Source
r/synthesizers•
test822

warning, Reverb.com letting sellers ship equipment without crucial accessories, be sure to message sellers before purchasing anything

I bought some hardware off reverb.com and it arrived without a power cable. I can't use it at all until I buy a replacement cable out of my own pocket.

This was not mentioned anywhere in the listing, and I wish I would've known so I could've factored in the expense of a replacement cable when I made the purchase. After buying a new cable, my savings from buying used off reverb.com instead of new were not as much as I'd thought.

I tried to get a partial refund from the seller to cover the cost of a new cable, he basically told me to go pound sand. I contacted reverb support and they said they couldn't do the refund, but gave me $10 store credit, and told me to message all sellers in the future for more info before purchasing anything from now on.

It stinks that I now have to spend time messaging sellers before I can know whether something I buy can even be powered on when I receive it. Am I being unreasonable? if a factory new unit would be expected to arrive in a form where it can be powered on, should I expect a used unit to do so as well, or at least to have to specify in the listing if it doesn't? should I have to message every single seller from now on (and possibly wait days for replies) before being able to safely buy, to ensure an item will arrive in usable condition without any additional hidden expenses?

Posted Sep 29, 2020, 2:13 PM UTC · edited

055
beavisonreddit•

If the listing does not explicitly say it’s included, than expect it not to be included.

Everyone has to learn this at least one time. Just chalk it up for next time.

14
moistpeanut123•

Precisely this. As a seller it is not my responsibility to mention what is NOT included.

As a buyer if all I see is a picture of the synth with no listing info mentioning what is included then I can expect to get nothing but the synth.

This is not Reverb’s responsibility either. They cant enforce sellers to list every detail of the shipping and they cant enforce buyers to read carefully and understand what they are paying for.

6
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
test822OP•

They cant enforce sellers to list every detail of the shipping

no, but they can issue corrective action if they don't. I wouldn't qualify a power cord required for use of the product as a "frivolous detail" that wouldn't need to be specified in the listing.

As a seller it is not my responsibility to mention what is NOT included.

if something missing is required for the functioning of the unit, and comes with the unit when factory new, then I disagree

-2
moistpeanut123•

The thing is they kind of cant issue corrective action for not listing everything that is included. They would need a big seller agreement change which explicitly says you need to list every item... which at the moment they dont have so they cant issue warnings or anything like that.

Technically speaking everyone is playing by the rules set. Even though the seller might not be the ideal “model” reverb seller, he is still playing by the rules.

4
test822OP•

would it really be that hard to specify in the rules for sellers that listings must note any absence of any accessories that were factory included and are necessary for the functioning and use of the product?

-2
190531085100•

Dipping into unreasonable if this is about a guitar pedal, in my opinion. Many don't come with a power cable when new. Especially if it was not in the photos I would say you're at fault, not the seller. Now if the pedal is originally sold with a cable, AND the seller specified something along the lines of "brand new just like from the factory", then they are at fault.

I bought an Alesis rack mount compressor off Reverb and did not receive a power cable. The cable type is not as standard as a pedal cable, and I had to get a replacement for like half of the unit's cost. I felt that in that case the seller is at fault because the cable is relatively specialized. I think I was right to assume it would be included even if not pictured.

Anyway the store credit seems to even this out completely. I'm distancing myself from Reverb lately but this example does not seem valid to me.

7
test822OP•

Dipping into unreasonable if this is about a guitar pedal, in my opinion. Many don't come with a power cable when new.

It was a big multi-stomp unit. It can't run off batteries, and factory new units do come with a power cable, and even guitar pedal companies will specify on their website and product specs whether power supplies are included or are sold separately.

I bought an Alesis rack mount compressor off Reverb and did not receive a power cable. The cable type is not as standard as a pedal cable, and I had to get a replacement for like half of the unit's cost.

that sucks. did you end up paying for it out of your own pocket? that's absurd that you had to do that.

Anyway the store credit seems to even this out completely.

