ShortScale.org

The guy was dismissive and bitchy. He could have at least tried to apologize and hope the buyer would walk away. The laugh is on him because this hurts his reputation. It's not about the screws. It's how he dealt with it.

Besides, the math goes like this: guitar without screws equals no pickups, equals dreams crushed on curb under mailbox.

Chances are he has had a few too many fuckstains asking nitty questions on ebay, and then not buying anything. He probably makes his money off guitars, not parts. His suppliers are half wit peasants making pennies a day, and only speak in choppy mandarin. Meanwhile it takes eight weeks to get a shipment in, and by then who gives a fuck what it is, so long as it doesn't stink. So he takes out his aggression by kicking the poor Yorkie under the breakfast nook and then sends off a flurry of nasty emails to his buyers. He goes on vacay and after the third margarita and getting his balls jostled he forgets all about it.

Here's the thing about me: I would rather order from ebay than go to Home Depot, because I want screws that fit. I am not being a lazy ass north American. I have gotten the wrong shit before and it's not worth the aggravation. So yeah, fuck that guy, unless he's the only one selling repro Mosrite pickups. If that's the case, cross your fingers.

James wrote:They're not really a matched set when they're just two the same, though, are they? I know it can sound fine and plenty of guitars have it but the seller is quite clearly lying and mis-selling his goods.

No no no no no. A matched set can be two pickups with the same output and in this case is. Accusing the seller of mis-selling and lying because your expectation that a matched pair should have different output values is "quite clearly" beyond unreasonable.

James wrote:Benecol should not have to spend his own time to go and find and purchase 8 screws, and then chase the seller up for a refund. He also, as mentioned, wouldn't know which screws even suit. They might be a relatively small item, but if going out to buy them takes an hour of his time (allowing for travel as well as testing out screws in a hardware store) then should he also charge the seller for that hour?

Which just goes back to what I said previously. There are two ways you can approach a problem: insist that it has to be "the way it should be" or respond to the way it actually is.

The latter's called pragmatism and the former's called sheer bloody-mindedness. God knows it took me long enough to arrive at this point, but I know which one I (mostly) prefer these days.

As for Bene charging for his time in buying the screws....all I can offer is my opinion and that has no relevance whatsoever as resolving the problem is up to Bene and MR, not me or you.

portugalwillie wrote:

paul_ wrote:Hardware stores are the most depressing side of retail. Going into one of those places for two tiny screws, carrying a pickup around like a boy with his action figures, holding it up to stuff, AGH just fucking kill me.

I go into hardware stores a lot looking for random bits and every time I ask a question they immediately ask me what I need the parts for and as soon as I say, "guitar stuff." I know they're disappointed in me.

I feel the same way

Next time say you need hardware for a 72 Chevelle SS

I just read through some of this thread, but not all of it. Some thoughts:

As someone who has ran an eBay business in the past, the customer service you received was completely unacceptable.

I don't care if the missing parts were worth 1 cent or 1000 dollars -- the product received was not accurate with the description. However, that is not the biggest issue with this entire deal -- the lack of help regarding the product is extraordinary, and the fact that the seller is not backing up what they are selling; instead basically saying "fuck off, you only spent $29 on something I don't even like".

Also, if a seller is going on vacation and can't be bothered to do proper business, they should not have auctions up.

How is this guy still in business? Perhaps this is out of character for him?

Narco! long time no see!

As a recent business dude and long time ebayer I agree with Narco 100%. I've actually taken financial hits on the couple of occasions I've screwed up accidentally (or been unable to meet a promise due to others screwing up) - The last example cost me 35 quid but it's a point of honour and reliability as far as I'm concerned and it also teaches me a hard lesson in being even more switched on and not letting it happen again.

I have nothing new to add except: hello Narco Martenot - nice to see you back x