Not only that my friend.. There's a long story behind it. This OP, has multiple handlers on this forum. Shinkaiyui, ByunByun, 3tsunburst, mylifeforbass etc.. YES they are all the SAME person, Jonathan. How do we know? Read on to find out! Heh heh..
Fellow SOFT admin James should be aware of that I guess.
Check out these threads for some proof:
http://www.soft.com.sg/forum/bass-rookie-corner/195445-where-buy-cij-fender-jazz-bass.html
http://www.soft.com.sg/forum/bass-rookie-corner/195779-2nd-hand-dealers.html
So since he's decided to start a public thread, I have little choice but to expose him to the public and tell the full story. Something I wished I didn't need to do.
About slighty over 2 months ago, I advertised a Warwick Fortress 4 for $1600 in the classifieds. It had been receiving plenty of interests towards the weekend with 2 very solid inquiries, and one of the keen parties was the OP (which I dont even know which handler to use) so let's just use ByunByun as that was the account he used at that point of time.
ByunByun texted me on a Saturday 12th Feb on the availability of the bass, to which I responded it was. Then the negotiations went on for a couple of messages and we settled on $1450, he ended off that exchange by asking if he could view it that day. I obliged though he said he couldn't confirm a time as he needs to wait for his dad to drive him over. Blah blah.. We arranged to meet at 5:30 that day, and I rushed back from my event just to host him.. On the way back, he sent a text saying he didn't bring the money with him as he needs to hear the TONE first which I said no prob.
Met up, introduced ourselves, apologized for being slightly late.. His mom and him came up to my bass hang and he tried the bass or not so.. He only plucked one string, looked at his mom and approvingly said "okay, can". If that means "hear the TONE" then wow, his ears must be pretty sharp. Anyway I decided to demo the bass a little to which they were satisfied and left saying if he's interested he'll contact me again, I agreed.
The very next day 13th Feb, he sent a message asking if the Warwick was still up for sale, I said it was though I had the other interested party viewing that day but since we had an agreement the day before I told him I'd honour that. So arrangements were made to meet the day after 14th Feb at my place.
14th Feb (VALENTINE'S DAY!) he arrived while I took a couple of minutes more to clean up the semi-hardcase (which has been collecting dust for months, I seldom touch my 4's these days) before proceeding downstairs to do the deal. We happily parted ways and told him he could drop me a text if he had any questions. (Which he did a couple of hours later about the preamp, which was a different preamp compared to your standard 2,3 band eq's. This was a filter pre with highs and lows and a filter for each. Amazing preamp, totally versatile and range of tones is just unbelievable with the P/J config. I explained the controls and also additionally advised him to play around with it to hear the differences)
Deal completed for $1450 on 14th Feb.
On the 16th, I logged on to my daily routine of browsing the classifieds.. To my utter amazement, THERE IT WAS! My Fortress! "Wow what a beauty" I thought, never realised how amazing it looked when I had it. Anyway I was shocked! It was barely 2 DAYS after he bought it! Not to even mention PLAY it. It was listed without much specs but with almost identical photos and price as "Best Offer". But well, I totally understand that as sometimes things dont always work out as they should and you wna move on in your quest of finding your "perfect" instrument.
I immediately dropped a friend (the other interested party in the bass before I sold it to ByunByun) on the crazy availability of the bass again! And this is where it gets REALLY interesting.... Oh and a lil Apple advertising here, the Messaging system on iPhones is really handy in these circumstances!
Let's call my friend "Z".
Long exchange short,
Z asked about the Fortress availability, ByunByun said it was and asked if he was interested"
Z inquired how much he'd be looking for, ByunByun replied with one of the most amusing replies "$2200"
WOW WOW WOW! In 2 days the bass became a vintage piece and it's market value must have hiked!
Z expressed his surprise at the price. Asked if it was the SAME Fortress which was recently sold by me.
GUESS WHAT?????
ByunByun simply went no, it's a different bass.
Z listed the jaw dropping similarities between the two..
