Message from the Universe?

[Wolfhound]

So, this is definitely a first world ‘problem’ and a little tongue in cheek but interested in your take. I’ve been looking on Reverb for the right Silver Sky to add to my collection - there was one I liked (I added it to my ‘watch list’) and I messaged them inquiring about the weight. It’s not necessarily a deal breaker...I’d just like to know before shelling out. They message back and say that they’ll get that info to me right away. Ten days or so pass with no info but then I receive a special discounted offer to buy the guitar from them. I message back saying that I’d really like to know the weight first and here I am a week later, still none the wiser! So, I surmise that the shop wants to sell this guitar but am stumped at the inability to answer my question. I am thinking that the Universe is telling me this may not be the one!

 

[Tony M.]

Walk away.

 

[SinSir]

Its not a question I ask but at the same time I'm ok with finding reasons not to buy a guitar since my guitar wants far exceed my needs. These days most of the reasons not to buy come from a seller more than the instrument. There's always another one and plenty of good sellers I'd rather give my money to. Not saying a seller has to earn my business but the least they can do is not lose it.

It's not like we are talking sub $100 pawn shop guitars here.

 

[veinbuster]

You got offered a discount because they are thinking of marketing.

You didn’t get an answer because they aren’t thinking about customer service.

I prefer to deal with people who care about customer service.

 

[Sybo]

There are still some out there, go somewhere else........

 

[Wakester]

I usually send snarky messages to non responsive sellers, then move on to something else.

 

[Tony M.]

Walk away.

You got offered a discount because they are thinking of marketing.

You didn’t get an answer because they aren’t thinking about customer service.

I prefer to deal with people who care about customer service.

There ya go.
What to do and why to do it.

 

[Wolfhound]

Thank you all of for your comments. Yeah - I am not opposed to taking a cosmic clue here and finding a reason not to buy more guitars! I already have five very nice ones (well, excluding the one I intend to sell...!!). I’ll be patient and make sure that all the vibes are in alignment.

 

[Wolfhound]

Very well put, Sir! I have always indulged my other previous past-times (windsurfing, motorbikes) at local shops where I value the service, even though it usually cost a little more.

You got offered a discount because they are thinking of marketing.

You didn’t get an answer because they aren’t thinking about customer service.

I prefer to deal with people who care about customer service.

 

[SinSir]

I usually send snarky messages to non responsive sellers, then move on to something else.

hahahaha! Better than the new trend of snarky seller messages because you ask a question. Reverb is a funny place...

 

[Stephen J.]

I had someone ask about the weight of a guitar I was selling. I replied immediately that I had not weighed it, but would let them know soon. I went and bought a scale and sent them the weight and updated the ad with the weight information. I don’t think the person who asked bought the guitar, and that’s ok.
Maybe I am overly demanding or something, but I generally don’t bother with people or businesses that don’t communicate well.

 

[RickP]

Seller: “We’re offering X% discount”

You: “I bought the same guitar elsewhere. Although the price was slightly higher, they did answer my question about the guitar’s weight. Customer service has value.”

I don’t pay for bad service when it can be avoided. The likelihood you’ll get any help if there’s a problem with the sale is pretty slim here.

 

[The Guitar Hunter]

I've never understood why the weight of a guitar matters, but at the same time I know that is important to people and you deserved to have your question answered. For me, I like to know when a guitar was made. Maybe that doesn't matter to others, but that's my thing. I'd love to get a guitar made on my bday, but have yet to find it. ONE DAY!

I think it was right of you to walk away. There will be others out there and I'm sure you'll get a similar or even better deal...unless it's a Lunar Ice one you want.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

While as a seller, just not answering is not acceptable, sometimes a little perspective is in order as well. I had a long time local music shop owner tell me jokingly that “ for 30 years, there was no reason to keep a bathroom scale in a music store! But, now it’s expected by many that you know the exact weight of the guitar.” He pointed out that “less than half” even asked, but the less than have that did, wanted exact weights, no estimates or rounded off numbers.

We were talking about this because, I had a seller ask a couple years ago when I was selling Tokai guitars. Being a house with two people who have never really needed to keep checking their weight, we had no functioning bathroom scale. I found that I could barely weigh some guitars on my coffee scales and others exceeded it’s weight limit. But several I could not offer exact weight on. And just like he said... one guy would pass on a guitar that all I could say was “must be barely over 7.5 lbs., the next guy would buy it and love it.

 

[elvis]

I've never understood why the weight of a guitar matters, but at the same time I know that is important to people and you deserved to have your question answered. For me, I like to know when a guitar was made. Maybe that doesn't matter to others, but that's my thing. I'd love to get a guitar made on my bday, but have yet to find it. ONE DAY!

I think it was right of you to walk away. There will be others out there and I'm sure you'll get a similar or even better deal...unless it's a Lunar Ice one you want.

I was also baffled for years about the weight question. Especially since you’re generally talking about +/- a quarter pound.

But now I get it. Starting to throw my back out more
And I find I’m really loving a couple guitars I have that are super light.

 

[GuitarJammin]

Yea weight can surprise people. My brent mason is 8lb 10oz and not many people are expecting that when they pick it up. It is more than a 1lb heavier than my CU24.

I picked up a kitchen scale at the grocery store that goes up to 12 lbs. that I have in case someone asks about guitar weight when I'm selling something. I chalk it up to the age of online sales and not buying in person anymore.

 

[SinSir]

While as a seller, just not answering is not acceptable, sometimes a little perspective is in order as well. I had a long time local music shop owner tell me jokingly that “ for 30 years, there was no reason to keep a bathroom scale in a music store! But, now it’s expected by many that you know the exact weight of the guitar.” He pointed out that “less than half” even asked, but the less than have that did, wanted exact weights, no estimates or rounded off numbers.

We were talking about this because, I had a seller ask a couple years ago when I was selling Tokai guitars. Being a house with two people who have never really needed to keep checking their weight, we had no functioning bathroom scale. I found that I could barely weigh some guitars on my coffee scales and others exceeded it’s weight limit. But several I could not offer exact weight on. And just like he said... one guy would pass on a guitar that all I could say was “must be barely over 7.5 lbs., the next guy would buy it and love it.

I gotta admit it I didn't even think about it until recent years. The weight was pretty much heavy, light, or just right but now I know every one of my guitars exact weight. The things the internet has taught us we should know... I still don't even really care but for some reason I should know. LOL

 

[Wolfhound]

All good perspectives. In my defense, I work for a pharmaceuticals company and my brain revolves all day long around exact numbers, specifications and a generally high level of detail. Anything between 7 and 8 pounds would actually be fine - I get on so well with the balance of my Strats that I just wanted to keep that one variable unchanged! Anyway, really appreciate the input. Take care.

 

[CandidPicker]

Just wanted to thank you folks for providing me with a little project...doing a head count of my guitars and weighing them on a bathroom scale, double-checked, and documented. This will make it easier next time a potential buyer asks a question regards guitar weight...

 

[docteurseb]

The Reverb offer thing is automatic, it gets sent to all watchers.
I generally ask about the weight if it's not listed, I move on if I can't find the answer. I'm fine with anything up to 8.5lbs or so as long as it balances well.
You have a quite a few Silver Skys to pick from, 400+ brand new ones listed on Reverb when I checked a few weeks ago... I think you can find exactly the color you want at a weight that's appealing.