Just bought this $17.99 bass

ilan · March 03, 2020, 04:11:48 PM

https://www.ebay.com/itm/372972032519

There's also a black one that is shipped with a 20W combo - free int'l shipping - and still all for $17.99. I thought it was immoral not to order.

Pilgrim · March 03, 2020, 04:24:08 PM

There has been a discussion about those on TB. I'm guessing you will get a decent player-grade instrument once you set it up.

ilan · March 03, 2020, 04:59:57 PM

Quote from: Pilgrim on March 03, 2020, 04:24:08 PM
There has been a discussion about those on TB. I'm guessing you will get a decent player-grade instrument once you set it up.

Last year I bought a nice PJ for EUR84, Cherrystone decal, I believe similar quality. Did a quick setup and got a nice, comfortable, very light weight and surprisingly good sounding bass. I use it every week for big band rehearsal. People don't believe me when I say what I paid for it.

FrankieTbird · March 03, 2020, 06:49:14 PM

The seller's feedback on eBay does not look good.

Dave W · March 03, 2020, 09:28:12 PM

Are you getting a bass, or a cord and a "wrench tool"? The way it's worded, without commas, I'm suspicious.

amptech · March 03, 2020, 11:44:23 PM

Quote from: FrankieTbird on March 03, 2020, 06:49:14 PM
The seller's feedback on eBay does not look good.

Seen worse, he sold 48 of these basses with only 9 negative feedbackers? And of those 9 - 6 are from only 2 buyers?
The question is did he (or she) really ship 48 basses.

But I agree it looks too good to be true, he does have a lot of zero feedback buyers. And at 17.99 the listing screams scam. But as a worst case scenario you end up with USD 17.99 refunded, not too much to worry about?

Basvarken · March 04, 2020, 12:10:38 AM

That price is absurd.
Makes you wonder about the work conditions under which they were made.
Smells like child labour or slavery...

ilan · March 04, 2020, 03:33:38 AM

If it's all fine, I'll add "$17.99" to the headstock logo. Hey, even Gibson used to do it, ES model numbers were originally the MSRP!

Dave W · March 04, 2020, 09:49:03 AM

Quote from: ilan on March 04, 2020, 03:33:38 AM
If it's all fine, I'll add "$17.99" to the headstock logo. Hey, even Gibson used to do it, ES model numbers were originally the MSRP!

That's assuming you actually get a bass and not just a wrench for a bass and a cable.

Rob · March 04, 2020, 10:10:55 AM

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Glarry-34-20-Frets-Electric-Bass-Guitar-Right-Handed-4-String-Music-Instrument/202919828446?_trkparms=aid%3D888008%26algo%3DDISC.CARDS%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131227121020%26meid%3D1c6de6e64f03479191c8eb32f7047c50%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D372972032519%26itm%3D202919828446%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDiscV5%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982

Now $14.00

amptech · March 04, 2020, 10:56:05 PM

Quote from: Rob on March 04, 2020, 10:10:55 AM
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Glarry-34-20-Frets-Electric-Bass-Guitar-Right-Handed-4-String-Music-Instrument/202919828446?_trkparms=aid%3D888008%26algo%3DDISC.CARDS%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131227121020%26meid%3D1c6de6e64f03479191c8eb32f7047c50%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D372972032519%26itm%3D202919828446%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDiscV5%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982

Now $14.00

...and the seller Ilan posted a link to have removed the original listing. Looks more and more scam, too good to be true price, and close the account before shipping estimate runs out.

doombass · March 06, 2020, 12:14:38 AM

This might be the legitimate seller they stole the idea for the scam from?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Glarry-Electric-GJazz-Bass-Guitar-Cord-Wrench-Tool-Burlywood/402022890222?hash=item5d9a6e7aee:g:DNQAAOSwGj9eDvdV

Alanko · March 06, 2020, 02:32:35 PM

Shows how much you overpay for cheaper basses (maybe all basses?). The profit margin must be wafer thin on these things, so every $120 bass is an $18 bass with a more desirable headstock decal and a fancy cardboard box.

This is probably the best time for cheap instruments!

Basvarken · March 06, 2020, 02:53:57 PM

About seven years ago when I was negotiating with Fender about a cardboard shipping box that I had developed, their international salesman told me a guitar cost them $24 to make in the Chinese or Korean factories.
I was shocked.

Dave W · March 06, 2020, 11:01:18 PM

Quote from: Alanko on March 06, 2020, 02:32:35 PM
Shows how much you overpay for cheaper basses (maybe all basses?). The profit margin must be wafer thin on these things, so every $120 bass is an $18 bass with a more desirable headstock decal and a fancy cardboard box.

This is probably the best time for cheap instruments!

Quote from: Basvarken on March 06, 2020, 02:53:57 PM
About seven years ago when I was negotiating with Fender about a cardboard shipping box that I had developed, their international salesman told me a guitar cost them $24 to make in the Chinese or Korean factories.
I was shocked.

About 20 years ago a music store owner told me that the landed cost to Fender for a Squier that retailed for $200 was $32.