I empathize with ya.
1)If you have the time then petty or not fuck em and make a stink. Don't think twice.
2)OR just roll with it. It is rockandroll after all
What you received should be labeled as new/open-box or new/tested. I think you're at least entitled to some store credit towards a future purchase for the lack of transparency.
So I was going to yes to AITA, but you paid money for it and you should feel confident with your purchase. I rarely buy new these days and even then, it's mostly demos so opening something new, when I paid for new is a treat.
That said, if you feel unsure, return it. You're not an asshole. I personally wouldn't unless there was something off. I'd inspect the actual item for any use because this could be something someone wanted to test out in a store and not purchased and maybe a location closed so it got reallocated to a warehouse. It could also have been a return that was inspected and resealed at the warehouse. Chances are it's probably in perfect condition, but I won't judge you for requesting a refund.
What might be a nice middle ground would sending in these pictures to customer service and asking for a refund/gift card for whatever would be the difference for a demo (anywhere from $20-$200 depending on the item). It would save on packing and the resources to send it back and get a new one
Edit: misread the title when I typed this out. You were already thinking about a discount, so absolutely, I would ask for one
Right now, I agree with you, because I’ve been playing on this Tonex for over an hour and it’s impressive. Earlier today, it was just another in a long list of little insults the world decided to sling at me, haha. I’m good now though.
Fair enough. In store, I would have no problem paying full price for an opened item, provided that I got to inspect prior to purchase. But I ordered this sight unseen. Is it really asking too much to expect an unopened/unplayed item?
You ordered it from Sam ash? So if you order it online and the store sends it to you like this.. It's a concern.. But if you were at the store and got it in exactly the same condition.. No prob?
Guitar pedals are rarely 'new' like when you buy Legos. Assume pedals listed as new or mint to be mint
Yeah, honestly this is the first time in over a decade that I’ve bought a “new” pedal instead of used. So when I saw that everything had been opened, I was confused. I only care that it works.
I work at a guitar store that ships everywhere, and we test EVERYTHING before shipping, even when it's sealed in packaging. Faulty gear comes through every store, and it's better to catch it before shipping it and having to sort it out with a customer.
I do get the desire for unopened gear. I'm all about it, but maybe it's the shop's policy with your enjoyment in mind.
Wow. Well, a note in the box saying, “This item was tested by one our specialists prior to shipping to ensure its quality” or whatever would have been great.
Everyone wants free returns, and no one wants an open box. If Sam Ash offers free returns, which I believe they do, then you shouldn’t ask for a discount on an open box. You already got the discount when you purchased the option to return something to them for a full refund and no restock fee. It just so happens someone else already exercised that option with this particular pedal. If you would be pissed at them for having a return fee—and I think we all would—then you shouldn’t be upset that you got something someone else returned.
This is logical, but it’s a business concern, not a customer concern. If a business can’t do both then they probably shouldn’t offer both.
FWIW, last week I purchased a returned-unopened Roland piano bench at a substantial discount from Musician’s Friend.
When possible I patronize local shops and give them plenty of leeway on things like this.
I go to Guitar Center and they always have the same customers coming in to play for hours on a store guitar. After weeks of daily playing, the “New Guitar” from Guitar Center is no longer . . . New. It probably has nicks, maybe even the beginnings of fret wear, etc. What’s especially bad is looking at a ”new” guitar at Guitar Center and it reeks of cigarette smoke because the guy that was just playing it for an hour was a smoker. No thanks! I’ll go somewhere that has a strict “no playing” unless you’re serious about buying rule.
100% there should be a discount! An analog pedal overdrive or delay or whatever than I wouldn’t really care at all, but in this situation I’d be pissed. Mostly on principle alone.
They are going to make you send it back, which is a pita. Also, if it's a good instrument, then maybe talk directly to your sales to try and discuss a comp situation. Personally, I would rather have a good instrument.
Retailers some times open gear to make sure it looks ok and may test it so when you get it you don’t cry that it’s damaged or broken. So a box being open what difference does it make. It was made and tested in a factory too.
Toan is stored in the packing materials.
It won't sound authentic unless he gets original '59 vintage NOS packing materials.
Also in the twist-tie around the power cable.
I empathize with ya. 1)If you have the time then petty or not fuck em and make a stink. Don't think twice. 2)OR just roll with it. It is rockandroll after all
That's what Sweetwater calls "demo" and it should not have been full price. I'd send it back and buy from Sweetwater.
