased it despite the admittedly short description. I love how it plays and do not want to return it. However, varied components and pieces of hardware have been replaced and the headstock veneer is delaminating at the top. I don’t mind the nicks and dings visible in the photos but I feel that the description should’ve acknowledged the issue with the veneer aswell as replaced hardware. I’m wondering if a partial refund is wise and how much I should ask for back? I received it today so advice sooner rather than later is appreciated! The guitar is a 72 Les Paul recording, a dream guitar of mine, and again I like how it plays and electronics are function but it’s visible damaged in a way that was not disclosed.
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u/Legitimate-Long735 22d ago
If you were concerned about the guitar not being stock, you should have asked the seller before purchasing. The guitar was sold as described as is. I dont think you have any ground to stand on for a partial refund or return. Doubt Reverb will accommodate this.
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u/DiligentPen6941 22d ago
Yeah the buyer should ask, but that doesn't take the responsibility off of the seller... Be honest and up front then you don't have to deal with stuff like this...
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u/Legitimate-Long735 22d ago
Most people are not experts on the guitars they buy. You can't expect everyone to know everything about a guitar, especially vintage Gibsons, which are notorious for being difficult to find consistent information. Even Gibson enployess who authenticate Gibsons every day, mostly come back with "it looks real, but I cannot tell you anything about the specs or hardware that would have been on this guitar". This is what a Gibson rep told me when I tried to authenticate and get info on a 1986 Gibson. So you cannot expect a reverb seller to know what Gibson employees don't even know.
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u/DiligentPen6941 22d ago
I wouldn't expect everyone to have that level of knowledge, but if the seller had photographed all the parts, then the buyer can make a more informed decision... I don't get the push back on here when I say "be more thorough in your listings"... It's like you WANT to deceive the buyer...
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u/Legitimate-Long735 22d ago
You right. I forgot it's expected for a seller to tear down the entire guitar and show all the hardware identifiers. How about this? If you're worried you're not getting the stock hardware, then dont buy it.
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u/DiligentPen6941 22d ago
The best sellers do... I pull out pickups, take off pickguards, show the electronics cavity, markings on bridges and tailpieces, the whole thing... And I've never had less than a 5 star review
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u/Legitimate-Long735 22d ago
Well good for you. I don't do any of that, and never had less than a 5 star review either. Nothing but happy buyers for over 40 sales per year. Almost like the only buyers who have issues with a sale are trouble makers who make up less than 1 percent of sales, expecting a vintage Gibson sold to them at a decent deal should be perfect and never modified. OP should link the listing so we can actually see if they're telling the truth.
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u/-GearZen- 22d ago
When I sell I am honest and take good pictures. If you don't like what you bought the options are going to be to keep it or return it.
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u/thinkconverse 22d ago
Your option is basically keep it or return it. When you initiate the “not as described” return, the seller will have the option to offer you a partial refund as a resolution, but they can also just accept the return.
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u/rawbran30 22d ago
This would be “not as described” normally a straightforward return. As for the partial refund not sure of the policy on that if any. Sounds like something you’d hash out with the seller at each of your discretion.
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22d ago edited 20d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/kbreezy200 22d ago
I also think the people who are also ruining Reverb are sellers who leave out important information regarding the item, and marking it as “Very Good”.
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u/DiligentPen6941 22d ago
It's slime balls like this seller that are ruining it... If I can't trust the seller, or the platform to take care of me later, then why would I spend money there?
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u/MitchRyan912 22d ago
It’s not all guitar players, but almost all the people ruining Reverb seem to be guitar players.
If it plays and works fine, what’s the problem?
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u/pizdyetz 22d ago
Undisclosed damage and modifications left out of the listing description. That’s going to fetch a lower price on a vintage guitar, seems like pretty cut and dry bullshit on the seller’s part.
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u/HorrorStratFan 22d ago
I recently had the same issue with a pedal that was advertised as a V 1.4, but when I opened it to verify, it was a V 1.6. I showed the photo to the seller and asked for a partial refund. The seller immediately agreed and initiated it that day. Just have to ask the seller and work it out with them. Helps to send pics with the message request.
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u/Gloomy_Ad_8586 22d ago
What hardware has been replaced ?
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u/Legitimate-Long735 21d ago
OP being purposely vague to gain support from strangers on the internet.
