"I'm sorry, we have no return policy"

[salem]

Hi. In my amp search I am coming up with great amps like Victorias and Brunos located on the other side of the country, CA, MO, NE. At least one of these amps, a Victoria, is selling at $50 over cost, a ridiculously lowball price.

However, this dealer, and a few others have told me they "have no return policy, sorry." This scares me to death. What if I pay around $2,000 for an amp that I have not inspected nor listened to and it does not function properly? What recourse does one have?

Do you think that a "no return policy" is a red flag?

[SirDouglas]

I have 1 thing to say to that...... F T S ..(you can figure that out yer a bright boy)

wont take returns find it somewhre else... some one has what yer lookin for..

Sir Douglas

Randy

[jerseydrew]

I actually would agree with the dealer on the "no return" policy. Amps are too expensive and fragile to ship, just so some guy can "try it out" to see it he likes it. I would love to "buy" an amp, play it and take it to a gig, then send it back. I could have saved thousands of dollars over the years. What are the odds of the dealer getting the amp back in "new" condition? Pretty slim. I'm not a dealer, it's just my opinion.

[Steve Haynie]

Yup, on the high end gear the dealer does not want to get stuck with a damaged amp any more than you do. It's not the shipping that is a problem, it's the occasional idiot that does not know how to take care of gear.

When I worked in a store an "idiot" came in and tried out a $999 rackmount guitar signal processor. While the unit was still on the dumbass unplugged the guitar, dropped the cord on the floor, and switched guitars. There was a crackle when he unplugged and replugged. I walked over and shut the signal processor down and told the guy he was done. He didn't understand what was wrong.

Hand wired tube amps can be built well, but the nature of the beast also opens it up to more problems. They can also be "tinkered" with. There is no telling what people will try in their homes.

I agree that when mail ordering such an expensive piece there should be an approval period, but it is possible that a few dealers have been burned in the past. The dealer has no idea if you are a real player who respects the product or a fool who knows how to say the right words while doing dumb things anyway.

If your new amp is to be a lifelong investment instead of this year's gear, you may have to travel to try out an amp. If there is a dealer rep that services your state, you may be able to connect with that person.

[MCChris]

Do you think that a "no return policy" is a red flag?

A "no return policy" is just that ... a policy. Business owners can operate in whatever fashion they choose; that's one of the benefits of owning your own business. You the customer can choose to abide by those policies or take your business elsewhere; that's one of the benefits of being a customer.

[salem]

Thanks for the replies. I think a happy compromise might be to order directly from the manufacturer.

Since I need some tweed, I am going to see if Victoria will sell me a 20112 Tweed Deluxe and ship it from their shop. I am going to inquire about a possible speaker upgrade to a Weber or Celestion Blue because a lot of people say they don't like the Jensen reissues that come with the Victoria amps.

Very little can be wrong with an amp that is shipped directly from the builder.

[MCChris]

Very little can be wrong with an amp that is shipped directly from the builder.

Yeah.

[silentman]

Some states require that a store has a certain type of return policy. At the least they should give you a store credit if you are unhappy with the purchase.

[Guest Mike Lee]

Such requirements fall under the implied warranty of merchantability. A dealer cannot sell a used item and claim it's new, nor can they sell a defective item and refuse to exchange and/or repair it. It's about protecting the consumer from getting stuck with a lemon.

Now, returning something that works fine because you don't like it, that's another story. If you don't like it, you shouldn't buy it in the first place. Then there's the problem of deadbeat musicians who will "rent" gear for a gig and return it. Most non-music stores restrict returns on laptop computers and video cameras for the same reasons.

In the case of amps, I refuse to buy from any store that doesn't let me try the thing out. That means the place is quiet - no PA blaring music and no kids trying out the latest Line6 with their best drop-D licks. And it also means that I get to turn the amp up as loud as I want (preferably in a separate room) without the salesmen getting shitty. Now, I'm not going to play the thing maxed out for an hour, but for a few minutes at least.

