Bass Direct shipping nightmare for Bruce Thomas Profile Bass solar flare finish!

[ThumbyAche]

If anyone was looking at the "Bruce Thomas" Profile bass in Solar Flare finish on Reverb, I am the one that bought it. Thought it would pair well with the salmon pink one that I bought here on TB (and it was perfect). However, after some short exchanges with bass direct on reverb, I receive a damaged bass. The double boxed gig bag was fine but the bass inside was far from ok. I am waiting to hear back and hope they make it right without me having to ship from Colorado back to England but...two tuner Pegs snapped off and laying at the bottom of the gig bag, a tone knob that wasn't even screwed on, a huge paint chip and dent in the wood on the forearm contour and a bridge saddle that was pushed off to the side of the bridge. The plastic bag thst was covering the bass was fine and again, both boxes and gig bag were fine. The quality check on the hang tag was as if it was perfect when shipped.
The waiting is the hardest part but needless to say, I am extremely unhappy.

 

[waynobass]

That sucks! But they are minor problems, except for the chip. I would demand some of my money back, plus two new tuners and a bridge. Are these rare in that color?

 

[ThumbyAche]

That sucks! But they are minor problems, except for the chip. I would demand some of my money back, plus two new tuners and a bridge. Are these rare in that color?

Yah, the salmon pink is the more popular.
The chip and dent are pretty bad actually but 8 get what you are saying for the tuners and bridge. But...for a brand new bass!?!? It was packed thst way. No shipping damage.

 

[waynobass]

Oh, I thought it was shipping damage. You think it wasn't because the box and bag were undamaged? Couldn't the bass have been beaten up inside even though the outer packages weren't?

 

[ThumbyAche]

Oh, I thought it was shipping damage. You think it wasn't because the box and bag were undamaged? Couldn't the bass have been beaten up inside even though the outer packages weren't?

To snap off two tuners, loosen a knob and dent the bass though no mark on the gig bag or box in the dented area of the bass...unlikely. I am waiting for response from bass direct/England. We will see what they offer before I go to reverb and paypal.
Worthy of mention thst the gig bag was dusty as if it was on a warehouse floor before the plastic bag was put over the gig bag then double boxed.

 

[B-Mac]

If anyone was looking at the "Bruce Thomas" Profile bass in Solar Flare finish on Reverb, I am the one that bought it. Thought it would pair well with the salmon pink one that I bought here on TB (and it was perfect). However, after some short exchanges with bass direct on reverb, I receive a damaged bass. The double boxed gig bag was fine but the bass inside was far from ok. I am waiting to hear back and hope they make it right without me having to ship from Colorado back to England but...two tuner Pegs snapped off and laying at the bottom of the gig bag, a tone knob that wasn't even screwed on, a huge paint chip and dent in the wood on the forearm contour and a bridge saddle that was pushed off to the side of the bridge. The plastic bag thst was covering the bass was fine and again, both boxes and gig bag were fine. The quality check on the hang tag was as if it was perfect when shipped.
The waiting is the hardest part but needless to say, I am extremely unhappy.

When there's no chip pieces in the bag that the bass was in, its pretty clear the it was shipped that way rather than damaged in transit.

Can't say the same for the broken tuner ends.

I hope they help you out.

I had a similar chip problem on a bass shipped from Sam Ash. A local custom shop fixed me up with an epoxy repair that turned out amazing.

chip repair

 

[ThumbyAche]

When there's no chip pieces in the bag that the bass was in, its pretty clear the it was shipped that way rather than damaged in transit.

Can't say the same for the broken tuner ends.

I hope they help you out.

I had a similar chip problem on a bass shipped from Sam Ash. A local custom shop fixed me up with an epoxy repair that turned out amazing.

chip repair

Exactly, nothing in the gig bag other than the broken tuners at the bottom of a tight fitting gig bag. Had plastic bag over the bass inside the gig bag.
We will see.

 

[Minimalist]

I still say that's shipping damage. The box means nothing if the instrument is not secured against ANY movement in the box. If the bass cannot move inside the gig bag and the gig bag cannot move inside the box, a single wall box will be all you need.

 

[alembicbones]

Definitely a beat situation for a brand new bass. That said, if you can get the hardware replaced and get the bass to prime playability, if they give you a really nice discount for your troubles, it might just be worth keeping. A little natural relicing isn't necessarily the worst thing in the world.