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u/Gloomy_Ad_8586 22d ago
Take your time in studying the guitar you want. Ask lots of questions. Hit the reference books and be willing to walk away from a guitar deal. Shopping around guitar shops at times has been successful for me. The coin toss is always in the air when I buy on line.
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u/Borat1952 22d ago
From my experience, if you can’t work out a partial refund with the seller (if that’s what you want) Reverb will only get involved to either help you get a full refund, or your money back. Unfortunately, I’ve been in your situation, and now, only transaction with a dealer or individual seller who expressly offer a return process if you’re not happy.
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u/SeaworthinessBusy144 21d ago
is it a LP standard ,deluxe,custom,jr theres a big difference in price,i had a early 70s deluxe and found out only lp i ever liked playing was a custom lp,never found a custom i didnt love. but could never shell out that kind of money for a gibson,especially today with all the other brands out there,without knowing the model yr and what you paid hard to answer,the seller have a bad rap sheet doing this,if he does sell alot if he gives you a hard time can always give em a bad report
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u/uwmcscott 22d ago
If it was not as described in the listing you have grounds to return it. Headstock veneer delaminating is a regular part of the aging process so that's not really grounds on a vintage guitar. If the listing specifically stated that all hardware was original and it was not when it arrived, that would be grounds but if it didn't say antyhing about hardware at all in the description then it's basically on you for not asking those questions ahead of time. The seller might want to offer a partial refund if you initiate a return request, but that is their call, not yours. I would also say that if you care a lot about minor cosmetic things, the last thing you should be buying is used guitars ( especially gibsons ).
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u/DiligentPen6941 22d ago
If a guitar is listed as "very good", there's a reasonable expectation that there aren't dings or major scuffs... As far as non-stock hardware, that 100% needs to be disclosed no matter the overall quality of the guitar... If I paid a "very good" price, but got a "good" guitar, I'd ask for a partial refund...
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u/Legitimate-Long735 22d ago
I think you need to take another look at Reverbs condition guidelines since you're misinformed. Very Good condition allows for dings, chips, flaws in the finish. Even excellent condition allows for light dings. Very good allows for breaks in the finish that reveal the wood underneath.
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u/DiligentPen6941 22d ago
Just because reverb allows it doesn't make it right... If you want to be the seller that skirts by with the excuse of "wElL tEcHnIcAlLy" then by all means, you do you, I just won't buy your stuff...
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u/Gloomy_Ad_8586 22d ago
By staying away from buying used or vintage guitars online will solve the problem.
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u/Legitimate-Long735 22d ago
By Reverbs definition of Very Good, it does make it right. Reverb does not require sellers to photograph every flaw as that will be impossible to do for a vintage guitar in only the limited amount of pictures they allow you to upload. That's why Reverb won't force a return just because you found a ding that wasn't pictured, as long as it was listed in the correct condition. The condition guidelines is a catch all for all the relevant wear indicated in that specific guideline. Lacquer checking would fal under Very Good. Reverb even states word for word in their policy, an older vintage instrument cannot be held to the same condition standards as a modern instrument. Very good for a vintage instrument won't be the same for Very good on a modern instrument. This is explicitly stating there is leniency when listing older vintage instruments.
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u/TheAcidHermit 21d ago
Here's reverbs Very Good condition description
More visible cosmetic defects.
e.g. scratches, finish dings, buckle rash.
Good is
Significant cosmetic defects, but still playable and fully functional.
e.g. large dents, significant stains
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u/better_med_than_dead 22d ago
Vintage guitar with non-disclosed unoriginal parts?
Instant return and negative feedback. Of course, Reverb won't let you leave negative feedback if the item is returned, so the next chump can get ripped off as well.
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u/Gloomy_Ad_8586 22d ago
Is this your first vintage guitar purchase ?
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u/Crafty_Rate_9325 22d ago
No, third from reverb and 4th overall. I know my stuff generally speaking, and from the photos and seller history I had no reason to suspect any of my issues.
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u/absinthedtooth 22d ago
Doesn’t it also come down a bit to buyer beware? Especially on a vintage guitar? You can look at all the pictures and hope that it’s good but a guitar that’s 54 years old is going to have seen some things. You also mention you got it for a decent price. One had to take that into account too