Mike's Oud Forums

Ebay Nightmare.....

Christian1095 - 7-9-2008 at 01:32 PM

Need advice....

It was made by Walid Hamido - and $250 seemed like a decent price to pay for a 'student' oud.
Quote:

Hello christian1095, This Oud is Arabic "egyptian Oud" Oud Description: -This oud has the classic tear-drop shape. -Solid Rosewood staves are used in the construction of the bowl and neck. -The three round sound holes rimmed by simulated Mother of Pearl inlay. -The inlay design is mirrored on the neck. -The soundboard has a light finish. -There are eleven strings in five courses of two and one single string (nylon and nylon wound). -The bridge is fixed. The nut to bridge measures approximately 24 inches. -This is a beautifully decorated instrument. -Over all dimensions are approximately 32 x 14 x 8 inches. Oud includes extra string set, oud pick and case. -The case has three locks and a hand grip, vinyl outside and cloth inside.


When I got the item, the case was damaged (looked like something had been dropped on it) It was sent in the case with no box around it... Is that common practice?

At any rate, I had paid for insurance, but apparently UPS only handles claims from the shipper -- which is, in this case, the UPS store in IL.

So I'm pretty sure I'm out $255.... UPS wants to come pick up the item, but I think it would be a bad idea to do so until I see some $$$.... The way thier system is set up, it's not in anyone's interest to pursue a claim... The guy I bought it from has my $$$, The UPS store (the Sender) has no stake in the process, and UPS doesn't want to deal with me...

So my recourse, as I see it is to leave negative feedback for the guy who sold me the instrument... but really the only thing I can say is that it was packed poorly...

Has anyone else had an experiance like this?

I 'think' I can fix the Oud if worse comes to worse...

Any thoughts

Christian1095 - 7-9-2008 at 01:33 PM

Pic 1

Christian1095 - 7-9-2008 at 01:34 PM

Pic2

Christian1095 - 7-9-2008 at 01:35 PM

Pic 3

Christian1095 - 7-9-2008 at 01:37 PM

The cracks are for the most part, with the grain of the wood, so I'm thinking they won't be too hard to repair....

My plan was to start close to the center of the bowl and work towards the edge....

The only one that really worries me is the crack on the top right in Pic3.... there seems to be some overlap and I'm worried about trying to manhandle it into place.... Most of it will line up but the last bit seems to be bulging a bit.... Advice?

SamirCanada - 7-9-2008 at 02:21 PM

I have used the UPS store before but in order for me to purchase the insurance, I would have to let Them pack it. So if indeed you have insurance purchased, the seller may have let them pack it and since they have no idea what a oud is.... they may have done the damage. so I think they should be liable.

for the repairs...

seems like you have glue joints separations rather then cracks.It could be a rather easy fix.

check out picture 10 from this page. you could go about it like that. just make sure that if your putting pressure from the inside put pressure from the outside at the same force about.

http://www.mikeouds.com/messageboard/viewthread.php?tid=5016

ALOMARI - 7-9-2008 at 10:31 PM

in most cases they won't even bother picking it up , they just need to make sure it is actually damaged and they will propably let you keep it , it happened to my cousine witha laptop and my friend when he bought some collectibles, they just looked at it and told him (you can keep it if you wish)