This pretty much rules out G.C. and any chain stores. Willcutt's and Mak'n Music are cool though.

[Nathan]

When I worked in a store an "idiot" came in and tried out a $999 rackmount guitar signal processor. While the unit was still on the dumbass unplugged the guitar, dropped the cord on the floor, and switched guitars. There was a crackle when he unplugged and replugged. I walked over and shut the signal processor down and told the guy he was done. He didn't understand what was wrong.

Your still all lathered up about that? Bet you're still crying about the SG I left balanced on the 300Watt Marshall I was testing (btw have you ever heard such a bad ass version of the Master of Puppets intro? I nailed it on the seventh try, biotch!).

If you recall, I did buy eight frigging guitar picks and a string winder before I left. What a pud you are!

[Guest Scott_F]

I think that a 48 hour approval period is very reasonable. Also, the buyer should have to pay the shipping both ways if he/she is unhappy. Knowing that ahead of time, will usually get rid of the guys that want to abuse you as a loaner shop.

[Moose]

Salem,

I shot you a PM last night that might solve your problem. Did you get a chance to read it?

-Moose

[kenjones]

Check out what the countertop says in this photo:

[BCR Greg]

I sold a 56 Fender Deluxe a few years back, the guy called me three days after the 24 hour approval period was over, and I caved and took it back. When it arrived, the cabinet was retweeded, the transformers changed and the speaker had somehow gotten REALLY RUSTY since I shipped it.

I called his local police force, emailed shots of the amp BEFORE I shipped it and the amp AFTER I shipped it. They visited him and he owned up to skinning the cabinet, taking the bits and using them on a restoration that he was doing to his own amp.

He agreed to sending me all of my stuff back and $400 in cash (His wife's idea).

I still give 24 hour approval. I still have that amp in my collection, since all the broken solder joints and the original tweed back on reduced the value but didn't change the TONE.

Oh, and he ended up buying a 60's Strat from me a few years later and all was well.

[kurtsstuff]

We do not do refunds nor do we give any store credit but we do have a 3 day exchange option...if within 3 days you don't like something bring it back and swap it for something else but that is reserved for only those who have'nt grinded my tit's off by wanting to pay wholesale or better.

[salem]

Salem,

I shot you a PM last night that might solve your problem. Did you get a chance to read it?

-Moose

No Moose, my icon says "no new messages." What did the pm say?

[tombo]

Salem, just get a Clark Beaufort and be over with the amp drama. Michael Clark's amps are definitely a step above the Vickys. You won't need any return policy either cuz they're keepers.

[salem]

Salem, just get a Clark Beaufort and be over with the amp drama. Michael Clark's amps are definitely a step above the Vickys. You won't need any return policy either cuz they're keepers.

In your opinion, what sets the Clarks above the Vickys?

[Moose]

I might be able to get you into a very nice 5E3, but I prefer to remain discreet. Alas, both the forum email links and the private messages seem to be broken for me.

May I email you with details?

My personal email is chris at toneslut.com

-Moose

[salem]

I might be able to get you into a very nice 5E3, but I prefer to remain discreet. Alas, both the forum email links and the private messages seem to be broken for me.

May I email you with details?

My personal email is chris at toneslut.com

-Moose

Moose I appreciate your help with this and all the help and knowledge you have given me. Yesterday I ordered a Victoria Deluxe with a standby switch and a speaker upgrade to the Celestion Blue.

I knew I wanted one blackface and one tweed and I'm done.

[Moose]

Good for you, man. Victoria makes good stuff.

Don't play a tweed champ, though, or you'll start jonesing for one of those, too. They're especially cool if you get one with a 10" or 12" speaker instead of the 8".

[luiss]

I agree Moose about Deluxe tweeds.I got one from Bruce Collins as a kit and built it and I'm verry happy.It's a great cost cut option if you don't have/want much money to spend,but no resalue value(but who cares).I really love it.

Congrats on the Victoria purchase.