Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet Bass II from PMT Online - Black Friday Blues

I've had my eye on the Gretsch Junior Jet Bass II in black for a while as I fancied a relatively cheap short scale bass and I really like Gretsch guitars.

Nobody has had any stock lately, except PMT but was priced £70 higher than everywhere else, so when the early Black Friday 10% off discount came in I figured I'd get one. Still a little more than listed elsewhere but I don't have to wait.

So, big box came this morning but urgh, I open the outer box and find a Squier Affinity PJ Bass box inside, sealed with PMT branded tape. I check the order documentation that's attached to the outer box before opening and it's correct so I open it.

Inside is the Gretsch G2220 wrapped in bubble wrap, secured by more PMT tape.

I take the guitar out and it's in good condition but has loads of fingerprints on it, there's a scratch across part of the Gretsch logo on the pickguard and the tone control knob spins without any resistance at all.

The serial number show's it's early 2019 so this could've been on display/used for some time.

Not exactly the buying a new guitar experience I was looking for, I've boxed it back up and fired them a message about it.

I'm not a huge fan of getting an open box/display model when buying online but if it's perfect and basically as it should be then it's ok. This guitar is clearly a B-Stock item and that's just not ok in my book.

So basicly watchout for these guys?

Well their website does say (if you look hard enough) that if the item shows as low stock then it may have been on display and will be thoroughly checked and the buyer would be notified of such and informed of the overall condition.

I was not informed of anything and the guitar definitely has issues, aside of that surely it should be sent in it’s original box as that’s just shabby.

If I go to a guitar shop and play a guitar that’s on display, look it over and choose to buy it that’s fine.

To be given one unseen at full price isn’t on in my book as I haven’t been given the opportunity to see the item beforehand so if I buy new online I expect to receive a new item.

The scratched pickguard wasn’t great but the tone control certainly needs the pot replaced and is totally unacceptable.

Shame as the guitar is a nice item.

I’m not going to buy from them online again without informing them that I won’t accept a shop displayed item that’s for sure.

To be honest, a company of this size shouldn’t be selling shop displayed items as new online and they should be marked as B Stock.

So you didn't get any B-Stock or Demo discounts only the Black Friday savings?

No, it was just the Black Friday saving on a supposedly brand new bass.