Then, Andy, the other co-owner, and I had this better exchange later on today.
Me: "I'd planned on keeping both since it might be some time before I know which is the correct one."
Andy: "From all my 30 plus years of experience in this business I will tell you that Gibson T Bird truss covers will not match the curves of other brand replicas. I have had many ( more than a lot ) of people order telling they have a Gibson but it is in the repair shop. Then later once the item arrives and doesn't fit the buyer will contact me with an email and photos showing that the shape extends pass the headstock of their replica Aria, Bach, Greko or Dillion and want to send the item back but then I can't resale the item to anyone as a new because its been handled. That is why I am letting you know Gibson truss covers do not fit onto other brand guitars. Even it may look like the headstock is same shape it is not. Having said all this.... you still want to buy two items and keep them both?"
Me: "It seems to me that you simply don't believe me when I've said several times that I have a '66-'69 Gibson NonReverse Thunderbird. It's not a BaCH (I have three of those), it's not a Dillion or a Greco or an Aria.
The pots in mine date to 1965 and it still has the original jack. I've had the original pickup rewound. It has the original pickguard, tuners, bridge, pickup cover and bridge cover.
A friend of mine previously had ordered one of these truss rod covers with the logo in red and he was NEVER asked for his serial number. I'm not sure why it's such a big deal with me. No mention of a serial number is in the original eBay listing, so adding this as a requirement AFTER I've purchased and paid is unprofessional. If you'd mentioned requiring a serial number before ordering I would have contacted you first to see if you would still make me one of these truss rod covers.
Not once have I ever asked for you to send me the two covers so I could test fit and return one. eBay is not set up for that sort of thing. I bought two different sizes KNOWING that one probably wouldn't fit and was willing to take that chance.
You have a 99.9% rating and I have a 100% rating. I think we should try and keep it this way. "
Andy: "Hi Denis,
Sorry for the misunderstanding. We want the items to fit onto guitars properly without issues and is the reason we ask for size and or serial number. If a customer is unclear then we can't be sure it the item will fit.
We will ship out the two items today priority mail. There will be a standard shipping email after this one. "
Me: "Thank you,
I understand your concern about properly fitting items so perhaps it might be a good idea to make mention in future listings that guitars differ in design and that parts for one brand may not necessarily fit other brands. It would protect you up front and probably save some headaches.
I will let you know when they arrive."
Andy: "Yes, I might have to spell it out now. I didn't think I needed to when the title clearly says Gibson.
It used to be that buyers asked before placing an order. Lately they purchase and then announce its a different brand guitar.
thank you again for understanding."
Light at the end of the tunnel.
