I started a thread not too long ago about this. The same exact thing happened to me. The picture clearly showed an older A. Zildjian; by using the zoom feature I could see the stamp. The description was "Unknown Brass Cymbal-Japan". What I got was a Brass Cymbal Made In Japan. I did not contact Guitar Center or send it back for a refund.
Here's what I learned from it:
1. Always save pictures of the items when you order it. Once the listing disappears from the website, you no longer can access the item. (Looks like ardrummer did this.)
2. If there is any doubt, call the store listed directly and ask questions. Even if the person on the phone is inexperienced, you can at least walk them through some basic questions that should tell you what you need to know.
3. The old adage still applies: "If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is".
In my case, I was disappointed I didn't receive the older A. Zildjian that was pictured, but I also put the blame on myself for not calling and clarifying the listing. It was my fault I didn't call, so I kept the cymbal.
Here's my opinion of ardrummer's predicament:
Guitar Center does have lots of turnover, and many people there are inexperienced. They clearly made a mistake on the picture, but the description was correct. They simply made a mistake when listing the item. Can't really fault them for that. Still, they owned up to it and offered a full refund to ardrummer, so GC stood behind their sale.
On the other hand, ardrummer thought he was getting a good deal, so he pulled the trigger, and was understandably disappointed when he received his cymbal. You can't blame him for wanting to find a good deal (let's face it, we all want to find a good deal), but he should have asked clarifying questions when he realized the listing description and picture didn't match up (I'm sure he has learned this now).
As far as this whole "being ethical/unethical" nonsense, let me just say this:
Like I said before, we ALL like to find good deals. If a grieving widow was selling her husband's 1958 Ludwig Mardi Gras Club Dates for $50, I think many of us would inform her that she was asking way too little and offer a price that was much more reasonable for both parties. I can only speak for myself, but I'm not going to blatantly rip someone else off, especially a non-drummer, just to score something nice for a steal. I think most of us here would fit into that category.
Things are different when a corporation like Guitar Center is involved. They (allegedly) have experience with musical instruments, and should know what they are selling and price it accordingly. It's their product and they should know it's value. If I walk into a GC and see an 80's EAK 20" ride priced for $59.99, I'm going to buy it! Not because I'm trying to "be unethical" or "rip off GC" or "screw the guy who gets the commission". I would be buying the product at the stated price on the price tag that they themselves put on the product. It's not like I'm offering $50 for a product tagged at $200. If I am buying their product at their stated price, is that being unethical? If GC, (who sells musical equipment and should have the knowledge to price their products accordingly) prices something way too low, isn't the owness on them? If your local grocery store were selling Filet Mignons for 10 cents a pound, would it be unethical to buy them at that price? They are the grocery store that sets the price on the products that they sell. If you're paying the stated price that they are asking, how are you "ripping them off" when they themselves set the price? It's hard to sympathize with a corporation, especially one that is a subject matter expert in their field, if they are pricing things too low and a lucky customer gets a good deal by simply purchasing the product at it's stated sticker price.
Anyway, just my opinion. I think some folks in this thread need to chill out.
