Lots of Guild 12 Strings From Japan on Ebay. Anybody Ever Buy One?

[timacn]

I am in the market for a Guild 12 string and I notice that there are always lots of them offered for sale on Ebay from Japanese sellers. (There seems to be lots of other American Guild guitars for sale from Japanese sellers as well.) I generally do not buy items from other countries. Have any of you ever bought one of these American Guild 12 strings from an Ebay seller based in Japan? If so, how did the transaction go? Were there difficulties with customs fees, etc. or high shipping charges or processing fees? Some of the offers look like good deals on nice instruments.Thanks.

 

[SFIV1967]

Please note that the ebay sellers in Japan are in almost all cases not the actual owners of the guitars, hence you see the same guitar multiple times listed for multiple prices! The sellers scan though local papers and local sites like Japanese Craigslist (where Westerners have usually no access to due to the language) and when they see something interesting they list it on ebay international. If you now buy it they start the process acquiring the instrument, which also can mean they tell you it is no longer available (as they didn't get it). In most cases the transactions work out well as Japanese people are in general very honest. Now customs depends on your countries import rules. Here in Germany for instance I have to pay VAT on the value of the instrument plus on the shipping cost plus a roughly 3 % customs charge, which ends up at around 23% in total on top of the shipping cost and the price of the instrument. Customs wants to see the original add from the internet plus the credit card or Paypal transaction slip as they know that sometimes international sellers declare a lower customs value. But customs at least here is smart enough to find that out...

Ralf

 

[Heath]

They are awful. I had purchased a guitar one time only to have the guitar become “unavailable” (because it was sold by another seller). When I left negative feedback I was berated by them to remove it. I would never go through that again.

 

[Cougar]

I generally do not buy items from other countries....

I think you'd be wise to maintain that practice. I forget if ebay has a "US only" box to check... I know reverb does, and I usually check it so my search listing is not polluted with all those guitars from Japan. Even shipping from Canada is a bit of a hassle. The Japan guitars are usually not that good a deal anyway. Be patient in your search for a Guild 12-string. The search is half the fun!

 

[HeyMikey]

What Ralf said. Don’t do it.

 

[SFIV1967]

They are awful. I had purchased a guitar one time only to have the guitar become “unavailable” (because it was sold by another seller). When I left negative feedback I was berated by them to remove it. I would never go through that again.

Well, I would not call it "awful", they just play the rules differently from what you are used to. You are used to the way you deal in your country and once you know how it works in Japan you know such things and would not be angry and call it "awful".
EDIT: But you are right, those Japanese sellers are in conflict with ebay rules that you have to own the item you sell! So I understand one is angry if that happens.

What Ralf said. Don’t do it.

I disagree. You simply need to inform yourself about the rules in the country you buy from and about the customs rules for export there and import in your country and all is good. I have bought lots of times from foreign countries without problems. However if the buyer does not want to inform himself it is indeed better to only buy from your own country. Less hassle that way.
EDIT: I agree that ebay should do something about the constant misuse of ebay rules by Japanese sellers.
Ralf

 

[Heath]

Well, I would not call it "awful", they just play the rules differently from what you are used to. You are used to the way you deal in your country and once you know how it works in Japan you know such things and would not be angry and call it "awful"

To me it was awful. They are going against eBay rules, selling a product they do not posses and then berating me for my feedback, asking me to remove it and then insulting me when I refuse results in a pretty awful experience in my book.

 

[Heath]

Actually, this thread made me go back and check exactly what happened. I purchased a guitar, two days later after hearing nothing I was told it “got damaged”. Then was sold by another seller. I don’t care what rules they are playing by, they were not eBay rules, and I would never do it again. Fool me once....

I have no issues dealing with other countries. I just feel if you are selling something, you should actually posses the item you’re selling.

 

[SFIV1967]

I have no issues dealing with other countries. I just feel if you are selling something, you should actually posses the item you’re selling.

I totally agree with you here! I also don't understand why ebay allows this behaviour from Japanese sellers as it should be well known to ebay.
Ralf

 

[twocorgis]

Just as a reference, I bought my MIJ Fender Jazz Bass from a Japanese seller, and it was probably the single best eBay transaction I've ever had. One thing that I have noticed about Guilds on eBay sold by Japanese sellers is that their prices are usually so ridiculously high, that I would never consider the item in the first place. This is a typical one for me.

 

[Guildedagain]

Beware of CITES. The guitar could be impounded.

I've never had a problem getting a guitar from Japan, bought three direct last year. Never a customs fee.

Some have free shipping, I always go for those sellers.

Direct from Japan in like a week, insane.

I bought Les Pauls direct from Japan back when I played them. Every Japanese seller has always been perfect.

Also rare JDM Subaru headlights and strut bars, direct, no problem.

 

[SFIV1967]

Beware of CITES. The guitar could be impounded.

Yes, that's another risk when buying abroad. I was lucky so far...
Ralf

 

[Guildedagain]

Luck follows our guitars ;]



A Yamaki I bought so I could get wanting a D28 again out of my system. It worked.

A rare MIJ 7 string from the 90's, bought during the 1st wave of Covid in Japan. Check out the crazy packing, from Kobe, great seller. They don't get any better.

 

[Nuuska]

. .it “got damaged”. . . .

Years ago I had that exact same thing happen to me when I won an auction - seller was in NY - so it is not only a japanese thing.

In my case the item "got dropped and damaged beyond repair" . . .

 

[merlin6666]

I was looking for a very specific vintage ukulele a couple of years ago and the only place where they come up once in a while are Japanese sellers. So I bought one and with various taxes and duties and exchange rate came in a lot higher than I anticipated. I didn't bond with it right away and actually had a local offer from someone who wanted to buy for 50% more than I had into it. But I decided to keep it and its now my go to uke to play at home. So I think for certain instruments the Japanese market may be the best option but you have to be prepared to accept what you get.

 

[Guildedagain]

Once you start delving into the enormity of the Japanese guitar market, you start to realize the absolutely fantastical variety of guitars there, Japanese stuff made for the Japanese market, never intended for export.