"Used as a decoration piece for my wedding"

[wirralaccordion]

I saw a piano accordion on Ebay described as follows:

Hohner verdi iii Accordian, rare, vintage, great condition, musical instrument​

As it was nearby I went to have a look at it. I couldn't unclip the bellows straps off so I had to unscrew them off. When I asked when the accordioj was last played the lady said "Oh I only got it as a decoration piece for my wedding". Generally, the accordion was in a very poor state of repair and the case was in seperated pieces.

I played it as best as I could but the straps would have been too short for a child!

Just goes to show that you can't believe what you read in an advert. Great Condition?

I would have been very annoyed if I had travelled more than a couple of miles!

 

[Ventura]

people lie !

 

[Scuromondo]

"Oh I only got it as a decoration piece for my wedding”

This piques my curiosity. If she chose an accordion for a wedding decoration, it leads me to expect that she, or someone close to her, plays the accordion. …It seems unlikely to be an entirely random decoration decision.

 

[Alan Sharkis]

I heard that somebody once bought an accordion on eBay that was listed as in “good” condition. Upon arrival, they noticed that was a hole of roughly 4” diameter through the back of the accordion and into the interior. So much for buying anything sight-unseen from eBay …

 

[Dingo40]

"People lie."
They often spout nonsense from fantasy, a world of their own!

 

[Valski]

Years ago I found an advertisement for a "small Hohner professional accordion " for a few hundred dollars. I thought that this might be a good purchase for a camping trip or the like so I went to investigate.

This turned out to be a tiny barely playable instrument with about 12 piano keys and 8 bass buttons. Because the accordion was probably over 40 years old and had the Hohner name on it the owner was convinced that it had a high value. Beware the words vintage and valuable in any listing for a used accordion.

 

[Big Squeezy Accordions]

Never buy an accordion off of eBay unless you really know what you are doing and it's clear that the person selling it knows about accordions. And even then, don't.

 

[JerryPH]

eBay can be a good source, but you have to know what you are doing. I missed out on a reasonably priced early 60's Gola not too long ago because it first had all the signs of a scam, and at the last second, the owner finally responded with the proof/evidence that I requested. By then it was about 2 hours too late for me to have made the winning bid.

 

[TomBR]

I'm with Jerry, Ebay can be good, but be careful, only buy with "gambling money!"
Listen to what the listing tells you, is the seller knowledgeable or not.
If the listing goes on about the case and "the belts" you know they don't know much about accordions.

I recently took a chance and bought a pair of clarinets on Ebay which have turned out very well.
Before bidding I asked the question "Are they at 440?" seller came back, "yes they're pitched at A440."

Although you want a good deal it's nice to bid in a pack! If other people are bidding it increases confidence. You don't wan to be the only person jumping in at a high opening bid, unless you're very sure!

 

[JerryPH]

Check the names of the bidders! If you see the same name bidding 3+ times in a row that’s an accomplice driving up the price.

 

[Ventura]

update:

the seller has also discarded the other "decoration piece" from the wedding

her Groom

yes the Divorce has been filed with
"we cancel 'em quik"
attorney's-at-law, Reno Nevada

 

[pentaprism]

On a less dramatic note, a few weeks ago I responded to a local Craigslist ad selling a classical guitar. The ad was from a seasoned guitar player. It read, "The guitar is in perfect condition. I can not find a scratch nor a dent on it."

But when I saw the guitar, my first thought was, "This guitar needs a re-finishing job." I told the seller and he agreed. I didn't ask him why he listed it as "in perfect condition."

I ended up not buying the guitar, despite the deep discount that was about the cost of a re-finishing job from a reputable luthier. Had the seller been honest in the ad, I would have bought it.

 

[Ventura]

agreed !

i too am like that.. if i feel a certain dishonesty in someone
it doesn't matter the "deal" i will walk away

life is too short to rub shoulders and pretend to be OK with people
who choose that path

 

[Pbraido]

I once bought a musette tuned accordion from eBay sold by a music store in Milwaukee advertised as exceptional condition and the price seemed reasonable
When I received it the accordion stunk so bad that I didn’t even put it on to try it. I contacted the store and they couldn’t believe it - after an hour on the phone they gave me a refund but I had to pay return shipping. 1st and last time for me buying sight unseen relying on someone else’s opinion

 

[TomBR]

Fair points all. Whilst I don't disagree I think there's often room for the maxim -
"Don't ascribe to malice that which can be explained by stupidity!"

 

[tcabot]

I bought an accordion off ebay and it arrived with most of the pads missing and all the keywork scrambled. Wooden body in horrible shape, none of the switch gear working.

Ok, ok, it was £30 including delivery and the voices seem to be in pretty good nick, so I'm not complaining. Not bad for a bag of spare parts.

 

[Caps]

Lots of horror stories here. I once went to look at an accordion advertised on marketplace as "great shape, wonderful sound, professional instrument". It was a pawn shop and the accordion was sitting in the store window. Looked nice but when I picked it up all the reeds had fallen to the bottom in a puddle of wax.. Sitting in the sun melted the wax and it was a complete mess. The pawn shop guy still wanted $350 for it and couldn't understand why it didn't sound good anymore.