 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bill
Date: 2004-12-14 23:16
I purchased a clarinet on eBay a very short time ago (1 week or less). Today I received the following message from the seller:
"i have very bad news about the buffet r-13 clarinet i sold you. my shop purchased the clarinet and filled out required police check on the instrument.
we waited beyond the required 30 days before selling it and did a full repad.
today the police dept. called me to tell me the clarinet is stolen. i will send a full refund. im very sorry for the trouble. please call me at ..."
What are the rules here - that I return the instrument? I don't know what the right thing to do is. Something feels a little weird.
Advice appreciated!
Bill.
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Author: Bnatural
Date: 2004-12-14 23:23
Get the refund before you send back. If it's an option get more information and check into their story. Think for a minute about what you would want done if your clarinet was in the same situation.
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Author: msloss
Date: 2004-12-15 00:02
SCAM! Insist on a copy of the police report, then call the police dept. to verify. And as Bnatural said, get the money before you send, or use EBay's escrow service so you are covered.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2004-12-15 00:03
Absolutely. You're right - it needs to go back to the original owner. I just got confused with the message and the "30-day" thing. I've never dealt with, or have any familiarity with, stolen things.
And yes, I plan to insist on the refund first. I put up the money to the seller at the time I purchased - now it is his turn to put the money down first.
Thanks.
Bill.
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Author: Bnatural
Date: 2004-12-15 01:23
That sounds familiar, the 30 day thing I mean
I think that worldwidesax has something about that in an article. Irregardless of what you find out have the money in your hand before sending a horn.
I'll see if I can find the link a little bit later if it is still up.
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2004-12-15 12:10
Not only have the money but make sure that it's been officially cleared into your account as well. I suggest that you verify that with your bank before you send the instrument back. There are too many horror stories about people cashing checks/money orders only to find out later that even though the money was in the bank it wasn't "officially" cleared.
MOO,
Matt
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-12-15 12:34
A certified or cashier's check is no guarantee of authenticity ...GBK
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2004-12-15 12:42
Could your clarify something, Bill -- do you actually HAVE the clarinet already? Could you point us to the EBay item number of this transaction? The seasoned sellers in this group might be able to tell you about your seller, and we all would like to know who this seller is, if it is a scam!
Susan
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2004-12-15 13:07
If you call the "police department" make sure you obtain the phone number from an independent source. It's possible to fake a police report with a phone number belonging to a co-conspirator.
I've had people give me phony references, complete with phony telephone numbers.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2004-12-15 13:50
Don't do anything quickly. If possible, have them give you the identity of the original owner and you can contact him/her directly. Get the phone number of the police dept. and ask for the detective's name who investigated (it will be on the original report). Call the detective yourself and speak with him. Get the money before you return anything! Check your sources. This is very suspicious. Yes, I'd like to know the eBay seller's id to check him/her out.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2004-12-15 15:34
The seller has refunded my payment through Paypal and included an additional $30 to cover credit card fees, etc.
I don't think the "stolen clarinet" story is a scam, although the circumstances seem, well, weird. That's why I asked about my options.
I will reply off-line if anyone really still wants to know the seller's ID. He has a 99.7 rating and deals in instruments - I think he is on the level.
Ugh. I searched for just THIS clarinet - the honeymoon was brief!
Thanks for your input and advice.
Bill.
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2004-12-15 15:39
When a musical instrument dealer (store) buys used instrument they have to file a report and the dealer can not sell this instrument for a certain period of time until they get the police report or time limit expires. It's a normal procedure. I think, the police report came later after the instrument was already sold. If the seller explained you the situation and offered full refund I don't think it's a scam, but get your money first before you return it.
Good luck.
Post Edited (2004-12-15 15:45)
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