Precisely, because it wasn't packaged properly, by Fender. And I don't think Fedex and UPS have counterfeit Fender boxes lying around, and sneakily switched the boxes out, or any other hypothetical "excuses" as for why I cant get a "new" product delivered to me in "new" condition. Sorry if that means I'm a spoiled, pre-pubescent, whining, temper-tantrum crybaby, how dare I expect a thousand dollar purchase to be delivered to me in pristine condition, I must be off my rocker. I should just show some compassion for the poor overworked Fedex worker, realize they didnt mean to hurt my feelings, and just suck back my tears, and endure a $1000 guitar with a dozen dents in the back of it, and then lie about where the dents came from and say it was because I was rocking so hard!!

But come on lets get a grip on the obvious instead of poking around in the realm of hypothetical excuses designed to sidestep the obvious fact that Fender isn't consistently packaging ALL their guitars properly.

All these guitars have been purchased through musiciansfriend, all have come "sealed" in a Fender stamped box.

The Pawnshop Mustang, which I loved, but was messed up, is stated by fender as packed in a gig bag. This means the guitar has a thin foam sheath around it, put inside a gig bag, the gig bag goes inside a box with minimal cardboard bracing, that box goes inside another box. Bottom line, the guitar can move around in the box.

The Cobain mustang, is packaged no better, in fact worse. It is wrapped in a foam sheath, put in a cardboard box with ZERO bracing, and that box goes inside another box. Like I said, this one's destructor was its own whammy bar and allen wrench, tossed haphazardly inside in a plastic baggie, and it got under the guitar during shipping and put about a dozen dents on the backside of the guitar. Like I said about dents - if I put them on by rocking out like a maniac, thats one thing, if someone sells me a guitar labelled as "new", riddled with dents, thats a rip off, and one that I won't endure.

Like someone else said, who would buy a "new" car with dents in it? Lawsuit material right there folks.

The problem is, I cannot get any information about if the packaging is truly original, or if it is cheapened by Musiciansfriend. But I can't see that it could possibly be musiciansfriend's doing, because like I said, I ordered my Duo-Sonic from them, and it had AWESOME packaging. I've gotten some Dean guitars, and they had contoured foam blocks completely protecting them. So I really don't think Musicainsfriend is causing this issue. The guitars are coming in a Fender box.

So if anyone can attest that they purchased either a Pawnshop or Cobain mustang from a mail-order place other than musiciansfriend, and it arrived with proper, protective packaging, then I will be much obliged to order elsewhere. But I don't see anyone else giving 12-15% off deals several times a month.

I disagree with Buxom's opinion (the OP is correct in thinking a new guitar should arrive at it's destination in new, mint condition--excepting roadworn/relic instruments), but I see nothing wrong with how he (Buxom) expressed himself.
Buxom's just expressing his (wrong) opinion.
The OP is right--if the packaging is lacking, our Brothers at FMIC should consider re-engineering their containers...however, he approached the subject in entirely the wrong manner.
If a person, no matter how (righteously) upset they are, comes through the door "guns a-blazin'", they'll generally be ignored or marginalized as unreasonable...even if he has a reasonable, legitimate complaint.

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

Cymbaline:

I don't see anything wrong with the comments that you made at all. You have every right to be upset and to give a dressing down to Fender for poor quality packaging. When I buy a new guitar, that is exactly what I expect to receive in the box. A 100% new, no dings, no scratches, undamaged guitar. Many companies, Fender included, have cut a lot of corners so as to maximize profit. That is exactly why many of the guitars we now buy come in a just about useless gig bag.

Oh and by the way, not to shift the blame from Fender, Musiciansfriend is notorious for shipping you a NEW guitar that was returned by someone who purchased it and returned it (This has happened to me at least 3 times).

I just feel that to go and call him a douchebag is rude, regardless of how the OP started the thread.

I see you still refuse to elaborate on whether you got from a store or directly from Fender (which I'm 99% certain you CAN'T do). You also continue to piss and moan like a spoiled child instead of handling this rationally and calmly.


PROGRESS

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Melvins
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Big Black
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Pixies

Fender ships thousands of guitars. It's a standard process. Do you really think that if their standard process would be such a lousy packaging there wouldn't be tons of complaints? But there are not.

