Author Topic: Phony Elan on Ebay (Read 485 times)

bassman10096 · « **on:** March 18, 2004, 06:05:31 AM »

Here's another one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3712174096&category=4713

I'm sick of people doing this (or maybe I got out of the wrong side of bed this AM). It downgrades the Alembic brand, our investments and the ability for unsuspecting, innocent and unsophisticated buyers to trust sellers' representations about Alembics.

I wrote to the seller this morning:

To seller of Alembic Elan 4 string bass guitar w/case *MINT*:
I don't assume you know this, but the bass you advertise is not an Alembic. There are a number of very clear things that would make anyone who knows Alembic basses certain of this, but the easiest and most common knock-off trait is the painted or decal logo. Alembic's logo looks nothing like that, and they have never used painted logos or indicated model name on any bass.
Some sellers with similar knockoff items disclose this - see: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3701531807&category=2384. That's fair. A little wierd, but fair. What you have advertised is false and misleading. Please change your ad so you can avoid potentially fooling an unsuspecting buyer. If you want to verify what I am telling you, call Alembic at 707.523.2611 and describe the bass or give them the serial number.
I will copy this message to others, including Alembic, who will want to protect the integrity of the Alembic trademark. I assume you will make a change to your Ebay ad and any other you may post. If not, I or others will request Ebay investigate the accuracy of your representations and furnish information sufficient to establish its inaccuracy.
Look: If you were not aware of this problem, just fix it. If you were, you are doing something wrong. Either way, as an Alembic owner and Ebayer, misleading those who look at your ad is dangerous and unacceptable.
I hope this can be resolved quickly and properly.
Thank You

Hope the seller does something about it. I personally don't want to take time to talk with Ebay, so: could others send similar messages to seller? Might get through a little easier.

Bill

effclef · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2004, 06:52:21 AM »

Bill, there's a thread about this exact bass that Keavin started in the ALEMBIC BASSES AND GUITARS section of the Club.

Sure would be nice if this seller could give us a paper trail leading to the 'creator' of these things.

EffClef

David Houck · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2004, 06:53:44 AM »

Bill; I just posted to the other thread on this subject before reading your post. You did what I was going to do, give the seller the benefit of the doubt and request they try to correct the situation. I also started filing a counterfeit complaint to ebay and then had second thoughts. See the thread at:
http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/8803.html?1079620763

bracheen · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2004, 09:53:08 AM »

I also contacted the seller about this not being an Alembic. I considered contacting the single bidder but haven't done so yet.

Sam

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2004, 10:09:54 AM »

I emailed the bidder.

bassman10096 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2004, 11:49:12 AM »

I understand Mica and others have contacted the seller too. I recieved an Email from the seller (sounds like others would have recieved a similar Email), saying he was not aware it was a fake and promising to end the auction. I just checked Ebay and did not find the item. Now I vacillate between thinking this is a good result and wondering where he'll take it next...

Bill

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #6 on:** March 18, 2004, 12:16:16 PM »

I was the single bidder, and indeed the item has been cancelled. I actually contacted Mica earlier because I was suspicious about the painted logo. My first impulse seeing such a good deal was to jump on it. I began comparing it to my Orion, and things started to fall apart.

palembic · « **Reply #7 on:** March 18, 2004, 12:40:54 PM »

Brother Kevin ...dry your eyes, don't cry ...they have LOADS of new Alembics waiting for you!!!!
BTW ...welcome in this club of low frequency addicted people. It's great to have you here!!!

Paul the bad one

Oh ...huh ...lend me your ear that I can whisper confidentialities ...closer ...closer ...
PICTUUUUUUUUUUUU-URES!!!!!!
No ...not of you of course ...of that ORION of yours.
Watch out ...there is the Paul brigade!
Guys ...we take this table in the corner here!!!!
Bring the bottles ...oh ...huh ...are there any left??

David Houck · « **Reply #8 on:** March 18, 2004, 01:15:10 PM »

Hi Kevin; and welcome. As you may have gathered by now we get a little riled up about fake Alembics . By the way, I say the Ebay listing of the baritone Orion you picked up; nice looking guitar!

bracheen · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2004, 01:39:49 PM »

Hi Kevin, to bad about the letdown. Thank goodness for the Orion to soften the blow.
As Dave said, we get pretty rabid around here. The good name of Alembic is dear to us. Speaking of Orions, how about some photos of it?
Welcome to the club.

Sam

bassman10096 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2004, 02:11:02 PM »

Welcome Kevin. At least you didn't spend any money on the fake! Hope you'll join us here at the Club. Good people, good information, good company.

Bill

lowlife · « **Reply #11 on:** March 18, 2004, 02:28:58 PM »

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to spot fakes in the Seinor Management catagory, the way we catch those fake Alembics on Ebay. Post a picture, get some feedback, make a qualified decision. Oh well, it's nice to dream.
Welcome to the club Kevin.

Ellery

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #12 on:** March 18, 2004, 02:43:25 PM »

Wow,

What an incredibly friendly welcome! I will be glad to post some pictures soon of my Orion Baritone. It is still pretty new to me, and I am absolutely smitten. The rumbling candy thunder lows, the crystalline highs, and the gut punching mids. I am slavering just considering it. Thanks for the well-wishes regarding the Elan as well. I have loved the guitars/basses since I first saw them, and am glad the community seems to be the same quality.

bob · « **Reply #13 on:** March 18, 2004, 09:55:03 PM »

Oh dear, your Orion is a baritone? That will get some tongues wagging.

I'm continually surprised by how many bassists here opt for medium or short scales (with some notable exceptions like Rami). But even those of us who favor 'real' basses still try to be nice to those who are still playing guitars... and it seems that Alembic is making more of those than ever, approaching parity with basses.

A baritone is an interesting compromise, aka step in the right direction :-), so please tell us about your scale length, tuning, and string gauges

Welcome.
-Bob

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #14 on:** March 19, 2004, 11:56:54 AM »

Here is my Orion Baritone. These are the pictures from the ebay posting (not very good, but readily available).