Anyway, I go into one of our local family owned music stores in our town. I won't say where or who, just to be nice.
I spot a Fender Telecaster '52 reissue on the wall for sale. I look at the tag-it says $899 with case. That sounds like a good deal for a new guitar. I try it for a while and end up buying it. They assure me the guitar is new, but they will have to mail me the manuals, warranty card, etc. I take the guitar out on my next gig, and a guy walks up to me on a break and says, "that looks just like my old Tele I just traded in". Well, we talk a while, and he looks at my Tele, and says "this has the same serial number as my old one". I asked him how long he had it and he said about a year, but he said he never played it much, so he traded it in for an acoustic. I took the Tele back to the store, and told them my story, and just how unhappy I was. The store manager said it must of been mis marked or something, and offered me a set of new strings to make up for it. Instead, I told him I wanted a store credit for the difference of what I paid for it as new, and what it should of sold for as used. That came out to about $200. I kept the guitar, but I've never gone back there. I never got my manuals or warranty card either. Did I handle this right, or should I have done it differently?

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Life is like a sh*t sandwich. The more bread you have, the less sh*t you have to eat.

Be sure to spend your store credit before you give up the store for good.

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Rated "M" for meaty.

Personally I would have returned the guitar, got a complete refund, then reported them to Fender.

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Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
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http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Considering a new Vintage 52 Telecaster is a 1600.00 guitar I would say you screwed the store even used it is worth much more then you paid.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

+1 on what CAFeathers said, but what it comes down to is are you happy with how you handled it? Be sure you spend up that store crdit before they "lose record" of it and will have to mail it to ya!

I am with Chet on this one. I have had bad experiences with guitar stores in the past but your story takes the cake. I would have wanted a full refund immediately.

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Blues with a feeling.

GUILD GUITARS: MADE TO BE PLAYED!

Share pics of you 52' they are nice Teles.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

One option would have been to file suit against the store and let them cover the Small Claims Court costs too. The Judge may have given you a better deal than you got. You don't need a lawyer to do this.

Another option might be if you had paid by credit card. You can dispute the charges.

You handled it fine, but I'd have been seriously ticked off.

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You're only as strong as
the drinks you pour,
the tables you dance on,
and the friends you roll with.

And kicked his....

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

I don't understand the complaint you got a 52' Telecaster at at half its new cost. For one thats one year old that looks new thats a steal!
I would have known something was wrong the moment someone said it was a new guitar knowing they sell for 1600.00+ and the price on this one was 899. which is a great price for a used one. Where is your complaint? If I was the store I would have gave your money back and priced it more appropriately 1299.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

+1

however, the store should have never said that the guitar is new.

+1 on this! Although the lack of warranty cards and all that at the time of purchase would be a clue to me that something was up, as I would not give someone money for brand new car on the promise it was mine and that they would mail me the title and keys, but I could leave with it off the lot today.

And if the price of a brand new instrument, or anything for that matter, is too good to be true, it usually is...

You got a heck of a deal on a guitar that the previous owner admits to barely using, and came out $700 ahead...so even though it may not be 'brand' new, though if the previous owner was truthful, it still sounds like its pretty new to me, and you got it for almost 50% off...Try finding one for that price on eBay for the same model, but they'd still probably go for $950-1200 there....

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RAMA LAMA FA FA FA

If you are happy with the outcome, then you handled it correctly.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

it depends on their attitude when you pointed out the "mistake". if they were cool and didn't dispute the $200 bucks they owed you, i'd say you handled it just fine. if they were a-holes, i would have lined up my ducks and took them to court plus report them to fender as suggested above.

Any 52 Tele RI that's looks and feels new for $899 is a win in my book, and you got a $200 credit too. Well handled my friend ^^

Edit: Here's my tale...

I helped my friend buy a Ludwig drum kit (cymbals and all) the other day used for $800 (That's the price that was on the tag), I asked him to take the taxes off and the salesman did. Then I go home, go on craigslist (looking for bargains of course) and for the heck of it searched for Ludwig drums. Lo and behold the same drum kit came up, posted by the dealer none the less, listed for $700.

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I traded my car in for a microphone.