My guess is that your guitar was thrown into a Fender box and sent to you by your dealer. Anyway, your dealer is always your contact, not Fender. Because the dealer sold the guitar to you, not Fender.

Cheers

David

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"Humans think they are smarter than dolphins because we build cars and buildings and start wars etc...and all that dolphins do is swim in the water, eat fish and play around. Dolphins believe that they are smarter for exactly the same reasons."

MUSICIANSFRIEND, as I've stated a couple times now.

I wasn't aware Fender Inc. sold guitars directley from Fender... If you didn't buy your guitar from Fender directly why in god's name are you blaming Fender ? Can someone verify if Fender sells direct from company ?

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In Reference to Blues Legend RL Burnside:
After a heart attack in 2001, Burnside's doctor advised him to stop drinking; Burnside did, but he reported that change left him unable to play.

YOur beef is with MusiciansFriend...

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In Reference to Blues Legend RL Burnside:
After a heart attack in 2001, Burnside's doctor advised him to stop drinking; Burnside did, but he reported that change left him unable to play.

Because MF receives the guitar in a factory sealed Fender box. If it is shipped from MF in Fender's box, it's Fenders fault. If MF removes it from Fenders factory box and ships it to the customer in their own packaging, It's MF's fault for repackaging the guitar. What's so hard to understand?

To the OP, did it come in a sealed Fender box???????
Either way I'd be pissed. People, if at all possible, don't buy guitars through the big box internet stores.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

When Im offered a brand new American Standard Tele with free shipping and no tax for $775, its impossible for me to NOT buy from MUSIC123... btw that tele has turned out to be a successful buy ....

ANd thanks for your response about the boxing... I understand now...

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In Reference to Blues Legend RL Burnside:
After a heart attack in 2001, Burnside's doctor advised him to stop drinking; Burnside did, but he reported that change left him unable to play.

The OP has a point. Placing a MIA standard, deluxe, or Custom Shop instrument in a hard case is enough for most shipping instances. A Fender factory sealed box containing a guitar in a gig bag with no internal bracing is a recipe for disaster for any shipper.

UPS and FedEx use automated equipment to move and sort packages. The equipment doesn't care if the package contains a cast iron auto intake manifold, a musical instrument, or a scientific gas chromatograph; bad things can happen.

Whether the package is damaged from Fender to retailer or retailer to customer is the primary fault of the shipper. Fender should do a bit more in the way of foam, corrugated board, or blocking to prevent shipping damages, but that costs money and Fender wants to cut costs and customers don't generally want to pay for materials that are going into a landfill or to a recycler.

Many people want factory sealed boxes and if a retailer supplies them this way, damages go undiscovered and the retailer has to deal with it. If a retailer opens the package and inspects the guitar/amp to insure no damage, some customers get angry and believe their purchase is no longer 'new'.

To the best of my knowledge, Fender does not sell direct to the average retail consumer. They have a dealer outlet and want the retail customer serviced by them.

As to the ad hominem personal attacks, consider the source and the source's history. These attacks have no place in intelligent conversation, but then one must have the requisite tools to participate.

Not necessarily. I bet MF receives pallets full of guitars from Fender. The Fender boxes are fine for shipping that way (the pallets are wrapped and strapped up). The boxes may not be intended for individual shipping. If that's the case, then it's MF's fault for not doubleboxing.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

The boxes SHOULD be packaged for individual shipping. Not every music store get pallets loaded with guitars. There are quite a few Mom & Pop shops in my area where in some instances they order the guitar you want from Fender and the single guitar is shipped directly to the store.

As far as saving a few bucks buying from big box stores, you get what you pay for. I'd rather get the service and other perks from the Mom and Pop shops I deal with. Plus I know I'm helping a neighbor put food on his table.

Personally, I Never bring a guitar or amp home in a sealed box. If it isn't good when I try it out, it doesn't have a home.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

The first thing I said to myself when I saw this 1980 Guild Starfire with an ebony fretboard on ebay wasn't gee I won't be able to try it out first... It was worth the gamble... Gamble paid off... But you are not alone, there are many like you that refuse to buy something that they cannot touch and try first... to each his own... For me there are too many guitars/amps etc... that I want that just dont exist in Phoenix Arizona..

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In Reference to Blues Legend RL Burnside:
After a heart attack in 2001, Burnside's doctor advised him to stop drinking; Burnside did, but he reported that change left him unable to play.