|
Post by milton on May 25, 2018 13:32:39 GMT
I'd really like to try out a bunch of Harley Benton acoustic guitars - specifically the 5 or 6 acoustics they make with wider nut widths. Harley Benton are one of the few guitar makers out there making affordable acoustics with wider string spacing but, annoyingly, there's no way of actually trying em before you buy (unless you fly to their German showroom... something I'm not actually ruling out!)
Anyway, I'm looking into whether it's feasible to order 5 or 6 Harley Bentons just to try them out, with the specific intention of returning all but one. If I lived in Germany, this would be unproblematic, as it's free postage and returns, but as I'm in the UK, I would have to pay for postage back.
From what I've read, most couriers offer deals whereby the postage cost is cheaper per item the more items you send. So, for instance, returning 1 guitar to Thomann might cost £20, but returning 6 might cost only £80.
If I end up with a guitar I really enjoy playing, I'd consider anything up to £100 in postage to have been worth it (I'm a guitar obsessive; I'm sure you all understand).
Does anyone have any experience of this they could share, of posting guitars internationally? Whether to Thomann, or from selling a guitar on eBay or whatever? Any courier or postal services recommendations?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 25, 2018 21:34:00 GMT
I dont think you have to pay the return if you return during the first 14 days! UK is still within EU or ? kind of Best is to ask Thomann, call the on the phone and get an instant answer or email their customer service which will reply in a few/several days depending on how many emails they get. Best is to call them and ask.
|
|
3,968 posts
|
Post by salteedog on May 25, 2018 21:56:53 GMT
Under EU consumer protection rules the seller is not under any obligation to pay return shipping costs if you change your mind on a purchase. (You're allowed to change your mind within 14 days of receipt of product). I don't expect Thomann to agree to pay those costs - it's serious money they would be losing - but you never know. It can't hurt to ask.)
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 26, 2018 7:34:45 GMT
Under EU consumer protection rules the seller is not under any obligation to pay return shipping costs if you change your mind on a purchase. (You're allowed to change your mind within 14 days of receipt of product). I don't expect Thomann to agree to pay those costs - it's serious money they would be losing - but you never know. It can't hurt to ask.) I have been returning so many times within the first 14 days and Thomann NEVER like never ever asked me to pay for the return. They just send me the Free Return Label to put on the parcel and I send it back and they return my money.
|
|
3,968 posts
|
Post by salteedog on May 26, 2018 13:57:56 GMT
I think they'll pay for the shipping if you have a fault with the guitar (even a minor one and you insist on returning it).
Che...postage from Denmark to Germany is probably pretty cheap for Thomann (they'll be on commercial bulk rates) so they may have figured it wasn't worth their while to dispute the costs with you when you did change of mind returns....or were all your returns on the basis of issues? - I know you had some dodgy guitars that had to be returned.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 26, 2018 14:21:39 GMT
I also had monitors or pedals that were fine just not my thing and they still issued the free return label as long it was within the first 14 days. After the first 14 days the customer pays for the return. Trust me I know what Im talking about. Nothing to do with dodgy guitars. The first 14 days Thmann pays for the return by sending you a free shipping label. Done that tons of times.
Dodgy guitar can be even returned for free after the 14 days as that is under the Warranty! Or even up to 3 years (thomann warranty)
|
|
|
Post by milton on May 26, 2018 17:38:22 GMT
Hmmmm, I would be very surprised if Thomann were prepared to pay the return postage from the UK to Germany on 5 or 6 non-faulty acoustic guitars, returned simply because I was 'trying before buying'. Their terms & conditions clearly states that, while you will be refunded goods returned within 30 days, you have to pay the return postage if you're not in Germany. It's such a shame Thomann couldn't have some kind of small showroom in London! Anyway, I've done a bit of research and I think I've found a fairly cheap courier. I'll contact Thomann anyway because, quite apart from anything, if I do compare 6 different guitars, I may as well do a quick video comparison/review and the publicity might be in their interests, who knows?! Won't have the time for another few weeks anyway.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 26, 2018 18:35:52 GMT
Indeed 5-6 guitars would be tricky as it would be obvious what you did there Still do ask and I'm sure they will try to help you out.
|
|
|
Post by spacelord77 on May 27, 2018 5:53:23 GMT
I also had monitors or pedals that were fine just not my thing and they still issued the free return label as long it was within the first 14 days. After the first 14 days the customer pays for the return. Trust me I know what Im talking about. Nothing to do with dodgy guitars. The first 14 days Thmann pays for the return by sending you a free shipping label. Done that tons of times. Dodgy guitar can be even returned for free after the 14 days as that is under the Warranty! Or even up to 3 years (thomann warranty) Did you have to take it/them to UPS office yourself? I remember years ago(2009) while still living in Finland, i decided to return a bass cab. The UPS courier came to my door to pickup the item and all for free.
|
|
|
Post by Vincent on May 27, 2018 7:01:54 GMT
Hmmmm, I would be very surprised if Thomann were prepared to pay the return postage from the UK to Germany on 5 or 6 non-faulty acoustic guitars, returned simply because I was 'trying before buying'. Their terms & conditions clearly states that, while you will be refunded goods returned within 30 days, you have to pay the return postage if you're not in Germany. It's such a shame Thomann couldn't have some kind of small showroom in London! Anyway, I've done a bit of research and I think I've found a fairly cheap courier. I'll contact Thomann anyway because, quite apart from anything, if I do compare 6 different guitars, I may as well do a quick video comparison/review and the publicity might be in their interests, who knows?! Won't have the time for another few weeks anyway. I don't think it is fair to order several guitars when we only intend to keep one at most. The returned guitars will presumably need to be relisted as B stock because they will become used. However if your modus operandi is to procure content for say a YouTube channel then I would suggest you do contact Thomann and introduce yourself. Be clear about your intententions. They might be willing to supply samples freely covering shipping both ways.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 27, 2018 8:56:57 GMT
I also had monitors or pedals that were fine just not my thing and they still issued the free return label as long it was within the first 14 days. After the first 14 days the customer pays for the return. Trust me I know what Im talking about. Nothing to do with dodgy guitars. The first 14 days Thmann pays for the return by sending you a free shipping label. Done that tons of times. Dodgy guitar can be even returned for free after the 14 days as that is under the Warranty! Or even up to 3 years (thomann warranty) Did you have to take it/them to UPS office yourself? I remember years ago(2009) while still living in Finland, i decided to return a bass cab. The UPS courier came to my door to pickup the item and all for free. Nope Here in Denmark one is expected to do things self I hand it over to my local Post Shop (any super market has one so no big deal)
|
|