BUYER BEWARE !!!!

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Author Message Strings Username: Strings Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 4:12 pm:    Greetings fellow ICW members. A couple of months ago I purchased a '79 Artist AR500 on eBay that was represented by the seller as 99% mint. His name is Eric Romano and his handle on eBay was Danelectro. I say "was Danelectro" because he had cancelled his account immediatly following problems he face with similar false claims on another guitar he sold to a well respected ICW member. I wish that I was eBay savey enough to sense the signs at that time. At the prompting of that victem coupled with my own experience, I thought it necessary to share with you the email that I sent to Eric "Danelectro" Romano. My apologies for the length of this post...there is much to tell. Pics will follow in additional post Hey Eric, Just thought you would want to know what is now being reported to ICW and Ebay regarding our "transaction" (your scam) Others will be chiming in I'm sure. Claims 99% mint condition '79 AR 500 (see ad at bottom). REALITY: -Neck binding completely trashed by shitty refret job (see pic) -seller claimed all original (see my 2622EQ neck pic for what "mint" means - notice binding over fret ends) -Worn dots on neck binding were redrawn with a Sharpie - can you believe that?! -Bridge pup trisound switch was miswired and only two positions were unique - says he's a player - if so, he would have noticed -80% of fret ends needed seating and proper gluing -Frets needed redressing -Pup selector cavity cover totally corroded (see pic) -Claimed one pea-sizes ding in ••• end - there are three - sure I'm splitting hairs here, but tough ••••! (see pic) -Strap button screw sinks were over bored with larger screws - screw sinks needed redowl, glue and rebore to refit the originals -Shipped axe with original buttons and screws but no bushings -Screw wobbled in sink and caused major dime-sized finish chip through to the wood - blamed Fed Ex - uh uh. (see pics). He should have handled the claim outright - Yeah, and I'm going to wait for this wizard to make things right. -Sent me an eight digit Fed Ex tracking number - 8 digits?!! It was like pulling teeth to get him off his duff to get it...but "he does this this guitar shipping regularly" - uh huh. Cost me a lot of my time and $350 to make it a dream to play again - yeah Eric, that is sans the $$ to fix the chip. Luckily for Mr. Romano, all wood, body binding and hardware are in terrific shape. This guitar was heavily used, poorly maintained and blatantly misrepresented in sale!! Now read his pitch on Ebay: Vintage 1979 Ibanez AR500 Artist Collector-grade condition guitar Welcome to my auction for an incredible condition 1979 vintage Ibanez Artist guitar, the AR-500 model. This is one for the collectors, condition is 99%, close to immaculate, and all original. The kicker is that the guitar sounds every bit as good as it looks. The tone is open, ringing, and still capable of a nice crunch when you need it. The workmanship of these early Ibanez Artist guitars is becoming well-know, the cat is out of the bag. Ibanez did not skimp at all when they made this guitar, and neither did the original owner - he spent the extra money for the sweet aluminum flight case that just completely sets the guitar off. Imagine opening up that shiny silver case to find a well-preserved vintage Ibanez inside. It takes you back to 1979, which was just about the peak for Ibanez craftsmanship. BLAH, BLAH The condition on this guitar is dang near perfect. The neck joint finish is clean and uncracked and the the finish is glossy and clean with just some tiny imperfections on the back. Look at the gleam on the hardware! Neck is straight, guitar is well set-up, and frets don't need any work. It will come out of the box ready to play and play and sound great. Make the leap and know you're getting quality with this one. I've held this guitar back for a long time because it really has it all, you won't be disappointed. Don't hesitate, hit the Buy It Now before someone else does and this guitar is gone for good. You should have been straight with me •••••••! Thought you folks might want to know. Strings Username: Strings Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 4:14 pm:    Strings Username: Strings Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 4:15 pm:    Michaelkaufman Username: Michaelkaufman Registered: 11-2002 Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 5:33 pm:    I too had a similar experience with the seller, although, mine wasn't nearly as bad. I purchased an AM-50 using the 'Buy It Now' option based on the eBay description which I've included below. The seller claimed '99% MINT CONDITION' and 'A COLLECTORS DREAM'. He clearly overstated the condition of the guitar and the case. When I challenged his '99%' claim, he denied everything and cancelled his eBay membership, thus, I was unable to provide any feedback. All-in-all, my AM-50 is a very nice guitar and is in very good condition, however, it's not '99% Mint'. It has a few scratches, a scratchy pickup selector, a cracked pickup ring (barely visible) and a 12th fret hi-E buzz (probably just needs a set up). The case is much worse than the 'tolex separation' that he described. If I spend the time & money to clean it up, it may be '99% Mint', however, given the auction description, that's not acceptable. I'm only asking for full disclosure...If you every do business with this guy, beware. By the way, he's Eric Romano from Memphis, TN. If