Here is an example of the dangers of purchasing from questionable sellers on eBay. This seems to be an increasing problem, so I will document any further problems I may experience, and invite you to send me details of your own experiences - click here for the email link.

This Japanese Pink Paisley Fender Telecaster was described as 'mint' by the suburban Sydney eBay seller (who has requested I delete this page), and the following photographs were supplied by him in the listing;

Looks OK, doesn't it! Bidding was fierce on this one (47 bids in total), but as I wanted to buy a mint example to replace one I had wanted to keep for my eldest daughter (now 25), I was prepared to bid high. (She had spied one at an incredibly early age in a dealer's window in a Tamworth in 1986, exclaiming, "Look Dad! There's a girl's Telecaster!", and I purchased what turned out to be Fender Australia's hand-picked display for the Country Music Festival for that year, but had to sell in an unfortunate period in my life some years back.)

But then look what the reality was when it eventually arrived;

Compare these to the seller's photos, and see how skilfully he has avoided the damaged areas in his own photographs!

Deliberate deception, or total innocence? I'll let you decide...but the seller tried to argue that the damage must have been done by the couriers (!), and also insisted that he would not consider a refund because i had 'changed my mind', and then eventually changed his position to "I had no idea it was that bad - honestly", and "I can't have this on my conscience, I will refund the money" after I indicated the issue would be taken to court, and supplied the photographs, compared them to his, and explained the legal meaning of 'mint'.

So beware - they are out there! And yes, this Australian seller has a 100% feedback rating too. I won't identify him, as we have privacy laws for good reason in this lovely country, but I put this here as a warning to be careful out there. And realise that you DO have legal recourse if such a blatant misrepresentation occurs. On this occasion I was able to avoid having to resort to the courts to decide the matter, and the guitar has been returned to the seller after a refund was eventually given (not without a lot of resistance!). I paid return courier fees just to see the back of this unpleasant experience.

Here's another one - quite a different situation. The seller I am sure was quite honest in her intent, unlike the fellow above.

However, the guitar, a pre-1900 USA-made Bauer parlour acoustic with Oak top and Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, was packed drastically inadequately. with no protection against squeezing forces or impact during transport with Australia Post (she insisted on using Australia Post despite the fact I had suggested a much more cost-effective courier, and charged me close to double the postage charges, which I accepted and paid for, assuming it would at least be insured, which it turns out was not the case!)

The package as it arrived. I was very concerned with the lack of rigidity of the packaging, and the obvious lack of protection to the guitar body sides. The cardboard was very 'floppy', and the packaging tightly wrapped around the bass bout of the guitar, giving it no protection other than minimal padding. Fearing the worst, I photographed the package before opening it.

This is the extent of the packaging I was charged $20 for. A thin foam 'bag', a roll of 30cm bubblewrap, some paper, polystyrene beads, and that useless 'floppy' scrap cardboard!

What I initially found - string tension and an impact or bending force during shipping have resulted in the neck/body join failing. De-tensioning the strings and proper packaging in a stiff cardboard box (eg a guitar box from a music shop) would have prevented this. GOLDEN RULE!! Always de-tension strings when shipping a guitar, especially without a case.

Closer inspection in good light then revealed further problems, along the lines I had originally feared when seeing the inadequate packaging. The body has had forces applied in the lower region (where it is also widest, and was in tight contact with the packaging), resulting in long cracks in the solid roeswood sides right around the lower bout, and on both the top and bottom of each side. This is the bass side...

...and this is the treble side...

...with cracks also emanating from the end pin from pressure or impact

the back of the guitar is also separating from the sides due to this damage.

the postage label - $23.35. That leaves a lot of change from $45 to pack the guitar properly!

A terrible shame, with a lovely old guitar being needlessly damaged by thoughtless packing. Had the guitar simply had its strings loosened, a free guitar box been obtained from a music shop, some crumpled newspaper or similar arranged around the guitar with the box to prevent movement and absorb shock, the guitar would have arrived safely.

I was charged $45 for postage that would have cost under $30 all up (postage of $23.35, Registered Mail at $2.70, and Delivery Confirmation at $1.70), so I assumed that insurance (at a mere $7.70) would have been part of the deal!

But no, when I contacted the seller through the PayPal dispute service, she denied all liability, indicating that she had not insured the item, and has said that the damage has no bearing on the packaging. This surprised me, as I had thought the issue was obvious, and that with a co-operative approach we could rapidly find a solution. No apologies, no offer of assistance - just flat denial and a bunch of lies sent to PayPal!

Looks like yet another nightmare looming.