The Rip-Off Thread

[rugerpc]

Consumer Reports has had a back page section called "Selling It" for a very long time. On that page, they detail how manufacturers and retailers rip-off unsuspecting customers with deceptive packaging and ads.

The guitar world is no different from the rest of the 'fair market.' So, I propose that we post rip-offs here as we find them as a community service.

We can begin with this one:

Act now and you can be the proud owner of a deck of PRS playing cards for the low, low price of only NINETY NINE FRICKIN' DOLLARS (plus $10 shipping! ) !!

Paul-Reed-Smith-Poker-Playing-Cards-Deck-Set-Guitar-Gift-Extremely-RARE

If this truly IS the current going price, I'm not as far from ordering a PS as I thought!

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

I once had a pack of PRS playing cards but I gave it away - one card at a time.

 

[Sekunda]

I once had a pack of PRS playing cards but I gave it away - one card at a time.

Yep... and thank you for that sir! :top:

 

[rugerpc]

I once had a pack of PRS playing cards but I gave it away - one card at a time.

I gots me one of those cards - per this ebay ad, even with out the signature, it's worth, lessee... 99+10 = 109 divided by (52 +2) equals $2.02!

I have a bunch of unopend decks too... MINTY!

 

[jfb]

I once had a pack of PRS playing cards but I gave it away - one card at a time.

I have mine somewhere safe. One of my favorite mementos. Thanks dude!

 

[László]

I have mine somewhere safe. One of my favorite mementos. Thanks dude!

The bidding for mine starts at One Million Dollars.

 

[Sekunda]

The bidding for mine starts at One Million Dollars.

 

[Todd_FindingMyWay]

Ruger, Can I have one if its your avatar? ;-)

 

[rugerpc]

Ruger, Can I have one if its your avatar? ;-)

When Hans started that whole playing card thing, I took the Ace of Hearts. Pick-a-Card-Any-Card
Then we all went out looking for and/or set about making our own card avatars for the project.... AND Hans sent everyone their card signed by Paul. Like most here, I turned that card into an avatar.

Then I stumbled on the lady at the left. I did what any red-blooded American male would do, I dropped my old avatar like a hot potato.

I think every now and then that I should change my avatar, but then I look at that cute little butt and think, "Dude, don't do anything too hasty!"

 

[rugerpc]

O.M.G.
PRS-Sweet-16-Tube-Amp-Personally-made-for-Paul-Reed-Smith-With-His-Signature

It occurs to me that people get practice writing fiction for the official entries on Wikipedia by penning eBay ads.

You can have this one of a king Sweet 16 for the low, low price of $1,150.00. (plus $50.00 shipping)

Check out the description:

"A mint condition, personally autographed (signed in June 2013) special edition Sweet 16 tube amp built just for Paul himself. This is a one of a kind amp completely custom made for Paul Reed Smith on his last Midwest PRS Guitar Center tour. This amp is very unusual and was hand built and specially tuned by Paul’s star electrical engineer just before the tour. For this tour Paul specifically asked for more “lower end” on this amp so it now sounds more rich, deep and full compared to a standard Sweet 16 amp. No crackle hiss or buzz on this puppy because every wire and connection was maliciously soldered by the head PRS electrical engineer. This amp has to be heard to be appreciated. Paul personally guaranteed the performance and sound and stated that he would easily take it back and tune it any way you want for free. Paul loved this special amp but he did not want to bring it back on the plane at the end of the tour so it was played and then signed and then sold at GC in June. Amp has not been played since it was signed because I wanted to keep it pristine and in mint condition. Stored in a sealed bag and kept in the closet just waiting for the right collector. It still smells new and is in PERFECT condition. A must have to a PRS collector. Paul signed his name on the top surface in gold. The signature is approximately the same size and color as the one on the front. Pictured above is Paul and I after he sold the amp to me and signed it. Also Pictured is Paul Demo-ing the Custom 24 on this amp.
16.5 Watts 1X12 Combo Vintage Style
This Amp Brings Out the Best in Your Guitars! The PRS Sweet 16 tube combo amp has the tone you need — period! We've been on a tone quest to find the ultimate tools, and after trying practically everything out there, we've found the answer, at least s far as the amplifier is concerned. Our search led us to the king of tone himself, Paul Reed Smith, who's taken his decades of experience crafting the world's finest guitars — and talking about tone with thousands of the best guitarists in the world — and crafted the sweetest tube amp we've heard, the aptly named Sweet 16. I AM NEW TO EBAY BUT THE SALE IS LEGIT. FEEL FREE TO PM ME TO VERIFY LEGITIMACY OF SALE. IF YOU ARE A SERIOUS BUYER WE CAN EVEN SPEAK OVER THE PHONE IF IT HELPS. THANKS -ALSO I AM SELLING FOR MY FRIEND STAN, THAT IS WHY AUTOGRAPH IS WRITTEN TO "STAN".

