Is It Easy to Make Money With Mirc Guitars
MIRC Defacing Guitars
- Thread starter journeyman
- Start date
- #1
There is a wholeseller of used and factory 2nd instruments in the USA called MIRC. http://mircweb.com/index.php When they receive an instrument they remove the original serial number replace it with one of their own and stamp the word "used" on the headstock. They apparently remove the label from the inside of the guitar as well if it is a holloiw body. My personal feeling is that this is a bad practice as the original serial number provides a lot of valuable information such as date, factory location, etc. Additionally, it defaces and devalues the instrument, especially stamping the word 'used' on it. They do it to protect the original manufacturer from false warranty claims. I didn't know that was a problem; isn't the original sales receipt enough? They have no option for an individual to contact them through their website but I did lodge a complaint using their "new dealer inquiry tab. Here is my text. If others feel as strongly about this as I do, perhaps you can think about also sending in a complaint. Feel free to copy my text. -Roy
I am writing as an individual consumer to lodge an objection to your company's policy of removing serial numbers from guitars. The serial number provides valuable information to resellers, musicians and collectors such as date of manufacture, batch, factory name etc. Additionally, stamping the word "used" on an instrument defaces and devalues it. I therefore request that your company discontinue both of these practices.
Regards, Roy Patterson
- #2
Are the instruments that they do this to 'seconds?'
- #3
I think some of them are. some are discontinued models and some might be damaged when they receive them.
- #4
Seems self-defeating to me.
- #5
On the other Gretsch site, there was a thread about EBay shippers confiscating guitars because of illegal woods and such. This usually happens on overseas shipments. The shipper is located in Franklin, TN. Now, this is starting to make sense. People would get reimbursed for the "lost" and "confiscated" guitar. The seller got his money, but it seems some buyers got ripped off. This is looking like a major scam. They pull the labels, destroy the original serial numbers, and add the used stamps to what have basically become purloined goods. It looks like theft to me. Defacing the guitars is the least of the problems here.
Caveat Emptor!
Caveat Emptor!
- #6
Anyone want to bet that this is the where the EBay shipper that confiscates instruments ( due to illegal woods and such) sends their ill gotten goods? I smell a scam.
- #7
I doubt there is anything illegal, they don't even sell to consumers, only wholesalers. It's general easier to trick a consumer than a wholesaler. Of course I have no idea really.
- #8
I'm quite sure MIRC buys overstocks, discontinued models, factory seconds and returned guitars that might have a ding or two. They claim to refurbish and sell them as "used" instruments. There's nothing illegal about what they do, apparently.
- #10
That's just what I said they did. They're reputable and upfront about what they do. MIRC are resellers that sell to dealers. If I had a tax number, I could buy from them and sell on Ebay, which is what a lot of people do. They seem to specialize in Epiphone guitars.
I'm afraid the OP is way wrong in accusing them of doing something underhanded. Far from it. If he thinks what MIRC is doing is wrong, he doesn't have to buy a guitar that's passed through their hands. Simple.
- #11
The original manufacturer requires that they do this. A defective guitar returned by a consumer can no longer be sold as new and the used or 2nd stamp and altered serial number assures the manufacturer they won't be saddled with an erroneous warranty claim. It provides the manufacturer a way to dispose of their "duds" in a way that does not adversely affect consumer perception of their products. Should these "duds" fall short of customer expectation, the consumer knows he is not buying a first quality guitar in the first place. Defects range from cosmetics to wiring to neck/nut splits that are repaired by third part refurbishers.
I worked in consumer electronics for years and "factory refurbished" items were sold at deep discounts. People assumed the electronic items went back to the manufacturer and were refurbished when in fact they were refurbished by 3rd party companies here in the states. They were "factory refurbished" in the sense they were refurbished in a factory, just not in the manufacturer's factory.
- #12
For the record Bob, I never accused MIRC of anything underhanded. I understand why they are doing it. My concern is with the removal of original serial numbers for the reasons stated. Serial numbers provide a lot of information. The "used" stamp is less of an issue; some will hate it and some won't mind it. I just think there must be a better way to protect the manufacturer from false warranty claims. I was going to buy a Gretsch from a dealer in BC but because it came through MIRC he couldn't tell me when it was made or which factory it came from. As a used Electromatic it was top market pricing and there was no information on what was actually done to the guitar as refurbishing. I decided not to purchase it.
- #13
I guess the other option for manufacturers is to take the guitars that don't measure up and chop them up for firewood. (Remove the hardware first- extra labor that drives option 1)
- #15
Have you ever seen the picture of Gibsons reject pile? L.P.s, SGs, 335s, its crazyI guess the other option for manufacturers is to take the guitars that don't measure up and chop them up for firewood. (Remove the hardware first- extra labor that drives option 1)
- #16
I had a "stamped used" white Epi LP Custom back in the '90s. Bought from a friend who was an Epi/Gibson dealer at the time. It was a great guitar, I could never find the flaw in it.
- #17
I had a "stamped used" white Epi LP Custom back in the '90s. Bought from a friend who was an Epi/Gibson dealer at the time. It was a great guitar, I could never find the flaw in it.
Many of the guitars MIRC sell have minor finish flaws and that's all. Some have damage, and they fix them. Personally, if I can get a great deal on a guitar because there's a tiny finish flaw somewhere, that's not an issue at all. I'm going to bang the instrument up a bit anyway at some point.
- #18
For the record Bob, I never accused MIRC of anything underhanded. I understand why they are doing it. My concern is with the removal of original serial numbers for the reasons stated.
Understood. Obviously, what they do isn't for you, and that's fine. It's your choice whether or not to buy one of their instruments.
- #19
I guess the title "defacing" is a bit misleading and I can see why Bob took his initial stance, but also understand what the OP is intending to say...
- #20
Its a good service for people just wanting a guitar to use around home and bang around but serious collectors probably would'nt buy from them.
Source: https://www.gretsch-talk.com/threads/mirc-defacing-guitars.132997/
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