Should I say something? Overpaying for a guitar.

darfaz · #1 02-22-2019, 06:48 AM

A student of mine (I'm a schoolteacher, not a guitar teacher) performs in local events. We have talked guitar on various occasions: prices, brands, woods, even saddle material. He recently purchased a used Taylor that is a nice guitar. Since we've talked brands and "deals" he's gotten before, I asked him what he paid for the guitar. It was about 2x new retail price for the model. So my question is, should I say something? Or is ignorance bliss? He really likes the guitar, but the guy totally got swindled. My only reason for saying something would be maybe he had a "trial" period with the guitar and could possibly get his money back.

RP · #2 02-22-2019, 06:51 AM

I would say something. If there's something he can do to rectify the situation, he'll appreciate it....

SprintBob · #3 02-22-2019, 07:03 AM

IMO yes. You would be taking the high ground on behalf of your student. If he cannot rectify the situation at least you have given him future guidance.

Jim in TC · #4 02-22-2019, 07:22 AM

I agree to say something, assuming you are pretty sure it is not a Craiglist or similar deal. And it seems to me unusual for any kind of dealer to be that far off...

The Bard Rocks · #5 02-22-2019, 07:26 AM

Before saying something, I'd find out how he got it and from whom. There may be nothing he can do about it now and, if there isn't, no sense in busting his bubble. And it may be something he (or his parents) would not want to hear. I'd be very tempted to leave well enough alone and to content myself with something to this effect: "In the future, if you want to buy another, please consult me first. I think I could have saved you money on that one."

Dino Silone · #6 02-22-2019, 07:33 AM

This is a tough one. Someone unscrupulous enough to overcharge a high school kid by a factor of two, isn’t likely to be someone who would be willing to give a refund. So it really comes down to balancing the benefits of teaching the student to do his homework before spending his money, versus the cost of making him feel bad about a guitar that he currently loves - knowing that he’ll still be stuck with the consequences of the bad choice no matter what.

I guess I’d probably decide to shut up and let him continue to be happy with this guitar. I know that, if I were that student, I’d never be able to look at it without it reminding me that I’d been a sucker. Maybe this isn’t the best thing to use as a “smart consumer teaching moment”.

If there’s a tactful way to find out if he can get his money back, and it turns out that he CAN return the guitar, then that changes everything. I’d definitely speak up then.

Paddy1951 · #7 02-22-2019, 07:46 AM

Your student is probably excited for that guitar. At this point it may be less about the money. You need to be quite careful about what you say and how you say it.

It is not cool to burst someone's bubble.

RP · #8 02-22-2019, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paddy1951

...It is not cool to burst someone's bubble.

Perhaps, but ignorance is not necessarily bliss.....

Paddy1951 · #9 02-22-2019, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RP

Perhaps, but ignorance is not necessary bliss.....

I just saying be careful how you present that news.

DCCougar · #10 02-22-2019, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bard Rocks

...There may be nothing he can do about it now and, if there isn't, no sense in busting his bubble.....

Yeah - I'd first ask him if there was a return period on the purchase. If he's still within the return period, THEN tell him he overpayed.

SoCalSurf · #11 02-22-2019, 07:56 AM

The likelihood of him getting a reduced price on the guitar is very low.

The likelihood of him knowing about it now leaving a bad taste in his mouth and possibly changing how he feels about the guitar is very high.

Let it be. Let Karma do its work and let the kid retain his motivation and enjoyment.

RP · #12 02-22-2019, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paddy1951

I just saying be careful how you present that news.

Totally agree....

darfaz · #13 02-22-2019, 08:12 AM

I really appreciate the comments. I think I will just let it go. As much as I want to say something, the chances of him recouping any losses is very low. It is just so hard to see someone pay over $2K for a 200 series used Taylor. He said it was purchased from a friend. Around my community, live, acoustic music isn't really huge, so people often don't know what to value their stuff at.

Merak · #14 02-22-2019, 08:19 AM

Let sleeping dogs lay, he has a good guitar now, I wouldn't risk the relationship with you. He will find out on his own eventually. Some lessons are learned outside the classroom.

hairpuller · #15 02-22-2019, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merak

Let sleeping dogs lay, he has a good guitar now, I wouldn't risk the relationship with you. He will find out on his own eventually. Some lessons are learned outside the classroom.

Yes, as Mark Twain once said: Don't let your schooling get in the way of your education...or something like that.

Hope he continues to enjoy the guitar and the overcharge by his "friend" was a mistake.
scott