Best of luck with your situation.
Bones

 

[SDC1-ClickClack]

I still say that's shipping damage. The box means nothing if the instrument is not secured against ANY movement in the box. If the bass cannot move inside the gig bag and the gig bag cannot move inside the box, a single wall box will be all you need.

Interesting. Given that damage from rough handling in transit is the more common explanation, you're certain that must be the cause here — even though there was no sign of the chipped off finish in the gig bag, the Tone knob was not screwed on, and the E string bridge saddle was askew. Also, if there was sufficient force to snap off the tuner heads, one might expect to see some damage to the interior of the gig bag in those spots.

You're not employed as a detective, I hope.

 

[ThumbyAche]

I still say that's shipping damage. The box means nothing if the instrument is not secured against ANY movement in the box. If the bass cannot move inside the gig bag and the gig bag cannot move inside the box, a single wall box will be all you need.

No way, no paint chips at all in the gig bag and tuners laid flat under the bass wrapped in a plastic bag inside the gig bag.
If customs took it out of both boxes and the plastic bag and used it as crash test dummie then maybe.

I have had many basses shipped to and from and this is sketch.
Hoping bass direct can make this right.

 

[ThumbyAche]

The reverb pics were gallery quality but now I wonder if that was the same bass I was shipped. I did ask questions and was told the bass was "brand new".
Can't make out the serial number from the pics on reverb.

 

[Rojd]

It looks like the bass was dropped and damaged in their store before they packed it. Wrapped it and threw the snapped off tuners in the bottom of the gig bag, boxed it, and sent it across the pond.

 

[elgranluis]

To snap off two tuners, loosen a knob and dent the bass though no mark on the gig bag or box in the dented area of the bass...unlikely. I am waiting for response from bass direct/England. We will see what they offer before I go to reverb and paypal.
Worthy of mention thst the gig bag was dusty as if it was on a warehouse floor before the plastic bag was put over the gig bag then double boxed.

It’s really incredible that anyone would believe that a shop would intentionally send you a damaged instrument. Those tuners are 30 dollars tops, and they could have fixed it before shipping if it was them damaging the bass.

It is not uncommon for customs agents to open boxes to check the contents for drugs or counterfeits. I bet you “officer butterfingers “ handled your bass and dropped it.

 

[Snakeman1066]

Nope back it would go...

 

[ThumbyAche]

It looks like the bass was dropped and damaged in their store before they packed it. Wrapped it and threw the snapped off tuners in the bottom of the gig bag, boxed it, and sent it across the pond.

I don't know if it was dropped but definitely packaged knowing it wasn't the same as the quality check card on the hang tag. The tuning pegs looked like they were placed under the bass for sure and the knob not being tightened is inexcusable. That isn't shipping damage. The screw wasn't stripped it simply wasn't tightened.
I don't even have the persons name from bass direct but they said they would get back to me tomorrow. We will see.

 

[Topkat13]

I’ve talked with the owner before, but it was a few years back. I can’t remember his name, but he seemed like a decent guy. If they chalk it up to freight damage the claim will take a while to be processed. Good luck!

 

[Swerve]

If they make it right financially you've got a nice start to a relic, if that is your thing.

 

[Minimalist]

Interesting. Given that damage from rough handling in transit is the more common explanation, you're certain that must be the cause here — even though there was no sign of the chipped off finish in the gig bag, the Tone knob was not screwed on, and the E string bridge saddle was askew. Also, if there was sufficient force to snap off the tuner heads, one might expect to see some damage to the interior of the gig bag in those spots.

You're not employed as a detective, I hope.

Not a detective, just deal with packaging goods and shipping damage on a daily basis. take that double wall box with a poorly secured instrument inside and drop it flat from 6-7 feet flat on its or back. Do that twice now for good measure.

The poorly secured knob is suddenly coming off and your cheap tuners are comingg undone. now that knob wedges to the saddle and forces it off the bridge. the paint just cracks and comes of. Read the UPS and FedEx package testing procedures, test your strong box and report back.

 

[Minimalist]

No way, no paint chips at all in the gig bag and tuners laid flat under the bass wrapped in a plastic bag inside the gig bag.
If customs took it out of both boxes and the plastic bag and used it as crash test dummie then maybe.

I have had many basses shipped to and from and this is sketch.
Hoping bass direct can make this right.

I dont doubt that you didn't find any paint chips, but that doesn't mean there weren't any. Could luck dealing with the shipper. In any case you should get reimbursed.