Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => Seen on craigslist, eBay, and elsewhere => Topic started by: mattheus on May 18, 2009, 02:11:14 PM

Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: mattheus on May 18, 2009, 02:11:14 PM: For all my American friends; A very nice Series I (Or should that be II) on Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160335782991 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160335782991)
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: olieoliver on May 18, 2009, 02:26:02 PM: The description states Series I but it looks like a Series II to me.

Nice bass in any event.

OO
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: lbpesq on May 18, 2009, 02:48:36 PM: Definitely Series II. Fairfax is just a little north of San Francisco over the Golden Gate Bridge, so if anyone in the club has a serious interest, I, or even an actual bass player who lives in the Bay Area, could check it out in person. Or even better, you might be able to talk the seller into bringing it up to the mother ship for a look/see and report. Doesn't get much better than that!

Bill, tgo
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: longhorncat on May 18, 2009, 05:43:48 PM: The seller seems to have trouble with English.
The first sign in an auction to be wary.
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: 57basstra on May 18, 2009, 06:06:32 PM: It is also spelled Alembec not Alembic so it is not showing up for me when I go straight to Alembic from eBay.
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: sonicus on May 18, 2009, 08:46:22 PM: Hi all . I have just returned from 3 days in Los Angeles. While I was down there I checked out the 1976 Alembic Scorpion and the 20th Anniversary that they are offering down there at The Hollywood Guitar Center on Sunset Blvd. So I check my email and I see this Series II. WOW , and I live so close to Fairfax! I am going to try to check this instrument out in person.

Wolf
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: Enzo on May 18, 2009, 09:01:18 PM: Looking into his previous transaction you see the same troubles with english. So maybe it's just the way it is. But, you never know.
Beautiful bass anyway.
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: harald_rost on May 18, 2009, 11:51:23 PM: I'm very interested and I asked the seller if he would ship international. If someone could check the bass personally it would be a great help to beware any scam auctions.
Thanks.
Harald
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: mattheus on May 19, 2009, 12:07:06 AM: The fact that the brandname is written wrong and that the seller is talking about a Series I instead of a Series II made me suspicous. Perhaps a clubmember can help you to pick-up this gorgeous bass. It would be a real shame if the seller, who clearly has no idea what he's talking about, would ship this instrument without taking care of some proper packaging!
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: sonicus on May 19, 2009, 01:45:11 AM: I have contacted the seller but i have not yet received a reply . I live close and intend to arrange for a personal inspection. i completely agree with you Mattheus regarding packing. I have had many items shipped that were ruined from negligent seller packing. You must also realize however that some shippers ALSO have individual employes that have NO respect or our parcels. i had a pair of rare DOLBY 360 NR units /with cat.280 cards shipped to me in Oakland California from Pinewood Studios in England that were packed very well BUT one unit was RUINED by UPS because of negligent handling. When buying a Bass such as this my first choice would be personal pick up and if I had to have it shipped my second choice would be Overnight Airmail or 1 to 2 day Airmail This can get expensive but might also help avert any sadness because of damage. :

Wolf_____

(Message edited by sonicus on May 19, 2009)
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: Enzo on May 19, 2009, 07:51:10 AM: According to the seller it's a long scale and it's working fine.
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: olieoliver on May 20, 2009, 10:03:18 AM: Curious, has anybody actually made contact with the seller? I noticed he/she posted their phone on the ebay ad in an answer to a question.

This is either a bad deal or a great deal. PU in person would be best bet.
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: otis on May 21, 2009, 04:15:01 AM: Hey, Guys!

I called the number on the message, yesterday, but after several rings it went to the voicemail of a guy named Quinn.. This was yesterday around 3pm, EST. I left a voicemail with my name and number, but have yet to hear back from him. Has anyone else tried making contact? This whole thing seems fishy... I haven't bid, I think this guy really has the bass, but it seems really fishy.

Good Luck, Everyone, I'll let you know if I hear from our mysterious friend.

Peace;)

Frank
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: sonicus on May 21, 2009, 06:57:12 AM: I have made very successful contact with the gentleman. We had a good conversation . My advice to everyone is to be as respectful as possible with him . Be careful not to sound accusatory or otherwise interrogative , don't step on his toes ! The question on ebay where he lists his phone number was a response to my inquiry regarding the instrument because I live close to where the Bass is at this time.

Wolf _
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: sonicus on May 21, 2009, 07:20:24 AM: I should disclose that I suggested to him that it would be a benefit to everyone for him to list the serial number, his response was that; he did not want Alembic to become annoyed with him. My response was ; quite the contrary Alembic encourages such inquiry. I believe then he said that he could list it.

Wolf
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: mikeyv on May 21, 2009, 04:51:57 PM: Hi guys,
I also emailed him, and asked him to post some pics of the power supply and cords he has, and he hasn't posted them.
Nor did he post the serial number like Sonicus asked him to do.
All he did do was change the description to say it was a series II.

He said I could come pick it up were I to win the auction, but this feller seems shady. All I know is if I had a bass that retailed for 18K, I'd list it better than that, and spell Alembic right. And I'd know what it was. Talk about a weird auction.

