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Topic: Am I being fair with this person? |
Jim Williams
From:
Meridian, Mississippi, USA - Home of Peavey!
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Posted 3 Jun 2014 10:58 am |
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As a lot of you know, I have a Blanton 4 pedal no knee lever steel for sale. I put it on Ebay and had several offers and an buyer within 24 hours.
The buyer has already made a paypal payment, but he mentioned that he was a beginner on the pedal steel, so I sent him an email explaining what he was buying and offering to refund his payment if he so desired:
A quote from the email:
I mainly want to make sure that you understand what you are buying and it's limitations before we proceed. Your satisfaction, and your future as a fellow musician and potential steel player is more important to me than the sale of the guitar, to be honest. It is a very good solid instrument, sounds great and is capable of a lot of music, but as I said before, it may not be the ideal beginner's instrument depending on the person, and your goals and style of music.
I went on to explain the reasons behind this statement. I've yet to hear back from him, but I just don't want someone (a newbie) to buy this and be discouraged or disappointed.
_________________
GFI SM10 3/4, 1937 Gibson EH-150, 2 - Rondo SX Lap Steels and a Guyatone 6 String C6. Peavey 400 and a Roland 40 Amps. Behringer Reverb Pedal. |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 3 Jun 2014 12:02 pm
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Fair sure..but you are selling an Instrument and he is buying an Instrument. I guess I understand your rational in one sense but NOT in another sense.
If you represented the Instrument to the best if your knowledge pre-sale, then I am not certain as to where you are headed with the buyer. The buyer paid, sounds like he wants the Instrument rather than being talked out of buying it which is almost what I read. Being fair and honest is always the best practice but at some point the buyer should also know why he is making a purchase.
In 6 months if he contacts you and says , "this is too hard for me, I want my money back " then what ?
My take, send him the Instrument, let him know he can contact you for whatever assistance you can provide over the internet and perhaps phone calls.
We can't control "whim" or impulse purchases but we can represent our sale with honesty and integrity.
Ok , I'll reveal a little buying secret, sometimes when buying an item Instrument, car etc...I stay silent, I do not reveal my own knowledge so that I can listen to the seller. Perhaps the seller feels I am not knowledgeable at all. It's amazing what you can learn about an item or about the seller by letting them talk. This doesn't mean you don't ask pointed questions. This actually isn't a buying secret, many times buyers play dumb quite on purpose.
that's all I got !
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website
Last edited by Tony Prior on 3 Jun 2014 12:41 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Bud Angelotti
From:
Larryville, NJ, USA
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Posted 3 Jun 2014 12:03 pm
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"Am I being fair with this person?"
As you describe it, I believe you are Jim.
Cheers!
_________________
Just 'cause I look stupid, don't mean I'm not. |
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Jim Williams
From:
Meridian, Mississippi, USA - Home of Peavey!
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Posted 3 Jun 2014 12:11 pm
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Yeah, I guess I'm just trying to avoid that "You didn't tell me that this was..." type of thing. To be sure, it is the buyer's responsibility to do their research and know what they are buying, but having jumped on what I thought were great deals before, I just don't want to sell someone something that is not what they need.
_________________
GFI SM10 3/4, 1937 Gibson EH-150, 2 - Rondo SX Lap Steels and a Guyatone 6 String C6. Peavey 400 and a Roland 40 Amps. Behringer Reverb Pedal. |
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Kevin Raymer
From:
Chalybeate, Kentucky, USA
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Posted 3 Jun 2014 12:17 pm
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As an ebay member ( buyer and seller ) with well over a 1000 feedback rating I think you're doing the exact right thing.
It's what I would do..
Making sure the buyer fully understands before you get shipping tied up in the mess is especially of big items like pedal steel guitars is always a good idea.
Even if you think you adequately described it in the auction, it's always good to communicate any possible issues before you ship.
It's much easier to correct any misconceptions before you ship the item than it is to deal with a disappointed buyer after the fact.
Even if it's the buyer's fault they are disappointed the seller is the only one who can receive negative feedback. So extra care and communications is self preservation as well as excellent customer service.
At lease IMHO...
