Getting in front of a bad situation

[quinntheeskimo]

Hello everyone-

Some of you know me as Quinn The Eskimo. I'm sure I've sold tubas or tuba accessories to many people on this exchange, and I've always tied to give my best service to members of the low brass community.

I'd like to get in front of a situation before it explodes all over the internet. I first will start by acknowledging a mistake. I listed for sale on eBay a tuba that was listed as a YBB-632S, though it was actually a YBB-631S-both BBb compensating tubas. This was my mistake in the model number and I acknowledge that mistake, though there was a closeup photo of the model number that showed it to be a YBB-631. The listing is shown here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-YBB-632S ... 7675.l2557" target="_blank

It was purchased by a client who's anonymity I will maintain unless he chooses to out himself. He received the instrument and was unhappy to discover it was the wrong model. Completely understandable, and I apologized sincerely and offered a full refund (with me paying for return shipping) or other considerations. He responded with abuse and threats, including the following:

"I know from your reviews that this was not an honest mistake on your part but the usual scam. I can add to some of the web sites that run parallel to my experience and have a chat with the ebay folks or I can receive the $750 within 5 days. Again, your choice."

I responded by sending him a FedEx return label so he can return the tuba for a full refund at no cost to him.

I deeply regret the error. When you sell as many horns as I do, one makes mistakes sometimes even though I try my best to eliminate them. But I do expect respect from the people I do business with. Well, this person has publicly threatened to drag my name through the mud online and I am not moved by his threats. I wanted to make this unfortunate incident known to the tuba-playing community in the hopes that you will know that I continue to be committed to providing great instruments at unbeatable prices and would really love your business.

Also, if anyone is looking for a Yamaha YBB-631S, it looks like I might have one for sale soon

Thanks for listening.

Matthew Stoecker

[Watchman]

I've bought stuff from Quinn the Eskimo before and never had a problem. I can understand this buyer being upset, but I hardly think the seller is running a scam. In his negative and neutral reviews, there is one other one that mentions that they got the wrong gear. Seems more like he just made a mistake. Considering how many eBay auctions this guy has going, I could imagine some things slipping through the cracks once in a while.

[bort]

If he does return the tuba, when you re-list it, you should create the world's most sarcastic and obnoxious eBay listing to point out which specific model it is, and which one it isn't.

[quinntheeskimo]

Thanks for all the positive replies guys! I appreciate the support.

[quinntheeskimo]

And actually, I initially agreed to the $750 refund. When I make a mistake, I really work hard for customer satisfaction, and even though that wasn't ideal it could close the issue. But even after I'd agreed to a partial refund he continued to threaten me and accuse me of deliberate malfeasance. I won't take that kind of abuse, not even from a customer.

M.

[Ace]

I've done business with this merchant, and have found him to be responsible and honest.

Ace

[Worth]

A couple of years back I bought a beautiful BE-967 Round Stamp Sovereign Euphonium from Quinn. Well represented and very happy with the whole experience and instrument. Thanks Quinn and don't let the dogs get you down!

[quinntheeskimo]

The reason I didn't accept it and be done with is was because after I agreed to his request, he continued to berate me and threaten me. I'd rather have that tuba in my warehouse for the rest of my life than reward someone for their abuse. And I didn't start this thread to start a war of words-indeed, I have no interest in debating this with my client in this or any other forum. I opened this thread because he had privately threatened to drag my reputation through the mud on every internet site that he could if I didn't accept his demand, so I wanted to get in front of the situation before it blew up.

M.

[Dylan King]

I have bought quite a few instruments from quinntheeskimo, and have always found him to be a fair and honest seller. At times he has some unusually great deals, too. It really is too bad, and I agree with whomever called this extortion. Sorry buddy. You certainly have my backing as a loyal customer.

Dylan King