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Topic: Sending shipping instructions to a pawnshop? |
David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 25 Jun 2014 9:32 am |
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I'm sticking this in music because pedal or non, the issue's the same. I just won this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Electar-Lap-Steel-Guitar-with-Sliders-and-Case-Working-Properly-Electric-/121368093941?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=uctioXXqoPKN7EE8A6rbkNN6CJQ%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
It was actually the "sliders" that first caught my attention.
I was close to making a offer for just the bars, but I looked at the listing a bit more and realized it was one of these:
https://reverb.com/item/80434-epiphone-electra-lap-steel-1940-black?gclid=CNS4_L_bk78CFeFFMgodagwA_Q
The knobs are changed, the Epiphone "bikini" emblem off the headstock's gone... he was charging $20 for economy shipping, so I sent them this Ebay PM:
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Hi! I just won this, and paid. Regarding the shipping - it looks like this guy was a tinkerer of sorts, and he made his own case for it (last picture). I'm hoping you can stuff a bunch of newspapers, bubblewrap or cardboard in there to keep it from sliding around AT ALL in there - that's how guitars get damaged most often, sliding around. And then another cardboard box TIGHT over the home made case? One way to do that is to actually build a box around it out of cardboard, like open up a regular cardboard guitar box at the seams and just wrap the cardboard around and keep taping it down, doubling up the cardboard on corners. Packing peanuts and bags of air are nonsense.
I'm not sure what you mean by economy shipping, but once it's immobilized it won't break free. This kind of packing WILL take a bit of extra effort & time - I'd be happy to shoot you another 20 or 25 bucks to cover that. I'm not a collector, just play the things. Thanks! |
I'm afraid if I offer to pay for $500 insurance he could void the deal somehow and put it back up at twice the price?  Dilemma time. |
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Bill Moore
From:
Manchester, Michigan
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Posted 25 Jun 2014 12:51 pm
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Why not just call them, it's American Jewelry and Loan, from the TV show "Hardcore Pawn" You can probably talk to the person that will be packing it.
American Jewelry and Loan
Address: 20450 Greenfield Rd, Detroit, MI 48235
Phone:(313) 345-4000
Hours:
Open today · 9:30 am – 6:00 pm |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 25 Jun 2014 1:04 pm
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| They said they'd pack it real well, no extra. It pays to ask, I guess. |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 25 Jun 2014 2:31 pm
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David, as Bill Clinton once said, "I feel your pain."
I recently took delivery of two separate lap steels I won on eBay. The cases themselves were both well packed in their respective shipping cartons. One was stuffed with eco-friendly packing materials. The other one had enough packing peanuts to adequately protect the Hope Diamond.
Both carriers, UPS and especially the Postal Service, took reasonable care of the cartons during shipment; they both arrived unscathed.
The problem is, both eBay sellers shipped the instruments with a tone bar rattling loose inside their respective cases. One was an antiques dealer in South Carolina, the other was a vintage guitar store in Ohio. One would think that both should know better.
Having never seen either instrument in person until taking delivery, it's impossible to say whether any significant damage had occurred. Obviously, this situation didn't do either of the guitars any good.
I contacted both sellers to report my obvious chagrin with their inattention to detail while packing expensive and valuable old musical instruments for shipment. Both were extremely apologetic. One even offered a full refund and to reimburse the shipping expense.
I explained that I was not a collector. I did not bid on the guitar to hang it on a wall, or put it in a glass case to ogle over -- I just wanted to play it!
Ultimately, I am happy to have both instruments and am glad that I won the auctions, but would think twice for bidding on anything from either seller in the future. |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 26 Jun 2014 3:45 am
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| A lot of volume-oriented places have real standard packing processes, and it doesn't matter if it's a toaster or a guitar. I sent them what I sent them; not much more I can see to do. It's a light little thing, which improves the chances that it won't knock itself to matchsticks. If it was a 60 lb. D-12 or something I would probably have a Detroit friend pick it up and pack it all neurotic-like. 90% of the shipping horror stories here have to do with real heavy things + gravity + speedy sloppy handling = eek. |
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Rick Barnhart
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 26 Jun 2014 5:09 am
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Those bars look really interesting...I haven't been able to find another example of one.
_________________
Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe. |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 26 Jun 2014 10:30 am
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I think it's likely the owner made those bars himself? There's no info for "MIRON" anything anywhere. In the last picture of the guitar listing, there's what looks to be a home-made case - with aluminum edging and a full-length piano hinge. And inside the case is a stand, made out of metal plate with screw-in threaded rod stock for legs? Maybe something to do with this guy?
http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/artist/Roger+Miron/a/albums.htm
Lap steel... in Detroit... from Canada... (???)
Well, it's been shipped, Maybe I'll find out Tuesday! |
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