Hi

I know this sounds pretty strange, but if any of you guys have a fender box lying around for any fender guitar that comes with a case, what information is usually on the top or bottom flap where you open it.

Reason I ask is becuase I recently got an 2008 American Standard strat from an internet based company here in the UK. It was quite a good deal but what I found suspicious was that the flap that I opened to get the guitar out had this postcard sized top layer of corrugated card removed with a stanley knife.

So I just want to know what it was that they didn't want me to see. Would it be a return to fender address? Serial number and model name? Or a 'B Stock, do not sell as new'

Cheers

They could have removed the original shipping address from the box. This way it would not accidently be shipped to the wrong place. It's always best to remove or somehow obscure previous bar codes on boxes. Also, I don't think Fender sells 'B' stock instruments. There are others on this forum with more knowledge on that subject, so don't quote me on that!

Hi fenderman 247: I can't remember ever buying a guitar that came in its own box. Shops just stick 'em in any box that comes to hand - if the guitar doesn't come with a hardcase, that is.

If your box actually relates to the guitar you bought then that's quite unusual!

(Though I expect that might be different for "never opened" guitars in boxes bought on the internet. I'd never buy a guitar that way, though...)

I wouldn't sweat it.

Which shop did you buy from, BTW? One of us might know if they are reputable...

Cheers - C

I have several labels from boxes the size of a post card and they have four bar codes+ numbers ( product num.+ description+HU (?)+Ser#} Most likely they jut used a box that was handy.

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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

Just checked the box that my AM standard came in.(This was an in store purchase). Only one of the flaps had stickers. There was the usual Fedex mess of information with the store address and other relevant shipping info. There was another yellow sticker from Fender with all relevant product info, bar codes, product description and serial number.
If I was reshipping this item I would probably cut out all the Fedex stickers as they don't peel off very easily.
Regards.

The outer box has the shipping details from fender on the end.
It would have the original recipient of the box from fender on it.

They are probably trying to hide who their supplier or where there main distribution point is. As earlier suggested it could also be to prevent it from being shipped to the incorrect destination.

Since its been shipped once already the box is just being recycled. Its common practice to recycle the box like that.

One other thing you may be interested in knowing.

If you have a local UK Fender distributor and this internet company brought directly from USA instead of from that local UK distributor. Your guitar may then be considered a "grey market import". The local UK distributor may refuse to warranty it (since essentially they never brought it).

I wouldn't worry about it as it sounds like you have a good deal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_market

I bought mine online and it came in a box that says Fender CC on it and has a yellow label on the top outer flap that describes Fender Stratocaster Mpl, (standing for maple neck) and it came in the gig back. I also bought the hardshell case for it afterwards and this is also a Fender factory marked box with a shipping invoice as a receipt from the shop that a purchased the case from. Both guitar and case came in 2 separate Fender marked boxes but the invoice stuck on the box is the shop in where I purchased it from. But definitely Fender company marked boxes 1 each for the guitar and hardshell case.

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Fender Natural reissue 70's Stratocaster!

That's kinda why I was asking which dealer the gentleman bought from.

Mind you, so many authorised Fender dealers in the UK I think it's unlikely to be grey-market. Shops that don't have an official dealership - sell other brands.

I wonder if fenderman247 will come back and entertain us further with his box issue...?

Cheers - C

Cheers for the replies guys,

I got it from Project Music in Exeter, their internet shop

Hi fenderman247: then you are in safe hands. I know Project Music well, a reputable authorised dealer. There will be no sinister reason that section of your box is missing.

So now you can put the cardboard out of your mind and concentrate on playing your Strat!

Cheers - C

Cheers again for the replies.

I got the guitar cos it was an excellent deal, and I wanted a real strat after having copies. Was such a good deal, nothing wrong with the axe so I guess I'm just a little paranoid for nothing.