So, made specifically FOR PRSh, but mysteriously autographed to "Stan".

And who wouldn't want an amp that was "maliciously soldered"?

Bonus, Paul personally guaranteed the performance and sound and stated that he would easily take it back and tune it any way you want for free."

Super bonus: the amp "smells" new.

Uber-bonus: the seller has 2 positive feedbacks and writes in ALL CAPS that it's legit!

 

[crgtr]

O.M.G.
PRS-Sweet-16-Tube-Amp-Personally-made-for-Paul-Reed-Smith-With-His-Signature

It occurs to me that people get practice writing fiction for the official entries on Wikipedia by penning eBay ads.

You can have this one of a king Sweet 16 for the low, low price of $1,150.00. (plus $50.00 shipping)

Check out the description:

"A mint condition, personally autographed (signed in June 2013) special edition Sweet 16 tube amp built just for Paul himself. This is a one of a kind amp completely custom made for Paul Reed Smith on his last Midwest PRS Guitar Center tour. This amp is very unusual and was hand built and specially tuned by Paul’s star electrical engineer just before the tour. For this tour Paul specifically asked for more “lower end” on this amp so it now sounds more rich, deep and full compared to a standard Sweet 16 amp. No crackle hiss or buzz on this puppy because every wire and connection was maliciously soldered by the head PRS electrical engineer. This amp has to be heard to be appreciated. Paul personally guaranteed the performance and sound and stated that he would easily take it back and tune it any way you want for free. Paul loved this special amp but he did not want to bring it back on the plane at the end of the tour so it was played and then signed and then sold at GC in June. Amp has not been played since it was signed because I wanted to keep it pristine and in mint condition. Stored in a sealed bag and kept in the closet just waiting for the right collector. It still smells new and is in PERFECT condition. A must have to a PRS collector. Paul signed his name on the top surface in gold. The signature is approximately the same size and color as the one on the front. Pictured above is Paul and I after he sold the amp to me and signed it. Also Pictured is Paul Demo-ing the Custom 24 on this amp.
16.5 Watts 1X12 Combo Vintage Style
This Amp Brings Out the Best in Your Guitars! The PRS Sweet 16 tube combo amp has the tone you need — period! We've been on a tone quest to find the ultimate tools, and after trying practically everything out there, we've found the answer, at least s far as the amplifier is concerned. Our search led us to the king of tone himself, Paul Reed Smith, who's taken his decades of experience crafting the world's finest guitars — and talking about tone with thousands of the best guitarists in the world — and crafted the sweetest tube amp we've heard, the aptly named Sweet 16. I AM NEW TO EBAY BUT THE SALE IS LEGIT. FEEL FREE TO PM ME TO VERIFY LEGITIMACY OF SALE. IF YOU ARE A SERIOUS BUYER WE CAN EVEN SPEAK OVER THE PHONE IF IT HELPS. THANKS -ALSO I AM SELLING FOR MY FRIEND STAN, THAT IS WHY AUTOGRAPH IS WRITTEN TO "STAN".