I'm not so upset about the cost anymore, as like you said, the store credit makes up for that. I'm just disappointed to find out that I'll now have to waste time messaging back and forth to cover my own ass before I can feel safe about buying anything off of there anymore, and that their "buyer protection" policy apparently doesn't cover necessary power cables.

0
oopfoo•

I use Reverb frequently, from both sides. Most sellers are reasonable and decent. I would’ve immediately shipped you a new cable, even if I had to purchase one. It is always that ONE garbage flipper who screws up the experience for everyone.

6
test822OP•

I'm not too upset about the seller. I know it's a mixed bag when you're dealing with randos over the internet.

I'm just very surprised and disappointed that reverb support basically took the seller's side here and told me this was my fault, and caveat emptor, since "buyer protection" is something they taut, and was a big reason why I was using the site.

maybe their recent acquisition by Etsy is already changing how things are run over there, idk

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
test822OP•

when times get tough, people get worse unfortunately

1
Moldy_piratePeak/ DB Impact/ Cycles/ NDLR/ MPC One•

Really? I’ve had nothing but good experiences. Am I just lucky?

1
squarek1•

Due diligence is always worth it.

4
test822OP•

so you're saying this is the buyer's fault for assuming a product would arrive in fully usable condition?

what's next, sellers secretly shipping guitars to people without pickups in them but listing the item condition as "excellent"?

-6
squarek1•

No I'm just saying check what you are buying before buying. People will send you a brick if you don't check. At least protect yourself with a written dialogue you can use

2
sequence_killer•

This exactly.

1
test822OP•

People will send you a brick if you don't check.

and you think sellers should be able to get away with that?

1
squarek1•

Why are you taking out your frustration on me. Obviously I don't think people should get away with it. im saying protecting yourself is common sense.

2
Mr_You•

If you don't see pictures of any accessories (including cables) then you need to ask or assume it's not included.

4
test822OP•

I know that now unfortunately, but it would be much easier if the site would make sellers specify this info in the listing, at least regarding factory included power cables (or any other factory cables that are proprietary to the brand or unit and aren't universally replaceable).

-1
sequence_killer•

I have learned as well, if I don’t see it listed or in the photo I ask. I’ve bought a new power cord from Japan for an 80s Roland synth, so I know they’re not just at the corner store.

3
Tofuforest•

What synth was it? There are a surprising amount of new synths that don’t come with a power cable also. I was surprised when the korg monolog came with just some double A batteries and no power supply.

3
test822OP•

I was surprised when the korg monolog came with just some double A batteries and no power supply.

that's pretty wack, especially considering how quickly it'd drain those batteries

1
moistpeanut123•

To be fair, as a buyer you should be reading the product info and make sure it says what is included in the shipping before you place order. I always mention “shipping with: box, cable, manual”

As a seller I have sold several synths and some didnt have its original power supply, box, usb cable...etc. If its not included then I dont even mention it and I have never had a problem. And when product conditions say its “like new” it does not mean it will ship with all the little accessories you get when buying retail. It means the product itself is in like new conditions.

So this is not a warning to Reverb per say but more a reminder to buyers that you need to make sure what is included in your purchase. You are buying from a classifieds site, buy from Reverb the same way you would from Ebay or Craigslist.

2
test822OP•

As a seller I have sold several synths and some didnt have its original power supply, box, usb cable...etc. If its not included then I dont even mention it

why not?

I always mention “shipping with: box, cable, manual”

that's excellent that you do that. unfortunately I just checked other listings for the same unit, and none of the other sellers are as informative as you are when they created their listings.

some show the cable in photos, some don't, but none of them mention anything about whether the cable is included in the listing text. even in the listings with it in the photo, I'd still have to message them to ensure it would actually be included, which kind of sucks, and doesn't make buying from there nearly as easy as I'd thought.

1
moistpeanut123•

Well yeah, Reverb is not Amazon or Guitar center or Sweetwater.

