Why you shouldn’t purchase instruments from eBay.

Just a quick post as to why you should avoid eBay for second had instruments. I have to admit the lore of purchasing such items from eBay is a massive one. Quite often they can be less than half the RRP price.

I will admit I have in the past purchased a few smaller cymbals from eBay. I have purchased a8” and 10” Zildjian A Custom cymbals with out any issues. I have also brought a 6” Zil-Bel only 2 weeks ago. But this is a really thick cymbal and pretty much unbreakable. So I wasn’t worried about that one at all.

My recent purchase which is the 1 that’s really put me off purchasing instruments or the like from eBay was a 12” A custom splash. Which in the description the seller mentioned it as being in, and I quote “great condition” So after the auction ended I promptly paid for the item £61.00 (not a cheap amount by any means. They retail at £125.00 so half price.) I awaited receipt of my item.

It promptly arrived the next day which I was over the moon with. It was packaged well and I opened it with anticipation. As I pulled the cymbal out I hit it with my finger to find a tinny sound. I promptly checked the outside of the cymbal to find a 5mm crack in the cymbal. Not what I would call “great condition” I checked his listings picture and exactly where the crack was situated. There was a glare or light from a well placed lamp. You couldn’t see the crack and I knew id been had.

I then set about contacting the seller offering to send the cymbal back for a full refund, to no avail.

So I reported it to eBay who then escalated the situation. Luckily I had paid via pay pal which gives the buyer a lot of protection. I didn’t hear any think at all off the seller until an email came through informing me that eBay had acted on my behalf and got me a full refund. The seller still hasn’t contacted me and I still have the cracked cymbal as I have no address to return it to. To not its any good to anyone.

It deffinutly cant be used for recording. Might be ok for practising but i hate the sound of it.

But the whole situation has made me realise how dishonest people can be. I won’t be purchasing musical items from eBay again. If I hadn’t used pay pal I wouldn’t have had a leg to stand on. Bellow are a few pictures of the item and crack.

I will be sure to make my purcheses from a music store infuture you always have the benefit of hearing the item been played. So you can sound each of the cymbals available.  Also an added warranty.

Hope this was an insightful read.