I always wonder how prevalent this is in light of how many posts that show up from time to time from guys that basically order this or that bass to try it out with no real expectation of keeping it, then return it. These have to show up somewhere down the line. IF they're not labeled as a return or B-stock, that's not right unless it's as perfect (!) as one that's never left the building. And of course, drop shipping them is legit and a way to keep a slightly bigger margin.
As well, it's sort of a big ask for any retailer, online or not, to sink extra money into an instrument for a genuine setup, only to lose business when they're burned for their prices being too high as a result.
I've never ordered a new instrument without knowing it's going to take some work to get it right where I want it. No genie is going to wave their hand over the box and make it perfect for me as its shipped. Genuine problems are something else, but I've never had any.
