To risk or Not to Risk
So, I've managed to "score" a deal on a Scott Cao STV 1500, Cremonese model violin for a considerable cheaper price. 25.5% discount off the MSRP to be exact, with authenticate certificate and all that shabang. The only catch is that it's a final deal.online. in California. I live in winterwonderland Minnesota. No flight ticket to go there and try it out.
Which put me in extreme agony between the John Cheng Limited Series offer by SHAR music. They apparently guarantee that their John Cheng is such a great $2500, if I'm not satisfied, not only can I return it for full refund AND pays no postage, they'd also throw in a $50 gift card for trying.
What should I do? I'm not sure how long I can hold the Scott Cao dealer, and I'm torn between this and SHAR. I don't want to let a possibly way too rare chance to slip by......Hellllppppp oooh divine violinist combined intelligence and wisdom!!!
P.S
is a 25.5% discount a good discount on a Scott Cao STV1500?
Replies (23)
No. Let us assume that the violin is in a mint condition, properly setup, sound is decent but not up to your expectations. What will you do?
Another possible scenario: you just love the sound, but the violin needs attention; neck angle is low or there is a small crack on the top plate near the f hole, or the varnish is damaged? You may spend more money to get it going than the original price before discount.
Not worth the effort.
Would you purchase a pair of shoes, that you will be required to wear, of a brand that you have never before worn, for the same discount off of retail?
No way on the "all or nothing" Cao.
Even my Chinese violins from Yita and OVH offer a 14 day return policy.
Try the Shar.
Or you can get 20% off any violin at GoStrings using the code: "20-off-CIM" until Nov 15 I believe. They sell Snow, H Gill and others there.
It's hard to imagine anyone selling a violin unseen with no return privileges and no chance to look at it and try it before buying it. Makes me wonder if there's a reason why they're doing that with this particular instrument.... I'd be too nervous.
I actually have pictures and a video of the scott cao. It's on YT too I believe. Perfect conditions, never been played. I'll see if I can post the link to the pictures. The only thing that I worry about is the sound (@rocky). The look and craftsmanship is amazing via pictures/video. No sound demonstration though. I'll try and get the seller to send me a sound clip if they can. Haizzzzzz.......tyat
Hmmmmmmmm*gear winding*
@Duane- can't make that analogy to me, as an intense taobao shopper. I'd bought plenty of stuff( mainly clothe/shoes/cosplay material) without trying them once :P
Oh well, then go ahead and buy the violin and tell us how it goes.
No blisters?
@duane
Ah hah, no. No blister yet. They're mainly costume so I can always refit it. No so much with a violin though.
This is the pic of the Scott Cao
http://i58.tinypic.com/33a6has.png
http://i57.tinypic.com/23utzqv.png
The video of it *but no sound sample* just a view
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OLCPpQgb1E
And this is the link to the John Cheng
http://www.sharmusic.com/Instruments/Violin/Advanced-2K--10K/John-Cheng-0153-Limited-Series-Violin---4-4-size.axd#sthash.HHRnTle6.dpbs
Ask them to post a video with sound. They should certainly be capable of that
There are plenty of places that will let you trial 2 instruments(or more) at once, and the trial "fee" will even be applied towards the purchase price if you end up buying there. If you don't like either, you can return them and try again. I'm pretty sure Shar will let you trial more than one.
Having a competing instrument is oh-so-valuable when choosing an upgrade. A price tag in your range and an internet demo do not a good match make.
The "as is" violin is not discounted enough for the risk you are taking. You know why diamonds are forever? Because they have no resale value. Same with Chinese violins.
Certainly looks nice!
How do I imbedded pictures like that? @seraphim
I'm getting in contact with the seller regarding sound clips now.
When you reply to the thread, it gives you instructions on how to imbed images in the paragraph above where you type your reply.
What is so amazing about the "look and craftsmanship," which appear pretty ordinary to me as a maker?
Post up a pic of one of your $3,000 instruments and we can learn what the differences are.
If its the Califonia ebay dealer that sells lots of Caos on ebay, I would avoid him like the plague, he's a real nut case and he offers no returns, has connections to the company so he's probably selling factory seconds as new merchandise.
It's the CursingCat seller... @LyndonTaylor is that the one you're talking about?
I don't know anything about these guys, but I saw that they sell Scott Cao violins with free 10 day trial. Which sounds like a good idea.
http://www.violinpros.com
Get the Shar on trial and the Cao at the same time and see what you like.
ditto, Skylar!!
*run like a jamaican*
All right, I'm not going with that. But instead, I'll try Shar and Fein/Fine violin, since Fein is in the same state I lives in and Shar is "safe" with its return and such. :D
Thanks!!!
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October 22, 2014 at 02:51 AM · Hey Skylar. I wouldn't advise buying an instrument online that doesn't let you return it. You don't want to gamble with $3k. On my recent search most shops I went into had a deal of a lifetime that three other guys are looking at that I had to buy that day. In sales we call that a take away :) There are so many vendors that offer returns, you just have to be patient to find the situation and instrument that's right for you. Better to pay 25% more and be happy with and instrument you'll probably have for years than to take a risk and be unhappy. An instrument that doesn't please you is no 'deal' at all...