So, made specifically FOR PRSh, but mysteriously autographed to "Stan".

And who wouldn't want an amp that was "maliciously soldered"?

Bonus, Paul personally guaranteed the performance and sound and stated that he would easily take it back and tune it any way you want for free."

Super bonus: the amp "smells" new.

Uber-bonus: the seller has 2 positive feedbacks and writes in ALL CAPS that it's legit!

This guy started the auction the 1st time with a starting bid of $1800. I emailed him about the amp because I was toying with the idea of getting a Sweet 16. I asked if he would entertain any offers since I didn't think it would sell for $1800. He said NO WAY! This amp is a one-of-a-kind and should go for FAR MORE than his starting bid..........Oh well........

And as for the Joker selling the cards......International shipping is $25 Anywhwere in the World!.....those must be some heavy cards!

 

[rugerpc]

Chris - one of the hilarious things about this is that Paul almost always signs something TO someone. He doesn't want to just sign something without a TO because he knows that people asking that are looking for something to increase the value of whatever they have for a future sale.

Paul has stated many times that he wants people to but his stuff to keep and play and that he understands collectors, but he' rather people buy things to use and enjoy.

So, the idea that the amp was built specifically for Paul and the he only grudgingly gave it up to GC is quite a whopper!

 

[Todd_FindingMyWay]

.... AND Hans sent everyone their card signed by Paul. Like most here, I turned that card into an avatar.

DARN! Talk about being late to the party I guess...
BTW I think Paul will be in Hamden CT this Friday with Brian's Guitars. Entertaining the idea of checking it out.

 

[alantig]

So, the idea that the amp was built specifically for Paul and the he only grudgingly gave it up to GC is quite a whopper!

And that Paul went to a GC to have the amp built instead of, you know, HIS FACTORY!

 

[Hopeful Sinner]

Man I want a deck of those cards but $100?!? Really?!?

(sarcasm on)

Maybe I should trade my Sweet 16 for a few decks, then sell them and buy this super awesome, one of a kind, rare, head electrical engineer tuned Sweet 16...

(sarcasm off)

Wonder if this goon even knows the Sweet 16 is a production model???

 

[justmund]

So how much is a signature worth? There's a SE Abraxis One signed by Santana on eBay now for $1500 starting bid...

 

[GC Ron]

As I understood it, the amp was built for Paul to take on the road. It was the amp we unloaded from Chicago Joe's SUV and Paul used it for the guitar shoot out, it was not store stock. He used it at other non GC stores before it happened to be sold that particular day. Anyone could have bought it at any of the stores he visited.

There are Forum members here that saw Paul playing through the amp.

 

[rugerpc]

As I understood it, the amp was built for Paul to take on the road. It was the amp we unloaded from Chicago Joe's SUV and Paul used it for the guitar shoot out, it was not store stock. He used it at other non GC stores before it happened to be sold that particular day. Anyone could have bought it at any of the stores he visited.

There are Forum members here that saw Paul playing through the amp.

Hi, Ron. Thanks for the info.

So the amp was made for Paul to use as a demo, to be sold on the road, not to be his for his personal use. That is quite different from how the eBay ad reads. The seller is painting it as an amp Paul didn't want to part with.

Is there a warranty with the amp for free modifications?

 

[rugerpc]

So how much is a signature worth? There's a SE Abraxis One signed by Santana on eBay now for $1500 starting bid...

I suppose that depends on whether or not Santana signed the guitar 'to' someone or not..

In the case of this amp, unless your name is "Stan" or unless the Stan in question was famous like Stan Lee or Stan Freeberg or Stan The Man and they had played through the amp for years to add provenance and you are a fan of that Stan, the signature on this amp actually decreases the value of the amp for many people...