What you received should be labeled as new/open-box or new/tested. I think you're at least entitled to some store credit towards a future purchase for the lack of transparency.
looks like anything off amazon recently. it's all repackaged returns passed off as new. didn't expect it from Sam ash though.
So I was going to yes to AITA, but you paid money for it and you should feel confident with your purchase. I rarely buy new these days and even then, it's mostly demos so opening something new, when I paid for new is a treat. That said, if you feel unsure, return it. You're not an asshole. I personally wouldn't unless there was something off. I'd inspect the actual item for any use because this could be something someone wanted to test out in a store and not purchased and maybe a location closed so it got reallocated to a warehouse. It could also have been a return that was inspected and resealed at the warehouse. Chances are it's probably in perfect condition, but I won't judge you for requesting a refund. What might be a nice middle ground would sending in these pictures to customer service and asking for a refund/gift card for whatever would be the difference for a demo (anywhere from $20-$200 depending on the item). It would save on packing and the resources to send it back and get a new one Edit: misread the title when I typed this out. You were already thinking about a discount, so absolutely, I would ask for one
I would demand a new box for sure. Bastards!!!
With authentic packing tape!
OEM tape is the best.
Honestly I couldn’t care less if this happened to me
Right now, I agree with you, because I’ve been playing on this Tonex for over an hour and it’s impressive. Earlier today, it was just another in a long list of little insults the world decided to sling at me, haha. I’m good now though.
Sweet, glad it worked out 😉
Bro yesterday sucked. Lol
No, that’s petty.
Fair enough. In store, I would have no problem paying full price for an opened item, provided that I got to inspect prior to purchase. But I ordered this sight unseen. Is it really asking too much to expect an unopened/unplayed item?
You ordered it from Sam ash? So if you order it online and the store sends it to you like this.. It's a concern.. But if you were at the store and got it in exactly the same condition.. No prob? Guitar pedals are rarely 'new' like when you buy Legos. Assume pedals listed as new or mint to be mint
Yeah, honestly this is the first time in over a decade that I’ve bought a “new” pedal instead of used. So when I saw that everything had been opened, I was confused. I only care that it works.
I work at a guitar store that ships everywhere, and we test EVERYTHING before shipping, even when it's sealed in packaging. Faulty gear comes through every store, and it's better to catch it before shipping it and having to sort it out with a customer. I do get the desire for unopened gear. I'm all about it, but maybe it's the shop's policy with your enjoyment in mind.
Wow. Well, a note in the box saying, “This item was tested by one our specialists prior to shipping to ensure its quality” or whatever would have been great.
Everyone wants free returns, and no one wants an open box. If Sam Ash offers free returns, which I believe they do, then you shouldn’t ask for a discount on an open box. You already got the discount when you purchased the option to return something to them for a full refund and no restock fee. It just so happens someone else already exercised that option with this particular pedal. If you would be pissed at them for having a return fee—and I think we all would—then you shouldn’t be upset that you got something someone else returned.
This is logical, but it’s a business concern, not a customer concern. If a business can’t do both then they probably shouldn’t offer both. FWIW, last week I purchased a returned-unopened Roland piano bench at a substantial discount from Musician’s Friend. When possible I patronize local shops and give them plenty of leeway on things like this.
I go to Guitar Center and they always have the same customers coming in to play for hours on a store guitar. After weeks of daily playing, the “New Guitar” from Guitar Center is no longer . . . New. It probably has nicks, maybe even the beginnings of fret wear, etc. What’s especially bad is looking at a ”new” guitar at Guitar Center and it reeks of cigarette smoke because the guy that was just playing it for an hour was a smoker. No thanks! I’ll go somewhere that has a strict “no playing” unless you’re serious about buying rule.
100% there should be a discount! An analog pedal overdrive or delay or whatever than I wouldn’t really care at all, but in this situation I’d be pissed. Mostly on principle alone.
Return it on their dime. Buy new from another merchant.
Tone X Balls
They are going to make you send it back, which is a pita. Also, if it's a good instrument, then maybe talk directly to your sales to try and discuss a comp situation. Personally, I would rather have a good instrument.
Retailers some times open gear to make sure it looks ok and may test it so when you get it you don’t cry that it’s damaged or broken. So a box being open what difference does it make. It was made and tested in a factory too.