The guy was either being pretentious(he thought you'd be impressed, somehow, that he wasted your time), or he was expecting to get a perfect MIA, for a used MIM price. Either way, he was not being reasonable. I hate selling used stuff. You'd swear, if you didn't know better, that most people are just out to waste your time. People are so cheap, it's unreal. I used to think I was a tightwad. Now I either trade it in, swap or barter, or pack it away, to deal with, later. Too many folks just waste your time.
Wasn't my ad. OP posted a screenshot of his ad. I do agree that it wouldn't have hurt to include MiM in the description.
Yes but not the description.....I know to 90% of people I know, even serious players, they would think "Classic Series 70s Strat" means an actual vintage USA 1970s Stratocaster.....and he didn't say it was made in Mexico or say what year it was I don't think? It looks like a real 70s Strat in photos....except serial number etc.... So it's only natural IMHO that this happened.....
HYPOTHETICALLY As a Buyer -- I am not a Fender History Fanatic. If I am looking for a Nice Used Strat Style guitar, I like what I see and hear, the price is very close to what I can afford, I don't care where it was made. If I get a US guitar, Great!! I am just looking at everything. Whatever catches my attention, those are the ones I contact. Just remember -- Whoever runs the Ad, just because YOU know, and Other History Fanatics know by Serial Number or some " Special " Neck Plate design, something is made in " X Country " or has factory " Whatever Pups " doesn't mean everyone else interested in what you are advertising knows. It's akin to not divulging pertinent information, so however the " Buyer " reacts is not totally their fault. I don't buy things from folks who are " Selling for a friend " for what should be obvious reasons.
Spot on. MIM was the one thing I forgot to add to the listing. But what serial killer doesn’t google the EXACT MODEL before agreeing to buy?
I can understand cheap. I’ve definitely been in a spot where what I can offer is all I can offer. This was something different. He had no issue with the price from the beginning...he just decided not to google what he was buying.
I mean, even I agree with that. I just legitimately forgot. But the title of the ad was “2001 Classic Series 70’s Stratocaster”.
Sure. Negotiation is fine. But I told him last night I’d gotten a lot of offers on the guitar and that if he really wanted it (which he made it clear that he did) and agreed to the asking price (which he made it clear that he did), that I would hold onto it for him.
I listed it as 2001. I have it listed in the classifieds here without that, but in the listing he saw, the year was stated.
The worst part of the interaction, honestly, was when he said “I already have a made in Mexico Strat”.
Also, you’ve helped me immensely with ID’ing guitars in the last week and I really appreciate it. but to your point on it looking like a real 70’s Strat...after having played it for a week plus, it’s because they built it as such. it’s a dedicated reproduction, down to the bullet truss, which they leave out often. It’s a tank...which I like. Unfortunately my hands are smaller and the U neck is a tad chunky for me.
I always include as much info as I can in my ads. Most people don’t know anything about guitars, or the difference between models. Btw: if I have a potential buyer looking at a guitar, and he says ‘no’, that’s his right to do so. I see no problem here, if «made in Mexico» wasn’t included in the ad.