ukeykondo
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I am writing this to see how all of you would handle this situation. A few weeks ago, I sold an ukulele in brand new condition from a custom maker. The reason I sold it is because it was an impulse buy for me, and I determined that I liked my other custom ukes better. I sold it on fleamarketmusic and provided very clear photographs. I also spoke to the buyer on the phone, played some chords over the phone. He determined that although he'd never heard one of these ukes in person that he'd take a chance since the price was low (I sold it to him what I paid for it), although he recognized that there is no way that he'd be able to determine how it sounds over the phone.
I told him that I thought that the uke sounded good and was a good value. I said that it had very good volume and a punchy sound. Although this custom maker isn't extremely well known, he does have positive reviews, and I haven't seen any negative ones. I tried to be as honest as possible. When this gentleman received the uke, he told me that he was very disappointed--that he felt like it had no tone and no volume and that it was made with shoddy construction. He thinks that it's overbuilt, sounds dead and is unsellable. Honestly, I have a hard time understanding how he can say it has no volume, although tone is quite subjective. And I just don't agree that it's poorly constructed. I've played many customs, and I think that this is well made. Not as good as a Mya moe, but certain a solid construction in my view.
I don't want this man to feel cheated, so I offered to post an ad for him or even contact the maker, but he seems reluctant all around. He is not asking for any money back, and recognizes that I did not offer any returns. In fact, I would not have sold to him if he demanded a return because of the hassle and because I have many times taken the same risk with ukes I've bought but have not played.
So what would you do? A big part of me feels like I should just allow the deal to stand, because it was an honest deal, and I did not misrepresent the uke in any way (although the buyer may not agree). But I just hate to have someone feel upset with something I sold him, even though I don't feel that I did anything wrong. Would be interested to hear your thoughts. Has something like this happened to you before? How did you handle it?
I told him that I thought that the uke sounded good and was a good value. I said that it had very good volume and a punchy sound. Although this custom maker isn't extremely well known, he does have positive reviews, and I haven't seen any negative ones. I tried to be as honest as possible. When this gentleman received the uke, he told me that he was very disappointed--that he felt like it had no tone and no volume and that it was made with shoddy construction. He thinks that it's overbuilt, sounds dead and is unsellable. Honestly, I have a hard time understanding how he can say it has no volume, although tone is quite subjective. And I just don't agree that it's poorly constructed. I've played many customs, and I think that this is well made. Not as good as a Mya moe, but certain a solid construction in my view.
I don't want this man to feel cheated, so I offered to post an ad for him or even contact the maker, but he seems reluctant all around. He is not asking for any money back, and recognizes that I did not offer any returns. In fact, I would not have sold to him if he demanded a return because of the hassle and because I have many times taken the same risk with ukes I've bought but have not played.
So what would you do? A big part of me feels like I should just allow the deal to stand, because it was an honest deal, and I did not misrepresent the uke in any way (although the buyer may not agree). But I just hate to have someone feel upset with something I sold him, even though I don't feel that I did anything wrong. Would be interested to hear your thoughts. Has something like this happened to you before? How did you handle it?
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