I use and trust Reverb a lot as both a seller and buyer, never had a problem. But As a buyer I always check the seller score and if I have any questions I ask. If I need something fast and factory new then I usually just go to Amazon.

2
test822OP•

wouldn't have helped me here, the seller has a decent score. but yeah, noted.

1
ginger_onionVirusTI/JP8000/NYX V2/KS Rack/Digitakt/TD3•

I don’t care what anyone says the power cable is part of the synth and the seller should state clearly if it’s missing.

2
test822OP•

yeah, I don't get the whole attitude of "well people selling things in shitty ways and behaving poorly is par the course, so shut up and you're dumb"

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
test822OP•

I'm not sure if I'd do all that, since it'd probably mean I'd have to ship the pedal back, which would be more of a pain in the ass than it's worth.

but I will be much more hesitant to make any quick purchases on their now, since now for my own safety I'll have to message literally every seller for clarification on anything I'm possibly interested in, and then possibly wait days for message replies to ensure I'll actually receive a functioning product, during which time someone else can buy the product out from under me.

I've bought off of reverb multiple times in the past, and the one time I had an issue (UPS played football with the box) it was handled very nicely and professionally by both the sellers and support staff. it's really weird to just experience a complete 180 on that out of nowhere from both parties.

maybe I can use my $10 store credit to buy a new cable off there. I guess now I'll have to message the sellers first to make sure it will actually arrive with all the prongs on it despite what the listing says...

-1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

0
test822OP•

Yeah, and if the device doesn't work?

I appreciate your concern, but I used a power cable from one of my other synths to test it, and the device itself seems to work fine. after I pay for a replacement cable everything should be good.

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
soon_come•

That’s a bad seller trying to pull one over, honestly. Feel free to to leave them a bad review, especially if they also had an attitude about it.

1
test822OP•

I wouldn't go so far as to say that they were trying to "pull one over on me", I think it's more likely they either forgot to mention it in the listing, or couldn't find the cable when they went to pack the unit.

1
soon_come•

Of course it’s up to you... but generally if a power cable is missing, that should be clearly mentioned. Especially because it can imply that they don’t even know whether or not it turns on.

2
test822OP•

but generally if a power cable is missing, that should be clearly mentioned

couldn't agree more, and unfortunately I've yet to find a single listing that mentions in the description text whether a cable is included or not.

being ambiguous about power cables seems to be par the course for that site unfortunately. I wish they'd make sellers be a little more informative when creating their listings so buyers aren't getting surprised like this and expecting to receive a unit that can at least be powered on.

1
TwoTwoJohn•

If a seller doesn't have a power supply , how can they know if the unit works or not ?

1
test822OP•

good question. although it's more of a universal type cable (the kind used on computer monitors), nothing niche or fancy so maybe it can be argued that he already had one lying around? idk.

1
TwoTwoJohn•

I see adverts some times for equipment that says never been tested because no PSU. It just straightaway screams this items a lemon. I think in the case of universal power 240v leads or usb powered equipment then not supplying them is less of an issue than let's say an item with a product specific power supply .

2
test822OP•

yeah, if the seller is like "I don't know much about this product to know if it works or not, sold as-is" it's a giant red flag.

1
SignalPudding•

If "the kind used on computer monitors" means a standard IEC cable then yes people have them lying around. I have a box of maybe 50 of them that are just extras in addition to the ones being used.

These are basically a commodity, like an audio or midi cable. I don't expect them to be included just like I don't expect audio or midi cables to be included unless it's specified.

Sometimes things do come with them and that's nice but an IEC cable isn't specific to any piece of gear like a power supply would be.

2
test822OP•

These are basically a commodity, like an audio or midi cable. I don't expect them to be included

why do companies always include power cables, or at least mention if they don't?

1
SignalPudding•

Because they're the original manufacturer and the item is new? Maybe a better analogy might be a USB cable. It's a universal item and it's usually included with a product but it can get mixed in with a bunch more that do the same thing and work with a number of other products so when buying something used I don't always expect to get the original one or even get one at all.

1