Greetings,
About the only good thing about Guitar Center is that you can see their entire used gear inventory throughout the country online. Generally speaking, most of their used drum stuff is reasonably/fairly priced (unless it's "Vintage" of course........................). I browse their used cymbals, kits and hardware typically once a week or so. I have gotten some good deals. However, I just wanted to share a cautionary tale with you:
When browsing cymbals recently, I noticed one for $19.99 that read "Used Miscellaneous 1960's 18" Cymbal". With the accompanying picture, it sure looked like an A. Zildjian, and by using the zoom feature on the picture, I was able to decipher a Zildjian trademark. It was hard to tell, but it looked like it possible that it had an ID Stamp under the trademark (which would put it at 1994 or newer). Obviously, there were no ink logos anywhere on it. I figured I would take a chance, because even if it didn't sound good to me, there is always at least some resale value in an A. Zildjian cymbal, regardless of era.
I got it today, and was very disappointed. What was in the box was a cheap, brass 18" cymbal that was stamped "Kingstone- Japan". It is clearly not what was pictured on their website. I think even a cymbal novice could tell the difference between an A. Zildjian and a Japan made brass cheapy. The problem is, once you (or anyone else) buys something off the GC website, that listing disappears the next day. So, even if I took the cymbal back to Guitar Center (you have 30 days for a full refund), how can I prove that the cymbal I received was not the one pictured in their listing?
That's a long story, but from now on, what I am going to do (and I recommend to you as well) is to save the picture(s) of the item listed on the website on your computer or phone, and keep it until you receive the item and are satisfied with the purchase.
I don't necessarily think GC was being misleading, but I wouldn't put it past them. Saturday I saw another cymbal for $19.99 that read "Used 20" Miscellaneous Cymbal" that also looked exactly like an A. Zildjian. I'm glad I didn't pull the trigger on that.
I don't think I will bother returning a $20 cymbal, although with tax and shipping it was over $40. The cymbal actually doesn't sound bad, but it's very dry with not much sustain, and is pretty thin. I think two rivets might make this a decent light ride cymbal that I can also crash on.
Just be careful dealing with GC online. Like I said, keep the pictures, otherwise if the item is not as described on the website, you have no proof of what the original website listing contained.
Thanks,
V
