COA Replacement Question

[Nays]

Hi

I was reading in another thread that it maybe possible to get Gibson to send a replacement COA if you ship them the guitar to inspect or are the original purchaser. Well I bought my Les Paul Custom back in 2005 from a music store(goodwin music) through ebay. I received the guitar and it was in perfect condition. But it was missing the case candy and COA. This didn't bother me at the time because I was still on the high of getting my first Gibson. It wasnt until I started reading these forums that I began to wonder about the COA and case candy. I contacted the store I bought the guitar from, but of course it has been years since and they do not have the original case content.

My question is, do you think Gibson would send me replacements for these missing pieces as I am the original purchaser and bought it new? I'm just trying to get some opinions before I decide to contact them or not.

Thanks for all your help

 

[dwagar]

as I understand it, you have to be the original purchaser AND ship it to them to get a COA.

Did a Custom come with a COA?

 

[-=[Shifty]=-]

[email protected]

 

[passingtime]

Apparently the only way to replace a missing COA is to ship your guitar to Gibson CS. After authentication they will issue a replacement COA and return your guitar.

 

[Nays]

Thanks for the replies guys, I appreciate them.

I've contacted Gibson after posting this thread and explained my story to them. They claim that any eBay bought guitars (regardless if bought new) are second hand purchases and will not replace the COA.

Why do I feel if I had just told them I bought it from a music store there wouldn't be a problem at all? I think its pretty crappy of them to automatically consider eBay bought guitars to be "second hand". Does that mean anyone who's bought a new guitar from eBay is not eligible for warranty either?

 

[dennistruckdriver]

....Why do I feel if I had just told them I bought it from a music store there wouldn't be a problem at all? I think its pretty crappy of them to automatically consider eBay bought guitars to be "second hand". Does that mean anyone who's bought a new guitar from eBay is not eligible for warranty either?

They are protecting themselves from counterfeiters. Get over it. You still like the guitar, right?
If you have a complaint, it's with the dealer you purchased it from.

HC

 

[Nays]

They are protecting themselves from counterfeiters. Get over it. You still like the guitar, right?
If you have a complaint, it's with the dealer you purchased it from.

HC

Settle down.

I wasn't complaining and I'm obviously not too concerned about it since I didn't do anything about it for 5 years. I saw somebody mention COA replacement in another thread and got curious. I understand their caution against counterfeiters, doesn't mean I cant think its a crappy deal because I know a lot of people purchase Gibson's from eBay.

 

[AngryHatter]

Thanks for the replies guys, I appreciate them.

I've contacted Gibson after posting this thread and explained my story to them. They claim that any eBay bought guitars (regardless if bought new) are second hand purchases and will not replace the COA.

Why do I feel if I had just told them I bought it from a music store there wouldn't be a problem at all? I think its pretty crappy of them to automatically consider eBay bought guitars to be "second hand". Does that mean anyone who's bought a new guitar from eBay is not eligible for warranty either?

People selling on eBay are not authorized dealers. Which means you are the second owner.
They are protecting their distribution channels.

So you think being dishonest would make you feel better?
I think I am missing something.

 

[Nays]

People selling on eBay are not authorized dealers. Which means you are the second owner.
They are protecting they distribution channels.

So you think being dishonest would make you feel better?
I think I am missing something.

No of course not. Which is why I wasn't dishonest. I was not aware that even Guitar shops (I bought it from a store that sold online, Not a random person) that sold through eBay were not considered authorized dealers.

 

[AngryHatter]

I understand your feeling.
It also makes me think that case candy is only really relevant when you are looking to sell.
If that's the case, you are upset at potentially reaping less for your guitar than possible, and I understand that, too.
If it is genuine and a "nice" guitar - one that someone really will want, you'll get the same money if you look for a different buyer than the guy interested in the pedigree.

 

[jomo]

Did you give Gibson your info? If not, I'd let it die down and try again. Just say you got it from that dealer, that's not being dishonest, you did get it from that dealer and the ebay part is irrelevant.

 

[Nays]

I understand your feeling.
It also makes me think that case candy is only really relevant when you are looking to sell.
If that's the case, you are upset at potentially reaping less for your guitar than possible, and I understand that, too.
If it is genuine and a "nice" guitar - one that someone really will want, you'll get the same money if you look for a different buyer than the guy interested in the pedigree.

Ah I can see how you could see it that way. No I'm not inquiring about this because I'm looking to sell this guitar (and it is a genuine Gibson Les Paul Custom btw). I will never sell this guitar as its my dream guitar and I worked my ass off from 8th grade to Junior year to save up enough money to buy it. I was mainly curious to find out if I could get replacements for the accessories that I didn't receive when I purchased it. I completely understand that it is my fault for not following up with the store I bought it from. but if it was possible for me to get replacements, why not go for it?

 

[AngryHatter]

Ayep, you did.
Okay - now forget it.

I think I lost any paperwork that came with mine.
Who cares?
I am not a collector/dealer...I am a playa, baby.

My oldest guitars have no paperwork, none.
I bought my es used and the fender my father bought - I think all he got was a receipt.

 

[PunkerJon]

I understand the COA but I don't get the whole case candy thing... I guess it hurts the resale value of the guitar when you try to sell it... Too bad I used the polish cloth on my R8, which is now probably worth only a few hundred dollars...

 

[Bing17]

You may be confusing an actual "brick and mortar" guitar store that is an authorized Gibson dealer with an ebay store someone calls a music store. Did this ebay "store" say they were an authorized Gibson dealer? If not, you're out of luck.

 

[-=[Shifty]=-]

Did this ebay "store" say they were an authorized Gibson dealer? If not, you're out of luck.

Authorized Gibson/Epiphone dealers are not allowed to sell Gibson/Epiphone guitars on ebay, as far as I know.

 

[thewood1987]

Hi

I was reading in another thread that it maybe possible to get Gibson to send a replacement COA if you ship them the guitar to inspect or are the original purchaser. Well I bought my Les Paul Custom back in 2005 from a music store(goodwin music) through ebay. I received the guitar and it was in perfect condition. But it was missing the case candy and COA. This didn't bother me at the time because I was still on the high of getting my first Gibson. It wasnt until I started reading these forums that I began to wonder about the COA and case candy. I contacted the store I bought the guitar from, but of course it has been years since and they do not have the original case content.

My question is, do you think Gibson would send me replacements for these missing pieces as I am the original purchaser and bought it new? I'm just trying to get some opinions before I decide to contact them or not.

Thanks for all your help

I just went through a similar dilemma. Here is what I learned,
1. Gibson places RFID chips in all Customs. Regardless of how many hands the guitar has gone through, it is still undeniably verifiable by Gibson. The guitar either has this chip or its not real. (Not sure when they started this, early 2000's I believe.)
2. Because you are not directly benifiting Gibson financialy by buying used, Gibson can't scan your guitar for a damn chip? That is BS.
3. If you decide to play ball and ship the guitar to them, expect no diligence in its return. It is not unheard of to have to wait months to get your guitar back from Gibson.
Unfortunately, it is the dealers fault in the first place. At the least, they should offer to pay shipping to validate they sold you an authentic guitar. I had to return the guitar I was having issues with and start over fresh. I hope all works out better for you.

 

[moreguitars70]

Authorized Gibson/Epiphone dealers are not allowed to sell Gibson/Epiphone guitars on ebay, as far as I know

Yes this is a violation of their price fixing policy.

 

[thewood1987]

You almost can't call yourself a Gibson guy if you have not been bent over by Gibson at least once.

 

[Indyclone]

I've seen some blank COAs and case candy on the bay... you could buy one of those and fill it out yourself...