anyone wants to confirm his email addresses, home address or phone number, contact me offline. ---- eBay Description Follows ---- Vintage 1983 Ibanez AM-50 Artist Collector-grade condition guitar will go up against any Gibson ES-335 Welcome to my auction for an incredible condition 1983 vintage Ibanez Artist guitar, the AM-50 model. This is one for the collectors, condition is 99%, close to immaculate, and all original. The kicker is that the guitar sounds every bit as good as it looks. The tone is open, ringing, and still capable of a nice crunch when you need it. The workmanship of these early Ibanez Artist guitars is becoming well-know, the cat is out of the bag. This guitar is a great alternative to the Gibson ES-335 and I would say that the workmanship and build quality are a step above what Gibson is offering. Another great benefit is that the guitar body is a little smaller than the Gibson model, making it lighter and easier for you to play. ALL ORIGINAL 99% NEAR MINT CONDITION ORIGINAL HARDSHELL CASE BIRDSEYE MAPLE BACK A COLLECTOR'S DREAM! The condition on this guitar is dang near perfect. The neck joint finish is clean and uncracked and the the finish is glossy and clean with just some tiny imperfections in the headstock area. Look at the gleam on the hardware! Neck is straight, guitar is well set-up, and frets don't need any work. It will come out of the box ready to play and play and sound great. Make the leap and know you're getting quality with this one. I've held this guitar back for a long time because it really has it all, you won't be disappointed. Ships with original hardshell case, which is very clean but has seam separation of the tolex along one side, pretty common for the hardshells Ibanez turned out during this time period. Jeffsailor Username: Jeffsailor Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 10:03 pm:    Eric is a member of this board, although I haven't seen him post in a while. For what its worth, I had a positive experience buying a guitar from him through the classified adds. He was very honest in disclosing all issues with the guitar. Its unfortunate that your experience wasn't as positive. js Strings Username: Strings Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 10:27 pm:    I really didn't post this just 'cause I like to trash people...really. Gee, I feel just terrible now. Kinda sick like. Ya know, I think I'd better just take it all back. Or, JS, you could just consider yourself really lucky. Strings Username: Strings Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 10:40 pm:    In fact, JS, perhaps you could convince Mr. Romano to fire me $286.00 in a money order (I'd be glad to forgo the fret dress and the lousy conditions I've outlined above). That'd make me feel a little more...as you say..."positive" about my experience. Pitviper Username: Pitviper Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 11:39 pm:    I've found that many, many people have different views of mint, near mint, very good ...etc..most who don't know anything about guitars might consider the fact that you can hear every string sound as being near mint. Others think that anything over 20+ years old that still works as being near mint. There would be no excuse for anyone who had experience with musicial instruments for making such a claim. At the very least he should not have avoided responsibilty and communicated with you in a positive mannor to help resolve your issues. Acetan Username: Acetan Registered: 09-2003 Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 11:46 pm:    Of the 30 or so guitars I bought through eBay, I had one very bad experience. It was an AM205 the seller said that has a "very minor surface flaw" and was professionally repaired. The pictures looked ok so I got it. Then I found out someone put a hole in the back and it was mended by a round piece of wood about one and a half inch in diameter and then refinished. The piece of wood used is mahogany and has a very similar burled pattern to the guitar. The repair was indeed made by a professional as it was very nicely finished. But the bottom line was that I was quite pi$$ed. The seller did not answer my e-mails and dropped out of eBay a week after I received the guitar. I paid close to $900 for the AM205 which was kind of high at the time so I was quite upset. It took awile but I finally accepted the fact that I was had and resigned to the thought that it is still a very nice guitar and it will probably be the one that I'll be buried with since I'll never be able to sell it. Over time, I really become attached to it for that very thought. It's funny how things work out in the end. Here's a picture showing the back side of my 205 and 255. See the "patch"? Ace Brentm Username: Brentm Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 11:55 pm:    Strings - sounds like a bad situation. If your facts are straight, it certainly looks like more of a players than a collectors guitar. I don't see that auction listed in the completed items on eBay. Do you have a link to it? Acetan Username: Acetan Registered: 09-2003 Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 11:55 pm:    This pix shows the fix better. Ace Strings Username: Strings Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 1:33 am:    Thanks for the support boys, I truly appreciate it. Sorry for your surprises too! Burl....cool. Watch those buttons when your side-saddle Ace Just to clear the air, this was only meant as a substantiated warning to anyone considering buying from this particular seller. And, in a sense, the fact