ByunByun replied with the cleverest reply ever, it was a COINCIDENCE!
WOW!!!!! That isn't only a coincidence, that's a MIRACLE!
Z was even more suspicious and asked about the preamp (which was an upgrade)
ByunByun replied with the exact same pre
Z started questioning how they both could be so darn similar in specs and photos!
ByunByun came up with the most interesting addition saying he has no idea as it's his FRIEND'S bass! And he's helping to sell it.
Left it at that.
If that wasn't already a tickle, check this out..
I text'ed ByunByun the next day (exact conversation):
Me: Hey dude, you selling my bass so quickly? What's up?
Him: My friend call me sell... so he up the ad up.
Me: Huh. Your friend ask you to sell, you sell. Why sell anyway?
Him: He put the ad up on his own. I love the bass, sounds awesome.
Me: Ok. I'll chime in on the ad and state the history of it.
Him: Meaning?
Me: You'll get to see on your ad later.
Him: okay.
I went to the ad and listed the upgrades that the bass had and the date and price of sale.
He replied in the ad with "Sorry, wrong bass?"
I couldnt be bothered with him anymore so I ended of saying I have no time for this.
End of story, 16th Feb.
Now my thoughts.. Firstly, the issue isn't with him re-listing my bass for sale. I've absolutely no qualms about that. As I mentioned, everyone has a specific taste and expectations.. Occasionally results fall short of them and this might just be one of them, and I totally understand that situation as I've been in them many times before. Likewise, I pushed for what I was looking for. Maybe after I demo-ed the bass compared to what he played when he brought the bass home contributed to that.
Secondly, his asking price. Wow many might get offended and feel cheated with that. Selling an instrument at a bargain, and watching it pop up a couple days later for a VERY healthy profit. Sure, I was taken aback I admit, but NEITHER did I have any major problems with that. I'm a musician, not a dealer. I don't make deals for profits, though sometimes an opportunity does represent by itself. I wasn't worried about softies getting mislead as I'm pretty sure they could have easily spotted the massive price hike. As all trades and transactions go, everyone has every single right to sell what they've purchased for whatever they want.
Now my REAL issue with this is.. The false pretense, lies, dishonesty, tell tales that he came up with. It's massively childish first of all, and it shows an utter lack of responsibility and respect. Why come up with all that "imaginary friend" crap? Even after numerous opportunities to come clean, he chose the path of excuses and deceit and gave awfully humorous reasons. I don't even want to get started and elaborate on that. Get straight to the point, be a man. You want something done, stand up for it and be totally transparent and honest about it. Be it to find your "right" instrument or make a profit. Or BOTH, they are ABSOLUTELY fine with me. I've seen it many times and I myself have practiced it. Not hearing a single word from him about advertising the bass or any notice bout his difficulty adapting is interesting. Well, I'm not saying he HAS to either. That is my MAIN issue. Dishonesty.
Did I make a fuss of it? No.
Since then I've left the matter to rest and never bothered. Though the famous Fortress popped up a few times in the classifieds under the handler "3tsunburst". He thought he'd outwitted everyone but guess what.. His mobile number is the same as ByunByun's! Is that COINCIDENCE again? Did your friend tell you to use this number?
So anyway, just a few days ago.. 16th April. He decided to be clever, logged in with his previous handler ByunByun and left me a negative rating in the classifeds:
http://www.soft.com.sg/classified/member.php?uid=42841&ppaction=readfeed
Well guess what buddy? You just shot yourself in the foot. I thought he claimed it wasn't the bass I sold him? Doesn't the bass belong to your "friend"? Oh wait, now it's what he got from me.. Interesting. Look who's sporting the poor behaviour.
Oh and have I mentioned? Check out HIS feedback:
http://www.soft.com.sg/classified/member.php?uid=57540&ppaction=readfeed
How very very amusing aye? Hahaha that gave me a good chuckle, thanks dude.
I've since responded with the comments in his
Fender Jazz ad as per his screenshot.
Well fellow softies, be my audience and let me know your thoughts!