BTW, first post, glad to be here, been lurking for 8 years now.
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: 57basstra on May 21, 2009, 05:04:33 PM: Hello, Mike. Looks like you have been a member here so to speak for eight years now. I am with you. Talk about a weird auction
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: sonicus on May 21, 2009, 09:46:54 PM: Hello Mike, I am newly registered as well but have been an Alembic customer and user since the mid 1970's. I just don't know what to think at this point regarding this SERIES II . I still do not want to jump conclusions. How ever I was hopeful that the serial number would be listed.
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: ulf on May 22, 2009, 09:45:10 AM: I asked the seller for serialnumber and also if the Power supply is included, but I get no answer...
it\s a nice guy....
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: eos35mm on May 22, 2009, 07:07:40 PM: Hi Wolf, since you live so close to this bass maybe as you said you should really go get a look see and let us know if it is legit:-))
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: sonicus on May 22, 2009, 08:16:07 PM: Hi All. I emailed him first thing this morning via ebay's system and requested for him to list the serial number AGAIN. I just checked and that has not been done.
The location of the bass is about 90 miles round trip for me. He is going through a divorce as he states on the ebay auction page so the state of affairs seem TENSE.I might try to call him via phone a little later. These situations require diplomacy.
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: pas on May 23, 2009, 07:21:01 AM: Ah yes, divorce...cost me two of my Alembics.

Why does divorce cost so much...?

Because it's worth it!!! ;)
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: lbpesq on May 23, 2009, 09:53:36 AM: Ah, yes, divorce, from the Latin word meaning to rip out a man's genitals through his wallet.-- Robin Williams

Bill, tgo
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: sonicus on May 24, 2009, 09:15:31 PM: Reminded him again to list the serial number. I wrote; Listing the serial number would aid bidding, Thanks
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: eos35mm on May 25, 2009, 08:51:23 PM: No longer on Ebay either someone bought it or he had a change of heart. Did you buy it sonicus?
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: ulf on May 26, 2009, 01:06:40 AM: the seller had ended bidding!
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: sonicus on May 26, 2009, 03:57:25 PM: The seller posted the serial number on the ebay page for all to see and then contacted me . He was unable to list it before because he had become separated from the Bass. This was a legitimate scenario !
He then offered me the Bass commenting that the auction was not going well and that he had posted on the auction page that he reserved the right to end the auction early for local private sale. I am now giving this Bass a new loving home. She is really awesome . Pics will follow as soon as I oil the fingerboard and restring it.

(Message edited by sonicus on May 27, 2009)
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: elwoodblue on May 26, 2009, 04:17:50 PM: Wow! congrats,
Look forward to a tone report too. She looks pretty amazing...just from the quick auction pics.

It'll be nice to see some pictures through the eyes of someone who just received a new Alembic. : )
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: eos35mm on May 26, 2009, 04:18:42 PM: Yeah, LOL I knew you bought it. He told me the $$ figure he wanted and that someone made him a lesser offer but was waiting for that person to come up with the extra $$.
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: kimberly on May 26, 2009, 04:20:37 PM: Congratulations!

Kimberly
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: artswork99 on May 26, 2009, 04:35:56 PM: Congratulations Wolf!
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: sonicus on May 26, 2009, 04:50:15 PM: Thank you all for your support, I feel the Alembic Love!
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: 57basstra on May 26, 2009, 05:15:26 PM: congratulations
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: David Houck on May 26, 2009, 06:22:55 PM: Congrats!!! Beautiful bass!!
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: Enzo on May 26, 2009, 08:47:38 PM: What a Bass ! Congrats and looking forward to see some pics.
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: hieronymous on May 26, 2009, 08:58:14 PM: Wow! You're coming to the Bay Area Gathering, right? Bring it!
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: lbpesq on May 26, 2009, 10:46:00 PM: So you did get it, Wolf? I guess some things are just meant to be. Congrats! Looking forward to eyeballing it next month.

Bill, tgo
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: ulf on May 27, 2009, 12:54:06 AM: I do not know if all this was fair.
Either I offer something on ebay or not.
And I wonder, that ebay US allows these games.
ebay Germany don\t allows to cancel bidding, if there are biddings on an item.
I would be very interested to know what for the bass been paid
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: sonicus on May 27, 2009, 10:43:05 AM: DEAR ULF,
I mentioned to the seller that perhaps he should not stop the auction. He said he made it clear on the auction page that he reserves the right to sell the item as a PRIVATE sale locally at HIS discretion .I was not bidding on ebay. I did not make any offer to buy. I was watching the auction trying to get a disclosure of information for all to benefit from .The seller offered it to me expressing that he felt that I would provide a loving environment for the Bass. Therefore I send my sincere apologies to you ULF and any one else who shares your sentiment. The seller was also concerned about mishandling of the Instrument during shipping.

(Message edited by sonicus on May 27, 2009)

(Message edited by sonicus on May 27, 2009)
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: longhorncat on May 27, 2009, 11:41:44 AM: What the seller did was perfectly legal in the US.
He might have gotten more money if the auction had completed,
but all the mistakes he made were scaring way everyone but the local bidders.
Wolf, it looks like you got a great bass. Congrats.
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: ulf on May 27, 2009, 11:46:58 AM: Wolf, it?s absolutely ok that YOU buy these nice bass and I wish you many fun with this Series II.

I only think about this procedure, it was not correct from the seller to end bidding 2 days before ending...and this approach makes buying (or selling) on ebay for waste...
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: sonicus on May 27, 2009, 11:49:05 AM: Thanks for your support Bill.
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: sonicus on May 27, 2009, 12:09:28 PM: Ulf , Thank you ! I feel empathy from your point of view as well.
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: toddharris on May 28, 2009, 08:21:15 AM: Always a good idea to read between the lines and the description carefully. Whenever a seller says they may end the auction early it is a clear indication that they are open to offers. I would have bid at the end, but someone with greater desire made the compelling offer - no hard feelings - nice catch!
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: olieoliver on May 28, 2009, 08:25:52 AM: Congrats Wolf. I'm glad to see a club member score this bass. She's a beauty!

OO
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: sonicus on May 28, 2009, 08:49:59 AM: Thanks , to all of you! I am still in a state of amazement.
Title: Series 1(??) on Ebay
Post by: angelboy on May 30, 2009, 08:00:10 AM: How much did it go for in the end?