that JS had a good experience makes the whole picture less predictable...more scary.I'm just the type that sees things a little more Black & White - people need to be accountable for their actions...ts'all. The guitar is mine for sure, thanks to an excellent Geppetto. You won't be seeing her on eBay. Meet the family. I'm not pissed anymore...I'm playin'. Strings Username: Strings Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 1:39 am:    oops, Brent, I think I was able to save it as I looked at it the other day even though the sale was 2 months ago. I'll check on it tomorrow and send what I find along. We did use Pay Pal, but not eBay as his account was cancelled. Jeffsailor Username: Jeffsailor Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 2:37 am:    Anytime I buy a guitar from ebay and it arrives in one piece I feel lucky. I had two guitars recently shipped in the case alone; no packing. I can't believe FedEx or DHL would even accept it that way, but they did. And if you really want to get a laugh, Take a look below. These are courtesy of another member (Funkle). This is how one of his guitars arrived... Sorry Sven, I coulnd't resist... String, for the record, I really don't know Eric personally, so don't be sorry about how you feel. If I had a bad experience I'd be pissed too. js Pitviper Username: Pitviper Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 11:05 am:    That's just pathetic.. Strings Username: Strings Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 11:54 am:    BTW...I missed an important pic back at the start of this thread. It is the one I refer to as a good example of "mint" defined on my '78 2622EQ: The rest is in as nice a condition...truly a Closet Queen. Not necessarily what I expected from the AR500...but somewhere near the ballpark would have been nice. Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 2:03 pm:    Jeff, no problem, I am very attached to that guitar because of what it endured to get to me. I've had one guitar arrive in just the case. And one recent purchase(my AM200) arrive in just a gig bag with a piece of cardboard wrapped around the outside. Pretty pathetic considering the selling price was just shy of a grand. I emailed the seller citing my concerns, and he insisted that he packed id adequately. He also listed the guitar as "showroom condition" - and although there was nothing major, the finish was tired and dirty. He also insisted that this '90 AM200 was made in '82. I'm considering giving this guy a negative feedback, but I know I'll get retaliatory feedback if I do. -Sven Sixvsix Username: Sixvsix Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 5:12 pm:    Sven/Jeff, That packing picture is he funniest thing I've seen all week. I know it could have ended in disaster but you gotta see the funny side of it... I work in risk management and I come across this kind of stupidity every single day. I just can't believe some people are so simple minded not to see they are heading for trouble. six Tonedef Username: Tonedef Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 7:39 pm:    Actually, that packaging is kinda ingenius. Sure gave the UPS guy(s) something nice to hold onto while they were slinging this around from truck to processing station, and back into another truck.... Tonedef Pitviper Username: Pitviper Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 8:50 pm:    Brentm Username: Brentm Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 - 8:59 pm:    I'd hate to see what could have happened to Mr Cardbord Tube + Apple box in a flight takeoff. You ever hear your luggage hit the back of the wall during takeoff? Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 12:25 pm:    I explained to the seller that guitar necks are fragile, and what he had created was basically a lever, a recipe for disaster. But amazingly, the guitar was still in great shape. The seller was very apologetic, and I gave them positive feedback with the comment "creative packaging" -Sven Stationc Username: Stationc Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 11:17 am:    yeah, more of this!!! such a funny package!!! good to see, that you all still kept yr humor. getting this package without breaking the neck is like winning a lottery. Fompsweeva Username: Fompsweeva Registered: 01-2006 Posted on Thursday, October 19, 2006 - 6:08 pm:    This reminds me of the purchase of my first Artist, a 2618. (feels like so long ago... but it was only January this year!) I found the guitar and played it, it played like a dream, better than my 70's Ibanez Les Paul. I looked it over, everything looked pretty cool. Researched a little bit, found out they were worth the cash and went back to the store and bought it. I got home, took some photos. I did my normal clean-up routine and took the tremelo plate off. (Why it needed a trem plate I had no idea) So I open it up, and there is the serial number carved in large letters on the back. I immediately wrote a letter to the store, asking them to get it fixed. They offered a $150AUD refund which ended up paying for half of a re-finish of the back of the guitar. It was partly my own fault, but it was sold covered up to deceive the buyer, and it did due to my lack of knowledge, at the time, about Ibanez Artists. Fingersmcoy Username: Fingersmcoy Registered: 10-2006 Posted on Thursday, November 09, 2006 - 4:36 pm:    WOW lmao what a packing job! Genuine guitar boxes are really hard to come by.At times i had to be inventive - not that inventive though. LOL

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