Kevin |
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Geoff Cline
From:
Southwest France
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Posted 3 Jun 2014 12:53 pm
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| More than fair. The buyer is getting a great deal. There is A LOT of music to be made with that guitar. |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 3 Jun 2014 12:57 pm
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In a gross mis-quotation of something I once heard, don't pity the man who bought the Brooklyn Bridge. Pity the man who sold it to him.
I took your original post to be not as much about due diligence, worrying about repercussions of an unhappy buyer and more about honest concern about an unhappy steel guitar beginner. If it's the first, you've been smart. If it's the latter, you've done good. Real good. |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 3 Jun 2014 1:33 pm
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Yes, you're being fair - more than fair. If there's the slightest doubt, I think it's better to ask the hard questions before you ship the guitar to an inexperienced and potentially unsuspecting or unhappy buyer - for the sake of both of you.
Oh, the acrimony that could be saved if everyone on both sides of transactions like this could/would just take that extra step to make sure there is a true meeting of the minds before shipping heavy and sensitive musical instruments around the the country or around the world. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 3 Jun 2014 1:52 pm
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| Geoff Cline wrote: |
| More than fair. The buyer is getting a great deal. There is A LOT of music to be made with that guitar. |
You can say that again! The trick is to find a teacher who can play without knee levers.  I play a Fender 400 myself, from time to time, so I know that while levers are nice, they're certainly not necessary to play most music. I think the players who tell newbies that they need at least 4 or 5 levers on E9th are doing a terrible disservice to many of them. It's about making good music and having fun, and not about having every scale tone available on one fret because you don't like to have to move the bar.  |
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Tom Wolverton
From:
Carpinteria, CA
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Posted 3 Jun 2014 3:23 pm
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My first real pedal steel was a Blanton just like this one. Four pedals and no knees. I could only do so much with it. But I loved it. Especially the way the tuning was on the bellcranks. Super. Eventually I sold it and bought a dobro. The guy I sold it to put knee levers on it and is still playing it. Blantons are great steels.
_________________
To write with a broken pencil is pointless. |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Spicewood TX 78669
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Posted 3 Jun 2014 6:28 pm
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| Donny Hinson wrote: |
| Geoff Cline wrote: |
| More than fair. The buyer is getting a great deal. There is A LOT of music to be made with that guitar. |
You can say that again! The trick is to find a teacher who can play without knee levers. I play a Fender 400 myself, from time to time, so I know that while levers are nice, they're certainly not necessary to play most music. I think the players who tell newbies that they need at least 4 or 5 levers on E9th are doing a terrible disservice to many of them. It's about making good music and having fun, and not about having every scale tone available on one fret because you don't like to have to move the bar. |
I agree completely. Very many of the greatest steel solos were recorded without any knee levers whatsoever. No one needs 5 knee levers to play "Together Again" or "A Way To Survive."
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
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James Holland
From:
Alabama, USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2014 6:11 am
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| Just curious: couldnt you add knee levers, or does that cost substantially more than the end value? If its $100 per lever, upgrading might be a good way to go for a beginner? |
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James Holland
From:
Alabama, USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2014 6:19 am
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| Just curious: couldnt you add knee levers, or does that cost substantially more than the end value? If its $100 per lever, upgrading might be a good way to go for a beginner? |
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Jim Williams
From:
Meridian, Mississippi, USA - Home of Peavey!
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Posted 4 Jun 2014 6:39 am
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Yes, it is very possible to add levers, but fairly costly. A forum member here offered a kit to add a lever for $175 / lever. Considering how well built the guitar is it probably wouldn't be a bad investment to add a few. If you added three, the buyer would have about $1050 in the guitar, and this is a very solidly built good sounding guitar. Wouldn't be a bad investment if it were an instrument you really liked and intended on keeping I don't think.
_________________
GFI SM10 3/4, 1937 Gibson EH-150, 2 - Rondo SX Lap Steels and a Guyatone 6 String C6. Peavey 400 and a Roland 40 Amps. Behringer Reverb Pedal. |
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Jim Williams
From:
Meridian, Mississippi, USA - Home of Peavey!
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Posted 4 Jun 2014 6:41 am The deal is done.
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And by the way, the deal is done and both I and the buyer are happy with our decisions. He did his due diligence (much here on the forum...he even found this thread  and decided to proceed. I'm sure he will be joining our community here and posting soon. He was very impressed with the forum I gather.
