Received 2 Fender American Standard Strats and they both had factory blemishes. Was upgraded to the Deluxe and that had body damage brand new out of the box. CS's answer was that body dents are considered acceptable to them I guess. Now they are trying to take the easy way out and offer to refund money so they would not have to deal with it. I was very clear as to what I expected and a refund was not an option and Fender was fully aware of that. We had an agreement and now Fender is trying to backout of that agreement. What ever happened to ethics,honor,pride,treating people like a human being, etc... Don't you care about your bread and butter customers or is it only the big names that you take care of?

Describe the blemishes the first 2 had, and better detail on the "body dents" your 3rd had. Also, where on earth are you buying your stuff from?

The first had what look to me like dents in the wood on the side that looked like they were painted over, don't know how that got past quality control? The second had same dents as in same spot but not as bad as the first one and areas on the face of the guitar that looked to me like almost grey primer and a few chips on the side and sloppy neck pocket and the third looked like someone smashed the tremelo into the body because there is an almost perfect outline of it in the body under the tremelo and its a deluxe to boot.

Thinking of posting pics on you tube, not sure.

The 3rd guitar came direct from Fender. Amazing huh.

Photos would be good - things like the dents on the side of the body could be shipping damage; same with the trem dents on the Am Dlx (#3) assuming the box took the right hit. The neck pocket and finish issues on #2 sound like some kind of QC issue that either Fender or the dealer should have caught.

By the way you do not have a "contract" with Fender on this unless you're also a dealer and buying this for yourself instead of store stock - even though #3 was drop shipped to you directly from Fender your "contract" is with the dealer. I would consider taking the refund and finding a different dealer - preferably one that takes care with unpacking the guitars when they receive them from Fender, checking them out, setting them up, and repacking/shipping them to you.

All shipping boxes were in great condition, and guitars were in hardshell case as well.

Problem was not with dealer. The factory guitars boxes were not damage in any way and were FACTORY SEALED. Why should they be held responsable, they did not make it Fender did. Please....

Wow. So far all you have done is rant and threaten to post photos on You Tube. Exactly what do you want Fender to do if a refund is not acceptable? Frankly, you sound just like the kind of customer that manufacturers and dealers try to get rid because all you do is make noise and never tell them what you want.

My suggestion: Take the refund and buy a Les Paul. Then you won't have anything to complain about until you drop the guitar on the floor and the headstock goes flying off.

By the way, both of my Fenders were delivered in perfect condition.

_________________
Bill

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

Does not guarantee that they were treated well in transit. Were the first two shipped directly to you as well, if not were you there when they were opened?

Actually that is the point as bcarr2323 says. I've been at stores where FACTORY SEALED, unblemished boxes were opened and inside the unblemished cases were guitars with snapped-off headstocks. Granted this was back in the "pointy guitar" days; those angled pointy headstocks were known to do this. Guitars slide around in the case during shipping and get dents even though the box was sealed and everything was unblemished. I saw one from a small custom brand where there trem arm had come out of its plastic bag and out of the accessory pocket and really gouged up the guitar all in shipping from the factory to the dealer.

With UPS, etc. - stuff happens. That is why I suggested getting one from a dealer that would open up the box, check out the guitar, and make sure they are handing you a perfect one.

To Rock star (Bill) or whatever you name is. I have told them what I want, not that it is any of your business. You have no idea whats going on, or what I was told. This is the third guitar that has had problems. I have sent them pictures and they agreed they should not have left the factory in that condition. So in my opinion this is not an isolated insident. Maybe you drop your guitars junior, but I can assure you I don't and never have. Congrats hot shot. You got two good guitars maybe you should find a mirror so you can stare at yourself in all your glory or how about patting your own back.

You seem like the type of person that makes remarks about a someone you don't know without any facts. To me thats just ignorant. For you to comment on a situation you know nothing about really says alot. I did not buy a $300.00 guitar Billy Boy. I purchased a $1500.00 guitar with an MSRP of $2199.99. It's funny this is the first time I have had an issue with Fender and I have owned alot of them over the years.

First of all, you're new here and your first experience on this forum is a rant with no demonstrable evidence of the problems you complain of. No biggie, you're not the first to do this and probably won't be the last. If you really want our help and guidance, post some pics of the imperfections.

Second, you're ranting about this in a forum made up of people who cannot help you achieve exactly what you're looking for, whatever that might be. Only Fender (or, more likely, the dealer) can help you. What else would you have Fender do besides issue a refund to a non-satisfied customer? Your not happy with the replacement guitar shipped directly from Fender so a refund would seem to be in order. I didn't see where you mentioned whether Fender would, in lieu of a refund, send you another guitar in place of the bad 3rd guitar. If they will do that, then all of your bases (as far as recourse goes) are covered: issue a refund or send you a replacement. If they won't send you a replacement, take your refund and go to a different dealer and look for something off the rack, whether it's a Fender or a different manufacturer.

It's clear you're not happy and I don't blame you if what you say is true. You've had 3 less-than-perfect Strat specimens and I'd be unhappy too. With the $$ you're paying you should be happy with your purchase. But ranting about it and not giving us any indication of what exactly you want won't do you any good and it sure won't help other forum members be able to assist you.

In reality, none of us, including you, knows where the damage occurred. It could have been during shipping (notwithstanding that the packaging appears fine), and it could be the fault of Fender QC. But so far it seems Fender is trying to make it right by giving you a refund. Isn't a replacement (if they're offering that) or a refund all that you could expect from a company who has a dissatisfied customer?

Good luck.

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2008 MIA Standard Strat 3-tone Sunburst
2007 Taylor 310 Acoustic
Fender Blues Junior NOS Amp
Digitech Bad Monkey OD pedal

+1 raf66

When you buy a new car, you buy from a dealer. If you have trouble with it, you always call the dealer, not the factory where the car was made. None of these guitars were bought directly from Fender anyway, they were bought through a dealer, no matter where they shipped from.

I would agree that it is likely shipping damage and did not leave the factory that way. JMO

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.