The demand for inexpensive guitar parts is huge. It’s hard to satisfy some customers with a great experience but inevitably their expectations are so much higher than necessary sometimes. Their skill levels appear almost non-existent.  I am always amazed at what high regard some customers hold about their very own knowledge and skills.  If you’re a guitar player please be aware of what Dirty Harry (Clint Eastwood) said in the 1973 movie Magnum Force.  Just after Harry has knocked-off the last bad guy, he said, “A man’s got to know his limitations.” I think he meant this for hobbyists as well.  Call him, he’ll tell you. Don’t add your own neck.

While, there are practical people among us who might say, “Wait, I know my limitations!” Consequently, I would suggest that the opposite is the case. For example, many of us believe that we can’t do certain things because we weren’t born with a particular talent.

Consequently, we have to go into “debunking” mode

Each of us comes configured with certain leanings when we’re born. Some of us come with do-complex-math-in-my-head operations. Others come with the run-really-fast option. Some have the eat-anything-and-stay-skinny option. And still others come with the play-whatever-I-hear option.

If you take on a new task that matches your option package, you’ll be credited with talent. And if not, you can either give up or you can accept the fact that you’re simply going to have to work a little harder and a little longer to accomplish the new task. The other choice is to hand it over. Let an experienced tech deal with it for you. You just be good at being you. Don’t buy guitar parts unless you’re serious.

equivalent to a “get out of jail free” card so a buyer can rest well on the night prior to any purchase on Ebay

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t “pretend” you’re an expert because you’ve done it before. It may have turned out right accidentally and if you’re called on to repeat it- will it be different next time.  Once you pretend to be an “expert” you can’t go back and ask for assistance now, can you?  I am specifically talking about DIY’s in the area of guitar repair. Yes, there are a multitude of them and they all buy parts on Ebay. They are all experts. I can’t believe how many “guitar and luthery experts” I meet on a weekly basis buying something we are selling on eBay.  Then the questions come in.  Consequently, we have to go into “debunking” mode. I didn’t realize this but most guitar experts spend a great deal of time on ” guitar forums”.  Hence, debunking continues until they move on with their lives.  Until they do sellers have to babysit them.  The next brain flexing step is to test their knowledge by selecting the perfect neck, sight unseen, on Ebay.  Did these consumers ever once stop and think, “I should make a decision-then make it right”.

Ebay insists sellers meet with buyers prior to any purchase

According to Ebay representatives, it is a sellers responsibility to be sure the “part” gets to the proper buyer.  Ebay insists sellers meet with buyers prior to any purchase.  Then the sellers have to inspect the property to which it will be shipped. It seems it needs to be sent to a good home.  Furthermore,  the sellers must determine if the prospective purchase will be a good match for the environment to which it will be shipped.  Then a seller must have the buyer sign a contract with the buyer.  This will quite effectively absolve the expert buyer of any cognitive defects on his part. It also preadmits any “fault” on the part of the seller so that the buyer feels swaddled in safety.

This will quite effectively absolve the expert buyer of any cognitive defects on his part

Therefore any item must be accepted for return as long as the following conditions are met:  The buyer must lie about the purchase. For example, if he drops it or otherwise uses the product in a careless manner, he can ship it back.  The reason must state, ‘It came this way”.  The other condition is that the seller must beg the buyer in advance for forgiveness should a problem arise.  He  must also prepurchase a shipping label and “overnight express” it to the buyer prior to any purchase.

the seller must beg the seller in advance for forgiveness, should a problem arise

This is equivalent to a “get out of jail free” card so the buyer can rest assured on the night prior to any purchase on Ebay.  Fortunately Ebay has a tool available they despise, where sellers can grab a small bit of their lives back. So, to make sure competent “expert” buyers know their limitations-at least in our store, and it’s called “the Blocked Bidder list”. We add “experts” on there on a regular basis. We encourage you to do the same.  Because in their minds, it seems it’s always the recently purchased “part” or the “seller” is  the problem hence, not their skill level.

Speaking of “Level” make sure you know what a fret level, a sanding beam, a fret file, a crowning tool and a fret mask is before you call yourself an expert. They are the essential tools to add your own neck.  They complete a successful project. You’re going to need the right tools. So, if you buy an inexpensive neck on Ebay, you can make it GREAT!  Most of all, know your limitations!

When all else fails-“You can consult the experts!”

Add your own neck?