_________________
GFI SM10 3/4, 1937 Gibson EH-150, 2 - Rondo SX Lap Steels and a Guyatone 6 String C6. Peavey 400 and a Roland 40 Amps. Behringer Reverb Pedal. |
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Tom Wolverton
From:
Carpinteria, CA
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Posted 4 Jun 2014 7:19 am
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On mine, the 4th pedal lowered the E's.
_________________
To write with a broken pencil is pointless. |
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Larry Bressington
From:
Nebraska
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Posted 4 Jun 2014 7:34 am
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Very fair and honest up front, nothing more needs to be said.
_________________
A.K.A Chappy. |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2014 8:21 am
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| Technically, the item received by the buyer just has to match the seller's description - no more. The seller is not responsible for the buyer's ability (or lack of) to utilize what he has purchased. You have gone above and beyond. More than fair and very commendable. |
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Jim Williams
From:
Meridian, Mississippi, USA - Home of Peavey!
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Posted 4 Jun 2014 8:51 am
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Thanks for that info on the original setup of pedal 4 Tom, that is what I am setting this one to on pedal 4.
_________________
GFI SM10 3/4, 1937 Gibson EH-150, 2 - Rondo SX Lap Steels and a Guyatone 6 String C6. Peavey 400 and a Roland 40 Amps. Behringer Reverb Pedal. |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2014 9:01 am
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Well, I think it's good that he invested the time to see what's what and that you checked to see that he was doing just that - and I can see how, without either one of you being dishonest, crafty, or intentionally misleading whatsoever, something like this could go weird. The term "E9th pedal steel" can't help but have certain implications, and they are different in 2014 than in 1964. Everyone's square, so it worked. There is actually a bit of groundswell with all the six-string steel guitars popping up, maybe they're one-trick ponies but if that's the trick you like...
Who's making the knee lever kits? Are they like, intentionally universal-enough for the tinkerer? |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 4 Jun 2014 2:36 pm
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| James Holland wrote: |
| Just curious: couldnt you add knee levers, or does that cost substantially more than the end value? If its $100 per lever, upgrading might be a good way to go for a beginner? |
Agreed, you can do that, but it doubles your investment. In addition (and contrary to popular belief) it also doesn't make the guitar any easier to play. So many get discouraged trying to learn that I feel it's good to have something very basic to start with. After all, this is how all the "greats" learned to play - with their instruments evolving as they themselves were evolving as players!
When most people learn to drive, they learn on something simple and basic. Then later on, and when they find out what's really necessary to get them where they want to go, they can move up to the twin turbos, and 8-speed transmissions.  |
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Damir Besic
From:
Nashville,TN.
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Posted 4 Jun 2014 4:41 pm
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Jim, I think that was a very bad thing to do, to feel better, you should sell it to me  ... lol ... no seriously, if I had some extra cash, it would have been in my bedroom... that was a great deal for a wonderful guitar... and I am serious, if your buyer decides he wants to sell it, give him my phone number...
Db
_________________
www.steelguitarsonline.com |
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Jim Williams
From:
Meridian, Mississippi, USA - Home of Peavey!
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Posted 4 Jun 2014 7:48 pm
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I would have to check my PM's to see who it was that offered the kit. He has a machine shop and said he could provide anything in the guitar. There would have to be a bit of drilling done to install the levers though, as the guitar is no pre-drilled as something like a BMI is.
_________________
GFI SM10 3/4, 1937 Gibson EH-150, 2 - Rondo SX Lap Steels and a Guyatone 6 String C6. Peavey 400 and a Roland 40 Amps. Behringer Reverb Pedal. |
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Chris Brooks
From:
Providence, Rhode Island
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Posted 5 Jun 2014 9:14 am
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| Could you send it back to Jerry Blanton in San Antonio, for knee levers? |
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Jim Williams
From:
Meridian, Mississippi, USA - Home of Peavey!
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Posted 5 Jun 2014 11:28 am
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I don't know how active Jerry is at this point and if he would modify an older guitar. Jim Flynn was the person who had said he could make the knee lever kits.
_________________
GFI SM10 3/4, 1937 Gibson EH-150, 2 - Rondo SX Lap Steels and a Guyatone 6 String C6. Peavey 400 and a Roland 40 Amps. Behringer Reverb Pedal. |
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